New catalogs

[NYC Fan]

I'm confused by Lionel's preview of the following year's items. If you wanted the pre-order pricing, do you have to order when it's in the preview section or when it is current in the catalog?

For example, the Lionel 2004 Vol 2 catalog shows the 2005 preview items. Do you have to place your 2005 orders now for those items to get the good prices?

The reason ask is because some of the 2004 items in the new catalog aren't even listed on some dealers new price sheets. Apparently, they had been in the last preview section.

[Anonymous]

Please don't stop the catalogues. On-line is fine at times but until computer screens have the resolution of the printed book it can not match the quality of those glossy colour pictures. Some of us still enjoy sitting with a good book, the Lionel catalogue qualifies in my mind.

[Anonymous]

I love getting new catalogs. There is always something new, or something you haven't seen before. I have found that if you politely request one from Lionel via e-mail, they will send it along for free.

[Anonymous]

I also enjoy multiple catalogs/company per year. Gets the old adrenalin going and usually I see something new and interesting to think about.
Sophia

[Anonymous]

I love catalogs, the more- the better, I usually order something from each one.

[artyoung]

I agree with eddebaryjr (above). It's like being a kid again at the local hardware store in the Fall. As to paying for catalogs, most shops still give them to their customers, and my local dealer (BUY LOCAL! SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSMAN!) calls me when new ones come in.

[Anonymous]

I like all the catalogues. Most of the time I go to trainshows I'm able to get a free catalogue with my purchases. I think its a great bonus. Its like having a christmas wish book many times a year.

[3railguy]

Big Boy, I have a 1970 poster catalog hanging on the wall (mural side). I also had one when I was a kid hanging on my bedroom wall. Who would of imagined then that Lionel would make the big boy on that poster? I also remember. the Johnny Cash commercials. This inspired me to start collecting MPC in 1980. I believe 1981 was the first year of the collector line when magne-traction came back on F3's (SP Daylight). Yes, those were the good ole days. Trains were pretty simple then.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 3railguy

I'm looking at the "Lionel Collector Series - 1984" catalog. 14 whopping pages.

Ahhh the good old days!!!!

If you want to talk thin catalogs, try the 1970 poster catalog.

I think it was 1979 when they started with a year end special. Then came spring, regular and fall. After that it was traditional and collector, and then I lost track. Now I think they make catalogs faster trains. What's next monthly???

What's the point other than to make the dealer's heads spin[:0][%-)][banghead][:P][;)]

[3railguy]

I'm looking at the "Lionel Collector Series - 1984" catalog. 14 whopping pages.

[Anonymous]

One per Co. Per all, all is needed.

[3railguy]

I try to get every catalog by Atlas, Lionel, and MTH. I ponder over these constantly making a mental list of things I hope to find in trainshops or swap meets. I also use the catalogs as a motivator to work harder. I pre-order very little and those items are must haves.

I also agree with one catalog a year. It has gotten so bad that often times the next catalog clomes out before the items I pre-ordered out of the last catalog is shipped. Also, I cannot keep up with it all.

[richardj1]

With nearly everthing beautifully posted on manufacturers web sites, who needs catalogs ! Having said that, I do think S-Helper Service does a great job with theirs!
It reminds me of the old AF catalogs back in the day..........

[Anonymous]

The Lionel catalog is the only one that interests me. I get mine free from Joe's Hobby Shop.[C):-)]

[willpick]

I get my MTH catalog as part of my Club perks. I ignore Lionel, mostly- but I do flip thru the online catalog. One catalog per year would be ok, as long as there would be mini catalogs for specials.

[choochin3]

I agree with Big Boy 4005!!!!!!!One catalog per year is enough!!!!

[Big_Boy_4005]

I have said this before. I quit looking at the catalogs a number of years ago. They have become so filled with junk, that they aren't fun to look at any more, let alone BUY a copy. One catalog per manufacturer per year PLEASE!!!!

[spankybird]

I alwas obtain at least one copy, sometimes two. One a put away, to keep in mint contition.

[Kelly Shaw]

What do you do when they come out?