New Product Spotlight – Boston & Maine Paul Revere GP9 Set

One of six sets that will be available only through our Lionel dealers, the Boston & Maine Paul Revere GP9 set combines a rugged conventional locomotive and traditional line of cars with bold new graphics. Designed in partnership with Lou Caponi, the late President of the Lionel Collectors Club of America and friend to train collectors everywhere, these sets capture the spirit and excitement of the classic toy train set.

Lead by a GP9 in the bright McGinnis paint scheme with a matching caboose bringing up the markers, this freight train is ready to head down one of the B&M’s charming New England branch lines to provide personal service to the many small customers along the way. These locals were the critical first and last legs of the journey for rail shipments and the customers’ contact point with the railroad. Their colorful consists constantly changing as they meandered along from siding to siding – what could be a more perfect train for hours of fun on a toy train layout?

6-81021 Boston & Maine Paul Revere GP9 Set

The freight cars in this train include a B&M boxcar and 4-bay hopper. The hit of the consist has to be the State of Maine aquarium car decorated in the Bangor and Aroostook’s instantly recognizable red, white and blue and carrying a load of one of Maine’s tastiest exports! This latest twist on the classic aquarium car features Maine lobsters “swimming” around inside the illuminated interior.

The GP9 locomotive features:

• Transformer-controlled forward-neutral-reverse operation
• Railsounds RTR™ sound with diesel revving and user-active horn, bell and crew dialog
• Battery backup for sounds
• Powerful maintenance free motor
• Operating headlights
• Operating couplers
• Metal frame and handrails
• Die-cast metal trucks
• Traction tires
• Interior illumination

Freight car features include:

• Die-cast metal sprung trucks on hopper and boxcar
• Die-cast metal trucks on aquarium car and caboose
• Operating couplers
• Metal frame and opening doors on boxcar
• Stamped metal ends on hopper
• Removable molded coal load on hopper
• Interior lighting in aquarium car and caboose
• Motorized interior belt makes lobster decoration appear to swim inside aquarium car

The set will run on O-31 curves and retails for $499.99.  Your Lionel dealer is the only place you can pick up this and the five other dealer exclusive sets featured in the 2014 Signature Catalog. See yours to place your order today!

New Product Spotlight – Victorian Christmas LionChief Set

How about a little Christmas in July? Lionel’s complete new 2014 Christmas Catalog is available for viewing on our website. Here’s a look at one of our new sets to get you thinking about this year’s Christmas train display!

Using our Hall Class 4-6-0, this new set brings all the charm of an English Victorian Christmas home. (For more background on the actual locomotives, see this earlier blog on our new Albert Hall set!) This train will be a natural complement to many of the Christmas village collectables as part of a larger display.

The set includes a LionChief-controlled “Saint Nicholas” Hall Class 4-6-0 and tender, two coaches, a combination car, wall-pack power supply, remote control, and a 40 x 60 inch oval of FasTrack with eight O-36 curves, three 10 inch straight and one plug-in terminal track. Adding to the fun, the train plays British Christmas music in addition to its train sounds!

6-81280 The Victorian Christmas set includes a locomotive, tender and three matching passenger cars.

This new Lionel set captures the graceful lines of these beautiful trains beset with all the warmth and charm of Christmas’ past. Controlled by the LionChief Remote, the new train is easy to control and comes with many great features:

• Electric locomotive controlled by remote
  

  The LionChief Remote puts all of the controls in the palm of your hand.

• Operating headlight
• Puffing smoke with ON/OFF switch
• RailSounds RC with steam chuffing and background sounds, whistle, bell and user-activated announcements
• ON/OFF switch for steam chuff and background sounds (all other sounds are only activated by pressing the buttons)
• Operating coupler on rear of tender
• Maintenance-free motor
• Cab window “glass”
• Die-cast metal locomotive body and tender frame
• Two traction tires
• Separately applied details including buffers, coupler air lines, brake stands, marker lamps and valve gear

The user-friendly LionChief remote features a single forward/reverse/speed control knob and three separate buttons for the whistle, bell and announcements. The sounds for this set will have a distinctly British flair, from the shrill whistle to the Christmas music selection. The remote requires three AAA batteries, not included.

Retail for the set is $399.99. See you local Lionel dealer to order one today!

New Product Spotlight – CP Rail Grain Train Set

Now the excitement of those long and colorful unit trains of Canadian grain can be brought to layouts of any size with this new Ready-to-Run set. Based on some of the many popular paint schemes of the Canadian cylindrical covered hoppers and powered by a locomotive in the attractive “Dual Flags” scheme of CP Rail, this set is ready for the wheat rush.

6-30210 CP Rail Grain Train Set is ready for the harvest.

Beginning in 1972, the Canadian government began financing the construction of several thousand covered hoppers for agricultural service. These would finally bring an end to the days of loading grain in 4o foot boxcars. Most of the cars were financed by the national government and wore a variety of colorful schemes. They were leased to Canadian Pacific and Canadian National with CPWX or CNWX reporting marks on the cars.

The colorful cars can still be seen today all over North America.

Several provincial governments also supplied  cars to the pool. The bright blue Alberta cars featured unique names of towns and counties. Saskatchewan has recently added new cars in one of the most colorful schemes yet. In addition to all of these, the major Canadian railroads ordered their own cars. All together, these cars operated out of a general pool so they would be available wherever and whenever needed.

Much of the grain carried in these cars was destined for ports and shipment overseas. As CP and CN expanded their networks in the 1990s with the purchase of some strategic American railroads the sight of the Canadian covered hoppers and locomotives south of the border became even more common.

Now you can handle this lucrative traffic on your railroad with the new CP Rail Grain Train. This complete set includes a CW-80 transformer, 60″ x 40″ oval of FasTrack, U36B locomotive, three covered hoppers and a caboose. The locomotive features:

• Transformer Controlled Forward / Neutral / Reverse
• RailSounds RTR including diesel engine revving, horn, bell and operator-activated crew dialog
• Dual Motors
• Traction Tires
• Metal Frame
• Operating Headlight
• Illuminated Cab Interior
• Dual Operating Couplers
• Engineer and conductor figures

The covered hoppers feature operating couplers, and sprung die-cast metal trucks. The caboose features a metal frame, ladders, smokestack and trucks plus interior illumination. All of the cars and locomotive will negotiate an O-27 curve. See your dealer or http://www.Lionelstore.com to order your set today. Retail price for the set is $389.99.

New Product Spotlight – Christmas Freight Cars

This year we’ve added many new Christmas-themed freight cars to our catalog to help brighten your layout. Whatever your model interest, we’ve got something to help trim your trains!

Postwar Inspired

6-27946 Christmas Savings Boxcar

For those who still thrill at the memories of Christmas’ past we have four new cars inspired by some of our classic Postwar trains.

The 6050-25 Christmas Savings Club boxcar features AAR-style die-cast trucks and a coin slot in the roof (so you can start saving for more trains!) It retails for $54.99.

6-27948 Great Northern Christmas Boxcar

Our 6464-25 Great Northern Christmas boxcar has operating doors and bar-end style die-cast trucks. It has a metal frame and retails for $59.99. All of our Postwar Inspired and other Christmas cars seen here have operating couplers.

6-27947 Reindeer Transport Car

The 6473-25 Reindeer Transport Car is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages. The reindeer heads bob in and out of the side windows as the stock car rolls along the track. Retail price: $59.99

6-27949 Christmas PRR Merchandise Car

For even more action, the Merchandise Car returns with the 3854-25 PRR Christmas Merchandise Car. With the press of a button, the doors of the green car open automatically as presents are dispensed from the car. The car includes six colorful packages and retails for $74.99.

Traditional Freight Cars

6-26489 Hershey’s Christmas Bells Boxcar

These festive cars will all fit in with any traditional layout. Many are will complement our existing licensed train sets as well.

It’s just not Christmas without chocolate! Add to your Hershey’s trains with the Hershey’s Christmas Bells Boxcar. The car features die-cast sprung trucks, metal frame and opening doors. Retail: $64.99

6-29698 Tree Topper Transport

Top things off with our Tree Topper Transport bulkhead flatcar. The red and green car comes loaded with three large gold stars which are removable. This car also has sprung die-cast trucks and retails for $79.99.

6-26481 BSA Christmas Gondola

We salute the Boy Scouts’ spirit of giving with the BSA Christmas Gondola. A perfect addition to your Christmas trains or your BSA set, this gondola comes loaded with crates and decorated for the Scouting for Food and Clothing drive. Car features die-cast trucks and retails for $64.99.

6-25977 Leg Lamp Mint Car

The Leg Lamp – need we say more? It has become a holiday icon of “major” proportions and now its warm glow can draw neighbors from all around to your layout. The Christmas Story “Leg Lamp” Mint Car features a look into the windows in that timeless movie scene. The lighted car features die-cast trucks, metal frame and a lighted interior. Retail price is $79.99. Don’t worry, it’s not nearly as “Fra-Gee-Lay” as the original!

6-29792 Angela Trotta Thomas Toyland Express Boxcar

From the living room window to the storefront display… This year’s Angela Trotta Thomas boxcar features “Toyland Express.” Angela’s painting captures all of the warmth and excitement of those classic Lionel train displays. The boxcar features sprung die-cast trucks, metal frame and opening doors. Retail price: $64.99

6-25960 Christmas Tree Transparent Boxcar

Railroads were at one time a leading shipper of Christmas trees every December. Now you can add these movements to your railroad with the North Pole Central Christmas Tree Transparent Boxcar. The car has see-through sides and opening doors along with die-cast trucks. Retail price: $74.99.

6-29697 Santa’s Submarine Flatcar

From the starry skies to the deep blue oceans, Santa has to get around! We’d love to see what stories you’ll come up with to go along with the new Santa’s Submarine Flatcar. No doubt this car will be a treat for kids of all ages with its removable sub. The car retails for $69.99.

6-29699 Silver and Gold Mint Car

The new Silver and Gold Mint Car comes decorated in Christmas decor and loaded with bars of silver and gold bullion. This classic car will look great in any Christmas consist. With die-cast sprung trucks and a metal frame it retails for $69.99.

6-39364 2013 Christmas Boxcar

And of course we couldn’t leave 2013 behind without our annual commemorative boxcar. This year’s car features a silver background, green sides and ends and a red door with graphics of a classic toy train rushing through the snow. The car features sprung metal trucks, metal frame and opening doors and retails for $59.99.

See your dealer or visit http://www.lionelstore.com to add to your Christmas collection today. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from Lionel Trains!

New Product Spotlight – LEGACY Dash 9 Locomotives

Following on the heals of the Dash-8 line which helped General Electric grab the Number 1 spot in locomotive production, GE’s Dash 9 became the face of North American railroads from the 1990s to today. Found on railroads in every corner of the continent, no modern-era layout should be without at least one of these locomotives.

Prototype Background

6-39565 Santa Fe

The first Dash 9 rolled out of Erie, Pennsylvania in 1993. The Dash-9 was also micro-processor controlled like the Dash-8. They also include split-cooled radiators (a feature found on some late-production Dash 8’s as well) and the 7-FDL diesel engine.

While there have been several locomotives in the “Dash 9” line, by far the most common is the C44-9W. These six-axle, comfort-cab equipped locomotives generate 4,400 horsepower. Norfolk Southern’s fleet of C40-9Ws have 400 less horsepower but are identical on the exterior. There are some variations in headlight arrangements and other small details between railroads, but overall the locomotives are strikingly similar.

6-39586 Norfolk Southern

Not since EMD’s SD40-2 has a single locomotive so completely dominated the motive power landscape. The C44-9W can be found in all types of railroad freight service, from unit coal trains to priority intermodal runs.

Other than locomotives too badly damaged in wrecks to be rebuilt, all of the Dash 9s built remain in service today. Some have changed hands due to mergers. The end of production came with the introduction of GE’s new Evolution Series of locomotives which bring added EPA Tier 2 compliance to the line.

Lionel’s Models

6-39568 BC Rail

Lionel is happy to bring this modern powerhouse to your railroad in roadnames to fit any interest.

All of the models feature:

• LEGACY Control – also capable of running on TMCC or Conventional
• Odyssey II Speed Control
  

  6-39574 Chicago & North Western

• LEGACY RailSounds including
  • CrewTalk and TowerCom dialog
  • 6 Railroad speeds
  • 8 Diesel RPM levels
  • LEGACY Quilling horn
  • Single hit or continuous mechanical bell
  • Sequence control provides sounds and dialog for an entire trip around your layout
  • Current speed and fuel dialog and refueling sounds
• ElectroCouplers on front and rear
  

  6-39571 BNSF

• Dual motors with flywheels
• Refined Transformer Control with lower starting speeds
• Traction Tires
• Fan-driven smoke unit with adjustable output
• Directional lighting including LED headlights
  

  6-39583 CSX

• Working Marker Lights
• Illuminated number boards
• Lighted and detailed cab interior with figures
• Operating Ditch Lights
• Metal frame
• Die-cast metal trucks, fuel tank and pilots
• O-36 minimum curve

6-39859 Canadian National

Two LEGACY powered and one non-powered locomotive are available for each roadname allowing you to recreate a hefty 3-unit consist. These locomotives also frequently wandered from one railroad to another, so mixing some of your favorites will look perfectly prototypical.

6-39580 Union Pacific

Non-Powered locomotives feature:

• Die-cast metal trucks, pilot and fuel tank
• Select separately applied details
• Magnetic couplers

6-39577 Southern Pacific

Powered locomotives retail for $529.99, non-powered for $259.99. All locomotives will negotiate O-36 curves. Whether they’re on the point of doublestacks, autoracks, mixed freight or a coal train, these common workhorses are a must for your modern layout. See you dealer to pick up yours today.

New Product Spotlight – Zephyrs

As the nation struggled to climb out of the Great Depression, thousands gathered along the tracks from the Midwest to the East Coast to see a brilliant silver flash of the future. More than just a train, the Pioneer Zephyr promised a brighter future and exciting changes to come.

The Pioneer Zephyr

The Pioneer Zephyr was a train ahead of its time.

Officially introduced at the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broad Street Station in Philadelphia (also the Budd Company’s home town) on April 18, 1934, the Zephyr began a long introduction to the world before entering regular service on the Burlington. The introduction was advertising not only for the CB&Q but for Budd as well, hoping to sell the new technology and service to railroads and passengers around the country.

On August 24, the Burlington arranged a special showing for the Zephyr. It would race from Denver to Chicago at record pace. Carrying dignitaries, employees and the train’s mascot burro “Zeph,” the train left Denver at 7:04 in the morning. The “Dawn to Dusk Dash” ended in Chicago just 13 hours and 5 minutes later at 8:09 PM. Achieving a top speed of 112 mph and averaging 77 mph, the train arrived nearly two hours earlier than expected.

This run of the “Silver Streak” made national headlines and even prompted a movie about its amazing journey. But the tour didn’t end in Chicago. The Zephyr would go on to visit the Century of Progress Fair in Chicago and then 222 cities in 31 states.

As the Zephyr’s fame and success grew, it became part of the popular culture.

The train finally entered regular service on the Burlington between Kansas City, Missouri and Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska in November of 1934. With seating capacity of only 72 people plus baggage and mail space, the railroad would at times add a fourth car to the consist.

Aside from its limited capacity and a serious head-on collision in 1939, the train performed better than expectations. It was renamed the “Pioneer Zephyr” in 1936 as the Burlington bought additional train sets and added many “conventional” trains with the Zephyr name.

The landmark train reached its first million miles of service with its first five years. It stayed on the roster until 1960 when it was donated to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry where it remains a major exhibit today.

Lionel’s Zephyr

Now you can add this momentous train to your layout. Lionel’s latest release of this historic streamliner comes complete with LEGACY control and sound and all of the features you’ve come to expect.

• LEGACY Control – also capable of running on TMCC or Conventional
• Odyssey II Speed Control
  

  The Lionel Lines Zephyr wears a color scheme reminiscent of the New Haven’s similar “Comet” train.

• LEGACY RailSounds including
  • CrewTalk and TowerCom dialog
  • 6 Railroad speeds
  • 8 Diesel RPM levels
  • LEGACY Quilling horn
  • Single hit or continuous mechanical bell
  • Sequence control provides sounds and dialog for an entire trip around your layout
  • Current speed and fuel dialog and refueling sounds
• Realistic Articulation between cars
• Dual motors with flywheels
• Refined Transformer Control with lower starting speeds
• Traction Tires (4)
  

  The “West Wind” meets the North Pole in this Christmas version.

• Fan-driven smoke unit with adjustable output – smoke emits from all four stacks
• Working headlight on locomotive and tail light on observation car
• Working Marker Lights on locomotive and observation car
• Lighted and detailed cab and car interiors with crew and passenger figures
• Metal frames
• Die-cast metal bodies, trucks and vestibules
• O-54 minimum curve

In addition to the Burlington Pioneer and Mark Twain Zephyr, we are also offering the train in some very non-conventional but seriously cool color schemes. The “Lionel Lines” and North Pole Central “Christmas Zephyr” are sure to be a hit on many layouts. Each 3-car set is priced at $1099.99. See your dealers to order, these trains are expected to arrive this fall. Don’t miss this historic train as it blows by!

New Product Spotlight – Neil Young Signature Line

When tradition meets modern, it’s sweet music with the new Neil Young Signature Line from Lionel. The famous musician has partnered with our Lionel engineers to create many memorable products and this new line of trains will be a fitting addition to that tradition.

Combining the classic look of our F3 and streamlined passenger cars with today’s LEGACY control and sound and upgraded details, these new trains take the best of both for maximum fun and value. Whether you’re a collector or just want to run cool trains, these will fit the bill.

Texas Special

The Neil Young Signature Texas Special combines the fun and excitement of this classic train with today’s finer details and operation.

The Texas Special won the hearts of passengers and Lionel fans alike in the 1950s. Operated by the Missouri Kansas and Texas (the Katy) and the St. Louis San Francisco (Frisco), the red and silver streamliner left a lasting impression on all who saw her.

This signature series is pulled by a pair of our classic postwar F3 diesels (One powered, one non-powered A units) and includes a combine, coach, Vista Dome and observation car. A powered and non-powered F3 B are also available and a baggage and Station Sounds diner expansion pack are on schedule for 2014 release to expand your consist. See pages 90-94 of our 2013 Signature Catalog for more details on the B units and add-on passenger cars.

Pennsylvania F3 Set

The Pennsy’s “Fleet of Modernism” is the perfect match for the spirit of the Neil Young Signature Line.

Working with Raymond Loewy, the Pennsylvania introduced its new “Fleet of Modernism” passenger trains in 1938. The new streamlined cars featured the most elaborate decoration applied to the Pennsy’s passenger cars since the days of the “Yellow Kid” Pennsylvania Special.

Like our Texas Special set, a pair of postwar F3s lead this train which includes a baggage, combine, coach and observation car featuring a blunt end. Powered and non-powered F3 B units are also available and a coach / Station Sounds diner add-on pack will come in 2014.

The diesels in both sets include many new features not normally associated with our postwar models. Most noticeable on the carbody will be add-on details like lift rings and boiler stack details and Trainphone antennae on the PRR locomotives. The extra features continue inside the shell:

• LEGACY Control – also capable of running on TMCC or Conventional
  

  Powered and non-powered B units are also available.

• Odyssey II Speed Control
• LEGACY RailSounds including
  • CrewTalk and TowerCom dialog
  • 6 Railroad speeds
  • 8 Diesel RPM levels
  • LEGACY Quilling horn
  • Single hit or continuous mechanical bell
  • Sequence control provides sounds and dialog for an entire trip around your layout
  • Current speed and fuel dialog and refueling sounds
• ElectroCouplers on front and rear
  

  B units also include added lift ring and steam generator details to the roofs.

• Dual motors with flywheels
• Refined Transformer Control with lower starting speeds
• Traction Tires
• Fan-driven smoke unit with adjustable output
• Directional lighting including LED headlights
• Working Marker Lights
• Illuminated number boards
• Lighted and detailed cab interior with figures
• Metal frame
• Die-cast metal trucks, fuel tank and pilots
• O-31 minimum curve

The non-powered A units are also packed with features including:

Pre-production A and B units.

• Die cast metal trucks, pilot and frame with fuel tank
• Fan driven smoke unit with adjustable output in TMCC or LEGACY mode
• LEGACY controlled front Electro Coupler
• Directional lighting with LED headlight
• Working marker lights
• Illuminated number boards
• Illuminated cab interior
• LEGACY control for lights

Back after a long hiatus, these sets include our 15″ aluminum passenger cars.  The cars feature

Expansion packs will be available for each train in 2014.

• Sprung die-cast metal trucks
• Metal frame and aluminum carbody
• Operating couplers with hidden uncoupling tabs
• Separately applied metal details including roof vents and grab irons
• Removable roofs
• Vestibules with operating diaphragms and opening doors
• Detailed interiors with painted figures
  

  Each expansion pack includes a Station Sounds diner.

• Interior lighting with on/off switch
• Lighted tail sign on observation cars

The Texas Special and Pennsylvania sets retail for $1109.99. Add on B units are $379.99 powered and $229.99 non-powered. Add on passenger car 2-packs will be $399.99. See your dealers today to get in on these unique trains which are sure to be fun collectibles for years to come.