Absolutely, i bought some track connecters (brand-new) from a resale shop for a dollar apiece, on the Lionel web site they are 22 dollars, what a joke for something made in China for 50 cents.
600 bucks for 2 passenger cars?! They f&%king out of their mind!!!!! Also apparently I am the one who bought your Conrail NS Heritage engine. The guy I bought it from said it was yours.
The lionchief pacifics went from $430 in 2016 to $700 in 2025 *They are more expensive then every American flyer S Gauge steam locomotive Lionel has ever made* (except the 2-8-8-2s) This is a very bad sign for Lionchief
@@KatyPacific382 Three things,taking into account inflation,$430 is equal to $558 today.Secondly,NOBODY charges MSRP,you can find them for around $550.Thirdly,the 2016 version were only LionChief Plus not Plus 2.0 engines and they have made improvements since then.For instance I don't believe the App was available back then,so much nicer then the remotes to use IMHO.
I wish I knew who Lionel is marketing to? After many years I don't see anything new coming my way. What about us guys with smaller curves. I couldn't run half the catalog anyway!
I am still waiting for over 40 other Pre-Order items, so I was hoping this catalog would give my wallet a break. It did. I only have 2 possible items on my "wish list" from this one. The Chevrolet Maxi-Stack (I work for General Motors) and I need a track cleaner, so that Area 51 Cleaning Car looks too cool to pass up.
Lionel is not being realistic with their prices. Once they come to their senses many will have stocked up from used and discount providers. Or even go on to HO scale! Sacrilege! But really cost keeps me out of the new market as a newcomer.
Onky offering 3 legacy steam engines is crazy to me. And theyre all old recycled tooling. I know some people love the fantasy schemes but i really think they are just banking on rehashing old toolings with some fantasy schemes to make money
You all better stock up on new Lionel offerings while you can. The way they are going with price and quality i doubt they will be around in their present form much longer. The Chinese will buy them out.
A fine, quick review. Since I'm a traditional, post-war Lionel collector, most of this isn't in my wheelhouse, as far as purchasing any of these trains. They are quite nice, though and I like much of what they have done. I like the detail and some of the steam and sound effects and some of the other bits and pieces and the cool operating systems. I do agree with RJ on this catalog. It just isn't very inspired. The 125th anniversary should be a big celebration, not this bland catalog. The prices are high and there aren't many new offerings. They really needed to push the traditional trains, with the upgrades to modern standards, but they fell woefully short, in this regard. I seems that they don't care too much about the history of the company, or at least they don't understand the cultural impact that it had, through the post-war period. MPC and Kughn understood it and promoted it. Here, it is more like an afterthought. Sorry about the rant. It just disappoints me to see how far they've fallen from Joshua Lionel Cowen's vision and legacy and what could have been, with this catalog. An excellent video, as always.
If the FEC engine from the set is something you are really interested in, HobbySpeed in Indiana, PA might offer it without the cars, but it would probably have a premium price.
Very underwhelmed with the catalog. Easy to keep my wallet somewhat safe on this one. The commodore hudson is old tooling at a very new and incredibly inflated price. Your reaction was spot on with the Heisler ... thought that was neat and then saw the price...pass. I will pull the trigger on the S2 turbine which was probably the best value of the scale items and, well, I will have to nerd out on the Star Wars items.
I get pricing goes up but when you can get an f19 for $1100 why would someone pay $1000 for an Atlantic… I agree small engine shoulda been around that $750-$799 price
Most of the trains are gonna be too $$$$$ for me, but it's still fun to drool over them. I hope to get a paper copy of the catalog when i go to the toy exchange in mt airy md fru or sat
If i was still in O gauge it would be the diesels along with the S2. But since I am not. I am curious as to what the HO and N scale manufacturers were announced and if this catalog has any hints as to what those guys are doing.
@ Right they changed it to Volume 2 instead of the next big book with a wider selection normally, these additional ES44 Heritage units would have been in 2024 Vol 2 and the Sd70s with a wider selection would be in 2025 Big Book.
I’m still debating which Hudson I want to get. At this point, I might just wait for a sale at Nicholas Smith’s once they come out and let fate decide. Definitely getting the standalone Florida East Coast ES44, a CPKC ES44 and the Norfolk Southern heritage Nickel Plate Road ES44. Maybe the OG Norfolk Southern and the Conrail ES44s as well. I was really hoping for Legacy F3 Santa Fe Warbonnets. Hopefully those will be in Volume 2. Six more months… :-/
Although the nostalgic paint schemes are interesting (if you don't have one already), the new pricing is a downer, Chris. As one of your fans already noted, they're pricing themselves out of business. Except for the CPKC paint scheme (which is actually really new for the railway in real life), there doesn't look like much is new here. Not even new tooling! What a shame.
Yep for a bunch or REHASH and doubling the prices. I am OUT-OUT! That's a British thing BTW. Nope not me for this catalog. When is Lionel going to do something more original?
I FREAKED OUT WHEN I SAW THE COMMODORE BACK AHHHHH I have the original rare blue one from the 90’s but pre ordered the vision blue, red, and Polar Express versions along with the passenger cars for the blue and red I also got the daylight turbine aswell
Word of the day is underwhelming. Thankfully have the MTH Csx/WM heritage due any day now. Otherwise not much in this catalog for me. The three history Rev War boxcars because I started collecting that series, cause flintlocks of course, but that's it!
Lionel produced the 6-28062 Gold Plated and Platinum Plated 700 E J1-E Hudson with Display Case originally back in 2000 for their 100th anniversary celebration. They also produced a separate sale 6-17635 Gold Plated and Platinum Played Die-Cast Caboose to go along with it. Lionel had a lottery in order to purchase this locomotive. My name got picked from this lottery, and I purchased this along with the caboose that I still have to this day displayed in my office. The locomotive came with white gloves as well in order to handle the locomotive, tender, and caboose. Tom
I agree with you, I'm just not into the FA units. I have a small layout, so the A6 has my attention. I'm looking at the Erie (I love that blue, and don't have one yet), or the Lionel Lines A6 (after all, it's the 125 year special). The Lionchief +2.0 Pacific "President Monroe" has a little interest to me too. Most of the Big Books cater to the larger layouts. This one has something for everyone. Good job Lionel, thumbs up form the Keeler Short Line.
They're pricing themselves out of existence
Absolutely, i bought some track connecters (brand-new) from a resale shop for a dollar apiece, on the Lionel web site they are 22 dollars, what a joke for something made in China for 50 cents.
All the excitement of going to McDonald’s for a big anniversary and seeing a 15 dollar Big Mac.
See all the people driving away?
600 bucks for 2 passenger cars?! They f&%king out of their mind!!!!! Also apparently I am the one who bought your Conrail NS Heritage engine. The guy I bought it from said it was yours.
@@DJHProductions crazy prices!
You’re the cry baby accusing of everyone being paid by Lionel 😂😂😂
The lionchief pacifics went from $430 in 2016 to $700 in 2025
*They are more expensive then every American flyer S Gauge steam locomotive Lionel has ever made* (except the 2-8-8-2s)
This is a very bad sign for Lionchief
@@Craiggg12345 Why does the guy even bother?I mean,what's the point to go to videos about Lionel trains only to whine and complain about them?
@@KatyPacific382 Three things,taking into account inflation,$430 is equal to $558 today.Secondly,NOBODY charges MSRP,you can find them for around $550.Thirdly,the 2016 version were only LionChief Plus not Plus 2.0 engines and they have made improvements since then.For instance I don't believe the App was available back then,so much nicer then the remotes to use IMHO.
prices are insane
Meanwhile Atlas O released their winter catalog today.
Ya but GP40's😳.The U30s are ok but kind of disapointing
And MTH announced some pretty neat usra pacifics, including reading 425👀
Most of the traditional rolling stock that they showed off is better off going to the scrap yard
I wish I knew who Lionel is marketing to? After many years I don't see anything new coming my way. What about us guys with smaller curves. I couldn't run half the catalog anyway!
About the FEC gevo only being in the set Lionel is selling FEC 816 separately while 820 comes in the set.
@CedarLakeRailfanner yeah I saw that after I filmed. 😅
Greed is the driving force for lionel
well that should be balanced by lack of revenue from fewer orders!
"Speed dating - so, let's stick with the theme." I literally lolled
Great points on the video! - Honestly would buy an A6 if they were in B&O...
I threw up after seeing a semi scale set of 4 for 1,000 ....
I KNOW. Crazy.
I am still waiting for over 40 other Pre-Order items, so I was hoping this catalog would give my wallet a break. It did. I only have 2 possible items on my "wish list" from this one. The Chevrolet Maxi-Stack (I work for General Motors) and I need a track cleaner, so that Area 51 Cleaning Car looks too cool to pass up.
Omg the prices. Crazy! Must be the fear of tariffs.
They didn't do this the last time we put tariffs on China. These prices are just insane
Wanted the Halloween Vanderbilt but can't justify that price.
Lionel is not being realistic with their prices. Once they come to their senses many will have stocked up from used and discount providers. Or even go on to HO scale! Sacrilege! But really cost keeps me out of the new market as a newcomer.
I can't afford anything out of the Lionel catolog, so I won't order anything!
I was hoping they would do the B&O EM-1 again, maybe they'll do it as a vision line vol ll
I'm eyeing up that Bessemer & Lake Erie Tunnel Motor and the bicentennial hopper. Other than that, it's a snoozer for me.
Onky offering 3 legacy steam engines is crazy to me. And theyre all old recycled tooling. I know some people love the fantasy schemes but i really think they are just banking on rehashing old toolings with some fantasy schemes to make money
You all better stock up on new Lionel offerings while you can. The way they are going with price and quality i doubt they will be around in their present form much longer. The Chinese will buy them out.
A fine, quick review. Since I'm a traditional, post-war Lionel collector, most of this isn't in my wheelhouse, as far as purchasing any of these trains. They are quite nice, though and I like much of what they have done. I like the detail and some of the steam and sound effects and some of the other bits and pieces and the cool operating systems. I do agree with RJ on this catalog. It just isn't very inspired. The 125th anniversary should be a big celebration, not this bland catalog. The prices are high and there aren't many new offerings. They really needed to push the traditional trains, with the upgrades to modern standards, but they fell woefully short, in this regard. I seems that they don't care too much about the history of the company, or at least they don't understand the cultural impact that it had, through the post-war period. MPC and Kughn understood it and promoted it. Here, it is more like an afterthought. Sorry about the rant. It just disappoints me to see how far they've fallen from Joshua Lionel Cowen's vision and legacy and what could have been, with this catalog. An excellent video, as always.
If the FEC engine from the set is something you are really interested in, HobbySpeed in Indiana, PA might offer it without the cars, but it would probably have a premium price.
Very underwhelmed with the catalog. Easy to keep my wallet somewhat safe on this one. The commodore hudson is old tooling at a very new and incredibly inflated price. Your reaction was spot on with the Heisler ... thought that was neat and then saw the price...pass. I will pull the trigger on the S2 turbine which was probably the best value of the scale items and, well, I will have to nerd out on the Star Wars items.
AGREED!
I really want that red comet, but that vision line fat price tag is a little too much
I get pricing goes up but when you can get an f19 for $1100 why would someone pay $1000 for an Atlantic… I agree small engine shoulda been around that $750-$799 price
Most of the trains are gonna be too $$$$$ for me, but it's still fun to drool over them. I hope to get a paper copy of the catalog when i go to the toy exchange in mt airy md fru or sat
MAKE LIONEL GREAT AGAIN!
If i was still in O gauge it would be the diesels along with the S2.
But since I am not. I am curious as to what the HO and N scale manufacturers were announced and if this catalog has any hints as to what those guys are doing.
I thought they alternated each year with the ES44 and SD70, Was looking forward to a really good line up of SD70s
SD70s were in the last catalog, 2024 Volume 2.
@ Right they changed it to Volume 2 instead of the next big book with a wider selection normally, these additional ES44 Heritage units would have been in 2024 Vol 2 and the Sd70s with a wider selection would be in 2025 Big Book.
I’m still debating which Hudson I want to get. At this point, I might just wait for a sale at Nicholas Smith’s once they come out and let fate decide.
Definitely getting the standalone Florida East Coast ES44, a CPKC ES44 and the Norfolk Southern heritage Nickel Plate Road ES44. Maybe the OG Norfolk Southern and the Conrail ES44s as well.
I was really hoping for Legacy F3 Santa Fe Warbonnets. Hopefully those will be in Volume 2. Six more months… :-/
This is the worst catalog I have seen from them. Some of the FA-2 diesel engines are nice that's about it.
I wasn’t really planning on getting anything but my dad talked me into getting the Visionline pacemaker Hudson.
Although the nostalgic paint schemes are interesting (if you don't have one already), the new pricing is a downer, Chris. As one of your fans already noted, they're pricing themselves out of business. Except for the CPKC paint scheme (which is actually really new for the railway in real life), there doesn't look like much is new here. Not even new tooling! What a shame.
@@tomrogers5516 agreed!!
Yep for a bunch or REHASH and doubling the prices. I am OUT-OUT! That's a British thing BTW. Nope not me for this catalog. When is Lionel going to do something more original?
I FREAKED OUT WHEN I SAW THE COMMODORE BACK AHHHHH I have the original rare blue one from the 90’s but pre ordered the vision blue, red, and Polar Express versions along with the passenger cars for the blue and red I also got the daylight turbine aswell
This catalog was disappointing
Why skip rolling stock, makes zero sense
Word of the day is underwhelming. Thankfully have the MTH Csx/WM heritage due any day now. Otherwise not much in this catalog for me. The three history Rev War boxcars because I started collecting that series, cause flintlocks of course, but that's it!
Lionel produced the 6-28062 Gold Plated and Platinum Plated 700 E J1-E Hudson with Display Case originally back in 2000 for their 100th anniversary celebration. They also produced a separate sale 6-17635 Gold Plated and Platinum Played Die-Cast Caboose to go along with it. Lionel had a lottery in order to purchase this locomotive. My name got picked from this lottery, and I purchased this along with the caboose that I still have to this day displayed in my office. The locomotive came with white gloves as well in order to handle the locomotive, tender, and caboose. Tom
I agree with you, I'm just not into the FA units. I have a small layout, so the A6 has my attention. I'm looking at the Erie (I love that blue, and don't have one yet), or the Lionel Lines A6 (after all, it's the 125 year special). The Lionchief +2.0 Pacific "President Monroe" has a little interest to me too. Most of the Big Books cater to the larger layouts. This one has something for everyone. Good job Lionel, thumbs up form the Keeler Short Line.
This catalog is a zero will not be ordering anything
This is probably the most beautiful catalog I’ve ever seen.