Toy train operating and collecting

"first most guys here are older guys who had lionel in their childhood. they need to keep catering to us. I like the reissues of postwar stuff and the tin stuff. "

Not necessarily. Some of us were too young (or in my case not born yet!) to get the good stuff the first time around. And we want a chance to have it all minty-new now!

OF course, we'd also like CAN motors, cruise, and RailSounds... but not in the Pre-War thank you!

Jon

In the 2000 volume 1 catalog, Lionel offered several engines in "command" and "traditional" versions.  The traditional version was generally $100.00 less than the command version.  This only lasted a few catalogs.  I remember (correct me if you know differently) the explanation given when this was discontinued, was that the traditional engines were not selling in large enough quantities to justify their production. 

I would be very surprised if Lionel decided to offer command & traditional engines together a second time.  I do agree with the idea of a command/traditional operation mode switch on engines.   

I've been waiting over a year for a scale SF F3 B unit, so I guess I'll wish for that. Or I'll just sell the A unit and move on.

Jim 

lionmaster veranda

The LionMaster Union Pacific Turbine "Veranda" Locomotive would fit with the series.

 

Should it have a plastic body or a Die-Cast Metal Body?

 

Plastic or Die-Cast Metal is a choice somebody will have to make.

 

Andrew

Speaking from my grandson's point of view:

Toby,

Cranky the Crane,

Edward,

Gordon,

Forgot the name of the railbus, must be senility.

I would like to see Lionel do a series of coffee boxcars. Coffee boxcars would be for the most part fairy tale cars but that's something Lionel can get away with. If you look at coffee can art over the past century, there is what seems like an endless rainbow of bold, crisp coffee labels for Lionel to choose from. I know a number of trainheads can relate to coffee and Lionel has done well with other brand label cars such as beer and tabacco. Whether the cars come from the scale or traditional variety needs a lot of thought maybe. I'm sure there would be some liscencing agreements to work out but the "man" is pretty good at working out deals like that.

here here!! is MTH the only one with a sense of humour? I like the idea of accurate prototypical

stuff as much as the next guy but you have to admit this is really funny. lets have more fairy tale stuff!

Scott 

 

Kooljock1 wrote:

"first most guys here are older guys who had lionel in their childhood. they need to keep catering to us. I like the reissues of postwar stuff and the tin stuff. " Not necessarily. Some of us were too young (or in my case not born yet!) to get the good stuff the first time around. And we want a chance to have it all minty-new now! OF course, we'd also like CAN motors, cruise, and RailSounds... but not in the Pre-War thank you! Jon

Yes, the train companies are compelled to serve a market with extremely diverse interests.  Nurture the roots and sow the seeds, so to speak.  That can get get pretty dicey, and expensive.  Just look at the laundry list that has been compiled here.  Then think of the financial condition of the combatants.

Jack 

Kooljock1 wrote:

"first most guys here are older guys who had lionel in their childhood. they need to keep catering to us. I like the reissues of postwar stuff and the tin stuff. " Not necessarily. Some of us were too young (or in my case not born yet!) to get the good stuff the first time around. And we want a chance to have it all minty-new now! OF course, we'd also like CAN motors, cruise, and RailSounds... but not in the Pre-War thank you! Jon

A couple of months back on this forum somewhere, someone started a thread looking for ages and came up with an average age.  Unscientific but interesting.  Not enough repondents.  The average age (not mean age) was younger than I expected.

Jack 

lionroar88 wrote:

trainsfan, This is why I feel selling engines that are conventionally equiped, but upgradable to TMCC/Legacy with add-in boards is the better route. Also, the boards should be available through service centers only, if selling to individuals they should be made fully aware that Lionel does not gaurantee the boards unless they are installed by a service center.

They did this for a few years starting maybe around 2000, that is how I got started with TMCC. I have two sets of the B&O FT's that I bought the plug-n-play boards and a pair of D&H C-420's one that came w/TMMC and the other, issued the same year, that I upgraded the same as the FT's.

Not being privy to the cost breakdowns I don't know what the cost difference would be to market them as upgradeable. However it seems as though if they were upgradeable, on a P&P basis, it would be a good way to get your foot in the door in anticipation of additional sales of upgrade parts. But that brings up another question as to wheather "upgrading " is even feasible with Legacy systems.

lionelfanatic wrote:

One more idea, more euro trains, they seem to be selling well. I would recommend the Mallard.

With the current exchange rate between Sterling and the US$, Lionel trains are exceptional value. I'm trying to persuade a buddy here in England who's got the space for O gauge to buy the Harry Potter set!

From what I've seen, the Harry Potter set is a good representation of a GWR "Hall" class 4-6-0 (over 300 built) and likewise the passenger cars are the ubiquitous British Rail Mk1's of the 1950's which carried many liveries in their 40+ year lifespan and many survive both on preserved lines and for use on main line charter trains.

An A4 Pacific could also be offered as "Spencer" for the Thomas range. Hopefully if sales of this hold up and HIT Entertainment dont demand too big a share of the profits, some of the items suggested by Dougdagrump could be made. Like the class 08 shunter ("Evil Diesel") most of these are based on real locos and so could be offered in authentic guise.

Perhaps to appease Modern Image enthusiasts a class 66 could be offered, as these are now common in Europe as well as Britain. I think a WW2 US Army 0-6-0T would have wide appeal too; examples of the real ones are still in use in E. Europe and China.

dougdagrump wrote:

lionroar88 wrote: trainsfan, This is why I feel selling engines that are conventionally equiped, but upgradable to TMCC/Legacy with add-in boards is the better route. Also, the boards should be available through service centers only, if selling to individuals they should be made fully aware that Lionel does not gaurantee the boards unless they are installed by a service center. They did this for a few years starting maybe around 2000, that is how I got started with TMCC. I have two sets of the B&O FT's that I bought the plug-n-play boards and a pair of D&H C-420's one that came w/TMMC and the other, issued the same year, that I upgraded the same as the FT's. Not being privy to the cost breakdowns I don't know what the cost difference would be to market them as upgradeable. However it seems as though if they were upgradeable, on a P&P basis, it would be a good way to get your foot in the door in anticipation of additional sales of upgrade parts. But that brings up another question as to wheather "upgrading " is even feasible with Legacy systems.

I would also think that their production costs would go down.  When Brent mentioned that Lionel should offer easy upgrades, I thought it was a great idea.  I did not realize Lionel had already tried this.  Jerry Calabrese talks about the funnel theory.  Doug hits the nail on the head, by giving owners and easy upgrade path to TMCC (and even to Legacy) Lionel has a chance to make the funnel larger. 

I would be curious to know if providing a "P&P" option is really more expensive than making a conventional locomotive.

Regards,

John

" What do I think needs to be produced by Lionel ? "

Something Made in the USA !!!

 

I like Mike's sense of Humor with the Burp-Oh Beer Car & I do not even drink at all. Maybe a Charlie Horse Dog Food Reefer would be an excellent seller also. Take Care all.