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Post by josef on Jan 8, 2024 14:36:32 GMT
Wonder if he knows something we don't? Next week we'll see. His number 1 is a complete Hiawatha set.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 8, 2024 16:40:10 GMT
Well... we know Lionel has already sent a list of items that will be featured in the new catalog due to drop on Jan 11th. And they've also sent train shops the sales kits that essentially allow those stores to ready their websites to go live with product graphics and prices immediately after Lionel's online catalog goes live on 1/11.
So given the abundance of "winking" and "air quotes" around the word PREDICTIONS, I think there might be a good chance the items mentioned here are in the catalog. And quite frankly, that's OK. I see no harm in these discussions, as they only serve to generate a healthy buzz about what we "might" actually see.
The streamlined Hiawatha has never called my name. So I'm safe there. Same with E6's and E7's. I tend to be an F-series guy. So I'm safe there too.
Where I might weaken a bit is the Polar Express 20th Anniversary offering. I already have the standard set with the Legacy black #1225 Berk, a gold set of coaches with the Legacy gold Berk, and the recent Polar Express Legacy high-speed train from a few years ago. I need another Polar Express themed train like I need a hole in the head. But I'd be interested to at least see what Lionel brings to the table in 2024.
Speaking of Berks though... Mr. Muffins Trains offered a custom-run Boston & Albany Berk with green boiler back in the 2022 Volume 1 Catalog which was based on K-Line tooling that Lionel had reportedly purchased. Word on the street was there were legal snags in the acquisition of the tooling, and those Berks based on the K-Line tooling were put on a perpetual hold. So I'm not sure what THAT's about... or whether we'll ever see that special-run. Regardless... Lionel has tooling for other Berks. So I don't doubt that we'll eventually see something.
Lionel also still needs to deliver its A-5 locos, which are overdue as well. METCA has a sweet Christmas-themed A-5, which I'm watching closely. But I haven't reserved one, because I'd rather wait to see what Lionel actually delivers.
And speaking of "waiting"... I think that's gonna be a common theme with items in the new 2024 catalog(s). There have just been far too many faux-pas lately -- making it hard to get excited about putting together a long list of pre-orders, like I once did 15+ years ago. Of course, our money went MUCH further back in those days too. And production quality was much better as well. So I'd be weary if this new catalog is another 200+ page chunk of product -- implying the product management team is tasked with tackling far too many products that can be watched closely during any given product's life-cycle from design drawings, graphic renderings and final production.
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 8, 2024 17:03:31 GMT
I don't usually watch webcasts such as this but it was nice to see someone enthusiastic and not trying to give lessons in how to be subtle. All the nods and winks were a little overdone but he mentioned that the Hiawatha cars might be aluminum. That would surprise me because I think that Lionel has 21" tooling for the Skytop observation car but I can't think of any scale length cars they've offered in aluminum for some years.
I'm not surprised about another run of E6 diesels because the tooling for the TMCC version was great and some of them (AT&SF in particular) became very sought after in the secondary market, often at ridiculous prices. Nothing else he mentioned surprised me or threatens to fall into the "must have" category. Apart from that, the woes that people including me have had with Lionel's all-in-one boards (RCMC?) call for a high degree of caution before even contemplating a purchase.
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Post by atsda on Jan 8, 2024 17:16:14 GMT
I am not into predictions regarding the appearrance of Lionel products; however, I am predicting that the Groundhog will see its shadow. Alfred
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Post by Adam on Jan 8, 2024 18:05:06 GMT
I predict trains and higher prices.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Jan 8, 2024 18:26:51 GMT
Great expectations meets much ado about nothing.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 8, 2024 18:31:38 GMT
… All the nods and winks were a little overdone but he mentioned that the Hiawatha cars might be aluminum. That would surprise me because I think that Lionel has 21" tooling for the Skytop observation car but I can't think of any scale length cars they've offered in aluminum for some years. ...
The fact that the winks were so overdone is what led me to believe he had actually already taken a sneak-peak at the catalog!
As for Lionel making aluminum cars… all I can say is Golden Gate Depot lost me at $350/car. I can only imagine what Lionel’s price will be, if they do an aluminum set!!! 😳 They're already at roughly $225/car for ABS passenger coaches as well as 64' woodside coaches that were HALF that price when MTH last produced them. Lionel bought the tooling from MTH... made no improvements... and doubled the price out of arrogance. Now everyone on eBay is selling their MTH woodside wares on eBay at Lionel prices. Really sad.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Jan 8, 2024 19:04:38 GMT
Not much of a prediction if you have a cheat sheet. Sort of like a TV or radio weather person predicting the weather by looking out the window. Frankly I can wait. That is what anticipation is all about. It is all in the reveal!
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 8, 2024 21:35:15 GMT
Not much of a prediction if you have a cheat sheet. ...
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Post by dlagrua on Jan 8, 2024 21:51:27 GMT
I predict trains and higher prices. I was expecting lower prices on trains! Let me share a story. My friends daughter works for Coach Handbags. They are considered a "designer brand"and sell at retail for over $300. She said the handbags cost Coach only $12 to have them manufactured in China. Folks did you ever feel that train collectors are getting hosed?
Menard's Rolling stock: $20-25 ea average and at that price they make a profit Lionel Rolling Stock: $99.99 and up and at that price they make an enormous profit
I rest my case.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 8, 2024 22:44:43 GMT
... My friends daughter works for Coach Handbags. They are considered a "designer brand"and sell at retail for over $300. She said the handbags cost Coach only $12 to have them manufactured in China. Folks did you ever feel that train collectors are getting hosed?
...
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tgp
Full Member
Posts: 155
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Post by tgp on Jan 8, 2024 23:47:16 GMT
Walk into HOBBY Lobby. And the 2 entriesabove on China and pricing, are so comparable. Prices are just coo--coooo. But then again, go to Waco, ( for you home redo people you know) that is the Gaines family of HGTV, land, and redo housing. SAME < EXACT IDEA. Turn it over MADE IN CHINA!!! EVERYTHING. I looked!!!
We are at the mercy of labor existing in another land, and pricing made up with some thought, THEY will order!!, they must have ordered last year, cause there is another catalog, dated one year later--2024. Will lower inflation data, prevail in this book. Ask the prediction dude!!
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 9, 2024 2:21:44 GMT
If that’s the top five items in the catalog my wallet is safe.
Unless the E7s are plated Burlington to pull my K-Line California Zephyr set. But they’d be up against Mr. Muffin’s custom MTH Burlington Northern E8 set at a much lower price point than anything Lionel does. I prefer just Burlington as opposed to Burlington Northern but I’ll wait to see what’s cataloged.
I already have a scale C&O H7 TMCC with Railsounds 5, so I’m fine with that one. Not interested in any $700 plastic ES44s.
I love the Polar Express movie. I love that Lionel has made them in different scales and add on items. But I never had the desire to own one, as beautiful as the scale set is.
The Hiawatha will ‘look’ magnificent, I’m sure. I don’t need that either as I’ve acquired MTH plastic and K-Line aluminum versions in steam and diesel. But I wonder, if the new Lionel set actually is produced in aluminum could they be former K-Line tooling? The K-Line tooling was gobbled up by Kader, principal owner of Bachmann/Williams. But could Lionel have acquired the tooling? They did make a 21” aluminum Texas Special set with matching E7s under the K-Line by Lionel” moniker shortly after K-Line’s closure.
Maybe there’ll be some more interesting and surprising things show up in the catalog. But not $100 box cars and cabooses! This could all be a moot point when the war in Taiwan starts.
And as for the numerous winking he was just having some fun. We shouldn’t expect Hollywood quality videos from YouTube. 
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Post by david1 on Jan 9, 2024 2:37:10 GMT
To be honest I don't care what is in the catalog. I refuse to pay the prices that they want us to pay. I love the hobby but I don't like what is going on by the mfgs., I don't like China, I don't like China's involvement in too many aspects of our life. I don't like China's involvement in our professional sports. For those who can't do without China making our toys, yes gentleman they are toys and these toys and the people buying them are letting China keeping us in debt. Of course our politicians are to blame for the debt because they do nothing about it. Your children and grandchildren will be paying the debt for many generations.
Lionel and others are the drug pushers and we are fools that keep buying the trains because they are so cool!! China and the money men are laughing all the way to the bank.
Sorry for the downer of a comment on this great train forum but some things have to be said. I did not mean to offend anybody here.
Dave
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 9, 2024 4:29:38 GMT
To be honest I don't care what is in the catalog. I refuse to pay the prices that they want us to pay. I love the hobby but I don't like what is going on by the mfgs., I don't like China, I don't like China's involvement in too many aspects of our life. I don't like China's involvement in our professional sports. For those who can't do without China making our toys, yes gentleman they are toys and these toys and the people buying them are letting China keeping us in debt. Of course our politicians are to blame for the debt because they do nothing about it. Your children and grandchildren will be paying the debt for many generations. Lionel and others are the drug pushers and we are fools that keep buying the trains because they are so cool!! China and the money men are laughing all the way to the bank. Sorry for the downer of a comment on this great train forum but some things have to be said. I did not mean to offend anybody here. Dave
When it comes to model trains, you gotta chill, Brah!
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