2008 Lionel Catalog

[johnandjulie13]

The non-Pittman motors are off-the-shelf Mabuchi Can Motors. These are the same motors used in servo mechanisms in all kinds of industrial applications. They probably drive your car's windshield wipers.

The big difference is that Pittmans have a strong American brand awareness. I believe they're still made in Pennsylvania. The Mabuchi motors are cheaper, but I've yet to have one fail on me either!

Jon

Hello Jon:

Thanks for the clarification.  Are the Pittman's better pullers than the Mabuchi's?  Are they smoother?  I am curious if there is a real performance difference, or, is it only marketing?

Regards,

John

[Kooljock1]

The non-Pittman motors are off-the-shelf Mabuchi Can Motors. These are the same motors used in servo mechanisms in all kinds of industrial applications. They probably drive your car's windshield wipers.

The big difference is that Pittmans have a strong American brand awareness. I believe they're still made in Pennsylvania. The Mabuchi motors are cheaper, but I've yet to have one fail on me either!

Jon

[palallin]

Pittman is a brand, one of the most respected in the industry and very high-dollar.

[johnandjulie13]

After reviewing the catalog again and looking at past catalogs, I came up with a couple of questions for the class.  On their high end steamers the catalog indicates that the engine is powered by a high torque Pittman motor.  On all of the other engines the catalog states that the engines are powered by "maintenance-free motors with momentum flywheels." Are these motors comparable to the Pittman motors?  Is there a difference?  Will one last longer than the other?

Regards,

John

[GregM]

I picked up all three catalogs Monday when I stopped at the LHS to put my order in for a Lionmaster BigBoy.  I was disappointed with the picture of the Lionmaster BB in the Signature Catalog.  It is spread across two pages so some of the engine is hidden.  Much nicer on-line IMHO.

Haven't really looked at he SETS catalog, Karen did and said not very interesting. 

All-in-all lots of things that may appeal to lots of different folks.  I have curtailed my train purchases quite a bit the last year or so.  I really think the Lionmaster BigBoy will be all I get from these catalogs any time soon. 

[tim o'm]

I also got a chance to leaf through the catalogs at English's in Montoursville, PA on Saturday. I really like the tinplate christmas train. Did I really see a large scale hogwart's train? From the picture shown, it looked very top-heavy, and not very British. I also like the above average Jersey Central cars.

Couldn't say what I will eventually buy, since there is usually a lag from catalog to production to local availability, but it is neat to know they are trying to appeal to so many audiences, and even create some long the way.

[Kooljock1]

Well I actually got my hands (briefly!) on a hard copy yesterday. I like the paper version better than the on-line version. Nicer backgrounds, bigger close-ups.

Here's what I like:

New entry-level 0-8-0's look really good. Note that the Pennsy Flyer is a cheapened version, while the Santa Fe and Lionel Lines have upgraded rods and details.

The venerable starter set 4-4-2's now have separately attached handrails and stantions. Is this a step towards TMCC for the entry level?

Gotta have those 6464 variations cars!

LionMaster Big Boy is sweet, but I'll wait for the re-release of the N&W "A", or better yet: a PRR L1s!

PWC stuff is neat. The C&O set will probably be on my list as well.

The Kinslet Hall set trades track and transformer for digital "British" whistle, twin pilot-beam mounted headlamps, and die-cast trucks and couplers on the cars. For the intended market I think this is a good idea!

Jon

[trestrainfan]

I'm really happy about a few items:

Lionmaster Big Boy: I've been hoping they might reissue this, and this one has Legacy!!!

John Bull: When the Best Friend of Charleston came out last year, I was hoping they might come out with the John Bull next, and they did!!!

Other than that, probably looking to get the other Lionmaster with Legacy, the Conrail SD80MAC. It's in a set, so hopefully some of the dealers are going to have set break-ups.

[Andrew Falconer]

There are many appealing and appropriate Locomotives and Cars for my model railroad. In order to stay within a yearly budget I will have to pick what to get this year and what to wait to see if it will still be available next year if nothing better comes along.

Andrew

[billbarman]

I was acctually really impressed! They made everything I wanted them too. the hudson, the scale polar express, the lionmaster big boy, the new starter set engines!, the red commet, and the new postwar celebration series sets! Man, its a dream come true.  

[Anonymous]

I am considering the latest reissue of the #38 water tower.  I passed on the last two, but I need to get this one.  The set with the Legacy-equipped Conrail diesel is also tempting.

[mpzpw3]

I'm a little interested in the Santa Fe 0-8-0 set, and the remake of the gantry crane.

[Berk765]

Wow! Great turnout guys. I just chimed in at the right time.

[Anonymous]

 

   only thing i will be ordering is the 6-17480  standard O rock island gondola with coke containers.

 

i  would like some of the 40" flat cars with covered loads,  but i can get them cheaper  out of the 2007 books useing the part numbers and road names there cheaper.  they jacked up the price in the 2008 book.

[Cheese]

Well,

Lionel really impressed me this year. I will soon be buying one of those Santa Fe 0-8-0 sets. The Kinlet Hall set is cool as well as the new General 4-4-0 in W&ARR scheme. I have still yet to fully fathom the whole thing, and I will soon be having another gander.

However amazing the new Lionel catalogs are, the new K-Line by Lionel catalog did not make me say "Wow!" or "Interesting", or my favorite word, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". Basically the same as last year with a few new things it is not at all an impressive line up.

2008 is already shaping up to be a great year.

Cheese

[Big Walnut Railroader]

So I just looked through the catalogs yesterday as well as today and I'm impressed. There's some great stuff in there, however with the prices as they are, it seems best to wait until they lower. But for my analysis:

RTR Catalog:

• The 0-8-0 engines are a nice addition to the starter sets. Wonder why they didn't add one in NYC colors though?
• Iron 'Arry & Iron Bert are ok engines, however as has been said many times before, another engine should be made, like Gordon or Henry (in proper sizes). The two pack idea though is excellent. If Lionel ends up making Bill & Ben or Donald & Douglas they should do it that way. Also, some more cars and coaches should be made from the series (at least Seasons 1-4).
• The new Polar Express car is neat, but the price is able to direct people away.
• The Rio Grande set is nice but I think Lionel should introduce an engine like the RG's narrow gauge engines. A good roadname for that would be the Durango & Silverton Railroad.
• The Lionel Lines FA Alco seems to represent the cheapie ones from the Postwar Era. Lionel could've done a better job on that but for the fact its a starter set engine I won't complain that much.

The Signature Catalog:

• The Shakespeare Express "Kinlet Hall" Passenger Set is a good addition for the line, especially with goals to introduce British railroad equipment. However they could have done a different engine class, but with the Hogwarts Castle engine being on hand I can understand their use of another Hall Class engine.
• Something to add with the British equipment should be seperate sale cars/coaches with chain link couplers. A small engine like the Great Western Railway's 0-6-0 Pannier Tank would be good too.
• The new Phantom is fantastic. Hopefully they (Lionel) will continue the Pratt's Hollow Colection. It's been a personal favorite of mine. The Phantom II especially because it is decorated in my school's colors (Red & Gold).
• The Christmas tinplate set is great, but the price is too high. Same goes for the Red Comet.
• The 2 new Postwar Celebration series sets are nice additions.
• The John Bull looks fantastic. Can't wait to see the next engine(s) in the series.
• The Norfolk Southern set is good, but a unit coal train set would have been better.
• The Lionmaster series returns to what it was with the Big Boy. Now articulated engines are available to those with smaller layouts again.
• the scale Pere Marquette #1225 is an incredible opportunity. Two roadnames for one engine, all you need is the Polar Express tender. To those who liked the movie but operate scale trains, heres your chance. Just beware that the other tender costs around $440.
• The SD-70ACe needs to be made in Montana Rail Link. The Austrailan railroad that uses them would be neat to see as well.

That sums up my little review for now. Hope you enjoyed.

[prewardude]

Clint,

They got the sound right though!

Jon

Amen to that, Jon!

 - Clint 

[Anonymous]

what i seen was them comming out with the same cars with some newer road names. and higher prices.

 

the standard O unibody tank car 3 pack in 2007 Vol2 is $134.99. same 3 packs in the 2008 book are $194.99 .

 

standard O  40 foot flat car with covered load in 2007 was $62.99, in 2008 its $69.99

 

the 2007 double sheathed boxcar in 2007 is $64.99, in 2008 its 69.99

 

the 2007 standard o 50' doube door box car was $69.99, in 2008 they are 74.99

 

the 2007 standard o offset hoppers 3 pack was $144.99, the 2008 is $199.99

 

i could keep going,,, but you get my point. 

[ogauge]

Clint,

They got the sound right though!

Jon

They did, but do you feel the need to pay $50 extra for that omission!!! 

Now they have the CV engine and the Flying Yankee cars, they should make one or two of the rare trains like the Blue Streak or the one with chrome cars and a black CV engine.  That would be even better.

 I shouldn't bash too much cause I'm really just happy they are fighting the good fight with their competitor(s).

Another old engine they could probably make easily would be the 238E since they made the 18052 years ago. 

[Kooljock1]

Clint,

They got the sound right though!

Jon

[prewardude]

That Red Comet set is mighty tempting - BUT - only if they get the wheels right this time.

 - Clint 

[USNRol]

Ho hum....signature series catalog was sticker shock central...some beautiful trains though....I'll be looking to buy used from some money bags who had to have it in about 10-15 years.

The ready-to-run catalog was okay...I thought this FA looked like a P.O.S.

Roland

[johnandjulie13]

There was nothing that knocked my socks off either, but I was not expecting any great surprises.  I will agree that Lionel did put out a tremendous variety.  I do like that they are immediately reissuing engines (i.e. Dreyfus Hudsdon) in Legacy.  I am still waiting for the NYC GP-7 to come out.  If it looks good in the hobby store, I may take the Legacy plunge.

Regards,

John

[okiechoochoo]

 I will wait till someone breakes up the PWC GP7 set and just buy the C&O engine.  Other than that nothing of interest to me.  Prices are getting to high.  I may have to go to HO in the future

[LS1Heli]

Great catalogs! I have my eye one for sure:

- Flying Yankee set (again)

- Red Comet (looks really sweet)

- NYC Hudson with the matching passenger cars

- Some other stuff I can't remeber! 

The PWC set while cool as hell did nothing for me. The GP7 set. 

[BMRR]

  New LIONEL catalogs........all I can say is..............WOW.

Now........... where did I put my check book?

Stan.

[palallin]

No build up from me:  I got pretty much what I expected.  The thread was soliciting reactions, l so I added mine.  Lionel is going in a direction I have no interest whatsoever in following.

 

I forgot to add the new Station-sounds PE car:  $115.  Heckuva add-on for a kids' train. 

[pbjwilson]

Why so much pooh-poohing of the Lionel catalog every time its issued. There is this build up and countdown to the new catalog and then everyone bashes it. I was surprised by the 0-8-0 starter engine. There seems to be quite a variety. Everything from a John Bull set, to pre-war, to an NS modern diesel set. Lionel has put out a fine range of trains. And then theres the K-line offerings. Almost seems like too much!

 

[palallin]

*sigh*

I'm glad I'm not relying on the new catalogs to support my hobby. 

I find a double-sheathed MoPac boxcar I need to get--but for $70.00?  Yikes!  $10 more than last year's models.

Just as frustrating is the price hike on the off-set hopper sets:  they were $145 last year, but they're $200 this year for the same set.  Heckuva pricing strategy:  if the set doesn't sell in one year, add 25% to the price and try again.  There's marketing genius for ya.

I ought to get the MoPac U-boat, but they've stuffed it full of useless (to me) electronics and hung a $500.00 price tag on it.  That one will go on the If-I-Ever-Win-The-Lottery List with the RS-11 and the Frisco ten-wheeler, two other engines priced out of my range by a few ounces of silicon I beg to do without.

I'd consider the T & P Mike--even though it's not quite what I want--but, again, it's stuffed with froo-froo.

Ah, well:  the ol' hobby dollars will end up on eBay again this year.  I'll likely find an Ex+  Standard Gauge IVES 3242 for a lot less than the plastic diesel.  I tell ya:  I sometimes think that, if my boys were not already heavily invested in O, I'd trash the O track on the layout and replace it with SG.