Lionel Postwar Product Announcement from Jerry Calabrese

[nblum]

Announcing
Lionel Postwar Authentics – Conventional Classics

Since I first arrived at Lionel in late 2004, I’ve been intrigued with the idea of reissuing a series of affordable, authentic Lionel classic postwar engines and rolling stock, made only in conventional mode, and as true to their original condition and characteristics as possible.

I’m pleased to announce that in our next catalog, which will be released this August, we will be re-issuing the first in a three year series of the very pieces on which Lionel built its reputation for excellence, innovation and authenticity. Our line of Conventional Classic engines will be equipped with legendary Lionel Pullmor motors and the patented Magne-Traction system, and our authentic freight cars and passenger cars will feature postwar-style die-cast trucks.

Our locomotives and cars will be made using the very same existing tools with which the postwar originals were built. And true to their storied predecessors, they will be accurately decorated, utilizing authentic road names, “LIONEL LINES”, and the original “BUILT BY LIONEL” markings.

Best of all, the new Conventional Classics line will be moderately priced, and among the most affordable products we offer. To kick off the program, we’re releasing four of your favorite sets…

#2124W Brunswick GG-1 Passenger set with Madison cars (1947)
#1562W Burlington GP-7 Passenger set with 2400-series cars (1956)
#2219W Lackawanna FM “Thunderbird” Freight set (1954)
#1484WS Hudson Passenger set with 2400-series cars (1952)

…plus these iconic add-on items:

“Sager Place” Observation Car – the perfect add-on to the GG-1 set
#2445 Elizabeth Coach – the perfect add-on to the GP-7 set

…in addition to these rare, memorable locomotives:

#2340 5-stripe Tuscan GG-1
#2338 Milwaukee Road GP-7 with orange band on cab
#2331 Virginian FM TrainMaster with yellow and black decoration

And this is only the beginning. Throughout the next three years, we will add to this new collection of Lionel favorites, all true to their historical predecessors and offered at prices that won’t break the bank. We hope you’ll agree…it’s the perfect time to rediscover what first got you hooked on Lionel!

Jerry Calabrese
President and CEO
Lionel Electric Trains

[magicman710]

Great idea for Lionel to do.

[Roger Bielen]

How about delivering what's already in the catalogues back to 2006?

[anjdevil2]

It is a great idea.  But Roger is right.  And Lionel has cancelled a lot of the new stuff in 2008 Volume 1 already.  May it's time to rethink having this stuff built in China (or the Asian continent), and bring it back here.  With the exchange rate being what it is, may it's time.  Whatcha think there, Jerry, my paisan?

[ben10ben]

Superb idea!

I don't own any Williams products, because I love Pullmor motors and like for my trains to say "Lionel" on the side of them. 

If they're as affordably priced as Jerry talks like they're going to be, I see a GG-1 and Hudson set both in my future. 

[kpolak]

I like the idea of these PW sets, however I would like a TMCC upgrade.  I plan to upgrade a restored/repainted 2025 to TMCC.  A new Lionel PW engine with TMCC may curb my desire to buy origional PW, and install the upgrades myself.

Also, what is to come of the PW celebration cars?

Kurt

[1688torpedo]

Hello Rich (andjdevil)

Maybe Lionel will set up a Special Production Line in your former NJ Home for its conventional postwar trains to save on labor & make you a Foreman there. I do like the idea of conventional postwar trains & feel that this is the right way to go. Especially,with the proper markings & logos to boot. Take Care.

[anjdevil2]

Hey Keith!!

If they DID build them in New Jersey, That would REALLY be a POST WAR CELEBRATION Series!

 

[msacco]

Please no tmcc, not even upgradeable. Keep it open frame with a mech eunit....please.

 

 Mike S.

[CB&Q]

 

  well now sounds good to me all the electronics are nice but simplicity will out live them. wonder if they'll reissue the aba and passenger set of the santa fe, wanted one when growing up in the 50's would like one now as delivered then. CB&Q

[ezmike]

Now you got my attention!

I'm hearing that some USA companies are bringing their production back home because the price of importing them here is becoming expensive due to fuel costs. Although she couldn't remember which companies they were my wife mention moving their operations to IN, KY... Maybe LIONEL follows suit? Can NJ be far behind? I can only hope, because with all that Jerry says these cars will be like from "the good old days", unless they say "Made in the US of America" on them like every LIONEL product I own, there still will be something missing.

Jerry, are you listening? If you're looking for a mature, responsible, committed adult with managerial experience with an infinite love for his post war LIONEL trains, I'm your man?

Mike 

[GregM]

This is undoubtedly a response to "Williams by Bachman," the state of the economy, and all the calls for "No @#$$% Electronics."

I do have one question though, didn't Lionel get rid of all the old tooling?  I remember there was one train that included a piece of tooling.

 

One more thing;

Mike, since you actually enjoy trains, don't look to get a job at Lionel.

[nblum]

Only worn out or minor tooling has been discarded or recycled.  The items sold at the Lionel factory auction some years ago did not include major locomotive or rolling stock tooling that was still usable.

[ben10ben]

Several years ago, Lionel did make a flat car which carried a piece of cut-up tooling.

I couldn't locate the specific catalog, however I believe that it was the old Berkshire tooling. It was advertised in conjunction with a "last from the old tooling" Berkshire. 

That was tooling, though, that was ready to be retired. Consider the number of not just Berkshires, but also Baby Hudsons that were made in the postwar era alone, as well as the numerous made in the MPC, LTI, and even the early LTI era, it shouldn't be surprising that it was worn out. In 1998, Lionel even cataloged about ten different versions of the Baby Hudson. 

 

 

[runtime]

Two thoughts:

Will "affordable pricing" be less than, equal to or greater than'" current condition 7+ market for the original stuff?

Secondly, a few years hence, how will we tell then difference between the originals and the new run? Will Lionel make it easy to differentiate, or do they have a different motive? And what would that be?

runtime

[ezmike]

Greg,

 Just one of those fantasy things like avid golfers all wish to work on a golf course. I do however currently work for a friend of mine at his train shop whenever I can. Its a blast.

Mike 

[Anonymous]

I guess I don't know what goes into making toy trains because I swear 99% of the models I've seen that are sold as 'conventional' have the same switches (or switch placement) as their TMCC counterparts. Therefore, why can't Lionel simply sell Conventional and TMCC versions of all their engines (the ones that are large enough for TMCC)? BTW - I've been told that the Generals are too small for TMCC, yet they are coming out with one now...?

I too would like to see them deliver the items they put in the catalog before they start bringing out more NOS. I've been waiting for a few items, but now it appears they are shifting their focus onto reproducing prewar and postwar items.

I understand their is a market for this stuff or they wouldn't be doing it, however they can't forget about their newer customers either.

Oh Yeah - Where's my Legacy Upgrade that Jerry said would be mailed to customers at the end of May free of charge?

[alexweiihman]

I wonder how "affordable" these locos will be..

[anjdevil2]

Hey Brent,

Tell you what I think on the TMCC deal: MTH has already had 2 patches on DCS 4.0, and from what I see and read, there are still problems.  Safe to say, I'd rather Lionel get it RIGHT the first time around, than to futz with it multiple times.

One last thought on the "new" trains: offer the electronic "e" unit and then offer the TMCC plug in board with switch(es) and mounting screws.  Make it affordable (like maybe $50-100) so that we can buy those items and it won't compete with the "higher" end items that I can't buy (unless, of course, I hit the lottery or one of those ATM e-mails actually comes true)

[Warburton]

The tooling item that was destroyed was the #2025/675 postwar steamer.

 

I think that this new series is a fine idea, but nothing in the initial offering will be on my "buy list" as I already have much of it as original. I hope they keep making things like this, though!

[sir james I]

Kurt, Lionel is already making the PW reissues with TMCC. The way I read the announcement is" like the original". That means you might have to go after market for an upgrade. Also Lionel has been very careful about making sure the new is not sold as 1950s.

[RockIsland52]

Brent and Rich.....it's high time for you to go back over to the Dark Side and forsake new stuff with electronics.    Rich, a Postwar with an electronic e-unit is like a 1965 427 Cobra outfitted with fuel injection instead of carburetors.   I love it when a corporate decision goes my way.

Seriously, is this Postwar reissue decision based on a return to basics and cost reductions, in r&d, manufacturing, and warranty?  I think so, particularly after reading all of the Forum discussion over problems with the electronics hardware and software. 

Jack

[ADCX Rob]

...the old Berkshire tooling...

That was tooling, though, that was ready to be retired. Consider the number of not just Berkshires, but also Baby Hudsons that were made in the postwar era alone, as well as the numerous made in the MPC, LTI, and even the early LTI era, it shouldn't be surprising that it was worn out...

Don't forget the thousands of 226 locos that tooling made in the 1930's & 1940's...

Rob

[asch]

Just my 2 cents..... I think this is great! I wish lionel all the best with there reissues. I am on a limited train budget and there are many old postwar sets I would like and cannot afford due to outlandish collectors prices. I hope to now be able to afford the Lionel Pennsy GP7, because $300+ dollars that I have seen it go for is out of my reach. I would also love a reissued turbine. The one I have by MTH is great but still love the old Lionel one and have had bad luck with them.

My layout is totally conventional and the lack of TMCC or upgrades doesn't hurt me at all, in fact I would love to see more locos offered to those of us who have yet to win the lottery and still use solely conventional locos and ENJOY them just the same!

[Anonymous]

My layout is totally conventional and the lack of TMCC or upgrades doesn't hurt me at all, in fact I would love to see more locos offered to those of us who have yet to win the lottery and still use solely conventional locos and ENJOY them just the same!

That is what offering the engines in multiple itterations will do. You would see the same engine offered in 'Conventional', 'TMCC', and Legacy in the same catalog.

I started off Conventional and still have many conventional engines, some I will not upgrade to TMCC, but others I will. I'll not touch my PW engines, but the modern engines I don't have a problem upgrading.

But I seem to have upset some with expanding the conversation, so I'll drop it.

[RockIsland52]

My layout is totally conventional and the lack of TMCC or upgrades doesn't hurt me at all, in fact I would love to see more locos offered to those of us who have yet to win the lottery and still use solely conventional locos and ENJOY them just the same!

That is what offering the engines in multiple itterations will do. You would see the same engine offered in 'Conventional', 'TMCC', and Legacy in the same catalog.

I started off Conventional and still have many conventional engines, some I will not upgrade to TMCC, but others I will. I'll not touch my PW engines, but the modern engines I don't have a problem upgrading.

But I seem to have upset some with expanding the conversation, so I'll drop it.

Brent.....disagree.  I don't see where anyone is upset with your comments.  I think folks should read your post on today's Pot because there are many valid points about how Lionel can address previous shortcomings in a way that costs little or nothing, improves customer satisfaction, and with perhaps a modest or no cost approach that expands the product offerings to a wider market.....all upside recommendations.  Keep posting your ideas.  Especially if they support my non electronics Postwar personal preference. 

Jack

[sir james I]

Brent- forums are a place for folks to express opinions, I say how I feel, others say what they feel,thats the way it should be and those that don't respect others right to speak should not be here. So fire away with how you feel, thats known as a forum.

[anjdevil2]

Hey, we're all friends here....right?

Spot on I say, offer 'em with all flavors and user upgradeable.  I can't see paying someone else $100-200 for the pleasure of upgrading my engine with TMCC when I can do it for less.

I, too have many Post War engines (1666,2020,671,2037(X2),2025,1060,Texas Special,2000, amongst othes) and love them dearly.  Upgrading them?  MAYBE the extra 2037 for kicks and to see if I can do it.  Newer stuff, I have 1 (yes ONE) TMCC engine and I think it's great.  Get me in on the new re-issues and like said before, let me upgrade at my own budget and pace.  It's a great idea, just waiting for Lionel to do.

Brent, wise words and observations.  There are some with vision (you me, maybe Jack, amongst the many).  Ya ain't p####d me off yet, so you're ok.

[cattle buyer]

I applaud Jerry for this endeavor and look forward to purchasing some of these items provided the product is reasonably priced and available.  We all wish for more trains, whether we need them or not, and in today's economic environment, we're all on some type of budget.  Personally, I wish these items would be available in conventional along with the ability of a TMCC upgrade. 

I must agree with Roger B with his posting of Lionel producing what's been shown in previous catalogs.  Jerry, please don't give us a catalog in August and butcher it by November.  I would much rather see Lionel have quality in the catalog and not quanity in number of pages.

 

 

[dbaker48]

Neil - Thanks for the post and thread.  That's good news.