Lionel's Latest is Kinda Ugly...

[prewardude]

Lionel's latest is now on their Website. Check it out:
http://www.lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/Catalog.cfm?CatalogID=9&PageID=807

A bit too gaudy for my taste, but the chicks will probably dig it.

Regards,
Clint

[wrmcclellan]

If they sell half as many as the other gaudy sets that have been floating around for years they will sell bunches of them.

[Anonymous]

As always, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, Lionel enthusiasts will have to accept ugly trains for the near future. After Lionel management layed off their most talented and experienced employees the past couple of years, I'm not surprised. Although, collectors might remain satisfied with second rate clip art and product designs of lesser quality while continuing to pay high prices for their beloved hobby. Needless to say, the "chicks who will probably dig it" are not the majority of purchasers. Perhaps the only thing being dug is Lionel's own grave.

[Anonymous]

Looks kind of like a UB-Iwerks cartoon or ClayMation? I think it's kind of cute/whimsical for a holiday display.

[Anonymous]

Lionel didn't take over "New Bright" did they? The packaging and the look is very similar.

[Anonymous]

Well, I know my grandmother would get probably if she saw it. well off to school

[Jumijo]

I think Lionel is trying to appeal to a broader market segment with this Christmas train. The O gauge Christmas outfits are just repainted starter sets. This set is over the top, which is what people are after these days. I wouldn't be surprised to see these sets in retailers, not just hobby shops.

Jim

[pbjwilson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dtpowell

Lionel didn't take over "New Bright" did they? The packaging and the look is very similar.

Looks alot like it to me. And it is G scale.

[darianj]

I think they may be trying to go after the youngsters who are really caught up by brightly colored things.

[cnw1995]

I dunno, I kinda like it.

[Richard A]

Since it is G scale, I think it may appeal to the "younger" Christmas set. G just looks more Christmasy to me.

And oddly enough, I think by Lionel issueing a new car each year, it will appeal to many collectors. That's how I got trapped into getting all the LRRC Western Union cars (not complaining [:D])

[Anonymous]

Considering that Christmas sets like these are obviously very popular (just look at New Bright and others), I think that it is a wise marketing decision on Lionel's part. I'm sure that this is a direct challenge to New Bright's top-of-the-line electric animated Christmas set, which has numerous ad-on animated cars. The Lionel name itself will certainly help them. As Richard says, offering future cars will get collectors.

[DCmontana]

It is aimed at the Christmas tree and not the serious hobbyist. Who cares? It is cute and that is all people look for under the tree!

[Bob Keller]

Well, in the famous Thanksgiving episode of WKRP, Mr. Carlson and Herb Tarlek thought that the Turkey promotion was a good idea, too.

[cnw1995]

"The turkeys are dropping to the ground like bombs. Oh the humanity..."

[mickey4479]

Doug, that's funny.

[cnw1995]

I cannot take credit - it's a paraphrase of WKRP newsman extraordinaire Les Nesman's reporting live as the turkeys were dropped from a helicopter... funny the things I remember.

[laz 57]

Doug 13 more till your a 5 STAR General.
laz57

[dougdagrump]

My most vivid memory of WKRP was Loni A. !!!!!!!!! [yeah] [:I]

[Anonymous]

I hope the Lionel does better than my New Bright - it was kaput after a couple of years.

[More to restore]

Number one on the list of most silly train sets Lionel ever produced!

And most likely there is a market for this as well. If I look around on X-mas shows at garden centres in november / december and see what kind of junk is sold, this item will fit in nicely. When it will helps to keep Lionel financially affloat and will leave them with more money to make new real cars and engines, then they are allowed to make as much popular junk as necessary.

[Richard A]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dontrainman

I hope the Lionel does better than my New Bright - it was kaput after a couple of years.

....and another thing that will sell the set. With Lionel's name on it, you can bet it will last and last.

[Kooljock1]

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!"

Based on a true story by the way, at WHLO in Dayton, OH!!!

What's this "New Bright" thing y'all keep mentioning?

Jon [8D]

[csxt30]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kooljock1


What's this "New Bright" thing y'all keep mentioning?
Jon [8D]

I think they were a Co. that was famous for their Christmas tree decorations back in the 1950s. Also, I seem to remember a story in CTT, but could be the other magazine, that told all about this Co. Seems I thought the Noma Station might have been made by them also, not sure, but everyone used their tree ornaments back then !
Thanks,

[Anonymous]

The Lionel G Gauge Christmas Set would not appear "Ugly" if the elements were not so tightly concentrated. It is Santa's entire Workshop crammed upon a Locomotive and a Few Cars. What more can they make for this set? Everything is already on it.

Andrew F.

[Poppa_Zit]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cold-steel-rail

Unfortunately, Lionel enthusiasts will have to accept ugly trains for the near future. After Lionel management layed off their most talented and experienced employees the past couple of years, I'm not surprised. Although, collectors might remain satisfied with second rate clip art and product designs of lesser quality while continuing to pay high prices for their beloved hobby. Needless to say, the "chicks who will probably dig it" are not the majority of purchasers. Perhaps the only thing being dug is Lionel's own grave.

Let me guess. This is your first post. You signed up today. Just so you could spew this vitriol at Lionel, and ridicule the train collectors who patronize this board? How can you be so sure about future Lionel production -- do you have a crystal ball, or just an axe to grind? If you don't like what Lionel offers for sale, then don't buy any. But don't come here and mock train collectors.

My best guess is you're one of the people Lionel let go and that's why you're so bitter...

[Warburton]

Les Nesman said, "I SWEAR I thought they could FLY!!!"

I think Lionel's move is a good one. If they can get these into stores like K-Mart and Wal-Mart, etc., they will sell a lot of them. I might even buy one myself...

[Bob Keller]

Chill out PZ.

[Anonymous]

I have a collection of Lionel trains, and I am not mocking collecting trains.

The Santa and Elves G Gauge is very seasonal and fun, perhaps more fun than one could have ever expected.

It is so intense that it is probably meant to be viewed and enjoyed in a hustle and bustle setting.

It is a bit intense for year round display, but it would be perfect for one month a year in a location where there are a great deal of visitors coming in going, like the lobby of a school or an office.

If you have a lobby for a public train display, please buy this or a similar set to put on display, so that people will once again remember that Lionel is still in business.

Andrew F.