Lionel Posted Catalog On Line!

[Santa Fe Kent]

Well, I'm happy.... lots of good Traditional and postwar stuff, and even some new items! They even have new Flyer stuff. I like that they are keeping K-line going, and I like the catalog art boxcars too. Now I just need to come up with more train dollars....

 

Good catalog, Lionel!... and a huge thank you for keeping the low price end alive and well.

[GPJ68]

Well, there's good news and bad news re. K-Line switches:

They've got a K-Line O Guage low profile switch shown for the 42" remote version - although the picture is actually of a manual switch.  The price jumped $27 from K-Line's 2005 cat. ($48) up to $75 from Lionel.  I guess they jacked the price so it would fit $$$-wise between the 31" remote ($63) and the 72" remote ($105).

No sign of any O27 K-Line versions - still the same crappy Lionel ones.  Which probably won't affect me much after all - if Lionel is gonna jack up the prices that much, I won't be buying many (if any).  

As far as TMCC II, not much info (none actually, that I saw) as to how it will work with conventional locos.  Will PowerMasters/TPC's still be needed as with TMCC, or will the base/charger suffice?  Will some of the enhancements (variable whistle, brake/boost, velocity throttle) work in conventional mode, or are they for TMCC II equipped only?  If TPC's are eliminated, then the $300 price tag is easier to swallow, but if TPC's are still required - I guess I'll have to watch for TMCC closeout specials...

Overall though, it's a nice catalog - have to get a hardcopy.  There may be a few things in this one to watch for.

GPJ

[Anonymous]

They took care of me pretty well, in terms of catering to my recent interest in Bethlehem Steel items. A K-Line Plymouth in a slightly different paint scheme (brown-and-yellow) than the black-and-yellow one I now have; some decent looking Bethlehem Steel hoppers; a bobber caboose; a searchlight caboose; and a crane car.  All are definitely items I'll be purchasing over time.

I'll hold off on TMCC-2 until enough guys field-test the system to determine how well it performs in various situations.

In deference to Bob's desire to enjoy his weekend (I have to work both days since we're getting ready to launch a redesigned website on Monday), I'll reserve any comments I might have made on Neil's posts.

[BMRR]

The only problem I see with the new Lionel catalog................is me, because I want to buy just about everything in it. 

Stan.

[nblum]

Just to sound sufficiently critical of Lionel to please some :),  I agree with Marty that the vibration thing sounds a little gimmicky (but kids may like it, they like gimmicks). 

At some point, these devices will mimic a real locomotive cab so closely that the only thing they'll need to add is some wet wipes to get the grease and soot off your face :).

By the way, almost all "custom" rechargeable NiCad, NiMH and Li-Po batteries in consumer devices are likely to be off the shelf items available from multiple sources.  I cannot believe Lionel would go to the expense and inconvenience of custom making a battery pack.  No one does this any more. 

[MartyE]

I like the catalog art boxcars.  As a matter of fact I suggested this on the coil coupler website about 3 or so years ago when they were asking for opinions.  So whoever buys theses you can thanks ME!

Nothing that I have. 

The TMCC is a big interest for me as I like all things electronic.  The "feedback" seems gimmicky.  I guess I'll wait for more before I render final judgement.  I like the new design and I too hope the batteries are "off the shelf".  Hopefully the accessory part of TMCC2 will be more on the lines of MTHs AIU.  I like the fact it's all in one box.  But hey Lionel...make the connection point bigger for us poor sighted guys.

The best part of the system though is the compatability.  They don't mention conventional control so hopefully that will still be done via PM or TPCs I would assume.  It will be interesting to get our hands on one to fully evaluate it.  I believe without actually trying nobody can honestly render an opinion on  TMCC2.

I think FASTTrack is doing better than anyone would ever guess.  Love the new crossing gates!

[ChiefEagles]

Miss Edna [Todd's Train Depot] said she got hers yesterday.  Guess I'll see it tomorrow. [bribe her with some fresh tomatoes ]

[Bob Keller]

MTH guys: I don't want to spend my weekend checking this for your rebuttals to Neil to edit or delete. So let it pass.

[nblum]

Look at it this way. Who else in this industry even catalogs locomotives that sell for $85 or $109 MSRP? Not Williams. Or sets under $200 (just barely)?

No one, not since K-Line bit the dust. So for starter sets and those with limited budgets, Lionel is pretty much the only game in town now. One needs prices down in these ranges to even hope to do any mass market sales to beginners.

As far as the rest, TMCC II looks quite interesting, and I can only guess what they're going to do with it down the road. But they met the main concerns of having a display, losing the antenna, and allowing four digit loco addressing, which were the most common complaints about TMCC I and its handheld. The new features focus on fine tuning locomotive speed control and sounds, and an alternative to the big red dial for speed control. Interestingly, they're going to continue selling TMCC I for the time being, meaning the cost of entry level stuff is still quite reasonable at $150 MSRP.

Certainly no one but Lionel covers the full range of the three rail market for conventional and command stuff at this point in time. And for track, command control and a few other things, they are actually the low cost provider ;).

[jefelectric]

It's nice to see Lionel finaly listened to all the complaints and replaced the CW-80 with something that actually works! 

 NOT

[laz 57]

Thanks MARTY,

  Just looked at the LEGACY TMCCII, looks cool.  But WOW the price of it is $299, OUCH!

Might be fun though?

laz57

[jefelectric]

Thanks Marty, I just looked last evening and it wasn't there yet.

[dougdagrump]

There is some really nice stuff, unfortunately the REALLY nice stuff is out of my price range. The diesels look nice and the pricing ain't to bad when you figure actual selling price will probably be a bit less. General Impression

[MartyE]

Its Up!