the gold berkshire

Yes this is how it will look when delivered.  Confirmed yesterday afternoon at the Lionel booth with a Lionel rep.

Personally even though early on Lionel said this was the case, I think they could have a few disappointed customers especially after some of the plated items that were released. Question is would you pay more for plating?  

Yes, according to Lionel rep. there.

 

MartyE, do you mean pay more than than the $50 Lionel is already charging for the gold painted model than they're charging for the black painted one?

I would think the difference in cost between gold paint and gold painting would be more than $50. 

Anyone who was expecting this to be a gold plated engine will undoubtedly be disappointed. Plating would be nice, but this is not it. There undoubtedly would have been a much higher price on the engine if this was the case. If you are looking for a plus, the passenger cars will be a very good match to the engine and tender. Take a look. Click on photo to obtain a larger image that will show the details better.

 

 

Maybe the blue disappearing is a good thing. It's sort of odd. I didn't like it when I saw it in the catalog but thought what the heck and ordered it anyway. Often things look better in person. The gold looks alright to me but what I can't get past is the jet black drivers and steel/tin colored rods. My eyes are drawn to them like a magnet. A thin line of chrome or platinum colored paint on the spokes or rims of the drivers would add huge visual appeal especially in movement. Gold implies a rich or classy item and then contrast it with standard colored side rods just doesn't look correct. It looks like the theme of the loco was not followed thru. It was just dropped.  Don't know what to think as I ordered this for my son. Who knows he might like it.

That's where the platinum/silver color steam-chest, under-cab wheels, and tender wheels on the 2000 Gold Hudson provide a much better color balance.  Everything just "works" when you look at that loco.  With the gold PE Berk, it looks a bit incomplete... as if someone started the project, then moved on to another one too soon.  

 

In retrospect, this may become a good example why one shouldn't mess with success.  Lionel may have been better off just re-issuing the black PE Berk -- with the added whistle-steam, of course  -- and passenger coaches for those who missed out on the 2005 run and be done with it.   

 

David

Agreed! Fortunately I ordered the black one also. Really don't know what to do about the gold one. Sometimes Things grow on you and end up becoming favorites. Lets hope this is one of them.

Huh? Do you mean gold paint and gold plating? Yes, agreed if that's what you meant, MartyE, but I'm talking about a $50 difference based on the difference of paint color, i.e. gold vs. black.

Yes plating. Sorry. 

Metallic  paint does cost more than black paint and is tougher to apply. Id it worth $50, I do not know. Here is a better picture