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Post by madockawando on Nov 19, 2024 18:35:01 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...
The Blue version came out very nice! I wonder how they dropped the ball on the red one?
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Post by madockawando on Nov 19, 2024 18:39:31 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. Here is the video, the red one shows up around the 15:42 mark. Its hard to tell how well the red one matches from this video, but the blue version looks better
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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 19, 2024 20:07:32 GMT
Charles, thanks for pointing out that video. VERY enlightening.
The red certainly appears much richer and less like that lifeless chalky appearance referenced earlier in the YouTube video.
I have so much programmable lighting over my layout, I’m now inclined to believe this locomotive would perhaps look fine under the HUE lights. Short of seeing the locomotive in-person, I’m still interested to see any photos or videos Mr. Muffins will post — hopefully soon. Or for that matter, any other photos that folks choose to post.
The boxed set isn’t due to ship until right around Christmas. Only ala carte items are shipping now. So it might be another month or so before I see a boxed set delivered.
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Post by JDaddy on Nov 19, 2024 20:24:27 GMT
A true miss on their part. It lacks a Christmas eye catching pizzazz in my book. The METCA A5 switcher was a much bigger hit.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 20, 2024 3:00:17 GMT
In fairness to Lionel, I checked out their Facebook page and found this photo of the "special red" Berk that is included in the 20th Anniversary Scale Polar Express BOXED Set as well as also available for ala carte purchase. It is a much better photo (i.e., captured in more favorable lighting) than the one included in the YouTube video referenced in my original post.
Although it's still not quite the shimmering cranberry finish depicted in the catalog, it appears more worthy of a scale product to my eye... and takes us WAY past the O-27 starter-set look of the YouTube photo. The maroon details stand out nicely against the background of the grey smoke box. Again, Lionel could have turned this up a notch to bring a good locomotive into superb territory (like the plasma coat). But this has its own look-and-feel to it.
Since there is no shortage of good lighting in my train room, I feel MUCH better about moving forward with plans to purchase the boxed set with this steamer. Of course, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder... but at least this works for me as a respectable alternative in my fleet of Polar Express steam locomotives. In addition, as an added bonus... the boxed set also includes a special-edition combine coach that is included exclusively in the boxed set.
As a point of comparison, here is Lionel's photo of the blue plasma Berk posted to their Facebook page under similar lighting conditions. And the lighting in my train room can be programmed to be even more dramatic as needed.
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Post by MartyE on Nov 20, 2024 10:38:26 GMT
Looks like they won't allow the video to be shared. It definitely looks better in the TW video.
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Post by chipset35 on Nov 20, 2024 10:45:29 GMT
I refuse to feed the machine of one engine and 100 paint schemes.
Still waiting for MTH, Atlas and Lionel to repaint a O gauge C-420 High nose in LIRR Orange and Gray Dashing Dan livery more frequently than every 10 years if ever.
I guess its too much trouble to use orange and gray paint as opposed to all the other colors including this garish red Rocky posted.
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Post by kstrains on Nov 20, 2024 18:40:45 GMT
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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 20, 2024 20:33:15 GMT
Thanks for posting those photos.
The “special red” Berk DEFINITELY needs good lighting in order to look its best. And even then, it’s not in the league of the plasma blue model.
Charles Ro had such an aggressive “early buy” price for the boxed set when the catalog was unveiled, I decided to go for it. And given the near-theatrical lighting I have in my train room, I think this locomotive will look as best as it can. But I’d be cautious if you’re just planning to run this loco in ho-hum lighting conditions.
Who knows… at some point down the road, I might have a winter project where I give the loco a light gloss if the spirit moves me!!!
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Post by runamuckchuck on Nov 20, 2024 21:01:28 GMT
Turtle Wax.
This engine's color palette seems particularly sensitive to the quality of light available in your train room. On the good side I am suspecting that the display cabinet lights are likely florescent tubes which will wash out and dull down just about anything except maybe a plasma coat finish.
In that one photo is looks Tuscan Red to me.
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Post by redjimmy1955 on Nov 21, 2024 2:38:46 GMT
You are correctomundo on the red colour being a nope. Reminds me of the K Line fiasco some years ago. The Sante Fe F7s had a red that was also quite off from what I would expect.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 21, 2024 4:31:59 GMT
Dang!!! Just when I thought I might have a way to make this work with a boxed set purchase... I took a closer look at the Trainworld video. And here are a a couple of very telling screen-captures.
Although it's difficult to say for sure, it appears the locomotive/tender color is somewhat faded in comparison to the more vibrant red/burgundy of the Polar Express combine coach (which is the special car available only in the set). These colors really should match... as they are depicted in the catalog. And it's a shame that didn't happen here.
So once again, Lionel seems to have err'd on a premium-priced train set this Christmas. Last year, we had to endure the YUELTIDE debacle on an otherwise splendid high-end Sleigh Bell Limited passenger set. And this year, we seem to have yet another faux-paux in a "special red" Polar Express Berk, which might turn out to not be all that special after all -- unless the buyer chooses to add their own pizazz to the locomotive.
Train purchases shouldn't be this difficult. But it's part of the reality we're facing in the hobby today.
Far too many SKU's being produced each year. And product managers are letting important elements slide through the cracks. At least with the custom-runs, the dealer or club director have more of a stake in the game to ensure the product is produced as intended. And the results show it.
OTOH, with the regular-run catalog'd items, it's a complete gamble whether we catch Lionel's product manager on a good day... or on a day when he or she is overwhelmed with other stuff that needs their attention. Sigh...
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