Lionel’s latest is now on their Website. Check it out:
http://www.lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/Catalog.cfm?CatalogID=9&PageID=807
A bit too gaudy for my taste, but the chicks will probably dig it.
Regards,
Clint
If they sell half as many as the other gaudy sets that have been floating around for years they will sell bunches of them.
As always, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Unfortunately, Lionel enthusiasts will have to accept ugly trains for the near future. After Lionel management layed off their most talented and experienced employees the past couple of years, I’m not surprised. Although, collectors might remain satisfied with second rate clip art and product designs of lesser quality while continuing to pay high prices for their beloved hobby. Needless to say, the “chicks who will probably dig it” are not the majority of purchasers. Perhaps the only thing being dug is Lionel’s own grave.
Looks kind of like a UB-Iwerks cartoon or ClayMation? I think it’s kind of cute/whimsical for a holiday display.
Lionel didn’t take over “New Bright” did they? The packaging and the look is very similar.
Well, I know my grandmother would get probably if she saw it. well off to school
I think Lionel is trying to appeal to a broader market segment with this Christmas train. The O gauge Christmas outfits are just repainted starter sets. This set is over the top, which is what people are after these days. I wouldn’t be surprised to see these sets in retailers, not just hobby shops.
Jim
Looks alot like it to me. And it is G scale.
I think they may be trying to go after the youngsters who are really caught up by brightly colored things.
I dunno, I kinda like it.
Since it is G scale, I think it may appeal to the “younger” Christmas set. G just looks more Christmasy to me.
And oddly enough, I think by Lionel issueing a new car each year, it will appeal to many collectors. That’s how I got trapped into getting all the LRRC Western Union cars (not complaining [:D])
Considering that Christmas sets like these are obviously very popular (just look at New Bright and others), I think that it is a wise marketing decision on Lionel’s part. I’m sure that this is a direct challenge to New Bright’s top-of-the-line electric animated Christmas set, which has numerous ad-on animated cars. The Lionel name itself will certainly help them. As Richard says, offering future cars will get collectors.
It is aimed at the Christmas tree and not the serious hobbyist. Who cares? It is cute and that is all people look for under the tree!
Well, in the famous Thanksgiving episode of WKRP, Mr. Carlson and Herb Tarlek thought that the Turkey promotion was a good idea, too.
“The turkeys are dropping to the ground like bombs. Oh the humanity…”
Doug, that’s funny.
I cannot take credit - it’s a paraphrase of WKRP newsman extraordinaire Les Nesman’s reporting live as the turkeys were dropped from a helicopter… funny the things I remember.
Doug 13 more till your a 5 STAR General.
laz57
My most vivid memory of WKRP was Loni A. !!! [yeah] [:I]