tomosap wrote: SchemerBob wrote: ...but I think many people want realistic and modern trains from the United States rather than a fictional British train....I don't mean to sound arrogant, but the Hogwarts Express is actually a real train that runs on a preserved Steam railway in Nothern England - the nameplates were changed for the movie, but the locomotive itself is part of a tourist attraction. I can see your point, but wanted to clarify that, to British people (of which there is a sizeable population who buy North American O Gauge products - myself included) it's quite appealing that locomotives such as this are being modelled in this gauge - in fact, the more the merrier!.Also, I guess you can't blame Lionel for jumping on the hype-bandwagon and wanting to exploit an obvious marketing opportunity Just my 2 cents worth.Tom
SchemerBob wrote: ...but I think many people want realistic and modern trains from the United States rather than a fictional British train....
...but I think many people want realistic and modern trains from the United States rather than a fictional British train....
I don't mean to sound arrogant, but the Hogwarts Express is actually a real train that runs on a preserved Steam railway in Nothern England - the nameplates were changed for the movie, but the locomotive itself is part of a tourist attraction. I can see your point, but wanted to clarify that, to British people (of which there is a sizeable population who buy North American O Gauge products - myself included) it's quite appealing that locomotives such as this are being modelled in this gauge - in fact, the more the merrier!.
Also, I guess you can't blame Lionel for jumping on the hype-bandwagon and wanting to exploit an obvious marketing opportunity
Just my 2 cents worth.
Tom
Yep, you're right. The "Hogwarts Express" is the only thing that's fictional, not the train itself.
One reason why I really hope Lionel comes out with some new really cool trains is because I believe they are actually a little better than the MTH's. I have a LionMaster SD80 and it is excellent, while both of my MTH engines broke down once each.
I do not think that if MTH had made the PE it would have sold nearly as well. No reflection on MTH as they make great stuff, they are just sorely lacking in the brand name department. Starter set buyers are really only familiar with one name unless a hobby shop introduces them to the other.
Mike S.
I'd buy a Gordon if it was offered, and if it wasn't shortened the way James was.
Looks like the race is on to build euro trains of the past. MTH is making the Flying Scotsman.
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
SchemerBob wrote:any Lionel product is better than no Lionel product
any Lionel product is better than no Lionel product
More like any Lionel product is better than any MTH product.
If they really sold over 100,000 PE sets, that is probably the best thing to happen to the O gage hobby in quite a while. It is just the thing to inject new and different people into our hobby and some of those people will buy more track and more trains and become further interested as we are. On the other hand, If Lionel hadn't made a deal for the PE, HP, and Thomas sets, don't you think MTH would be selling the crap out of them!! Its almost as if they need to make deals like these to ensure MTH does not?? First one to the punch wins big! Am I off base?
BTW, I do like the HP set, I wish the cars were a little beefier but as has been said many times, it is just a starter set! as is the PE. They are a steal for the $200 or so that many are buying them for.
As far as the catalog, I'd love to see some PRR stuff (what more!!), a Gordon would be nice, but I won't hold my breath.
I'd like to see an AF 326 or 312 remade like they did with the 336, I figure that is more likely if the 336 sold well.
Maybe they will come out with a CARS set with the diesel that almost hits Mcqueen in the begining and some of the autos on flat cars...
MartyE wrote:As of now 9 days 5 hours 9 minutes and 3 seconds
But who's counting...
Regards, Roy
jefelectric wrote:Bob, I agree, the last several Lionel catalogs have not had a lot that interested me. The bright side is that it saved me money.
More NS
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
I personally think they should wait until a little later in the year to issue the catalog. Of course, there's the Toy Fair in NYC, so much of the reason it's released in February is right there.
Lionel is still behind on a number of products, and the vast majority of K-Lionel products were months behind release. The S-2 switcher, originally scheduled for a May shipping still isn't out, with a January 08 date now. And many other products just barely made it out during December, months behind when they were scheduled. Not very good for a product line aimed at newcomers and budget enthusiasts.
I don't fault Lionel one bit for Hogwarts or Polar Express. These are the kinds of products that have the potential to start new railroaders. I think Lionel would do very very well to issue a newly tooled modern 027-ized Dash-8 type diesel, along the lines of the 1950's Alco FA in proportion. I really think this is the kind of product, that if reasonbly priced, could be a much bigger hit that anyone suspects. I also think a beginners stripped down simlified version of command control that could be affordably included with every train set would also be a big hit. But it is a balancing act: where does/should Lionel put their investment captial?
The brew-ha-ha raised over these two trains sets has been a little over the top... they're starter trains sets! Don't like it? Don't buy it. Lionel needs to reach other customers other than the established (and sometimes very unforgiving) customers they have. The fact Polar Express sold over 100,000 sets speaks for itself... no high end scale product has ever come even remotely close to that figure. I'm sure the sales of the regular ordinary starter sets, and the add-on packages do proportionately as well.
The thing is the hobby is so polarized in some respects between the wants of the scale enthusiasts and the traditional operator. Needless to say, the adults who want precision precise scale products are far more vocal about this than a new customer who is just starting in the hobby. So Lionel has a tough balancing act on their hands, not just with pleasing ALL their customers, but with dealing with their financial limitations.
I have little question there will be some neat and new stuff in the next catalog. I also have little question, giving the demanding nature of the market today, that some will not be totally happy with the catalog. But if Lionel can strike a balance, as I think they have been trying to do, then the majority of folks looking to buy new trains will find something they like.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
I think that the Hogwarts Express was just the first of Lionel's vintage european trains. At least I hope that's the case. Just a hunch. I've heard a new mid level transformer is in the works as well.
While I'm as anxious as anyone else to see the 2008 Lionel catalogs, I can't help but notice how much product featured in the 2007 cats haven't been delivered yet. I've been waiting for one item since last April. Why are all those products delayed? And what kind of delays can we expect in the coming year?
The new catalogs are always fun to flip through. But I consider myself fortunate to have just about all the trains I want.
See top of page, right side:
http://www.lionel.com/
Yep, it'll be out on February 1st (actually a little earlier if you want to stay up late).
As always, I hope Lionel will finally come out with an Amtrak Genesis locomotive. I really don't care what paint scheme at this point as long as it's Amtrak...it still boggles my mind why Lionel hasn't come out with one of those locomotives in the past 15 years the real ones have been on the road.
Really, Lionel will probably add to the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express and not much else will change. That might be a little over dramatic, but I don't like all the hype that's been created over that train ...the train itself is okay but...well, I won't go into all of the details this time.
But I hope I'm wrong this time. Maybe Lionel will finally come out with something that I really get excited about. Don't get me wrong, any Lionel product is better than no Lionel product (yes, even the Hogwarts Express) but I think many people want realistic and modern trains from the United States rather than a fictional British train. They don't have to be top-of-the-line or anything, just enough so they look real. Maybe some more "LionMaster" offerings are in order. It doesn't matter. I just hope Lionel comes out with some new modern trains. The new catalog being released is always neat, but this being a new year I hope Lionel does some new things!!
Trying to update my avatar since 2020
MartyE and Kodi the Husky Dog! ( 3/31/90-9/28/04 ) www.MartyE.com My O Gauge Web Page and Home of Kodiak Junction!
Give me steam locomotives or give me DEATH!
Berkshire Junction, bringing fourth the cry of the Iron Horse since 1900.
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