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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 19, 2024 5:58:06 GMT
Good Lord!!! This feels like deja vu all over again!!! Someone please tell me this isn't real, because I had planned to get the 20th Anniversary Lionel Legacy Scale Polar Express boxed set, and THIS "special red" locomotive is the one that comes in the boxed set. Ughhhhh!!! 
While viewing a YouTube video by someone who purchased the Plasma Blue Berk, he included some still image photos in his video that were reportedly of the "special red" PE Berk locomotive that he had originally planned to purchase. And here's a screen-grab from his video...
Now THIS is what Lionel catalog'd...
To my eyes... the catalog image gives me the impression of a scale model with a rich, shimmering burgundy/maroon finish that I'd be proud to have as part of my Polar Express collection. So much so that I had planned to purchase the boxed set which includes the maroon "special red" Berk.
OTOH, what's supposedly been delivered (as explained by the YouTuber) appears to be a lifeless, chalky and cheaply painted locomotive that looks like it belongs in an O-27 starter set. I'm so disgusted with this... my initial reaction is to CANCEL my pre-order for the boxed set (which isn't due in at dealers until the week of Christmas)... then stick with my existing Black and Plasma Blue Berks... and then just purchase three new P/E passenger coaches ala carte that would have been in the boxed set -- all with white roofs and LED lighting.
Could it be that Lionel just saved me roughly $1,500? Because I'm sure not spending that kind of hard-earned money on a toy-like locomotive that looks nothing like the catalog image. I'm hoping to see photos that Mr. Muffin typically posts online... as I recall him saying he's expecting the Berks in-house this week. Then I'll decide after seeing his photos with my own eyes.
Was anyone else planning to purchase the "special red" Berk or the 20th Anniversary PE Boxed Set?
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Post by Traindiesel! on Nov 19, 2024 7:18:38 GMT
Some colors are just not meant to be on a steam locomotive.
Owning a scale Polar Express set would be great, but for some reason I just can’t spend $3000+ on a train I’d only run a few weeks a year, despite the fact that I love the movie.
But I do own a couple Christmas engines and several Christmas freight cars, including the latest Santa Claus Christmas Express cars I just bought, so don’t pay much attention to me!
On the other hand I probably would only run any train set I own on a rotation for a couple weeks a year.
Sighhh…. I need to go buy something!
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Post by superwarp1 on Nov 19, 2024 12:23:40 GMT
Boy do I know. Like a certain glow in the dark Berk
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Post by MartyE on Nov 19, 2024 12:47:09 GMT
Some colors are just not meant to be on a steam locomotive.
Owning a scale Polar Express set would be great, but for some reason I just can’t spend $3000+ on a train I’d only run a few weeks a year, despite the fact that I love the movie.
But I do own a couple Christmas engines and several Christmas freight cars, including the latest Santa Claus Christmas Express cars I just bought, so don’t pay much attention to me!
On the other hand I probably would only run any train set I own on a rotation for a couple weeks a year.
Sighhh…. I need to go buy something! I have a scale Polar and use it only at Christmas for now. Once the layout is upstairs and I have shelves it will se more run time. Same with the Tri-Polar.
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Post by madockawando on Nov 19, 2024 13:04:01 GMT
Good Lord!!! This feels like deja vu all over again!!! Someone please tell me this isn't real, because I had planned to get the 20th Anniversary Lionel Legacy Scale Polar Express boxed set, and THIS "special red" locomotive is the one that comes in the boxed set. Ughhhhh!!!
While viewing a YouTube video by someone who purchased the Plasma Blue Berk, he included some still image photos in his video that were reportedly of the "special red" PE Berk locomotive that he had originally planned to purchase. And here's a screen-grab from his video...
Now THIS is what Lionel catalog'd...
To my eyes... the catalog image gives me the impression of a scale model with a rich, shimmering burgundy/maroon finish that I'd be proud to have as part of my Polar Express collection. So much so that I had planned to purchase the boxed set which includes the maroon "special red" Berk.
OTOH, what's supposedly been delivered (as explained by the YouTuber) appears to be a lifeless, chalky and cheaply painted locomotive that looks like it belongs in an O-27 starter set. I'm so disgusted with this... my initial reaction is to CANCEL my pre-order for the boxed set (which isn't due in at dealers until the week of Christmas)... then stick with my existing Black and Plasma Blue Berks... and then just purchase three new P/E passenger coaches ala carte that would have been in the boxed set -- all with white roofs and LED lighting.
Could it be that Lionel just saved me roughly $1,500? Because I'm sure not spending that kind of hard-earned money on a toy-like locomotive that looks nothing like the catalog image. I'm hoping to see photos that Mr. Muffin typically posts online... as I recall him saying he's expecting the Berks in-house this week. Then I'll decide after seeing his photos with my own eyes.
Was anyone else planning to purchase the "special red" Berk or the 20th Anniversary PE Boxed Set?
I have to say, I am with you on this one. Not a very attractive locomotive. Can you post the youtube link?
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Post by MartyE on Nov 19, 2024 13:07:32 GMT
Good Lord!!! This feels like deja vu all over again!!! Someone please tell me this isn't real, because I had planned to get the 20th Anniversary Lionel Legacy Scale Polar Express boxed set, and THIS "special red" locomotive is the one that comes in the boxed set. Ughhhhh!!!
While viewing a YouTube video by someone who purchased the Plasma Blue Berk, he included some still image photos in his video that were reportedly of the "special red" PE Berk locomotive that he had originally planned to purchase. And here's a screen-grab from his video...
Now THIS is what Lionel catalog'd...
To my eyes... the catalog image gives me the impression of a scale model with a rich, shimmering burgundy/maroon finish that I'd be proud to have as part of my Polar Express collection. So much so that I had planned to purchase the boxed set which includes the maroon "special red" Berk.
OTOH, what's supposedly been delivered (as explained by the YouTuber) appears to be a lifeless, chalky and cheaply painted locomotive that looks like it belongs in an O-27 starter set. I'm so disgusted with this... my initial reaction is to CANCEL my pre-order for the boxed set (which isn't due in at dealers until the week of Christmas)... then stick with my existing Black and Plasma Blue Berks... and then just purchase three new P/E passenger coaches ala carte that would have been in the boxed set -- all with white roofs and LED lighting.
Could it be that Lionel just saved me roughly $1,500? Because I'm sure not spending that kind of hard-earned money on a toy-like locomotive that looks nothing like the catalog image. I'm hoping to see photos that Mr. Muffin typically posts online... as I recall him saying he's expecting the Berks in-house this week. Then I'll decide after seeing his photos with my own eyes.
Was anyone else planning to purchase the "special red" Berk or the 20th Anniversary PE Boxed Set?
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Post by runamuckchuck on Nov 19, 2024 13:25:53 GMT
Wow, that sure looks like a satin/flat finish compared to the red raspberry sheen in the catalog. The artist's rendering catalog image makes this 'red' engine look more like the Exclusive plasma coat version without the, well plasma coat but still plenty of pizazz and sparkle. That being said however we all know how the amount of light, the quality of the light spectrum wise (daylight/bright white/soft/etc) and the lumen count can effect a photo especially in a close up.
As I have said elsewhere, IMO the plasma coat is the PE engine to have to convey the magic of the movie. All others are also rans. While it may too much of a good thing I wonder if the plasma coat can be applied to plastic. An entire plasma coat consist may make folks swoon at the sight.
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Post by trainman9 on Nov 19, 2024 14:35:38 GMT
This is just like the red K4 they produced a couple of years ago.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 19, 2024 15:10:35 GMT
Wow, that sure looks like a satin/flat finish compared to the red raspberry sheen in the catalog. The artist's rendering catalog image makes this 'red' engine look more like the Exclusive plasma coat version without the, well plasma coat but still plenty of pizazz and sparkle. That being said however we all know how the amount of light, the quality of the light spectrum wise (daylight/bright white/soft/etc) and the lumen count can effect a photo especially in a close up. ... What's also working against this "special red" Berk's flat lifeless paint is the fact that there's NOT a lot of separately applied details on this Berk -- certainly nothing even close to the amount of detail on the recent H-7. Aside from the single piping that runs the entire length of the boiler (probably the TMCC/Legacy antenna), much of the other "details" are cast in. The black Berk suffers from a similar lack of detail as well. But our eyes are more accustomed to black steam locomotives. OTOH, the blue plasma Berk has the same lack of separately applied details; however the shimmering effect of the plasma coating keeps our eyes from focusing on the amount of details that are cast into the boiler. And the plasma coat creates a show of its own.
You are correct. IMHO, the blue plasma Berk is the cats meow of the three scale PE Berks in this catalog. The only model that Lionel didn't re-issue for the PE 20th Anniversary is the fabulous satin gold PE Berk that was done for the 10th Anniversary with matching coaches. I will take that train out of storage and run it along side the blue plasma Berk this year once the new PE coaches with white roofs and LED lightingship (should be within a few weeks I think).
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Post by phil55 on Nov 19, 2024 15:14:24 GMT
It's definitely off color but doesn't matter for me. I can't justify $1500 for any new offering!
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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 19, 2024 15:19:27 GMT
Boy do I know. Like a certain glow in the dark Berk
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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 19, 2024 15:26:13 GMT
...I have to say, I am with you on this one. Not a very attractive locomotive. Can you post the youtube link?
Here ya go. The references to the "special red" Berk are within the first minute of this video...
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Post by frankmulligan on Nov 19, 2024 16:22:23 GMT
Catalog photo looks great! Actual photo, not so much.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Nov 19, 2024 18:05:57 GMT
OK, I just stumbled upon a Trainworld live feed Lionel Christmas Event which is now available on YouTube as a video. After you get over all the silly Santa hats and the obligatory raffle, at about 7 minutes into the show Ryan Kunkel jumps right into the PE 'red' Berk with Ken Jr. holding it up to the camera. To my eye it looks far closer to the catalog image than the 'Red Baron' screen shot that Dave captured from someone else's video.
Which is correct as far as the real color is any one's guess, but the decision whether or not to buy or take possession of your preorder may have gotten a bit tougher than originally thought.
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Post by Craignor on Nov 19, 2024 18:11:18 GMT
The shade of red reminds me of Heinz ketchup, love that stuff, but not this engine.
The red shows up all the areas where there is no details, over the drivers, the very same areas that disappear with the shadows and black paint.
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