Toy train operating and collecting

rtraincollector wrote:

And more lost smaller railways trains like L&N , NJC, Rock Island, Virginian, Southern, FEC, ect .

lionelfanatic wrote:

I think that lionel needs to produce a new commuter train set that comes with an f-40 and a few bi-level cars. Some scale pe cars to go with the new scale pe berkshier would also be good. And of corse some new modern auto carriers.

I couldn't agree with you more on the commuter cars. They should be affordable and 0-27 scale. I think they will be more sucessful as a company if they made entry level models of real trains we see everyday. Isn't that what they did when they made plenty of profit in the 50s? They are doing it with trains we see in the movies and look how well they are selling.

lionelfanatic wrote:

rtraincollector wrote: And more lost smaller railways trains like L&N , NJC, Rock Island, Virginian, Southern, FEC, ect . Ya, i would love and L&N E7 or switcher.

Rock Island?  Did I hear Rock Island?

I can say from experience that many young children are more fascinated with the intristic rod action of steam engines than they are with modern diesels we see on the rails today. This is one reason I'm sure Lionel continues to offer steam sets. Young children can relate to Lionel's Thomas stuff and the Hogwart because these are TV celebrity trains that survive in whimsical wonderlands.

I think another reason first generation diesel and steam dominates starter sets is these sets are purchased by the parents and this is what they often relate too. They see a wide cab diesel with gull wings and say "Ick, I would never buy my kid that ugly thing".

I think the starter set market could use a boost and offer modern GE and EMD diesels, grain hoppers, and intermodal cars like we see on the rails today. A lot of this stuff is done in attractive schemes on real railroads. Something in the line of an O27 Acela would be nice too. A high speed turbo train that runs on super elevated curves would appeal to older kids I'm sure.

Back to the original question, I think a set of skeleton log cars would look great with a Docksider.

And how about a re-ssue of the 675/2025? 

One thing I've been wanting Lionel to make for years is an Amtrak Genesis locomotive. It should be a high-end scale engine, too, with all the bells and whistles, Legacy command, etc. It also should be offered in all three liveries: Amtrak Phase III, IV and V. Lionel could also make some AmFleet cars in the Amtrak Phase IVb scheme. That would be cool.

Besides Amtrak, though, it looks as if Lionel is starting to make more modern engines again, from many different railroads, like BNSF, UP, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and even Ferromex and Kansas City Southern. The new SD70ACe's are one great example. I wanted Lionel to make the BNSF SD70ACe for such a long time, too - it's about time! Now I've got one of them on order.

"But, back to the main point, what do you think Lionel needs to come out with?"

A significantly improved warranty policy with major improvements in quality control [both out of the box (too many post Y2K DOA)  and w/ nominal play use].

If you think that Lionel needs to produce Florida East Coast Locomotives and Cars: What time period is important to make first?

2000 to the present with equipment like this:

FEC SD70ACes

FEC Husky-Stacks in Bright Yellow with FEC Containers

FEC Husky-Stacks in Oxide Brown with FEC Containers

1980's and 1990's with equipment like this:

FEC GP38-2

FEC Modern 50' Boxcar

FEC Exterior-Braced 50' Double-Door Boxcar

FEC A.A.R. 50' Double-Door Boxcar

Andrew

This is a model of a SL-SF FRISCO  Pacific Car & Foundry Boxcar made in HO Scale by Athearn.

That specifically has to be made for Traditional O Gauge.

The FRISCO Boxcars used to be common everywhere.

The PC&F Boxcar is distinct, but similar to the other PC&F Cars that are still on the rails, so it will be a worthwhile investment for new injection molds.

Andrew

More prewar celebrations, a blue streak  and a chrome steak.

Some seperate sale prewar celebrations cars, both freight and passenger.

Early Diecst frame 257 and 258 steamers and the diecast 262T tender.

A 238E in true gunmetal.

and for something freaky, how bout 3/16's scale O gauge American Flyer engines

I wish they would make some big stuff.

Doesnt that just look Lionel? 

HELLO,HERE'S A FEW I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.TAKE THE CHASSIS FROM THE DOCKSIDE 0-6-0T.PUT A REGULAR BOILER SHELL ON AND ADD A SLOPEBACK TENDER FROM THE #18710.OFFER IT IN MANY ROAD NAMES. SECOND HOW ABOUT A EMD 40 BODY ON THE CHASSIS OF THE K-LINE PLY.SWITCHER.THANK YOU

Fewer engines in Pennsy, NYC, Santa Fe, UP... I mean really it gets very tiresome to see the catalog laden with these roadnames and only 1 or 2 offerings in B&O, C&O, and WM.

Also I think they should offer all their engines in a Conventional configuration, but with the option to have TMCC/Legacy installed (at the buyer's discression).

Also, I would like to see then sell the engines in mulitple numbers, and the rolling stock in multiple numbers.