Any ideas on what's coming from Lionel?

[Anonymous]

Whatever does come from Lionel - they've certainly come a long way with the highly-detailed models - short of brass, you can't beat the detail on their newest diesels - the scale F-3's and Alco PA's are absolutely beautiful (as are many other locomotives).

Personally, I would like to see the following:

1. Scale CB&Q California Zephyr silver F-3's, along with the new California Zephyr 18" passenger cars;

2. For a brand new product (assuming this is financially realistic in light of Chapter 11 status) - scale passenger ATSF F-7's with the stainless-steel colored side panels (like Athern's Genesis HO scale version with the stainless steel side panels). I'd be willing to bet Lionel would sell these suckers like hot cakes - some of you readers out there may be tired of F-units - but that is one locomotive that has never gone out of style with modelers in all scales - and it's also a model which can guarantee a relatively large sales volume for a company that obviously will need as much volmue as it possibly can get (albeit at upscale prices).

3. Another new product I'd like to see - scale E8/E9's - if Lionel can make their scale F-3 and Alco PA look so darn good - imagine how beautiful a modern E-unit would look - Union Pacific with dome passenger cars, or CB&Q E-8's and E-9's with the stainless steel (rather than silver painted) side panels - another potenially high-volume product ..

[brianel027]

Well from a common sense viewpoint, the personal changes at Lionel happened late last year. I'm certain there had already been some planning for this next catalog and the wheels were already turning on some products that are to be released.

Calabrese has said there would be some changes, but how radical those changes could or can be in such a short amount of time remains to be seen. The catalog could certainly be smaller and certainly fewer new items could be released. It's entirely possible that items that had been planned for this catalog could be postponed.

I did notice for the first time in quite a while, the lack of a full page Lionel advertisement in either of the new train magazines. As some articles in the news media have suggested, Lionel will keep "chugging along" but I would imagine whatever new products are up for future release will be considered throughly before making it to the catalog. I do predict though that there will be some new roadnames for the very popular new Dockside steam switcher.

[3railguy]

I would expect to see more ACL pass cars if they haven't done all the designs yet. Lionel usually waits for the last batch of add ons to sell out before offering another add on. Maybe the new scale F-3's in ACL or TEXAS SPECIAL!!. I expect to see the new scale Trainmaster maybe in Lackawana followed by Virginian (they like to follow the postwar pattern). A scale GP-9 is possible too. The PS-4 flat with trailers in CB&Q is another hope of mine. For the PWC series, we haven't seen NH F-3's yet and the writing is on the wall with those. Some experts on the AOL board are speculating Marvel comic Batman Trainmasters and Robin handcars but pffffffffffffffffffffft on those guys.

[spankybird]

The next catalog will come out around the end of this month or the 1st week of Feb.

[tschmidt]

I am always wondering what might be coming next from Lionel. I like the Atlantic Coast Line stuff from a few years back and would love to see some add-on cars to go with the purple set or a station sounds car to go with the purple or silver sets. I also would like them to come out with a work caboose to match the Santa Fe TMCC crane car.
What else are you all looking or hoping for? Maybe the folks from Lionel may get some ideas for the future from what we post here.
Also, when does the next Lionel catalog come out?

Tom