What do you like in the New Lionel Catalog?

[cheapclassics]

To all,

I like the pre-war re-issues, but they are a little steep for me. It is good they are expanding the Thomas line. I still think the price is a little steep on the rolling stock cars, especially $54.99 for the Alaska car with two reels. The Transylvania stuff is a possibility as well along with the witch's operating accessory. They might go well with the Black Cave Flyer set up.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[cnw1995]

Oooh, Paul. A beautiful trolley - that's the one I have also. Must be a mark of their popularity - i seldom come across them on eBay.

[tmcc man]

My revised list is:
All the TMCC PREMIUM SETS in the eastcoast roads
ALL THE TMCC STEAMERS AND DIESELS, in the east coast roads

The top favorite is the Berkshire set and the PRR GP set.

[IronHoarse]

Still being fairly new at this ( bought first train less than a year ago ), I saw a lot that I like in the catalog. I was hoping to see a cheaper tmcc standard o steamer so I guess I will go with a diesel set. I like the PRR coal train, but I can do a lot better as far as price goes if I get the UP GP30 and two UP open hipper three packs. Based on prices that I have seen I can get that for under $600 and it will be a longer consist but have no caboose. I can always find a UP caboose later. If money were not the issue I would get the space train too, along with the rocket launcher and also the 269E set.

[GregM]

Actually quite a lot. There are several sets and cars that if I were still in the "train collector" mode I would really like to have. I have been restricting myself to buying engines for only select roads for some time now and that helps with the buying. I have been doing this for many years and storage has become an issue for me as it has for others, but I digress. I broke my own rules and ordered a Lackawanna FM Trainmaster. Will use it with Lackawanna passenger cars I already have. It appears from the catalog illustration and description that this engine is going to be made using the CCII tooling. The CCII engines received rave reviews when they were released.

I also ordered one of the PRR 40' flat cars. Seem to have a thing for PRR equipment. lol

I also like the B&O PWC set but the colors on the F3's seem off to me. Its probably just me. Anyhow, I really don't need the cars from the set, although I do like the caboose, and I don't think the B&O passenger cars would match the F3's. This is another time that I really wish we could see the items before buying. I prefer to run passenger trains with F3 engines.

The cab forward just doesn't excite me like I thought it would. That could change if I ever see one in person.

[Anonymous]

I will buy Southern Ps-4 #1403 to run alongside Ps-4s #1396 and #1401[both MTH with TM/RS 4.0 installed]. Interesting to see that Lionel's #1403 has the correct green cab roof of Southern's Ps-4 engines shopped out of Spencer.

That Norfollk Southern stuff is too modern for me [unless it was the real Norfolk Southern of yesteryear]. Real railroading ceased when the Southern banked steam in 1953 and the N&W followed suit in 1960. I have disciplined myself and learned to hold my nose and allow early Southern diesels of the transition period to stink up my layout--but nothing past the E-8s of 1953.

As for handling one's wife----after you have been married for 50 years you might get a Christmas/Anniversary present like I did[:)]---a JLC N&W "J" and a "blowout" Y3 [which will be repainted as Southern Ls-2 #4050 2-8-8-2]. I can't tell what she got, but it trashed a 20 year-old IRA[;)].

[Anonymous]

Hmm.

The Santa Fe Diesel Freight Set, B&O Miakdo, B&O Madison 4-Pack and 2 Pack, James, Percy, Thomas, Both Exp. Packs. Santa Fe Diesel Freight Exp. Pack. NYC Flyer freight exp. pack, #164 Log Loader, Southern Pacific Log Dump, Southern Pacific 0-6-0 Docksider, and UP R-S3

Thats it after eliminating the Penn and NYC Flyer sets. I still have to drop some items. Come Back Later with revised list.

But, I am definatly keeping the Santa Fe Diesel Freight Set and exp. packs, and the B&O Mikado with the matching B&O Madisons.

[FEClionel]

I guess I'm the only one that psyched about the B&O PWC freight set! That is by far my favorite set from the postwar era. Now I'm gonna have to sell some current items to convince the wife to allow this set to take up more space in the closet. It seems all of the starter sets have some toned down colors versus previous years consists - maybe its attempt to make the consists look more like MTH starter sets. I really think this catalog has a great mix of affordable items mixed with some very nice niche collectibles. I think this will be a great year for Lionel - and it looks like it doesn't have anything to do with shrinking competition.

[1688torpedo]

LOL John! You should also tell your wife that the Southern PS-4 will ward off the Grits Boogyman that comes in the middle of the night & tries to leave a Box of Southern Grits on your Front Doorstep[;)][:)][:o)].

[csxt30]

QUOTE: Originally posted by twaldie

The Southern PS-4 and heavyweight passenger cars are my favorites. I like them so
much that I ordered them already........ does anyone have any advice on how to justify
this purchase to my wife???
Tim

I tell my wife that it it an important investment, will become very collectible in the future & every household should have them !! Sometimes it works & sometimes it don't !![:D][:D]

[twaldie]

The Southern PS-4 and heavyweight passenger cars are my favorites. I like them so
much that I ordered them already........ does anyone have any advice on how to justify
this purchase to my wife???
My son is also upset at the lack of Norfolk Southern! Chesterfield yankees!

Tim

[thor]

Everything!

[jakeoregano]

I really like the PRR BB1. That's pretty cool, but really pricey. Looks like all the premium sets are pricey. My kids like the James and Percy trains. Might have to break down and get them a Thomas to run on 3 rail (they only have the little wooden trains right now, but really enjoy them).
Finally, the tinplate set is superb! I would really like to see more of the pre war stuff reproduced. I think it would be a hit.

[pbjwilson]

Doug,
I was just at Chicagoland Hobby last week. The amount of "stuff" they have is amazing. I was just curious to see if you had been there. But I'd have to say Hills is my favorite. I like all the old toys and trains they have and its always changeing. I was at Hills last week as well, had alot of postwar stuff - alot of everything really. They've also gotten into Dept. 56. They carry some Chicago items like Wrigley Field, Art Institute, Water Tower in the Dept. 56 line.

I havent been to Americas Best. I saw there ads for awhile in CTT but never made it out that way. I grew up in Elmhurst, along the CNW tracks, down the road from the quarry.Spent alot of my youth at Als Hobby Shop. I think its still there. Back in the 70's it would be packed on saturdays. Elmhurst had two model railroad clubs at that time. Thats what kindled my interest in modelrailroading.

Check this out -
http://cgi.ebay.com/Exquisit-Western-Hobbcraft-Cast-Metal-Trolley-O-B_W0QQitemZ6029892903QQcategoryZ485QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[cnw1995]

Crip, I agree with yah!

Paul, I do take that train every workday - for 16 years now - couple of hundred thousand miles I guess (you can see what I fill my time with calculating on the train). I've timed it so I can take an earlier train - get off at Edison Pk, run like the dickens down to the store, buy something fast and run back to get the next one. I usually call and pre-buy something from them and just pick it up. Haven't been there in a while though, since the fall, now during my latest traction fad. I was thinking of going to Hills Hobbies in Park Ridge. It's right across the st. from the station - no running. It's under new management and they sound great. Have you been there? What is your favorite hobby store around here? I went to America's Best in Itasca over Christmas - it was heaven!

[Poppa_Zit]

That there are TEN pages of American Flyer. New Pacifics, heavyweight cars and the Chicago & Alton set. Also, the reissue of the 594 track gang for less than 100 bucks.

[dbaker48]

Many,
Some of the Nascar consists, a speeder, container freight, still thinking about engines. I need a TMCC caboose. I purchased the cab forward from last years catalog, otherwise that would be it without question. I need a good TMCC Diesel, so time and resources will tell.

[pbjwilson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by laz 57

DA LIONMASTER Cab forward, goes to the front of my line.
laz57

Datz da one for me too!

[otftch]

I'd say Lionel is putting Mike to task.Did you see the Mikado ? Thats three new
engines in three years,at reasonable prices.You can't fault them for selling high end stuff.There must be a lot of yuppies out there.
Ed

[laz 57]

DA LIONMASTER Cab forward, goes to the front of my line.
laz57

[tdetmer]

The AF switch engines, the tie unloading car and the animated work crew look good. But I agree with Chief (and I'm a Yankee) - where is the Norfolk Souithern? I had the good luck to accidentally see a Norfolk Southern steam engine in Atlanta in 1994 when I was there on business. It was a beautiful engine. Tom

[crip]

Everything from page one on. I can't afford to buy it all till I win the lottery but I can dream!!!!

[BMRR]

I like the Southern Streamliner passenger cars ( already have them ) and the Southern FT. Like the Chief said, where is Norfolk Southern ? [:)]

Stan.

[tmcc man]

Hey, that PRR set looks nice too. I also like the N&W Hi Hood C420's. That Mohawk set has now reached the top of my list. I could actually sell the command base and the cab1, and get some more cars in trade for them. I already have the command set, so that would be a great advantage. Of course I would have to keep the ZW.

[tschmidt]

What i really liked are the:
1.) Alien Sounds Groom Lake Boxcar. Yea, it is silly but it goes with the rest of my Area 51 alien train

2.) The Southern PS4 loco and Heavyweight cars are great looking.

3.) 40' Flat cars

4.) PS-5 Gondola's

5.) The Operating Welding Car - except I want it for Bethlehem Steel (I have since found out that it was made in B.S.)

Tom S

[csxt30]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles

Don't like it. Where is the NORFOLK SOUTHERN?

Oh, I think they quit making Shortline RRs !![(-D][(-D][(-D]

[ChiefEagles]

Don't like it. Where is the NORFOLK SOUTHERN?

[tmcc man]

When I get the money from caddying over the summer, I will try to save enough for that Mohawk set. That in my opinion is a good deal for all of that. I wonder what TRAINWORLD's price will be on it? I will have to see what my other hobb shop will sell it for. Prewardude, I was thinking of gettint that Chessie set with the money from Christmas, but decided to expand my G scale empire. They wanted $610, which is a pretty good price.

[prewardude]

Obviously, I like the 269E set, but that Standard O Chessie freight set is a beauty, too:
http://ca1.lionel-catalog.com/catalog24a0.html

I'm really starting to admire Lionel's Standard O offerings. If this keeps up, I may have to change my username. [banghead]