Yes some idiots smashed all the windows in the coaches. Its being repaired.
If this set is as good as it looks it going to cause a stir over here. You can’t buy anything like it for the money in British outline 3 rail O. If Lionel wanted they can always repaint the loco in GWR or BR colours. Its attraction for me is that my son will love it for its movie connection.I worked on a presvered railway as a kid that ran a Hall Class so I will also enjoy it.
I hope Lionel will see there is a market for the odd British Loco[;)]. The LNER Flying Scotsman can also be used in the Thomas range for example. A LMS Duchess would be really nice as well.
I just moved to Egham (outside of London). I was hessitant to preorder as I was not sure of my delivery address. Anyone know some folks in the states I can order this train through now? Or should I order it over here?
I don’t think Lionel is trying another way to merchandise popular books and/or movies: I think they’re trying to sell trains to newcomers (ie: youngsters and young families) based on something they have a clear frame of reference to. Harry Potter and Polar Express are immensely popular with familes with children - who probably don’t have a train set… yet.
Jerry Calabrese was in my reading, pretty clear what he hoped to do at Lionel in the now famous OGR interview. It’s ironic for as many that read the interview, they’re seem to be as many who just don’t understand what he so clearly stated. Lionel is clearly the name that is recognized by the general public: go to a train show for proof. A display layout could be full of MTH products, and some family will walk up and exclaim “look at all the neat Lionel’s!” Even when MTH had the deal with Sears, I walked into a Sears out of curiousity… not even the store manager knew what MTH was, but HE KNEW what Lionel trains were.
Now I sure do wish Lionel would put a little more energy into trains that have some current roads and mimic some current styles of trains that a kid may actually see today - which is a good way to build a bond and interest in the hobby between the toy and the real thing. But obviously the NYC Flyer and PRR Flyer sets sell very well. And even though kids don’t commonly see steam locos today on the real rails, there is still a love affair and fascination with a steam engine.
As far as allegiance to one company over another… well, we are all quite lucky there are all the differing companies making such a wide multitude of products, that have appeal to different interests. As others, I too side with Lionel because MTH makes few if any traditionally sized locos and cars. And even with their scale sized products, they frequently put locomotive paint schemes on rolling stock items. There have long been complaints about this practice, yet they must sell because MTH keeps making these kinds
Not only that, but the G-scale line has been expanded. Yes, I know they are Battery Powered,
I’m surprised that folks would be excited by this. Battery powered trains show up every Christmas at Department stores. Even my Path Mark Grocery store carries them. I call them Hong Kong Specials $49.95. Last one I saw played three Christmas Carols, had smoke, whistle and REMOTE CONTROL! These are cheap toys, not durable hobby products. If Lionel wastes it’s limited resources persuing this area it’s primary business will suffer.
Well, I’ve had a $39. “G” battery set (non-Christmas) that has been running in the garden for 3 summers for my Grandson to operate. It even did one season under the Christmas tree. It’s still working fine, including the sound and smoke. I’ve heard of $800.+ engines that did’nt last that long. The only “durable hobby products” I know of is Lionel or AF postwar. Joe
Personally, I wish our trains were battery instead of track powered - with something like an engine house containing a charger. I have a K-Line battery-powered set of big, toy-like cars and GP9 engine - it is indestructible, remote controlled, complete with sound and lights - even plays Christmas carols if you press the right button pattern [;)] - even runs (like a snake on a tile floor) without track.
Looks to me like there’s a market for these . An affordable market for a special time of year & for those that don’t want to get head over heels in a big time consuming hobby. I don’t think that Lionel is wasting its resources & its primary busines will suffer. That’s just plain foolish, or being contrversial. They know that name will get into the big stores & their products like Jerry C. said he wanted to do.
Doug : glad you enjoy that battery powered train set !!
And it appears that our hobby will head in that direction, too. Instantly gone are track continuity problems, complicated wiring, much of the burden associated with current CC systems, transformer woes, and a host of related gremlins. If we can fly planes, sail ships, and run tanks and trucks and race cars via battery power and radio control, trains oughta be easy (and reletively inexpensive).
Although I rarely encourage change for change’s sake, this change I earnestly await. My prewar trains will not be modified for it, but anything I run regularly will if/when the components hit the market at a reasonable price point.
If you don’t like the same trains as me you’re just silly. I can afford new trains, why would I want to run 50 year old junk that wasn’t that great when it was new. [:-^]
Holy cow, we’re gonna start counting rivets and change the name to “Classic (ONLY scale, accurate dimension, high rail, only for grown-ups) Toy Trains.”
There should pass a law that no store can sell any cheap junk trains that kids can have fun with. If they can’t take proper care of a $1,400 locomotive then they shouldn’t be allowed in the train room. Kids should graduate college and start earning a good income before they take up this hobby.
I agree the catalog sure surprised me on the fact the trolley and tow car on page 169 in standard gauge sure looks great to me. I also like the hogwart express train and a lot of other stuff offered by lionel and lionel/kkline . Mth has some nice stuff to. I use to say I didn’t like mth but the fact is I find all the companys ( lionel, mth, atlas, williams, weaver, and the rest ) all have some real nice stuff can’t afford a lot of it but still like to look at it.
And if you drink enough Coors, you can actually ride inside the Bullet, thereby making it a prototypical train and then MTH is not guilty of grubbing for money and they only produce copies of real trains, hic.