Lionel..Please explain why I want to buy this piece of.............

[brianel027]

Frist off, it's not a K-Line shell. Though there are similarities between some Lionel and K-Line products (particularily the beginner/traditional end) they are different. Try putting a K-Line 6400 series box car shell on a Lionel 6464 frame or even a Lionel 9700 frame... differing lengths.

Around 1996 Lionel made some modifications to the Alco frame and shell, which lowered the height to make it match the height of the 2400-series type passenger cars. There was a Lionel Amtrak and Reading set of Alcos made this way, with a new plastic frame. In the Lionel catalog at that time, the copy said the pilot had been restored, but all that happened was they filled it in and removed the front coupler. There obvsiouly must be dupicate shell molds as the Alco loco from the Greendale set was in the fashion of which they'd been made from the MPC on, with a sheet metal frame.

I wanted to hope that the illustration in the Lionel catalog was a mistake, but since Doug said he saw the engine, oh well.

Maybe Lionel goofed on this one putting the shell from the revised loco on a metal frame, or put the older shell type on the plastic frame. Either way, it still looks bad. The K-Line Alco FA's based on the Kusan tooling was always (and still is) a dramatic improvement over the Lionel ones.

I understand Lionel wanting to have some locos at a lower price point, but too many quality compromises (plastic frame, one single motor, no front coupler) will compromise the effect these locos are suppose to have... they want to introduce the hobby to folks and have them continue, not give up on the first try. At this Lionel's loco's price point, there are other engines that are a better value:

The K-Lionel Alco FA, the K-Lionel S-2, the K-Lionel MP-15, the Lionel 4-4-2 Columbia type starter steamer, the Lionel Docksider, the RMT Buddy, almost any Lionel MPC diesel, the Railking Dockside and some of the new Rugged Rails horn/whiltle only locos look attractive at their price points... I wish MTH had issued the SD90MAC instead of the Dash-8. The SD90MAC is a far superior shell to the Dash-8 in its proportioning.

[J. Daddy]

At first I thought it was misprint, but Lionel has really done themselves proud with this piece of ??????????????.  This is actually in the catalog.  Is this the high water version??

Is this the return to conventional classics they mentioned? But all kidding aside, did Lionel need a fill for the MARX train market? I guess this would be their target... price anyone? Looks like some interchanging going on here with a new paint job.... K line shell on some Lionel trucks? Hope this set gracefully falls by the wayside.

[stubbsO]

Roger....Can you ask someone at Lionel, if there is a way to make it a Southern California Low Rider. 

No, It needs a set of 20 inch Blings on it, then it'd look cool. NOT!

[Buckeye Riveter]

We haven't had any pre-orders for it, nor will we be getting any for inventory.  At first I thought it was just poor artwork till I realized it was the unit from the big box sets and it was for real.

Roger....Can you ask someone at Lionel, if there is a way to make it a Southern California Low Rider. 

[vsmith]

Are you sure that thing isnt from a $40 battery powered Xmas tree set?, if thats what Lionel is passing off for track powered these days, wow have they fallen.....

...How much were they asking for this...err, engine.

[BDT in Minnesota]

I could maybe go for one of those beauties if they are produced with "Lionel Ducksounds".....I can picture it going down the track :  'clickity quack- clickity quack'

[cnw1995]

Our local Target had one of these on display during the holidays - the set box also flipped open and you could see the cars / engine behind clear plastic 'windows' - it certainly is a truck-and-a-half.

[Black Diamond]

At first I thought it was misprint, but Lionel has really done themselves proud with this piece of ??????????????.  This is actually in the catalog.  Is this the high water version??

 

    I saw this to at Target, didnt like it so I didnt buy it. But this does sorta remind me of something...

    I think it was a production car by Ford Motor Company The Etzel. The car was dubbed one of the ugliest cars of all time. I dont know how many were or were not sold, but I would just like to know now, how much The Etzel would be worth today just because it was the ugliest car of all time.

    Maybe we could say the same thing about about this Lionel Lines Target Box Set?? I guess its like Tootsie Roll's infamous question. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?

[lionelsoni]

That fuel tank looks high enough to clear the tops of O27 switch machines!

[ChiefEagles]

All Ohizoians should buy one.  Goes with the length of their overalls.  Highwaters.

[Roger Bielen]

We haven't had any pre-orders for it, nor will we be getting any for inventory.  At first I thought it was just poor artwork till I realized it was the unit from the big box sets and it was for real.

[kpolak]

That was in the Target stores...Sure didn't look like that on the box...I almost bought one.  Glad I didn't.

Kurt

[dougdagrump]

Not sure if my memory is accurate but wasn't a similar engine in one of the "big box store" sets last Christmas.  

[prewardude]

Yep, I noticed that when the vol. I catalogs came out. Kinda scary-lookin', ain't it?

 - Clint 

[jonadel]

Reminds me of monster trucks, all jacked up

[dougdagrump]

That's the new model in preparation for global warming and high water in the coastal areas.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Buckeye....Hmmmmmm....I don't know what to say except...It has a lot of ground clearance.

[Buckeye Riveter]

At first I thought it was misprint, but Lionel has really done themselves proud with this piece of ??????????????.  This is actually in the catalog.  Is this the high water version??