At my local Target I saw a display of Lionel trains on an endcap. A passenger set with a diesel, a freight set with a steam engine and a Polar express G gauge set. There were some Lionel hats, and extra track sets too. I had thought it was online only. The diesel had painted or molded truck sides that looked really plasticky cheap. This was last week. They had the two O gauge sets on sale for $169.00.
My wife saw some this week at the Target near us. She was amazed at how many sets they had. I asked her if there was any sets selling. She said there was plenty of interested people looking at the train display (end cap).
Jim
We keep checking our Target for Lionel stock…as of this past week they still didn’t have anything. I suppose they may not since one of the nations largest Lionel dealers and his hobby shop are close by. I still would like to see them in there though.
Roland
Boyd and all here, most of us here are old enough to remember seeing trains running in the toy sections of most department stores! now were left looking on shelves of boxed sets wish they’d bring back the running displays. am surprised that most stores don’t at least give it a try. wonder why Lionel/Mth don’t try getting with stores and try as well. where ever you see running trains in malls theres a crowd and crowds can create sales if promoted correctly. what do you all think about this ? target only one I know of in the southwest willing to try carrying boxed train sets.
I was in a Target today and there was only one set left on their end cap. I asked a few of the employees if they had any other sets… 2 said they would check and came back and said no. Other kid said they had about 30 sets and all sold within a few weeks… this was the last one… then an older guy walks up, smiles, picks it up, and walks away… swear he lost 50 years when he picked up that set.
As of last week the local Menard’s didn’t have any Lionels, and this year I’m not sure they ever had; but the local “Linens ‘n’ Things” (Skokie, IL) did. In fact, they had plenty of stock and it looked as though they had sold darn few. The price was around $140 for the battery-driven train and right at $200 for the “Pennsylvania Flyer,” which is about what others are charging for this classic (either “O” gauge or .027) with engine, whistle, caboose, some freight cars, transformer, a very little scenary and signals, but some.
The Menard’s passenger set is one of the nicest looking 027 sets I’ve ever seen.
Jim
Our (Crystal Lake) Menards ran out of the Wis. South. passenger sets but still had the C&NW freights. Beautiful sets. Our Target had one G scale Polar Express set left - mgr told me they’re selling out of the Pennsy Flyer and PoleEx for O gauge.
I L-O-V-E IT ![:D]![:D]! [tup][tup]
All of the local Targets in my area ‘had’ both sets (we are getting close to XMas!)- I stopped by a store in Northridge, CA and they had the Passenger set, as well as a track pack (four straights and four 036 curves). I didn’t get the set, but picked up the track pack.
Last Saturday I stopped by Macy’s for their One-day sale- found a O scale Polar Express set for $150. SOLD!!!
Geno
You got a great deal, Geno!
Jim
Jim,
I thought so- I think I’m going to keep this one for me. [:D]
My Pops and I have bought three train sets so far this XMas- two Cascade Logging sets, and the PE. The Cascade sets will go to his grand-nieces here in L.A. and grand daughters up in Oregon. Comparing them to Target’s ‘Super Sets’, there is no contest- the Cascade Range Logging sets offer alot more play value than either steam or diesel Super Set, and cost less as well.
Geno
Was in our Target on Sunday. They seem to be sold-out of everything except engineer caps, and PE “G” track sections. In my local train store, the PE Hobo cars are selling like hotcakes. Joe
Sounds like there is going to be a lot of new Lionel operators on December 25. And maybe some new hobbyists on the forums soon after. [tup][tup]
Jim
Last night I stopped by the Target down here in Charlottesville where I’m working: they still don’t have the Lionel sets in their store. If they don’t have them now, I would imagine they’re not getting them at all.
Yep- I’d say you wanted a Lionel train set and waited, thinking you might get a better deal, you may come up empty-handed. Mail order is still a possibility, but with two weeks to go until XMas it will cost you on the shipping.
There are plenty of LHS that are probably even marking their sets up, and I’m sure they’re still selling well.
Geno
[#ditto]
I agree with Jim - a very very nice passenger set! … and from Menards!!!
I bought this set for my two nephews. My brother thought the boys were too young for the set, so I’m going to keep it for myself! I mentioned a thing called adult-supervision, but he still wants to wait a couple of years.
MY GAIN! [:)]
Really? How old are his kids? I’ve been running my trains with my two little ones since they were born. Now I’m letting my 4.5 year old control the throttle and the direction button.
My nephews are 1 and 4. They’re old enough if you ask me. He thinks that they’ll destroy it and told him to just put it way when he’s not there to supervise and then pull it out when you are there. Sounds simple to me! … but not to him, I guess.
Oh well. I’ll hang on to it and see what happens in a few years. Maybe I should gift it to them and just keep it at my house and let them run it when they come over! … that might work. Hmmm?
It may have been mentioned on other threads, but I feel I must recommend the chain “Linens ‘n’ Things” as a source for Lionel.
Our local stores have been carrying the 199.99 “Pennsylvania Flyer” and the 149.99 'Polar Express" smaller gauge, battery-driven. I think there’s a passenger module, too, but I don’t know for which set it is intended.
Stocks at the Skokie store are pretty good.
BTW Linens ‘n’ Things the chain is not at all a “girlie” environment. They sell sheets, towels, kitchen equip., small electrics, and some luggage and Christmas candy (no troueassau). Not to mention the trains. - al