David Maynard said:
Greg, yes it can be fixed. But I returned mine since it was so large in comparison to the other equipment I had at the time.
I was just telling Stacy that Lionel’s offerings in large scale weren’t the quality of (some) of their O gauge offerings. (I said gauge, not scale)
I agree David. Lionel is better off sticking with 0 gauge.
Personally, I think Lionel is awesome, but they need to stay with what works and not teeter around with something they know little about.
jmo
Stacey,
As others will attest, this is not a new foray for Lionel. They have produced ‘G’ scale before. The reefer I have (the only Lionel), like other manufacturers is measured with a rubber ruler. My only wish would be, if they are going to be in this genre, please add fidelity, they will definitely have more buyers.
Bob C,
I know Bob. Lionel has manufactured some large scale stuff, but in reality, they are no where near the capabilities of their rivals. Just as their rivals are no where near there’s in making 0 gauge.
Lionel wants to enter the market, they better come up with some pretty neat looking, well functioning items. Thus far, they fail on all accounts in my opinion.
The only really “new” thing is that they are offering is the cars separately. I’ve seen that “old west” loco set before in Target stores a couple years ago, almost bought it on Xmas clearance.
We’ve has several discussions about how to promote the hobby to the youngins, and Lionel is one of the few that is doing so at a afordable rate.
Mark Dash said:
We’ve has several discussions about how to promote the hobby to the youngins, and Lionel is one of the few that is doing so at a afordable rate.
Actually I disagree on that statement Mark
I help with a Lionel 0-27 layout display every year, for say the past 6 or so and have analyzed A LOT. But I cannot tell you my observations or I would have to …wait… what were we talking about?
Mark Dash said:
We’ve has several discussions about how to promote the hobby to the youngins, and Lionel is one of the few that is doing so at a afordable rate.
Lionel does in fact promote the hobby, but with stuff that is not really well made and breaks so easily. As an example: I remember my first Lionel set from 1965. It was post war obviously, but had a toughness to it. I was just a kid then and I remember sleeping with that locomotive and dropping it many times, but she got right back on the track and pulled. Today’s Lionel is so cheap and typical of the kinds of garbage the Chinese can be so great at manufacturing.
I am all for making this hobby for anyone, any where, anytime with an affordable means, but have you ever seen a kids face when he gets that new set and the locomotive ceases working? I have and it is so
discouraging. Especially for Mom and Dad.
Lionel does manufacture really cool sets. Starter sets. Yet, despite their best efforts, these sets often end up at garage sales or in the garbage.
I think Lionel should stick with 0 gauge.
David Russell said:
Mark Dash said:
We’ve has several discussions about how to promote the hobby to the youngins, and Lionel is one of the few that is doing so at a afordable rate.
Actually I disagree on that statement Mark
I help with a Lionel 0-27 layout display every year, for say the past 6 or so and have analyzed A LOT. But I cannot tell you my observations or I would have to …wait… what were we talking about?
Um Rooster, the discussions were about manufacturers not the hobbist doing shows. A $400 (USA Trains) starter set vs $100 (Lionel) starter set is a big difference for a newbie. Granted when I started in G Guage it was with a USA trains NW-2 set for about 200 and followed up with 2 Bachman sets at xmas for $100 and $75 each, all are still running.
As for the lionel sets, I have the Hogwarts Express set and it runs very reliably.
Yes, $400 vs $100 is a big difference if all you consider is price.
5 years later when your USAT stuff is still running well and in scale, and you have thrown away your burned up Lionel toy, well it is a big difference too, the $100 wasted vs. the $400 well spent.
You can look at the situation from a short term or a long term view.
Greg
Greg Elmassian said:
Yes, $400 vs $100 is a big difference if all you consider is price.
5 years later when your USAT stuff is still running well and in scale, and you have thrown away your burned up out of scale Lionel toy, well it is a big difference too, the $100 wasted vs. the $400 well spent.
You can look at the situation from a short term or a long term view.
Greg
Greg Elmassian said:
Greg Elmassian said:
Yes, $400 vs $100 is a big difference if all you consider is price.
5 years later when your USAT stuff is still running well and in scale, and you have thrown away your burned up out of scale Lionel toy, well it is a big difference too, the $100 wasted vs. the $400 well spent.
You can look at the situation from a short term or a long term view.
Greg
Yes, but what would rather give your hyperactive 7 year old to play with, the cheapie Lionel or your expensive USA stuff who’s handrails break off if you just look at them ???
Greg Elmassian said:
Yes, $400 vs $100 is a big difference if all you consider is price.
5 years later when your USAT stuff is still running well and in scale, and you have thrown away your burned up Lionel toy, well it is a big difference too, the $100 wasted vs. the $400 well spent.
You can look at the situation from a short term or a long term view.
Greg
Greg, and this discussion with a newbie is usually lost on them. They just see the price. If you are a vendor and have this conversation with a newbie, they think you are just trying to make more money. If you are a hobbyist (like us) and you have this discussion, they walk away thinking “that ______ doesn’t know what he is talking about”. Unfortunately many consumers are price oriented instead of quality oriented.
That said, My Big hauler set is usually the first train to run each spring, and it gets a lot of run time on it each year. But I know the limitations of the big hauler locomotive, so there are no extra cars added to the set, and there are no intentional sudden starts or stops.
It would be charitable to say the the Lionel Thomas was problematic, I also, purchased several of their amusement park offerings - Never, ever, again… and that also is being charitable…
Greg Elmassian said:
Yes, $400 vs $100 is a big difference if all you consider is price.
5 years later when your USAT stuff is still running well and in scale, and you have thrown away your burned up Lionel toy, well it is a big difference too, the $100 wasted vs. the $400 well spent.
You can look at the situation from a short term or a long term view.
Greg
How many cracked gears would you replace in those 5 years though 
Lionel today, is cheap period. I mean poorly constructed and with really bad engineering. Now, I have owned several of their diesel legacy units and they are okay, but along side MTH, they are not as good in my opinion.
If Lionel ventured off the reservation and manufactured large scale items, especially locomotives, it would be a challenge to bring them to market with a price that is both reasonable and affordable. In addition, many want detail. That can be pricey as well. I have never purchased a Lionel large scale item before. Came close once, but when I saw the locomotive, I changed my mind. I was not impressed and thought it better to spend my money on something more appealing.
Thus far, Bachmann and Aristo Craft as well as LGB, Piko and USA Trains are all I buy in Large Scale.