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Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 12, 2024 0:26:32 GMT
The original poster said there were issues between the TCA and Lionel. There are no issues. Not sure how to enlighten more than that when there are no issues. Stu Okay that's good, but what happened to the idea of a METCA uncatalogued hudson? I have been holding off on making an order of the THB hudson to see what METCA offers first. What you're describing is one of the components to this whole custom-run style of product offerings, which make it so tricky to navigate.Understandably, dealers and clubs will announce custom-runs when it suits THEIR strategy -- not OURS.
As you might surmise, these are not small ventures, in the sense that Lionel requires a minimum commitment of 40 units. Pat's Trains just recently announced a CONSIDERATION to offer a Black Bonnet Vision Hudson, but he wants 30 solid pre-orders BEFORE moving ahead with the project. On the other end of the spectrum is Mr. Muffins Trains who already has announced 3 custom-run Hudsons, with a potential 4th awaiting approval by Lionel. And in recent product cycles, Steve has typically moved forward with a custom-run, if he has 20 pre-orders on the books.
METCA seems to have taken two different approaches: sometimes they'll announce a custom-run BEFORE Lionel's pre-order deadline. So folks can "consider" their custom-run along with Lionel's catalog'd offerings. However, they've also opted to announce their custom-run well after Lionel's pre-order deadline. So their quantity is already established with Lionel BEFORE they even put the product on their web store. Gutsy move. Both strategies have their merit... and pitfalls. If this were easy, we'd all be doing it. LOL!!!
The trick with the Vision Hudson is it will likely also be part of the Big Book 2025 catalog, which means dealers will more than likely "extend" their pre-order period for Hudsons to coincide with the Big Book's pre-order deadline. So while they might push for pre-orders by a certain date now... I think any "early buy" discounts might float out into Feb 2025. I can't recall, but I'm pretty certain that's what happened with the Triplex in 2024, which was actually previewed in 2023.
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Post by lionelllc on Oct 12, 2024 0:53:34 GMT
The original poster said there were issues between the TCA and Lionel. There are no issues. Not sure how to enlighten more than that when there are no issues. Stu Okay that's good, but what happened to the idea of a METCA uncatalogued hudson? I have been holding off on making an order of the THB hudson to see what METCA offers first. We're turning the idea into reality. As I previous said, we're doing a Hudson. When details are ready to be released, you'll hear about it. All I'll say is that it's not black and it's not prototypical. Pretty sure there's no order deadline announced yet for the Hudson's, or if there is, I missed it. Stu
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Post by lionelllc on Oct 12, 2024 0:54:58 GMT
Okay that's good, but what happened to the idea of a METCA uncatalogued hudson? I have been holding off on making an order of the THB hudson to see what METCA offers first. If this were easy, we'd all be doing it. LOL!!!
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT !!!!
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Post by madockawando on Oct 12, 2024 10:11:12 GMT
Okay that's good, but what happened to the idea of a METCA uncatalogued hudson? I have been holding off on making an order of the THB hudson to see what METCA offers first. We're turning the idea into reality. As I previous said, we're doing a Hudson. When details are ready to be released, you'll hear about it. All I'll say is that it's not black and it's not prototypical. Pretty sure there's no order deadline announced yet for the Hudson's, or if there is, I missed it. Stu Order deadline announced by dealers is November 22nd. |
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Post by madockawando on Oct 12, 2024 11:31:53 GMT
If this were easy, we'd all be doing it. LOL!!!
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT !!!! Other dealers have already announced their uncatalogued Hudsons two weeks ago. So it is not an unreasonable question to wonder if the METCA uncatalogued Hudson is still ago when nothing more was heard about it. I'm glad to hear that it is.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 12, 2024 13:04:14 GMT
Other dealers have already announced their uncatalogued Hudsons two weeks ago. So it is not an unreasonable question to wonder if the METCA uncatalogued Hudson is still ago when nothing more was heard about it. I'm glad to hear that it is. We want to know what the METCA Hudson will look like and we want to know NOW!  Pretty please with sugar on top.  At my age patience is not a virtue, it is a luxury.  All for laughs Stu no pressure.
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Post by madockawando on Oct 12, 2024 19:35:07 GMT
Other dealers have already announced their uncatalogued Hudsons two weeks ago. So it is not an unreasonable question to wonder if the METCA uncatalogued Hudson is still ago when nothing more was heard about it. I'm glad to hear that it is. We want to know what the METCA Hudson will look like and we want to know NOW! Pretty please with sugar on top. At my age patience is not a virtue, it is a luxury. All for laughs Stu no pressure. And you would think that someone being interested in purchasing a METCA offering would be a good thing. Maybe its not worth the wait.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 12, 2024 21:48:28 GMT
A watched pot never boils. I am certain that between deciding to give it a go, getting the OK from Lionel and then agreeing on the artwork, and getting the preliminary draft of the artwork to post the announcement takes a lot of effort for business let alone a volunteer organization. While any number of folks may be anxious to see what METCA will offer it would be prudent to temper one's interest as you may not like what is offered.
I say that more in sympathy and definitely not a criticism.
As none of the other Hudson's interest me, if the METCA version doesn't fill the bill I am in the peanut gallery on this Lionel offering.
Not being black or prototypical I have hope for an interesting fantasy version perhaps even a holiday version.
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Post by madockawando on Oct 12, 2024 22:59:51 GMT
A watched pot never boils. I am certain that between deciding to give it a go, getting the OK from Lionel and then agreeing on the artwork, and getting the preliminary draft of the artwork to post the announcement takes a lot of effort for business let alone a volunteer organization. While any number of folks may be anxious to see what METCA will offer it would be prudent to temper one's interest as you may not like what is offered. I say that more in sympathy and definitely not a criticism. As none of the other Hudson's interest me, if the METCA version doesn't fill the bill I am in the peanut gallery on this Lionel offering. Not being black or prototypical I have hope for an interesting fantasy version perhaps even a holiday version. At this point ALL of the dealers have announced their uncatalogued Vision Line Hudsons and they did so two weeks ago so, why hold back on releasing it? Runamuckchuck: If it a holiday train, then very likely a Polar Express or Halloween. I am not sure if either version would appeal to me. As strange as it sounds, an Area 51 Hudson might be interesting or AEC. At least it would be something different as Lionel has overdone the Polar Express and Halloween locomotives.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 12, 2024 23:36:52 GMT
Is it likely that Lionel would allow someone else to release one of their likely trademarked series such as Area 51? It would be nice, but I don't see it.
IMO you sort of answered your own question, dealers versus volunteers would cause an understandable delay.
My guess is Halloween.
Except for the glow in the dark aspects and the tender graphics, IMO the only thing the Lionel Eerie Halloween Triplex
engine is, is big size and big cost. Do ghouls and goblins care about wheel slippage?
If the F-19s ever show up the Halloween tender is spooky.
However for my money the art work of METCA holiday engines puts what Lionel and MTH are putting out to shame.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 13, 2024 0:01:03 GMT
... At this point ALL of the dealers have announced their uncatalogued Vision Line Hudsons and they did so two weeks ago so, why hold back on releasing it? ... How can you be certain? Not everyone announces their special-runs BEFORE Lionel's pre-order deadline. It's pretty gutsy to announce after the deadline. But it's been done in the past. I might be wrong, but I believe Brady's Big Boy was done that way... and perhaps even his Pennsylvania RR Triplex. Then again, I could be wrong.
OTOH, I know for a fact that METCA does it from time to time. So poking them to announce isn't gonna make them feel obligated to announce now, if they're not ready. Just let the process play out.
I'd politely suggest to ease up a bit... because as I said in an earlier post, I'd bet the Hudson is gonna be part of the 2025 Big Book. And dealers will likely have a pre-order (early buy) discount that comes into play. So relax... enjoy what you already have on the roster, as well as the slew of trains due to arrive in 4Q2024. There will be PLENTY of time to get excited about the Vision Hudson. Lionel isn't gonna deliver those gems until 4Q2025.
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