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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 25, 2024 22:32:49 GMT
WHOA!!! More custom-runs based on Lionel's 2024 Catalog Vol 1 are potentially on the way. This time from Brady's Train Outlet, per an email blast they sent out this afternoon. Some nice goodies here too.
For the most part, these represent a wish-list of custom-runs Brady would like to sponsor... and he's looking for customer feedback as to which ones you would actually pre-order. Then Lionel needs to provide their stamp of approval.
So these will go along with other custom-runs from the likes of Mr. Muffin's Trains, Pat's Trains, Stockyard Express, Public Delivery Track, METCA, Trainworld and others. I'm intrigued by the Pennsy Triplex. It would make a nice addition to the Mr. Muffin's custom-run Pennsy Class-A from a couple of years ago. But I've already pre-ordered the D&RGW Triplex from Lionel's Vision Line brochure last year. And The Train Loft is offering a N&W Triplex that is really calling my name -- especially since I sold my 611J to a friend last year. Would I like a third Triplex from the 2024 crop? Yes. But reality will smack me silly, before I reach for my wallet again. 
Meanwhile... here's the list of potential custom-runs from Brady's email blast today.
Can you handle much more???
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Post by Adam on Jan 25, 2024 22:38:50 GMT
They wont stop until the customers stop.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 25, 2024 22:50:28 GMT
They wont stop until the customers stop. Indeed... Lionel requires a 40-unit commitment for locomotives. And I know Mr. Muffin wants a backing of 20 pre-orders in order to move forward. For rolling stock, I think Lionel wants a dealer commitment of 100 units, and Mr. Muffin's tends to choose rolling stock he's comfortable will sell out eventually. So he'll probably place the rolling stock pre-order regardless of how many pre-orders he has. Most of his custom-runs have been locomotives though.
MTH is a bit easier to work with on locomotive minimum quantities, as I've seen some dealers going with a minimum production-run of 20-25. Still some big $$$$ to tie up on these custom-run gems. But even some of the hefty big-ticket special-runs like Brady's Big Boy and The Train Loft's Big Boy have sold out within weeks of delivery to their shop. So enthusiasts are definitely buying!!!
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 25, 2024 23:22:15 GMT
I think this is great! Although few of them are of interest to me I’m sure there is a lot of interest by other hobbyists. I’ll be worried more when offerings like these stop coming!
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Post by Adam on Jan 25, 2024 23:30:38 GMT
Spot on Brian. If customers are buying, they should keep making.
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Post by dlagrua on Jan 25, 2024 23:37:42 GMT
I find it interesting that custom runs have become a part of the O Gauge market and hobby. This leads me to believe that a more select base is supporting a good part of the market.
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Post by bobthetrainguy on Jan 25, 2024 23:43:59 GMT
Pretty sure J. Edgar Thompson is rolling over in his grave for that “Pennsy” triplex.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 26, 2024 0:16:06 GMT
Pretty sure J. Edgar Thompson is rolling over in his grave for that “Pennsy” triplex.
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Post by david1 on Jan 26, 2024 0:29:07 GMT
Oh I like that Pennsylvania triplex!!! The scheme is amazing. Also the blue comet by Brady's is also awesome. If I had the money I would be broke again with all these special runs that will be coming.
If these keep the hobby going then by all means keep doing them.
Dave
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 26, 2024 0:30:43 GMT
I find it interesting that custom runs have become a part of the O Gauge market and hobby. This leads me to believe that a more select base is supporting a good part of the market.
Heck... if we look back far enough, it might have taken a week or so just for dealers to publish "their" pre-order price lists. Charles Ro was one of the last big dealers to publish their price-list, because it was so huge (including other items beyond Lionel). But now Lionel provides its dealers with a digital sales kit, and the dealer websites can "go live" with the newly catalog'd products the same day the catalog drops. So EVERYTHING is accelerated.
The "delay" nowadays is holding back on pre-orders until we get the "big picture", including all the custom-runs. Sure... we can call our favorite dealer and place pre-orders a day or two after the catalog drops. But then you sometimes find another half-dozen to a dozen more jewels PER DEALER (or PER CLUB) announced 2 or 3 weeks AFTER the catalog drops. And these aren't willy-nilly offerings. They're pretty significant -- enough so that they can impact your initial pre-order "wish list". I'll definitely admit my initial list of "wants" -- after first browsing through Lionel's catalog a couple of weeks ago -- has been tempered SUBSTANTIALLY. More than a few gems have been swept to the back burner because of custom-run announcements and other manufacturer announcements.
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Post by JKP on Jan 26, 2024 0:33:54 GMT
I am in for UP TOFC.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 26, 2024 0:40:33 GMT
A clear winner!!! 100 of those will go in a flash. 
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 26, 2024 0:46:16 GMT
... If these keep the hobby going then by all means keep doing them.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 26, 2024 3:45:58 GMT
Isn’t it ironic though, how preorder deadlines are about a month after announcement but the actual delivery can be a year or sometimes more.
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Post by josef on Jan 26, 2024 10:41:48 GMT
My take on custom runs. Anyone that has ever been in HO scale will know that a vast amount of those hobbyist have customized their railroads names, of which few do in O scale. The fantasy scheme in O gives those a chance to customize their layout or collection a new avenue away from the mainstreamers.
It also is keeping our hobby alive and maybe attracting new members to "O".
Heck, I even customized a General 4-4-0 for my Cheyenne & Northern RR (later acquired by UP).
These fantasy schemes may not be for everyone, including me, but if it keeps the hobby shops open and O scale, I say go for it.
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