History on Lionel General 18013 & 18008

[Anonymous]

These are basically the same version of the General. The 18008 product number has a Display case with it, the other doesn't. Both are 35th Annv Disney versions. I recently bought a 18013 it came in the 18008 box (which plainly says "with Display case". I have an almost complete collection of Lionel Generals and also already have the 18008 with the case. To make the one different would require the correct box. The person I purchased it from bought it in the 18008 box as well. In discussion with him, he had heard that when these were produced (the 18013's) that some of them were shipped to dept stores and to save money because of a cash crunch the 18008 boxes were used. It is a plausable story, but what I would like to know is, can I verify this somewhere, so this long message comes down to: Does anyone know where I can get a detailed history of shipped products by Lionel (circa 1989-90) ? Any help would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Hello and welcome to the board! While I can't address your question, I am sure someone here knows the answer. Just wanted to say hi.[:)]

[eZAK]

mvolosyn,

While I don't have an answer to your question I do have some questions about Generals.

Did Lionel ever make a dicast General?
Are any equipt with TMCC?
In your opinion, what is the overall best one?

I would like to purchase a Confederate General if possible.

[Anonymous]

eZak,
I have been collecting the Generals for about 2 years now and am really just picking up valid data. My favorite one is hard to pick, they are all different. I am partial to the original 1862 because it's the first one and that was my first General , Brand new as a kid, still have it. The General of this posting has some of the best color combinations (but not realistic) but I think the plain black and gold of the Va & Truckee engine is the coolest looking. Many people with tell you the 1882 Holloween set is the best, at least it seems to be the most expensive one to aquire.
The only die cast general by Lionel, that I have found are a couple of minitures (abt N size) that aren't funcional except as toy's. (one comes in a tin case).
No Generals are TMCC that I have seen.
Good luck on the Confederate General (18721) I have seen only a few individual engines for the Confederate and Union Generals, they mostly come in the complete set.