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Post by Adam on Jan 6, 2024 13:00:18 GMT
LOL, The Doodlebugs are overpriced. They're not scale, they're from MTH molds which weren't scale, and nothing improved in the body works nor detailing. They're double the price of what they should be. I would rather buy used on the market then new from Lionel. Sorry if this sounds cruel, but this is one item besides the Strasburg passenger cars were Lionel is overpricing and gouging hobbyist to the hilt. 400.00 will buy some very neat MTH scale engines also which are being released. Funny you should say that. I am looking on ebay at used MTH Doodlebugs and they are around $100~$150, but PS1 (which I don't mind). You make good points and I think I am more likely to buy used myself. Walt, you convinced me to do the right thing and go used. Found a nice MTH PS1 with protosound on Trainz for a good price. Should arrive Tuesday. Can't wait! I've got a few PS1 engines, and they are all reliable and look good. Great values today.
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Post by dennym57 on Jan 6, 2024 14:29:53 GMT
This why I no longer buy New items, the catalog means nothing to me. Lionel priced me out of the new market about 5 years ago. I only buy in the secondary market now and have been very satisfied. Although the prices will keep rising in the secondary if sales start to rise. But on the other hand there is so much on the secondary market that the prices will be kept down. It seems Lionel is trying to kill the hobby, its a sad state of affairs. Dave I never buy new, if I had a million dollars I wouldn't buy new, especially since most of their stuff doesn't run on small curves. I don't believe they can kill the hobby as long as we're still around. Too bad they weren't at York, I was going to give them several unpleasant looks.😉
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Post by curtis on Jan 6, 2024 18:42:05 GMT
dennym57 said "Too bad they weren't at York, I was going to give them several unpleasant looks."
Hmm what are you saying Denny? That you aren't good looking or you were going to give them a piece of your mind via looking mad? LOL Just an FYI, They don't care either way.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 7, 2024 6:52:39 GMT
But there is that new Menards Gym building.... hmmmm..... maybe just one more!
I have very disciplined and discriminating approach to buying O gauge trains. I just happen to like a lot of them. I can stop at any time I desire, I just choose not to. 
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Post by josef on Jan 7, 2024 10:26:18 GMT
What I find amazing is, (going back to original post subject) I don't see the enthusiasm for the up coming catalog as in previous years. Has the magic worn off?
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 7, 2024 13:15:47 GMT
What I find amazing is, (going back to original post subject) I don't see the enthusiasm for the up coming catalog as in previous years. Has the magic worn off?
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Post by runamuckchuck on Jan 7, 2024 18:03:48 GMT
This whole Lionel catalog fixation thing is an interesting study in human nature. It usually follows a similar pattern wherever it appears. 1. What do you think will be in the catalog? 2. What do you wish was in the catalog? 3. When will the catalog come out? While there may be quite a number of posts, the number of people posting are rather small. I frankly don't understand the phenomenon. Even my taking the time to write about it is puzzling. Am I that desperate for attention/approval/rejection? Maybe I just need to get outdoors a little more as my Vitamin D supplement doesn't seem to be working as well lately! The one thing I am absolutely certain of is there will be scale passenger cars for the two scale Halloween engines Lionel has already announced. Ryan Kunkel said so. But regardless I look forward to the next Lionel catalog if only because the last one which resides in the bathroom is quite dog eared, with more than a few pages missing. Don't ask. |
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Jan 7, 2024 19:00:32 GMT
But regardless I look forward to the next Lionel catalog if only because the last one which resides in the bathroom is quite dog eared, with a few pages are missing. Don't ask. Won't ask, but do tell!  Well, from the reactions so far, people crapping on the Lionel catalog is not terribly surprising, but as judged by his post, it seems 'Chuck is taking the practice quite literally!
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Post by arthur on Jan 7, 2024 20:10:40 GMT
IMO, Lionel is surviving in a small "high end" market niche of select customers but how long the BTO business model can last or how high the prices can go before business tails off, are the big questions. It seems Lionel is eager to find out. As much as I hate to admit it, Lionel has nothing to lose by pushing the pricing envelope. They have a band of YouTubers who are acting as their marketing arm... seemingly promoting some of the most expensive Lionel offerings these days. And even when Lionel makes a major screw-up, the YouTubers often treat the faux-pas in a light-hearted fashion. So the more gullible viewers are influenced to believe, "Well... that's not THAT big of a deal. Stuff happens. But look at how much fun these guys are having with their new purchase anyway!". 
Remember when Mike Reagan would produce basic videos from Lionel's offices? They were educational and comprehensive. Today, Lionel no longer NEEDS to do that, because YouTubers are tripping over each other to pump out new "entertainment" videos almost weekly -- if not daily -- that essentially allow enthusiasts to live vicariously through their purchases, as their subscriber counts and video views skyrocket. The big question, however, is how many fans are actually moved to PURCHASE the goodies being promoted by the YouTubers?
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Post by arthur on Jan 7, 2024 20:13:26 GMT
I've suspected for awhile now that at least one of those YouTuber are in some way on the payroll ?
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Post by david1 on Jan 7, 2024 23:31:39 GMT
I've suspected for awhile now that at least one of those YouTuber are in some way on the payroll ? You always have to be sure why some people are always positive when something goes wrong. I saw a couple of positive reviews of the new Dreyfus hudson with no thoughts on the paint scheme. I have heard well its close!! So for the price it sold for you should just accept, errors and all! NOW THATS A TRUE REVIEW. DAVE
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Post by runamuckchuck on Jan 8, 2024 1:06:17 GMT
In the absence of historical precedent the 20th Century set and individual engines produced by Lionel probably look just fine if not excellent. However as promoted by Lionel in their catalog and their promotional videos their long requested/awaited 20th Century was to be the end all and be all of accurate presentations for this train plus their beloved new features/details/effects such as water scoop effects.
For those who profess to be experts in that storied train many said not so fast, or worse.
If you are going to sell a train as prototypically accurate it had better be just that, not just sort of kind of.
My father's phrase was 'We are not going to half ass it'.( Am I allowed to say that in a quote?)
For many of those NYC modelers posting on various forums that is exactly what Lionel did.
If nothing else Lionel needs to match their promotional claims with a product that delivers the goods.
I for one am watching with keen interest the MTH/Atlas effort for the 20th Century.
Lionel can keep their water scoops effect. They are just blowing smoke anyway you look at it especially if you can't get the colors/striping right.
How does that old railroad joke put it; go into the roundhouse as they can't corner you there.
Lionel may have taken that punch line to heart as their business model particularly for their high end offerings.
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Post by josef on Jan 8, 2024 10:19:21 GMT
Lionel can keep their water scoops effect. They are just blowing smoke anyway you look at it especially if you can't get the colors/striping right. I maybe the only one on the water scoop effect to say, it's so fake looking with its after effect seeing it curl as the fake water/smoke comes out. Its a gimmick that will give problems down the road.
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Post by dennym57 on Jan 8, 2024 16:29:54 GMT
dennym57 said "Too bad they weren't at York, I was going to give them several unpleasant looks." Hmm what are you saying Denny? That you aren't good looking or you were going to give them a piece of your mind via looking mad? LOL Just an FYI, They don't care either way. I know they don't care, but it would have given me some satisfaction to do it. I can't give them a piece of my mind I need all the pieces I can spare.😁
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 9, 2024 12:58:16 GMT
I've suspected for awhile now that at least one of those YouTuber are in some way on the payroll ?
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