It would seem the philosophy over there is “What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is my own!”
I believe that what is being made now in this hobby is the best ever made and the continuing enhancement in detail and upgrades will only continue.
The Lionel gondola and flatcar 6 packs that were offered a few years back are great , affordable (6 for $90) heavy & good looking train car and that’s 1 example. Lionchief engines are fantastic & accessories are outstanding, some legacy control, and Legacy control is phenomenal. Yes I suppose I am drinking the Lionel water now, [8-|]
but how do you feel about Lionel when MPC had them made in Mexico back when?[:'(]
but how do you feel about Lionel when MPC had them made in Mexico back when?
Lionel’s move to Mexico didn’t turn out well, and therefore they moved their production back.
I guess that most folks would have to look up which pieces were made in Mexico if they cared.
As for USA versus China product (not just trains): I buy USA product whenever I can. I don’t buy any newly made Lionel trains. I don’t like can motors or electronic control. So I limit my few purchases to older product, generally made before 1994.
Thank you all for your thoughts.
Rob, I know we discussed the USA v. China production in depth back in an old post, but I meant something a little different by this one. You seem to be miffed at me, or maybe you’re just tired of the debate at this point. I mean no disrespect to anyone here or anyone in China. I like the new stuff as well. Plus, I think it was you that went out of your way a while back to help me fix my favorite engine (please try to stifle laughter) my MPC Baltimore and Ohio F3, so thanks again!
I think Firelock hit on my feelings pretty well, and expressed it in a more articulate way than I could have. Thanks my friend! You seem to be a big gun fan, and even though I’m usually on the opposite side of that debate, I think it’s great that a few pieces of plastic and metal from 50 years ago bring us together. Always enjoy what you have to say. (The poor moderator - who you know must groan everytime he sees an “American Made” post because he has to police us -should love this.)
MPC made in Mexico, not for me. Neither is my lawnmower, but that’s a different story. I do love USA MPC. Actually, the Mexican MPC (the few pieces I know about) are growing on me, and they have a unique spot in Lionel history, so why not?
CW and I shop in the same “store,” though I usually allow for purchases up until the year 2000. It’s funny, I really like the conventional classics, they aren’t exact, but they definately have their own “vibe” (I dislike that word) to them. I did however buy a set of Santa Fe F3’s from the PWC and while I initially liked them, I sold them for a loss not long after. They just felt “cold” to me.
I am thoroughly enjoying what everyone has to say. Look at the number of views we have! We’re not the only ones who care! Tap Tap Is this thing on? Anyone from Lionel listening?
PS - Lionel’s t
Thanks JoeD, you’re too kind.
Lionel back in NJ? Hey, I’m from NJ myself, I’d love to see it happen, but it won’t. The corporate tax structure up there now, ugh! To say nothing of everyone elses.
I’d settle for them being back in Michigan, or expanding the North Carolina operation in a big way.
Ol’ Joshua Lionel Cowen? I’m sure he’s quite happy running his own full-size “Blue Comet” through the cosmos and not likely to put in another appearance. The closest we’ve got to J.L. now is Mike Wolf, and he’s doing pretty well.
The Mick? You mean Micky Mantle? You must be like me and remember the days when the Mick was “The Deity.” No, I’m sure he’s quite happy where he is hoisting frostys and chowing down on hot dogs with the Babe.
Ah, we’re doing all right. Just enjoy the ride!
Hi Fire,
I’m from PA actually. Was looking at homes in NJ, and WOW, was I blown away by the taxes. And you are correct, I can’t imagine what it would be like to run a company in your state today.
It’s funny, I don’t remember the days of “The Mick,” but I grew up with stories of them (born in '79). It must have been something to see Dimaggio and Rizzuto walk into the Lionel showroom. Definately an era that can’t be replicated. Can you even imagine a Lionel Showroom in NY? Not to mention running into a marquee Yankee when you went there?
I miss the Michigan factory. As it turns out, I’m more of a Michigan Lionel fan, since that was more my era. I always thought Michigan was a great fit for the company, as the factory sat in the shadow of Motor City.
It’s funny, I wonder if we’re just outdated. Kids today (and I applaud them for this) are far more inclusive. I don’t know if it’s a good thing (they’re more accepting) or a bad thing (we haven’t passed on our love for country), but, for the most part, they couldn’t care less where something was made.
I often wonder if America sank into the ocean, whether or not we’d care where our items were made.
PS:
The loss of Mr. Joe Gryzboski is a big loss for all of us. He was fun - I pestered that poor man with more postwar questions than I could count. He always shared his knowledge with me, and, amazingly, some of his fine collection. He could be cranky, but usually when he was, a word or two from Mrs. Grzyboski set him straight, and sent my requested item out of the warehouse in quick fashion.
I’ll miss him, the Grzyboski’s were and will be part of a lot of great Xmas times around here.
I should also add - I’ve voted with my wallet. I have spent the minimum on Lionel products produced since 2000. And the one MPC aquarium car I bought needed a part - which was unavailable from the company (though they tried). My last purchase from them.
Also, a round of applause for anyone who purchased the “Andrew Johnson” train car from the presidential series. You, purchaser, are much finer American than I.
I often laugh and wonder, how many AJ cars could have possibly sold?
Joe, the guy you’ve really got to envy are my father and my Uncle John. Both are lifelong Yankees fans and are old enough to remember Babe Ruth (Although his career was winding down at the time they were kids), Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Micky Mantle, among others too numerous to mention. Dad mentioned with disgust his discovery that present-day baseball players were charging a fee for their autographs on baseballs. “Babe Ruth never would have done that!” “You’re right Dad” I said, “And it never would have entered his mind either!”
Babe Ruth. I’ll bet you can’t say the man’s name without smiling. I can’t. What a great legacy to have!
Dad had a chance to go to the Yankees game in 1939 when Lou Gehrig said his tragic farewell, but didn’t. Dad was playing ball himself that day and as he put it “You didn’t watch someone else do something when you had a chance to do it yourself.” but he was always sorry he didn’t go.
He WAS there in 1948 when Babe Ruth made his last appearance, and he was sorry he DID go to that one. He said seeing the Babe was like seeing a ghost, he was a dying man at the time and everyone knew it. The stands were full of grown men in tears, Dad said he’d never seen anything like it before or since.
You know, those presidential cars, nice as they are, kind of leave me cold. What DID get me excited was a Lionel Bicentennial Set I saw at a show last year at a price just too good to pass up. I run it from time to time, but not with the diesel that came with it, I use a Michigan produced “President Washington” B&O Pacific to pull it. Makes sense, the thirteen original states with President Washington pulling them along, which is what the man did, when you come right down to it!
And back in the glory days of the Lionel New York showroom it wasn’t just
It’ll probably end up being “the Virginia” of the series. [:D] Ever notice how much more the VA car brings over it’s companions in the Spirit of 76 series? [;)]
Penny - I always wondered why that is! Any ideas why the Virginia brings more? Rarity? I didn’t mean to leave you out of my earlier message, always enjoy your thoughs as well. I enjoy ALL of the people that take their time to message, so please don’t think I left anyone out.
Fire,
What amazing Yankee stories! My great grandfather saw the Babe, my dad was at a Dodgers/Yankees series. Even though I’m Red Sox fan, I really do enjoy Yankee history. Can you imagine having missed the Gehrig goodbye??? You gotta love his reasoning though.
You’re right - I’ve seen a bunch of pictures with Campanella, who had quite a Lionel collection after his tragic accident.
That showroom must have been something - Yankees, Dodgers and Giants mingling about with customers, JLC roaming out of his office. I read somewhere (if memory serves me correctly) they’d close early (?) once in a while and take in a Yankee game (Maybe I saw this in All Aboard?)
What a time that must have been. I know I’ll never see anything like it, which is sad. There was a time when this country, not just Lionel, WAS INDEED, the Standard of the World.
Oh, and I know that B & O President Washington engine well. I remembering wanting one of those - 90’s if I’m not mistaken, right?
I am also really liking the 50th anniversary Hudson set by Lionel from a few years ago. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Joe, hit the train shows if you can and keep your eyes open and your fingers crossed, those B&O President Washington engines are out there, and they’re usually pretty reasonable. I saw one at a Greenberg show in Chantilly VA three years ago and foolishly passed on it. Found another one at a local show last year and pounced on it without thinking twice. I paid about $175 for it, as new and in the box.
A great runner and a great puller, it’ll pull all thirteen Bicentennial cars and a caboose with no problems.
I can’t figure out why the Virginia car is so expensive, at least $150 while the others average about $25 to $35. But then, no-one seems to know why. It’s been speculated that the state of Virginia bought most of them to hand out to star employees but I’ve seen no evidence of that. It’s a mystery.
Can’t help you on the 50th anniversary Hudson, I’ve got no direct experience with one. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one either.
I can’t figure out why the Virginia car is so expensive, at least $150 while the others average about $25 to $35. But then, no-one seems to know why. It’s been speculated that the state of Virginia bought most of them to hand out to star employees but I’ve seen no evidence of that. It’s a mystery.
I’ve read that story.
Another urban legend is that the car was simply run short to create demand. There are those who beleive that such things were being done*.*
I guess I should clarify something here.
As Becky correctly pointed out, the Bicentennial cars and locomotive put out by Lionel was called the “Spirit of '76” series, and not a “Bicentennial Set,” I use the term “set” strictly out of convenience. The locomotive, caboose, and cars were sold as individual items, consumers could purchase as few or as many as they wished.
That being said, since I live in Virginia and hit quite a few train shows here I’d expect to see a lot of those Virginia cars surfacing from time to time but it just isn’t so. They seem to be just as scarce here as anywhere else, either that or they’re well and truly “buried” in O gauge collections around the state and may take years to see the light of day again.
As I said, it’s a mystery.
My only theory is that it’s because of Jamestown. But it’s just a “pet” theory. [:D] I have the Pennsylvania car and the caboose from the series. Family lore (aka “Mom”) says my dad had the caboose on order at a local hobby shop who sold it before he could get back to buy it. So we (my brother and I) ended up with the Pennsy car that Christmas instead. But I always liked the caboose so of course I had to add one to my collection. [:D]
I chalk it up to more and more of us get irritated by looking at what we used to make here, from Lionel/American Flyer trains to Zenith TV’s and wonder, WTF happened and why cant we make this again here? I have steadfastly refused to buy any Lionel not made in the USA. While I love my HO scale brass from Japan/Korea and so forth. I want my Lionel to say “made in the USA” Proud Union home here!
Mike the Aspie
Read a package of Oreos sometime…[:(]
Now don’t tell me Oreos are made in China too! [+o(]
Not that it would matter to me much, I’ve never cared for them personally, but Lady Firestorm’ll go ballistic if that’s the case! [:(!]
Hey Joe. It’s all good. Definitely not “miffed” at you. [:)] I guess my frustration more stems from the fact Lionel has had its share of issues with product on this side of the Pacific too. There has been numerous quality control issues with the “homegrown” LionScale line. I know I was set buy a bunch of rolling stock and yes, using the old Weaver molds and assembly in North Carolina was a bonus. Needless to say, it was a disappointment when they start arriving in pieces.
I too miss the Chesterfield/Mount Clemens facility.(Only 40 miles from me) Don’t forget they had some growing pains too early on. I’m sure if chat boards existed in the early 70’s, there would be a great debate on how Lionel doesn’t make 'em like they did in New Jersey!! [:D]
Rob