Lionel Catalog Online!

[prewardude]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxt30

...Though Standard gauge would suite you better ! [:D]

Right you are, John!

QUOTE: Originally posted by pbjwilson

I was looking through some old papers last week and ran across a Lionel catalog from 1996. Wow, have things changed in 10 years. The 1996 catalog had a wierd hand drawn look to it, and the printing was aweful. Just about all the rolling stock was on two pages. The big thing that year was the Commadore Vanderbilt engine with a string of heavyweight cars. I think the whole catalog was 10 pages, if that.

1996 was the year that I got back into model railroading and Lionel, and I remember that catalog; you're right, Paul, it was awful! At the time I remember thinking, "You mean this is all there is of Lionel's offerings?" Of course, that was just a few months after Wellspring bought the company and the start of the dreaded (to me at least) Moreau era. [|(]

[Poppa_Zit]

A lot of neat stuff for us S-gaugers. Two new sets, new Pacifics, new heavyweight passenger cars and a reissue of the desirable 594 track gang for under $100.

[dougdagrump]

On the high end I like the Southern PS-4 and heavyweights, midrange I like the CP set and last but not least the halloween Docksider and the dracula/mummy chase gondola. [:D]

[dbaker48]

Some hard choices ahead, need to spend a lot of time studying. THANKS FOR THE POSTING !!!!![8D]

[tschmidt]

I think it's the best catalog in long time.

Tom S

[nitroboy]

Prett neat stuff!!!

[pbjwilson]

I was looking through some old papers last week and ran across a Lionel catalog from 1996. Wow, have things changed in 10 years. The 1996 catalog had a wierd hand drawn look to it, and the printing was aweful. Just about all the rolling stock was on two pages. The big thing that year was the Commadore Vanderbilt engine with a string of heavyweight cars. I think the whole catalog was 10 pages, if that.

The new catalog looks interesting, some big prices in there.

[willpick]

Well, lots of choices in every category[:)]. Nothing that I really need. Most of the items are out of my budget range[:(]. The one thing I did notice on the rolling stock-- all the trucks I saw are roller bearing style-- even on items that would never have had them. I guess Lionel needed to save money?

[csxt30]

Thanks for posting the link Clint ! For me, I kind of like the TMCC caboose !
I have the Erie one, from the 90s & always wanted a different one, too.
Oh, I thought right away you might like seeing that prewar set ! Though Standard gauge would suite you better ! [:D]

[prewardude]

I found it interesting that they have a repro prewar O gauge set cataloged. Hopefully this is a sign of more good things to come!

[Dr. John]

I found the catalog interesting and with a lot to offer. Unfortunately, much of it does not appeal to me.

I do like the NYC 0-8-0, the re-release of the AT&SF barrel gondola, and I thought the B units that simulate a shut-down looked like fun.

Who ever thought there'd be a $2,700 train set from Lionel? [:O]

No TMCC II. Well, let's see what the NEXT catalog brings. No IC or GM&O, but I didn't expect those roads to be offered.

[brianel027]

Thanks for the link Clint. I haven't been buying too many trains in the past couple years and there's nothing in the new catalog that excites me.

Not ONE single current Class A roadname on any traditional affordable item. Not a single one. After the small encouragement from last year, I thought maybe they might continue with maybe a Conrail, Norfolk Southern or BNSF Waffle Box Car... something to really get excited about!!!!

Though there is a Burlington Northern Searchlight car and a Santa Fe box car (ooh, that's never been done before! Big YAWN!!) so I suppose those are sorta current.
Glad to at least see the Waffle Box Car still in production... when the D&H one becomes a blowout maybe, maybe if it's cheap enough - I can rationalize getting on since I will have to strip it, repaint it and decal it. And prices are up somewhat on these basic cars.

Gee, why couldn't the new Great Northern coal dump car have been a BNSF coal dump car?

Two of the three basic traditional diesels are still listed as having single motors... you never know what to believe. The Conrail U36B from 4 years ago actually did have one motor as advertised (figures - the last and only engine I've wanted from Lionel too); the Ontario Northland RS3 had dual motors not as advertised, along with the CSX U36B and the Western Pacific U36B.

In the past, I have thanked K-Line for allowing me to be back in the hobby. I guess I also have to thank Microscale Decals, Heard King Decals and my abilities to do a repaint job that looks like a pro did it. It's nice to have roadnames other than the same ol' same ol' boring lot of roadnames that we've seen for the past eons.

Lionel maybe making tons of money, but they aren't making from me. Well, better luck next year.... if they're still around.

Hopefully RMT will continue growing and issuing new cars. Walter seems to understand that ther are folks who can't spend tons of money who like (and will buy) Conrail, Nofolk Southern, BNSF, CNA, CPR, CSX, KCS, etc... roads Lionel largely ignores. Seeing the new Lionel catalog makes me wonder what happened to the Industrial Rail tooling?

[prewardude]

Here's the link for the new catalog: http://ca4.lionel-catalog.com/catalog8a2a.html
Enjoy!

Regards,
Clint