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@rplst8 posted:

There's a difference.  Most technology get's cheaper over time.  TVs, computers, etc.

Not sure technology is driving the price up. It's the production of the actual model that is going up. Lionel left the US a number of years ago because it got too expensive. We are basically back of those prices while manufacturing overseas. A boxcar is basically 75% more than what it was 20 years ago with nothing inside of it.

Every time high prices come up in conversation its always Lionel that is expected to lower prices. No other manufacture is held to the same standard even though their prices are essentially the same as Lionel's.

Well all I can say about it that sometimes you do get what you pay for. Yes trains can be expensive but the current level of technology and detailing is far beyond anything that any Lionel engineer ever could have imaged back in the postwar era. We are not just paying for the trains, but our dollars go towards the research and development of new trains and technologies to enhance our hobby. It also costs money to maintain the facilities of Lionel.  Selling trains undervalued below what they should be sold for would slowly starve a company to bankruptcy. K-Line is a prime example. So as far as I am concerned, yes trains are expensive, but I do feel I am getting all that I pay for and by spending money on new trains, I hope that I am doing my small part in keeping the hobby going.

Last edited by Madockawando
@Randy_B posted:

Everyone is at a different place in this hobby, and I still get excited for these catalogs and are thankful for them. I have all Lionel engines to this point. There have been some previously made by MTH that I liked but would not have considered before and hopefully that will come to fruition at some point.

Randy, I’m of the same mind.  My layout is Legacy. There are a few former MTH models (cough, Dreyfuss, cough) that I would love to see released in Legacy. It will make no difference to me that MTH already released them a few times over the years because I wouldn’t have bought them in DCS. Plus, I personally really like whistle steam and it would be great to get some former MTH models equipped with that feature as well.

I'm curious if the Class A will be talked about in the catalog broadcast in regards to the steam turret being covered for the excursion version, but being uncovered for other versions? BigJim contacted Ryan about this a bit ago after seeing some of the pictures on the Class A post from York pictures.

If you have no idea exactly what I'm talking about, don't worry, I didn't know what it was all about until BigJim explained. During 1218's service, it had gotten a cover over the steam turret only for a little bit and put back on(I believe) for a bit during the excursion runs. Ryan had told Jim that the catalog art was already done so it won't be shown with the details that should be there(for the other models).

So I'm just curious if Ryan will touch on this subject a bit while discussing the model in the catalog. I do know that Ryan has done similar things when noting differences between versions of the same engine.

I'm extremely curious as to what will be offered to go with these Class A's as one would expect some coal hoppers, and for the excursion version some sort of passenger cars. I'm not going for the excursion version, so I have a raised eyebrow on this particular topic.

That being said guys, why yack about prices? I guess to stay on topic, you could say you "wish for lower prices'. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Erie Lackawanna E-8's with correct colors, stripes, and a different horn and headlight configuration like Lionel did with the early E-8's of Amtrak paint schemes.  One numbered 810-819 (DL&W acquired A units) with Mars light, nose door headlight, and correct front and rear facing horns on each side of cab and the other one numbered 820-833 (Erie acquired A units) with correct multi-chime horn of engineer's side of cab with single headlight.  Maybe different sets of road numbers for each set would make a nice AAAA set to replicate how they were used as freight engines in the 70's.  I've seen Lionel do several paint schemes on steam engines so why not offer 2 AA sets with different road numbers?

Last edited by Chas


I'm extremely curious as to what will be offered to go with these Class A's as one would expect some coal hoppers, and for the excursion version some sort of passenger cars. I'm not going for the excursion version, so I have a raised eyebrow on this particular topic.

Another thing I'd like to add to my wishlist, correct peaked-end hoppers for N&W (without the hamburger logo)! Preferrably plastic so we can run long coal trains I have several from Atlas and they are nice, but I would love to have more!

@0-Gauge CJ posted:

Preferrably plastic so we can run long coal trains

Sounds like somebody needs moar powahhhhh!!

For real though, I run a string of 30 die cast hoppers, mostly Atlas with some Lionel offsets, throw a little light oil on the axles and it proves an pretty easy task for a Lionel Allegheny or EM1.  Plus I find the extra weight helps prevent derailments through curves and crossovers.  I suppose if you were shooting more for 80+ cars that would prove more challenging!

@BillYo414 posted:

You don't find string lining to be an issue through curves? @Catonsville Central Railway

Never has happened to me with an all-metal train.  I've had it happen with lighter plastic cars with a lot of weight tugging behind them, so I always make sure to put lighter cars at the back.  If your trucks are up to snuff, the downward weight of each car shouldn't have too much impact on train weight (save for on hills).  Simple physics.  In practice though, heavier cars tend to exhibit more friction in the trucks making them harder to pull, but a little very light oil helps a lot in my experience.

Downward weight does help a lot in resistance to string lining imho, however.

Last edited by Catonsville Central Railway

Sounds like somebody needs moar powahhhhh!!

For real though, I run a string of 30 die cast hoppers, mostly Atlas with some Lionel offsets, throw a little light oil on the axles and it proves an pretty easy task for a Lionel Allegheny or EM1.  Plus I find the extra weight helps prevent derailments through curves and crossovers.  I suppose if you were shooting more for 80+ cars that would prove more challenging!

I had heard that running with more than 10 or so would be a challenge, but I assume that's only if you don't grease the wheels a bit - 30 uniquely-numbered hoppers sound nice

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