It's Model Train Season... and new products are arriving!
Oct 10, 2022 2:23:32 GMT
harborbelt70, Adam, and 1 more like this
Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 10, 2022 2:23:32 GMT
With summer officially gone, we're now a couple of solid weeks into what is typically the official start of "model train season". And right on cue, LOTS of new product is arriving at dealer stores.
I didn't pre-order much this year. But with prices being the way they are, even the small select handful of goodies I did pre-order will make a dent in the wallet. 
Last Thursday, I received email alerts that my credit card was charged by Charles Ro and Trainworld. The Trainworld item appears to be their special-run Lionel Legacy ES44AC in the U.S. Army #1942 paint-scheme with the nose-art that matches the artwork on Lionel's Sharknose diesels and the US-DOD Veranda (both already delivered). The loco shipped on Friday, and it would normally arrive overnight from Brooklyn. But it's been sitting in UPS's depot in the neighboring town all weekend. So currently, the package should arrive on Monday. I really don't understand UPS. Some weekends they deliver on Saturday. Other times packages just sit in the depot all weekend. And it doesn't seem to have anything to do with whether the shipper paid extra for a Saturday delivery... because I've had regular ground UPS packages arrive on my doorstep on Saturday occasionally. No rhyme or reason. Sigh.... it is what it is. Perhaps UPS will explain it one day. 
Now the next package due to arrive this week is the Charles Ro shipment. But I have no confirmed details (yet) as to what's being shipped -- aside from the 3 separate amounts that were charged to my credit card last Thursday. I usually see an email invoice the next day. But that didn't happen on Friday. And Charles Ro no longer has weekend hours anymore. Sign of the times I guess. So I'm still awaiting details as to what's actually shipping -- hopefully on Monday if I'm lucky... which means I might see those goodies on Wednesday.
In any event, it's worth noting I was able to deduce (from the credit card charge) that one of the goodies is a 2-pack for the Aberdeen, Carolina & Western passenger set. That 2-pack is also now showing "in stock" on the Charles Ro website. So I'm REALLY looking forward to receiving those -- if for no other reason that to see if Lionel got the colors right for this train. After all, this was admittedly one of THE eye-catching passenger paint schemes in the catalog. And colors of prototype equipment in this paint-scheme look absolutely exquisite online. Keeping fingers crossed Lionel hits a grand slam here. There's also another 2-pack of heavyweight passenger cars, along with the Legacy Diesel AB-units in matching colors. But apparently, the train is being delivered piece-meal, as these other SKU's are not showing in-stock on any of the large dealer websites at this time.
I will post photos of these goodies, when I receive them.
BTW... on a somewhat related note to "model train season" beginning... I received an email a few days ago from Atlas highlighting their plans to show their 5x9 operating layout at York -- newly wired for DCS. And they'll be demonstrating some due-to-arrive products at the show... as well as releasing a new catalog.
I won't be attending York in October, but I gotta say... THIS IS WHY I ATTENDED YORK OVER THE YEARS. I loved seeing what the manufacturers/importers would bring to the show to demo. And as I've mentioned here many times, I viewed York MUCH more as an industry trade show rather than a toy train swap meet. So I give Atlas a lot of credit for keeping the "trade show" tradition alive and well... even when most of the other "big guys" are veering away from that angle now. For those of you planning to visit York this month, be sure to check out the Atlas booth in the rear of the Orange Hall. It appears to be where MTH and Charles Ro formerly set up shop.
That's it for now. Stay tuned to this thread for some photos of these goodies as they arrive. 
