2008 Lionel Catalog

Brianel,

Very well said, something that I would love to see MTH reissue is the Rugged Rails 027 Madison passenger cars, have you seen these? They are one of the few items that I actually prefer to the Lionel model. And can you believe it, they did them in Central of New Jersey, but NO Santa Fe versions. I’m in the process of painting (got that part done) and decaling(I’ve GOT the decals, it’s a start right?) some in Santa Fe for my Nephew.

Doug

The LionMaster General Electric 40C-8 or DASH 8 40C Diesel-Electric Locomotive has to at least be announced in a 2008 catalog. The LionMaster SD90MAC can not be the only Diesel in the series.

Andrew Falconer

In the LionMaster series there could be an Auto Carrier with Corrugated Screens that is S Scale length and height. It could be constructed in a manner similar to the Red Caboose N Scale Auto Carrier that has perforated metal screens and opening doors. There could be the accessory of a matching S Scale Auto Loading Ramp. It is possible.

Andrew

That all depends on how you define “traditionally sized”. According to the way Lionel describes things in their catalogs, a traditional locomotive "Can run on any O-gauge track curve, even O-27 (unless noted otherwise)." Even Lionel says that not all traditional locomotives can run on O27 track. MTH’s RailKing trains are traditionally-sized trains, then - some can negotiate O27 curves, some cannot. Most need O31, but that’s not much bigger. MTH does, then, make plenty of trains for traditional operators.

If you think traditional trains are just O27, then, yes, you won’t find very many trains from MTH that can negotiate O27 curves. But RailKing trains are traditionally sized just as much as Lionel traditional locomotives are.

I just hope it is in color. I won’t be buying any new engines or rolling stock this year so as long as it is in color I’ll be happy!

Not just color, old chum. Living color! [;)]

Andrew,
The current MPC-era Lionel Corrugated Autorack is already so undersized I’d already consider it in the Lionmaster category. Most folks who run traditional equipment don’t want long 16"+ cars, so I don’t see Lionel redoing it.

A LionMaster version of the Dash-9, however, would be quite popular since an affordable TMCC modern diesel is lacking in Lionel’s roster. If it was scaled down to around 15 1/2"-16" long, I could see that version fitting nicely next to the Lionmaster SD-90.

Geno

For the LionMaster General Electric Locomotive the best two choices are these:

AC4400CW because it is a contemporary to the SD90MAC.

DASH 8 40C and 40CW since the previous model of the DASH 8 40C built by Lionel between 1992-1998 was made too tall to clear most accessories and did not have details like they could make now.

Andrew

Since they’ve made an SD70ACe, I think they should make some more for other railroads besides UP, like BNSF, CSX, Montana Rail Link, etc. And they should show actual photographs of the prototype model, instead of photos of the real engines. I’d go for that.

I would also like to see a TrainMaster command set with a new LionMaster diesel locomotive. Maybe it could be an Amtrak set with a LionMaster Genesis locomotive in the Phase V paint scheme with RailSounds, two AmFleet coaches and an AmFleet cafe car. Then throw in an oval of O48 FasTrack, a CW-80, and you’ve got a pretty good set there. I bet it would be very popular.

I wish Lionel would come out with a transformer called a “Baby” CW. Like one without two throttles.

This is one of the best train related movies I have ever seen (in my opinion). I asked Lionel a while back if they intended on making a set based on it or something. However I don’t recall their answer. No doubt though that it would be a great model.

As far as this goes, the Mallard would be a good choice for Lionel to make, yet it would be wise to wait until after 3rd Rail releases their version. Another engine they could go with might be the City of Turo (the first engine to break 100 mph in Britain).

I wish Lionel come out with Amtrak Viewliners Sleeping Cars to add to my Amtrak set that i got about 12 years ago, also Lionel should come with Superliners train set too.[2c]

You are right Bob in that it depends on how you define “traditionally sized” and it also depends on which side of that scale you lean towards. Classic Toy Trains did a wonderful article years ago in the famous Neil Young issue called “Scale Is The Thing,” which in my opinion warrants updating and reprinting.

They made the following classifications: Small ~ Less than 85% of true scale. Medium ~ 85-93% of true scale. Large ~ 93-99% of true scale. And then full 0 scale. Postwar Lionel items covered the full range of these ratings as do MTH Railking offerings, though the Railking items tend to be larger, even those not called “Scale Railking.”

The Railking flat cars and 3 dome tank cars are right in line with Lionel postwar sizes. The Railking box cars are longer, wider and higher than the 6464’s as are a number of the other Railking cars. Which doesn’t mean they can’t or don’t look good with more traditionally sized cars. I have a few Railking cars, but I won’t have more because of the larger sizes. The Railking operating dump car is a superb looking and operating car: first rate in my eyes. But the dump tray is so much longer than anything else I have, that it requires a special bin from my other dump cars. As much as I think this Railking car is better than any of my Lionel or K-Line spring operated dump cars, I got rid of the MTH one because of the length.

Early MTH Railking locos are also all over the place. The Baatam steamers are undersized and look good on a traditional layout. The smaller short F-3 does too as do a couple of the modern styled locos like the SD-45 and the SD90 MAC. Others like the Dash-8 and SD60 are a little more shoebox like in their selective compression, and not nearly as nicely proportioned for a traditional layout with 027 leanings.

I won’t even bring up the electronics. To me traditional is this department is traditional, and I won’t pay more for MTH electronics that I

“I wish Lionel would come out with a transformer called a “Baby” CW. Like one without two throttles.”

Uh, explain this one please? The CW-80 only has one throttle. They make a cheaper version with about half the wattage called a “PowerMax”. It is good for a few accessories or maybe a trolley line.

Jon [8D]

When I read his post Jon, I assumed he meant ZW, as he referred to 2 throttles.

Lionel is indeed coming out with a medium sized transformer that will fit between the CW-80 and the ZW on the power scale. If it works as good as the prototype looks, I’ll be buying one.

Jim

“Lionel is indeed coming out with a medium sized transformer that will fit between the CW-80 and the ZW on the power scale. If it works as good as the prototype looks, I’ll be buying one.”

Jim: how hard would it be for them to stick the equivilent of a 180 brick into a KW shell with modern electronic control? They must still have the molds right?

Jon [8D]

Lionel may not have have announced a lot of great new products recently but they have announced enough for my tastes. The UP FEF, GP-7’s, E7 Texas Special set, 8000 gal tank cars, fat man hoppers, and double sheathed boxcars come to mind. It’s more than my budget can afford so I’m not complaining.

Lionel 135 Watt Transformer

Well, it’s not quite a KW, but it’s got good power.

Rob

Rob,

Given that the “190 watt” KW was rated on INPUT power, and modern transformers are rated on OUTPUT power, this new Lionel offering should be more powerful than a KW, right?

If this is the long-awaited medium power Lionel transformer, some folks (myself included) will be disappointed that it’s not all in one module. Still, it looks like an answer to the need for something between the CW-80 and the modern ZW.

Do you know whether it will be in the new catalog due out next week?

I guess either you missunderstood my post or I don’t not write too well…[:O]

I stand by the idea that of all the people that have bought PE, HP and Thomas sets, a bunch of them bought them as a first set and further would not have purchased a set otherwise. Those are the people that the standard lionel starter set would not have reached. If I am right, then signing a deal to be allowed to produce those sets was a good idea for Lionel. If I am wrong, well then I guess they are just a lot more popular than the standard starter set…[:D]

If my theory above was correct then if any of those “new” hobbyist decided to expand and buy more stuff, a goodly percentage of them would probably look for orange and blue boxes. As was said, Name recognition still is good for Lionel, but heck, its nothing like it must have been in the 50’s. Every kid and their parents know what a playstation is today but not everyone knows that toy trains are even still sold let alone who sells them or makes them… So using current media hotties like the PE, HP, and T are a great idea to attempt to get those