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With the number of people who responded (Well over 100) to the survey last year and with Lionel commenting to me that they did follow it, I figured I would change it up and do another one this year.

Like before I would start by asking people what they would like (this time 3 categories).  After a period of time I will take the top 4 in each category and start the poll. I will take submissions from clubs, Lionel’s Facebook page and of course this forum.

For this phase there is no limit to the number of items you can suggest. Just reply to this email.

 The categories are:

  1. Rolling Stock – Freight (any time period)
  2. Engines (Diesel and Steam)
  3. Accessories/Track

 

 

To start the list off my selections would be:

  1. Rolling Stock – Freight: 89’ Autoracks, Center Beam Car, Operating Milk Car
  2. Engines – Southern Pacific GS4, SD40, Legacy Alco Powered B units
  3. Accessories/Track - RR Crossing Fastrack, Sensor Fastrack, Cattleloader with Sounds

 

--Rocco--

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Eternal optimism....

I will share this on the S scale Facebook page. We have over 800 members now.

For me:

1.  Anything scale dimension and detailed. Specifically passenger cars with detailed interiors and LEDs.

2. Anything scale dimension and detailed. Steam: Hudson, Mikado, Pacific, 4-6-0, 2-6-0. Diesel: GP30, GP 7/9, GP40-2, SD40-2, Also S2/4, 44Tonner, 70Tonner, E7, PA, FA

3. Numbered turnouts (#4,#5,#6) and curved turnouts (Ex. 27"r/20"r)

Everything should be made Hi-Rail and Scale compatible if possible.

Francine,

I spoke with Ryan at Lionel as well and I get your point.  Remember in 2017 they did do some new tooling.  So maybe they can do one piece of new tooling in 2018.  For now don't just limit yourself to cost at this point.  When the list get's narrowed down that will more likely come into play.   And who knows, if Lionel see's enough interest they may be willing to do some tooling.

Rocco

1.  Modern Tank Cars, Modern 4 bay Trinity Grain Hoppers, Modern Flat Cars ( I will make the loads).

2. SD40-2, GP30, SW1500, SD9 or 24  must be hi-rail and scale compatible 

- Release the ES44 in common road schemes, they appear to be practically gone.  Skip the Legacy schemes they are on EBAY

3. Hopefully Fox Valley will be the answer to our track needs

 

First of all a preface.  Lionel seems to want to offer us two levels of electronics, the full on Legacy and Flyer Chief.  I may be wrong (and usual am) but the FC seems to cost less, and for me, it gives me all the "bells and whistles" I need.  So perhaps offerings in the Engines category should give us the option.  We (the Southeastern Michigan S Gaugers) recently ran a three locomotive full Legacy consist at the S Spree of more modern units on our layout, and they looked GOOD!  However, in the rolling stock category, we get teased and then let down, like with the 52' reefers.  So for what it's worth here's my wish list:

1.  More modern box or flat cars like the mechanical reefer or center beam flat.  Don't foreshorten it like the waffle sided boxcars.  But no matter what, no more 40 foot offerings, or things that were made by other companies.  The wood sided reefers are nice, but were made by SHS before.  Look at what is out there, and do something else like hi-cube boxcars.

2.  A full length RDC-1, then RDC-2 and RDC-3 like in their O gauge line, but again not stubby ones.  I made one from scratch based on an idea put forth to Gilbert in the early 50s (photo).  But PLEASE make sure the electronics will last!

Second in this category would be modern Amtrak motive power with proper passenger cars.  American Models made an F40PH and Superliner cars, so how about a set of Horizon cars with a contemporary engine to pull them? 

3.  Any accessory that can be used in a more realistic environment so that both traditional Flyer and more scale types can use it.  This is not high on my list, though.

OK, I realize that Lionel has limited funds to devote to Flyer, but looking at their O gauge offerings, it makes me both jealous and thankful I'm in S.  Jealous in the fact that there's so much out there in O compared to S, and thankful in that I'm not tempted to buy more trains than I actually can afford, or need. 

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Last edited by poniaj

There is one more thing I would add to my Engine selection and it’s Thomas the Tank Engine. This may not be popular with the clubs and members on this forum but this is as close to a sure thing for Lionel that I could think of. It’s like leaving money on the table or like taking money from Bachman. This would help sell more track and even repurpose existing AF accessories under the Thomas brand that we have not seen in years (Like a cow on the track). This potentially could give Lionel more money to invest in S tooling in the future. Just make it better than the Bachman HO Thomas and they have a big hit here with Flyer Chief control.

Rocco posted:

This potentially could give Lionel more money to invest in S tooling in the future. Just make it better than the Bachman HO Thomas and they have a big hit here with Flyer Chief control.

I too would like Thomas, but unfortunately, if Thomas is a money-maker, I only see them reinvesting in more Thomas stuff; leaving us even farther behind.

Brendan

Start a series of AF Streamlined Steam Engines -- make them with top notch fit, finish, and details.  Offer them in two configurations -- conventional AC/DC, and Legacy.   Price them so the conventional version streets at around $385, and the Legacy version at about $685.  Start with a NYC Dreyfuss Hudson and a Hiawatha (Atlantic) with images of the Blue Goose, 49'r, Royal Blue, LV Black Diamond, and others in the background to tease us and then come through with them over the next 3-5 years.  Watch us drool and eat out of their hands.  DCC operators, convert conventional versions with decoders of your choice.  Its not that hard.  Scalers -- treat everyone nice and maybe they'll offer a separate set of drivers.  Flyer Chief - in other engines, not these.  The point is to give us great looking models of these timeless engines (that every other scale has an abundance of) in the simplest and most sophisticated operating formats and let the market choose.  Conventional with a whistle, bell, and smoke chuff 'n puff.  Come on, how many of you don't find yourselves running Gilbert Flyer with less than that -- and still having fun.  Legacy versions -- the whole enchilada.  

Continuing the approach used with the SD70's and ES44's on any Legacy diesel offerings, i.e. scale wheel options, DCC compatibility and Kadee mounting pads.  The flexibility of those 2 models was fantastic.

Doing the same with Flyer Chief locos relative to scale wheel options and Kadee mounting pads

Rolling stock - More realistic sizes trucks akin to SHS, AM or SSA with scale or hi-rail wheel options; and Kadee mounting pads

One other thing I didn't mention...

I prefer Legacy electronics because it offers DCC compatibility and has better sounds and control than Flyer Chief. However, I would not be opposed to less expensive Flyer Chief versions as long as they were scale sized and detailed models. I will just gut the junky FC electronics and replace it with a superior DCC install. That's fine with me.

So if the market is saying they want the lower cost FC versions then fine. Just give me a good scale detailed model. As many separately applied details as possible.

The perfect engine to try this out with would be a scale 44 tonner. Put a cab interior in it with a figure. Fixed pilots. Scale wheel sets available for extra purchase.  Kadee mounting pads. Twin motors and Flyer Chief control to keep the cost down. That should be a hit with the RTR crowd and those of use that want a better DCC install can do it ourselves.

Bring me one of those at $250-$300 and I'll by 4 (assuming road name is desirable). I will even BTO preorder !!!

Your move Lionel... ;-)

Last edited by jonnyspeed

Mine would be simple. Do what the other scales have already done to encourage a good market. 

 

1. SD40-2, as many REALISTIC road names and paint schemes as possible. Modern road names would be great also. CSX, Norfolk Southern, UP, BNSF....

 

I agree. Modern stock.

2. 30,000 gal tank cars, modern flats, modern hoppers, coal porters.

3. No more goofy paint schemes or zombie cars.

 

 Also, if you do modern, do the paint right. Not like the NS paint on those out dated covered hoppers. I Loved the detail, the size. It was a grear attempt, just let me down on the paint scheme and the era of hopper they chose to produce. Didn't make any since.

 

Thank you!

Rocco posted:

There is one more thing I would add to my Engine selection and it’s Thomas the Tank Engine. This may not be popular with the clubs and members on this forum but this is as close to a sure thing for Lionel that I could think of. It’s like leaving money on the table or like taking money from Bachman. This would help sell more track and even repurpose existing AF accessories under the Thomas brand that we have not seen in years (Like a cow on the track). This potentially could give Lionel more money to invest in S tooling in the future. Just make it better than the Bachman HO Thomas and they have a big hit here with Flyer Chief control.

Rocco, et al.,

I ran my Tomas on my club (Southeastern Michigan S Gaugers) layout at the Spree, and it was a hit with kids of all ages.  Even the fully grown ones!  But the kids on Saturday were drawn to it like bees to flowers.  One little guy in the arms of him mom dropped everything in his hands and lit up with the biggest smile I've seen in a long time.  There was a group of four or five other kids that were chasing it around the layout.  I had fun reversing it from time to time.  But again, the electronics involved, even their FC ones would not fit in a truly scaled Thomas without a major revision of the board.  If they could actually do a reasonable Thomas, I too agree it would be a hit.  They'd better think about it fast since the whole Thomas thing may be on the wane.

And yeah.  No zombie cars...

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Last edited by poniaj

Brendan said

"I too would like Thomas, but unfortunately, if Thomas is a money-maker, I only see them reinvesting in more Thomas stuff; leaving us even farther behind."

 

Brendan I respectfully disagree.  I think having Thomas will allow them to tool up more cars for both S Thomas and S Flyer plus you would get more accessories (Perhaps painted in Thomas blue and another realist paint application for Traditional Flyer).

 

As for the electronics... The Docksider set still has not shipped to me but it is supposed to have Flyer Chief.  My thought is if they can get that in a Docksider than they can put the electronics into Thomas.

 

Rocco

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