Lionel Harry Poter Set Pics

[Anonymous]

^ Fair enough. But I'd suggest that virtually every natural-born citizen adult male in the country knows about the Miracle on Ice in 1980. By contrast, I didn't even know MTH existed until I started to get back into the hobby five years ago.

 But back to the topic. This set looks very good. But as someone implied, why bring this out NOW instead of say one year ago, when it would have been instantly stratospheric?

My only guess is that with the advent of the last book all the kids fans will soon be desperate to buy anything NEW related to Harry Potter, in the same way that frustrated Tolkein fans - knowing there would be no more hobbits ever, ever, ever - snapped up Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea books in the 1970s.

 

 

[Frank53]

I really don't understand why stuff like this has to go on. It's like watching factions of the school chess club fight over using the French Defense.

I din't know there was such a thing as a "French Defense", the selections on the board below don't make mention of it:

sorry Bob - I couldn't help myself.

[Bob Keller]

You can never go wrong joking about the French.

[pbjwilson]

Buy a bottle of French wine today. Support the grape and wine producers in France.

I dont want the wine industry to be run by a bunch of fruits and nuts from, Callyfornnia, as Arnold would say.

[Nick12DMC]

You can never go wrong joking about the French.

However Chateauneuf-du-pape is rather good.....and so is the Le Mans 24hrs

I thought it was the Sicilian Defence. I knew reading Clive Cussler novels would come in handy

[njalb1]

[chuck]

The master license for the US just came up for renewal and was re-assigned to another company.  Lionel was able to obtain a sub license.  The original HO sets did not sell that well and Matel (holder of original US master license), in general, was not able to capitalize on the popularity of the books/movies.

NOTE: Matel had nothing to do directly with the HO trainsets that I believe were Bachman? 

[Anonymous]

Contrary to what one might reasonably expect, the French Defense does not entail immediately tipping over your king and surrendering with the first move. Basically it's a opening defense move:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Defence

 

I thought it was the Sicilian Defence. I knew reading Clive Cussler novels would come in handy

Raise The Titanic, like most of his early books, was a very good read. Unfortunately Cussler's big bucks went to his head over a decade ago and unreadable tripe has been the result.

[Frank53]

Contrary to what one might reasonably expect, the French Defense does not entail immediately tipping over your king and surrendering with the first move.

Actually I would not have thought that, I would have thought the French Defense would have entailed cowering in fear behind the wife - in this case the Queen.

[HopperSJ]

I thought this was a thread about the Harry Potter train...my how we have digressed!

[Andrew Falconer]

Will LIONEL sell the Harry Potter sets directly to dealers in the United Kingdom?

Andrew

[Lafondue]

the mistake Bachmann made was that their HO set was actually an 00 model, plus the engine and car had european style coupler not US knuckle style...so the set was incompatible with US market rolling stock...and on top of that they had 2 version one striped down version with just 2 cars and the regular version with 3 cars and platform, cardboard scene if I'm not mistaken.

Wonder if Lionel gonna include figure a la Polar Express

Hornby and Marklin both had Potter set..probably still...of better quality for the H0/00 market and yes even if not officially because of license..they are aviable pretty easily on the North American market.

 

[Nick12DMC]

Will LIONEL sell the Harry Potter sets directly to dealers in the United Kingdom?

Andrew

Andrew, Lionel do have a official UK dealer. However its one small shop near Birmingham. Your just not going to get the exposure that a large London store would have. Lionel used to have its own offices in London before the war. It was also sold in Gamages in the 50's (Large London Dept. store). I think most Lionel comes through Walthers rather than direct from Lionel.

To me the Hogwarts Express set is a golden opportunity for Lionel to re-launch in the UK. O gauge is a impresive size compared to OO gauge. Lionel needs to get Hamleys or Harrods as the London outlet in the same style as F.A.O. Schwarz in the States. Its a exotic premium brand in the UK. Like buying a Corvette or Mustang they are a normal car in the States but in the UK they are rare and unusual.

The price would have to be right though, none of the usual UK change the Doller price to pounds! i.e. $300 becomes £300.

Nick

[Anonymous]

My prediction: The Lionel version of the Harry Potter set will sell about as well as the similar much earlier sets in other scales offered by Bachmann, Marklin, etc.--in other words, not all that well.  Too little, too late, and too large and costly for the typical home.  Just my guess, and I could well be wrong, but my hunch is these will not be big sellers.

[Jumijo]

I don't know, Allan. I see a lot of positive buzz surrounding the HP set. I'm going to buy one - if it's reasonably priced. There are still several movies to be made. And the train set is based on the movie train. I think it will be a success.

And no, I'm not a Harry Potter fan with a bias. Not a Harry Potter fan at all.

Jim 

[msacco]

I rarely buy this new overseas junk but even I'm thinking of picking up this set. I think because of color, and the fact it's a different looking locomotive than Americans usually see, it will sell well.  

 I just wish it had an open frame motor, mechanical eunit (that I can fix if I ever had to), no electronics, air whistle and it was made here.  Okay that's a pipe dream.

 

Mike S.

[Jumijo]

Another reason I want the set is so that I'll have some European coaches for my kid's Thomas trains to pull.

Jim 

[Bob Keller]

I'm giving it half a thought as a potential repaint into LMS Crimson ...

[Nick12DMC]

I'm giving it half a thought as a potential repaint into LMS Crimson ...

Bob, I hope you ment British Railways maroon as they are BR MK1 coaches. You could also do Crimson and Cream (Blood and Custard) or Chocolate and Cream (western region). Please don't say you were going to paint the loco LMS Crimson. That might get some GWR fans worked up over here... que music from Deliverance

Nick 

 

[Bob Keller]

Nope - LMS.

Of course, you have to understand that I've repainted modern SD90 and Genesis diesels into New York Central Cigar Band ...

In my rail universe the Central bought the Pennsylvania (and liquidated it) and became a transcon with the Milwaukee Road, and in Merrie Olde Englande the word Nationalization was never uttered! The LMS ruled!

[Nick12DMC]

That's what I like about 3-rail O, run whatever you like no hang ups.

I had a lot of LMS stock in OO. Maybe if this British outline set does well Lionel would consider other British Locos. A LMS Duchess Class would be very cool 

Nick

[BobbyDing]

I think these will sell well if they give them extra exposure (high line stores and some print adverts). Especially around the holidays (this is one they need to put into Target). People can't buy them if they don't know they exist or where to get them. Simply put, "It's not what you've got, but where you stick it"!! (Black Adder). I hope Lionel does not drop the ball on this by not promoting it in Europe, where it would be a natural. The Polar Express will always get re exposed once a year, year after year. The HP stuff is very popular, but will fade out slowly after the last HP film reaches DVD. They're late getting on the band wagon, so they need to play hard and fast if they want to sell a lot of sets.

My thoughts.

Bobby

[Anonymous]

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm sure someone will), but wouldn't there a bit of a voltage problem with that 110-volt input transformer operating on European 230-volt lines?

[laz 57]

WHY not a OLD MILWAUKEE TRAIN SET?  Cause as the commercial went "IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THEN THIS"?

laz57

[Nick12DMC]

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm sure someone will), but wouldn't there a bit of a voltage problem with that 110-volt input transformer operating on European 230-volt lines?

If Lionel want to get serious with the European market then at some point they have to bite the bullet. I think they have two choices:

1) Make sure the design of any starter set transformer allows for operation on 50Hz. Voltage is not a problem as a cheap stepdown transformer will sort that. i.e. it needs to able to operate on 110V 60Hz US or 110V 50Hz European.

2) Go the whole hog and design a European spec. 230V 50Hz transformer as they did in the '50's and get it CE approved.

The diffrence in power frequency is the problem and this is expensive to correct. Our Pure Sine Inverter setup cost around £140. This has the advantage of allowing correct operation of TMCC but its also needed to run starter set equipment likeTrainsounds and the CW-80 as these items are also frequency dependent.

 A German company is working on a small inverter/power supply combo with enough 60Hz power for the CW-80. They are talking about £70 for this. I think this is the biggest technical problem Lionel have in Europe/World. It puts the retailer in a difficult postion. Here's the price of the set but you  can add on £70 to make it work.

If they sort this problem they are off and running. 

Nick

[Kooljock1]

"I rarely buy this new overseas junk but even I'm thinking of picking up this set. I think because of color, and the fact it's a different looking locomotive than Americans usually see, it will sell well.

I just wish it had an open frame motor, mechanical eunit (that I can fix if I ever had to), no electronics, air whistle and it was made here. Okay that's a pipe dream.



Mike S."

________________________________________________________________________________

Mike,

You're probably in a small minority of folks who want to buy a set a like this, and still take it apart to do work. The target group for a starter set feels about as comfortable taking apart a locomotive as they do their DVR or XBox 360 system. For them, CAN motors and reliable solid-state reverse units are a gift from heaven.

By the way, the picture in your avatar is "overseas junk". Can I have it? And The Lionel Corporation existed until 1994 or so.

Jon

[BigJim]

"You can never go wrong joking about the French."

The Complete Military History of France"

We are still accepting submissions from history researchers.

- Gallic Wars
- Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2000 years of French history, France is conquered by of all things, an Italian.

- Hundred Years War
- Mostly lost, saved at last by female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare; "France's armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman." Sainted.

- Italian Wars
- Lost. France becomes the first and only country to ever lose two wars when fighting Italians.

- Wars of Religion
- France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots

- Thirty Years War
- France is technically not a participant, but manages to get invaded anyway. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.

- War of Revolution
- Tied. Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chapeaux.

- The Dutch War
- Tied

- War of the Augsburg League/King William's War/French and Indian War
- Lost, but claimed as a tie. Three ties in a row induces deluded Frogophiles the world over to label the period as the height of French military power.

- War of the Spanish Succession
- Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved every since.

- American Revolution
- In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; "France only wins when America does most of the fighting."

- French Revolution
- Won, primarily due the fact that the opponent was also French.

- The Napoleonic Wars
- Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for a British footwear designer.

- The Franco-Prussian War
- Lost. Germany first plays the role of drunk Frat boy to France's ugly girl home alone on a Saturday night.

- World War I
- Tied and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Thousands of French women find out what it's like to not only sleep with a winner, but one who doesn't call her "Fraulein." Sadly, widespread use of condoms by American forces forestalls any improvement in the French bloodline.

- World War II
- Lost. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song.

- War in Indochina
- Lost. French forces plead sickness; take to bed with the Dien Bien Flu

- Algerian Rebellion
- Lost. Loss marks the first defeat of a western army by a Non-Turkic Muslim force since the Crusades, and produces the First Rule of Muslim Warfare; "We can always beat the French." This rule is identical to the First Rules of the Italians, Russians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese and Esquimaux.

- War on Terrorism
- France, keeping in mind its recent history, surrenders to Germans and Muslims just to be safe. Attempts to surrender to Vietnamese ambassador fail after he takes refuge in a McDonald's.

The question for any country silly enough to count on the French should not be "Can we count on the French?", but rather "How long until France collapses?"

"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. All you do is leave behind a lot of noisy baggage."

Or, better still, the quote from last week's Wall Street Journal: "They're there when they need you."



With only an hour and a half of research, Jonathan Duczkowski provided the following losses:

Norse invasions, 841-911.
After having their way with the French for 70 years, the Norse are bribed by a French King named Charles the Simple (really!) who gave them Normandy in return for peace. Normans proceed to become just about the only positive military bonus in France's [favour] for next 500 years.

Mexico, 1863-1864.
France attempts to take advantage of Mexico's weakness following its thorough thrashing by the U.S. 20 years earlier ("Halls of Montezuma"). Not surprisingly, the only unit to distinguish itself is the French Foreign Legion (consisting of, by definition, non-Frenchmen). Booted out of the country a little over a year after arrival.

Panama jungles 1881-1890.
No one but nature to fight, France still loses; canal is eventually built by the U.S. 1904-1914.

Napoleonic Wars.
Should be noted that the Grand Armee was largely (~%50) composed of non-Frenchmen after 1804 or so. Mainly disgruntled minorities and anti-monarchists. Not surprisingly, these performed better than the French on many occasions.

Haiti, 1791-1804.
French defeated by rebellion after sacrificing 4,000 Poles to yellow fever. Shows another rule of French warfare; when in doubt, send an ally.

India, 1673-1813.
British were far more charming then French, ended up victors. Therefore the British are well known for their tea, and the French for their whine (er, wine...). Ensures 200 years of bad teeth in England.

Barbary Wars, middle ages-1830.
Pirates in North Africa continually harass European shipping in Meditteranean. France's solution: pay them to leave us alone. America's solution: kick their asses ("the Shores of Tripoli"). [America's] first overseas victories, won 1801-1815.

1798-1801, Quasi-War with U.S.
French privateers (semi-legal pirates) attack U.S. shipping. U.S. fights France at sea for 3 years; French eventually cave; sets precedent for next 200 years of Franco-American relations.

Moors in Spain, late 700s-early 800s.
Even with Charlemagne leading them against an enemy living in a hostile land, French are unable to make much progress. Hide behind Pyrennes until the modern day.

French-on-French losses (probably should be counted as victories too, just to be fair):

1208: Albigenses Crusade, French massacared by French.
When asked how to differentiate a heretic from the faithful, response was "Kill them all. God will know His own." Lesson: French are badasses when fighting unarmed men, women and children.

St. Bartholomew Day Massacre, August 24, 1572.
Once again, French-on-French slaughter.

Third Crusade.
Philip Augustus of France throws hissy-fit, leaves Crusade for Richard the Lion Heart to finish.

Seventh Crusade.
St. Louis of France leads Crusade to Egypt. Resoundingly crushed.

[Eighth] Crusade.
St. Louis back in action, this time in Tunis. See Seventh Crusade.

Also should be noted that France attempted to hide behind the Maginot line, sticking their head in the sand and pretending that the Germans would enter France that way. By doing so, the Germans would have been breaking with their traditional route of invading France, entering through Belgium (Napoleonic Wars, Franco-Prussian War, World War I, etc.). French ignored this though, and put all their effort into these defenses.

Thomas Whiteley has submitted this addition to me:

Seven year War 1756-1763
Lost: after getting hammered by Frederick the Great of Prussia (yep, the Germans again) at Rossbach, the French were held off for the remainder of the War by Frederick of Brunswick and a hodge-podge army including some Brits. War also saw France kicked out of Canada (Wolfe at Quebec) and India (Clive at Plassey).

Richard Mann, an American in France wants to add the following:

The French consider the departure of the French from Algeria in 1962-63, after 130 years on colonialism, as a French victory and especially consider C. de Gaulle as a hero for 'leading' said victory over the unwilling French public who were very much against the departure. This ended their colonialism. About 2 million ungrateful Algerians lost their lives in this shoddy affair.
[/b]
_________________
Post War Fever! - Catch It!

[John Busby]

Hi guys

permission to chuck a tantrum because no one made one in "G"

pretty please

But I Do Agree with the sentiment that Lionel may have left their run on it a bit late

Except for the fact I did not notice a head board it looks be a very good representation of the Hogwarts express it better be the fans or me won't buy it if it isn't

Does it come with Hagrid Hermione Harry and Ron  figures what about platform 9&3/4

Will extra coaches be available to  better represent the train if a person has that kind of space

Questions questions!! besides how do I build a reasonable representation the school of magic its pretty big

regards John

[John Busby]

I'm giving it half a thought as a potential repaint into LMS Crimson ...

Bob, I hope you ment British Railways maroon as they are BR MK1 coaches. You could also do Crimson and Cream (Blood and Custard) or Chocolate and Cream (western region). Please don't say you were going to paint the loco LMS Crimson. That might get some GWR fans worked up over here... que music from Deliverance

Nick 

 

Paint the loco anything other than Hogwarts red BR experimental light blue or Gods Wonderful Railway green with the proper brass and copper bits and Da boy's will ave to be send'a round.

Que the God father theme music

Erm what about Southern green for the coaches or perhaps BR blue grey

regards John ( being silly again)