@breezinup - good point about the people who are happy with their Lionel purchases not saying anything. That gives me a little more peache about shelling out some $$.
For me, I'm going to be ordering the Chessie SD50.
@MartyE posted:3 Days later and this is still calling my name... They need to get some sound samples up. @Dave Olson said on the R&D show they have some additional sounds than previously offered.
Hey @Dave Olson and @Conrail6358, will the railroad related dialog be whimsical or a little more serious for this engine? I'd certainly love to have some serious dialog with scary overtones and accents. Not sure if that makes sense. Either way though this one almost a week later is calling my and from the looks of things a quite a few others name. I think with all the hardware hanging off the front this engine lends itself to Halloween!
I think this is one of the better Volume 2 catalogs I've seen lately. Nice job.
@elementdude195 posted:I’m hoping @Dave Olson or someone else can tell me the detailed differences between the UP Aux tenders on this 2023 Volume Two vs the Visionline version from the 2018 Volume Two. I can’t really tell the difference when comparing the two catalogs. Sounds seem the same where they might use the same sound boards and they both use electro couplers, and have metal body shells.
I saw the response about the magnetic flag not sure if it was magnetic back then, not a big deal to me. I wasn’t sure what else is different. I’m hoping it’s just an orange vs black box and all the rest is the same. I missed out back in 2018 so I’m going to either get these if it’s essentially the same or keep hunting for the 2018 versions.
In the Ryan and Dave Show they said they would be using the tender from the Veranda. That is what appears in the 2023 v2 catalog. The Veranda tender looks quite different from the tenders produced in 2018. The ladders are vertical instead of having an angled section like the 2018 version. The end profile is much more circular than the 2018 version which has flatter sides. I think the differences will be very noticeable if you run 2018 and 2023 versions together.
Looking at the METCA store, this is a MUST!
New Hope & Ivyland 2-8-0 #40 Consolidation
When I lived in Bucks County, PA I used to hang out at the New Hope & Ivyland RR many wonderful hours with my grandchildren. I have the Lionel NH&I set with the GP30 from a couple of years ago, so adding "Old Number 40" is almost a requirement!
I initially had a "gotta have it!" moment when I saw the C&S Consolidation with the snow plow... But then I realized that the Consolidations don't have Walschaerts valve gear and instead are the simpler inside Stephenson valve gear. I can easily imagine my way past some deviations between the prototype and a model, but that's a little too large of a discrepancy for me... The CB&Q F-7's are a possibility though with a Super Bass B unit - I've never had a Super Bass unit and definitely curious about them. There's always a possibility of wanting to pick up one or two steam era rolling stock items also.
Same here CTT. I was excited about the C&S 641 until I noticed the missing eccentric rods. LIONEL: can you correct this before the models go in production?? IF not maybe I'll be contacting Harmonshops.
I would love to buy a Superbass unit for my layout. I've heard the sounds are amazing!🔊 Youtube videos do not do the sound justice. I've been looking at the D&RGW and MP SD50s (both the powered and Superbass) and the UP SD70ACe with the new livery. The Santa Fe GP30 is another possibility, but I wish it was painted in a more modern ATSF livery, or even a BNSF patched livery or H3 Swoosh livery. The 3-packs of grain hoppers are cool, but I don't think I will be buying those. I really want the UP #844 FEF-3 in black, but, WOW!; talk about expensive!💵💰😢 The sound-equipped UP water tender with the flag interests me too.
@Chuck Sartor posted:Same here CTT. I was excited about the C&S 641 until I noticed the missing eccentric rods. LIONEL: can you correct this before the models go in production?? IF not maybe I'll be contacting Harmonshops.
Sadly Lionel's 2-8-0 that they love to do has Stephenson valve gear which doesn't have an eccentric. I think the simple valve gear probably helps make the model more affordable but it would be nice if they had done one with Baker or Walscherts.
Well my minds gears are all ready spinning. If Lionel can't change it maybe an reproduction AF 4-8-4 S gauge eccentric rod assembly can be fitted without too much work.
@VinceL posted:$530 is too rich for me (especially since it only has regular Lionchief). Lionel needs to discontinue regular Lionchief and include Lionchief Plus 2.0 in the sets.
@RadioRon posted:Bingo! Base LionChief is a non-starter regarding the sets. It will keep me from considering any Lionel sets in the future.
Why would they do that? They need a reason to sell the Base3, and this is about the only reason they have to do so.
@rplst8 posted:Why would they do that? They need a reason to sell the Base3, and this is about the only reason they have to do so.
For all the newer folks getting into the hobby and the absurd pricing on the CAB2, the Base3 is needed to control Legacy & TMCC engines, switches, accessories, etc.
" Lionel needs to discontinue regular Lionchief and include Lionchief Plus 2.0 in the sets."
This would almost certainly increase the cost of starter sets by at least $100 is my guess. Discontinuing LionChief for a more expensive locomotive product in sets would defeat the purpose of starter sets as an introduction to the hobby or a less costly source of seasonal use of trains.
So this substitution is likely a non-starter for Lionel, pun intended. They sell Legacy sets for those already committed to the hobby and with the money and desire to do so. They sell LionChief Plus 2.0 locos for those want additional locos but don't want or need Legacy locos, but who would like a bit more realism and functions than LionChief.
LionChief is the lowest cost choice for additional command capable locos (significantly cheaper than RailKing or LionChief Plus 2.0) and thus an appropriate choice for most starter sets. Why would they want to discontinue a product that appeals to those whose budget or needs aren't at the middle or higher end? I own Legacy, LionChief Plus 2.0 and LionChief locos and enjoy them all at prices that vary from $200 to several times that cost.
@Will Ebbert posted:Sadly Lionel's 2-8-0 that they love to do has Stephenson valve gear which doesn't have an eccentric. I think the simple valve gear probably helps make the model more affordable but it would be nice if they had done one with Baker or Walscherts.
The engine based on a Harriman Consolidation, many of which have the Stephenson valve gear. In typical fashion, they simply reletter these for other roads without concern for accuracy.
My TMCC NYC 2-8-0 has number boards on the smokebox. Whats up with that????
Pete
@Chuck Sartor posted:Same here CTT. I was excited about the C&S 641 until I noticed the missing eccentric rods. LIONEL: can you correct this before the models go in production?? IF not maybe I'll be contacting Harmonshops.
@Will Ebbert posted:Sadly Lionel's 2-8-0 that they love to do has Stephenson valve gear which doesn't have an eccentric. I think the simple valve gear probably helps make the model more affordable but it would be nice if they had done one with Baker or Walscherts.
Yes, no doubt it's a cost thing not to have the eccentric rods. Too bad, because they add a lot to the interesting action of the valve gear IMHO.
One of the Santa Fe GP30's.
I bought Legacy GP30's 12 years ago:
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12 years, wow how times flies.
The new dress blue one will be a nice companion for it.
I really like the Blue Bonnet F7's. However, I can't afford those.
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LionChief is the lowest cost choice for additional command capable locos (significantly cheaper than RailKing or LionChief Plus 2.0) and thus an appropriate choice for most starter sets. Why would they want to discontinue a product that appeals to those whose budget or needs aren't at the middle or higher end? I own Legacy, LionChief Plus 2.0 and LionChief locos and enjoy them all at prices that vary from $200 to several times that cost.
As a hobbyist who believes electronic speed regulation is one of, if not the best innovation since the smoke unit 
, I'll take a shot in the dark and state that anyone buying a starter set would get much more enjoyment out of running a locomotive(s) that has speed control, e.g., LionChief Plus 2.0 than a locomotive without it (LionChief). I am curious, does it really cost Lionel $100 more in electronics, such as a 2.0 vs. LionChief?
MTH's Railking line, when MTH was in full production, had the distinctive advantage in that it had, at least from what I was told, the same electronic "guts" as the Premier models, with the No. 1 feature being speed control in both conventional and DCS mode. Mike Wolf had stated that he lost money on starter sets...but he (and I am paraphrasing) was hooking new hobbyists via the quality of his sets. Lionel may lose money, too, I don't know, but the basic point of "bonus fun factor" factored in all a company's trains is a good one, IMO.
@Landsteiner posted:LionChief is the lowest cost choice for additional command capable locos (significantly cheaper than RailKing or LionChief Plus 2.0) and thus an appropriate choice for most starter sets. Why would they want to discontinue a product that appeals to those whose budget or needs aren't at the middle or higher end? I own Legacy, LionChief Plus 2.0 and LionChief locos and enjoy them all at prices that vary from $200 to several times that cost.
@Landsteiner nailed it!
Basic LionChief is elegant by its simplicity. Put the train on the track, apply power to the track, put the batteries in the remote, turn on the remote, turn the knob clockwise to make the train go forward, turn the same knob counter-clockwise to make it go in reverse, and press the horn button to make a sound. That's it! No error codes (like "engine not found") or potential hassles like the more sophisticated control systems. I have DCS, TMCC, and Legacy, but I admire the basic human-engineering user design of LionChief. (Menards essentially copied it!) For the young or challenged, it is a nice system.
I put in an order this morning for the Rock Island 2-8-0 done by Mr. Muffin, and the FEF Northern #844 in black. Debating an M1, or the Manifest set, but this catalog had a lot to choose from this go around. Definitely excited!
I would like to get the Rio Grande SD50 diesel-electric locomotive #5007, providing they make sure the sounds are based on new recordings from actual SD50s that are operating currently and the crew sounds are based on actual engineer and conductor conversations.
Andrew
So far I have ordered the Union Pacific 844 steam I will be ordering one of the auxiliary tenders to go with my visionline Union Pacific 4014 big boy and passenger set
The Grand Trunk Western Consolidation steam locomotive.
Andrew
Now that I've had a little more time to study the catalog / watch Ryan and Dave / etc - going to order the M-1 #6888 and probably the Santa Fe GP30
@rplst8 posted:The M1 caught my eye. Variations of Pennsy Power interest me a lot. I like the prewar headlight placement and slat pilot, but the exposed steam delivery pipes is really cool. I also like the versions with the short tenders the most.
The Conrail SD50 are cool since they were always running by my grandparents house as a kid.
It’s a wait and see though for me. I want to see how the L1s and I1sa turn out. I will probably go for some of the double and single sheathed boxcars though.
Update.
I’m not buying anything from Lionel until they address the gearbox problems in the new Legacy L1s Mikados, and previous runs of the Mikados, K4s and H10s.
List of previously affected models: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...8#159096765276265938
Current L1s issues…
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...0#177117009304352090
Time to step up to the plate @Dave Olson and @Conrail6358
@CCTSteam posted:I initially had a "gotta have it!" moment when I saw the C&S Consolidation with the snow plow... But then I realized that the Consolidations don't have Walschaerts valve gear and instead are the simpler inside Stephenson valve gear. I can easily imagine my way past some deviations between the prototype and a model, but that's a little too large of a discrepancy for me...
@Chuck Sartor posted:Same here CTT. I was excited about the C&S 641 until I noticed the missing eccentric rods. LIONEL: can you correct this before the models go in production?? IF not maybe I'll be contacting Harmonshops.
@Will Ebbert posted:Sadly Lionel's 2-8-0 that they love to do has Stephenson valve gear which doesn't have an eccentric. I think the simple valve gear probably helps make the model more affordable but it would be nice if they had done one with Baker or Walscherts.
I noticed that even the LC plus2 Burlington Mikado has an eccentric! I may just go with that engine instead.
@Nathan B posted:As long as the finances are on track, I'm thinking of setting my pre-orders on 2 F19's: GW 492 with the C&O donut logo, and the gray boiler 494. Awaiting on 2 engines, 4 cabooses, and the Billups Crossing that I already have on pre-order... just may have to sacrifice 2024 York altogether for recovery.
Update: ordered both F19's and the GW cars... Definitely sacrificing my trip to York 2024...
Sorry @Bryan in Ohio and @ceastonoh
I'm looking at the SD40E Norfolk Southern #6319 and Norfolk Southern #6313.
I put an order in for the METCA New Hope and Ivyland 2-8-0 Consolidation. My plans are to run it with my NH&I GP30 passenger set.
JohnB
$4600 for a complete Empire Builder set. Ha ha. NOT
The 3-car sets of PS-2-CD 3-bay covered hoppers at a low price from someplace like Charles Ro Supply Co.
Andrew
I have ordered the Halloween F-19, as this impressive engine will look great with my custom consist. I second the request that Dave make the sound features more mature and scary. Lionel has lots of cute Halloween engines and I already own a few. I keep the catalog by my easy chair and this engine really calls me to dream. However, please keep the church bell chimes and the wolf howl.
Duncan
Anyone know where to order the Christmas version of the F-19? I can't find them anywhere to preorder.
Also, I'm intrigued by FEF 844 and PRR M1 late version with long tender.
@Rtflyer posted:Anyone know where to order the Christmas version of the F-19? I can't find them anywhere to preorder.
Both the Halloween and the Christmas versions are sold out at the Lionel level. I suspect most dealers ordered a few extra. The Lionel pre-order window closed a while ago but I would check with the dealers.
@Rtflyer posted:Anyone know where to order the Christmas version of the F-19? I can't find them anywhere to preorder.
Rtflyer,
You missed the pre-order deadline by about a month. You may want to contact Charles Ro or another large Lionel retailer who may of ordered a few extras but you probably missed any pre-order discounts. Good luck
JohnB
Wow, prices are through the roof. $1200 for an F7 A-A set? I’ll pass. I’ve got too many trains already.
