The last catalog of LTC trains is out.

The one thing I did not see mentioned is whether they will continue to produce tinplate, but with the MTH logo instead of the Lionel logo, as they did for decades prior to this licensing agreement.  One assumes yes, otherwise why mention that they own all the tooling?  Perhaps they don't want to commit to producing tinplate until they see how this last catalog does?  Time will tell, of course.

At one time this was my favorite go-to catalog every year. I bought a Christmas train, lots of locos and rolling stock, a big orange 256 electric and the ever-so-cool remake of the Red Comet set.

Have moved away from tin the past several years but may have to find something in this one to tempt me.

Not sure why Lionel would slant any future agreement in a way that prevents this relationship from continuing.  Lionel most likely isn't entering the full tinplate market.  Why not collect royalties off of each item that MTH creates for its established market.   Guess we will get the Lionel name licensed on non train nick nacks like lamps and those cheap wrist watches.  

wow,but mostly rehash of 2016,dealers with special 400 sets,loved the af sets,glad I got what I did,when I did,and no subways $&%&%%$^####

As noted above, MTH owns and retains all the tinplate tooling.  Renewal of the licensing agreement with L was simply not economically feasible or justifiable at this stage.  No decision has been made as to whether copies of the new 2018-19 catalog will be printed for distribution at the upcoming York or for mailing to dealers.  For now, best to print out and retain the online copy.  Also keep in mind that MTH is not restricted from offering tinplate items down the road under the MTH logo.  All depends on whether the business model can justify future offerings.  Those of us who truly enjoy and collect the tinplate trains would would  be quite pleased to see future offerings....but there has to be a perceivable demand to justify production.

I think there will be more tinplate in the future. I think the market is just saturated right now but tinplate is Mike W first love so I don’t see it disappearing. I think it’s safe to say new tooling for tinplate isn’t going to happen right now and they have produced a lot of product in every color imaginable.    I wouldn’t be surprised if a future Lionel/MTH venture develops again. 

terry hudon posted:

wow,but mostly rehash of 2016,dealers with special 400 sets,loved the af sets,glad I got what I did,when I did,and no subways $&%&%%$^####

Exactly. And that's why my tinplate orders went from fairly robust 5-6 years ago to pretty much zero the last few.

The one item I always passed on that I might consider is the Lionel Lines orange and blue loco and passenger car set.  Always an eye catcher.

Jim Rawlings posted:

As noted above, MTH owns and retains all the tinplate tooling.  Renewal of the licensing agreement with L was simply not economically feasible or justifiable at this stage.  No decision has been made as to whether copies of the new 2018-19 catalog will be printed for distribution at the upcoming York or for mailing to dealers.  For now, best to print out and retain the online copy.  Also keep in mind that MTH is not restricted from offering tinplate items down the road under the MTH logo.  All depends on whether the business model can justify future offerings.  Those of us who truly enjoy and collect the tinplate trains would would  be quite pleased to see future offerings....but there has to be a perceivable demand to justify production.

Unless it was updated between when you read the release and when I read the release, it specifically says no printed version will be produced.  (Craig's link without the "a" on the end)

-Dave

Dave, I am aware of the announcement on line.  Does not reflect the possibilities.

Unless Lionel required a min royalty...wouldn't the traditional license by x% of sales.  So no risk.

Dave45681 posted:

Unless it was updated between when you read the release and when I read the release, it specifically says no printed version will be produced.  (Craig's link without the "a" on the end)

-Dave

That is correct: NO printed version.

I think they have done enough of the Classic Lionel reproductions.

I would like to see MTH make some Modern Standard Gauge like the Harlan Creswell 600e with Proto 3, and bells, whistles, and smoke!

Many of my thoughts covered above.  Almost just a note saying - btw here's what we got left, plus the dealer specials.  Case in point the lone 710 series passenger with no set.  

The disappointment for me is still no 2816 hoppers.  The ones offered in the 2016 lct catalog were cancelled.  Hopefully they make a comeback after the licensing agreement expires.

I do like that UP Standard Gauge passenger set.  Looks to have nickel trim... would go well with my Lionel Classics Grey 400E.  (Definitely going to pre-order!)

I'm pretty bummed that there won't be any more of these, since they were lovely products. I already have plenty of them, and they're all really high quality. Though I do think there's not much else they have and can do in terms of reproductions, and could've done more original ideas.  I would've loved to see a new O gauge version of the standard gauge No.200 turntable - long enough to hold tender engines like the 263E at least. 

I would like to see them make Modern Era Standard Gauge on a made to order basis. I would love a M10,000.

Mikado 4501 posted:

 I would've loved to see a new O gauge version of the standard gauge No.200 turntable....

Ditto! Would buy one of those for sure.

Since Lionel moved away from continuing their classic tinplate product line, I liked the fact that although MTH and Lionel are competitors and former legal adversaries, both sides came to a mutual agreement to allow the "Lionel Lines" to continue on via MTH product production.  Although I don't like the thought, I do understand the possible reason why Lionel might not want to extend the current "Lionel Lines" licensing agreement if Lionel believes that any licensing fee received does not help Lionel in the sale of their current and future products.  Since there is a lot of overlap between modern tinplate and modern regular/scale operators, it could also be argued that a sale of a new MTH "Lionel Lines" product reduces the potential amount of money available in the market to be used to buy a current Lionel BTO product.

You never know... depending upon the finer details of the contract and possibly before the end of the licensing agreement, M's factory had a large production run of "Lionel Lines" name plates that will end up in the MTH service/parts bins for later resale to customers that might have a damaged nameplate to replace.

So I purchased a blue 400E with brass trim. It again has a full page picture in this new catalog. I was told that matching coaches would be produced in the next catalog. Of course, they are not in the new catalog.

Sooooo... can I get the nickel trim coaches and somhow change them to brass?? Will the blue match? Ugh. Dissapointed.