We appreciate your candor and a well done sharing. Quality control for such very expensive, high markup hobby items should be priority one for lionel. These are often small but important problems-- missing, misassembled, or broken parts that should be resolved with patience, resolved quickly with priority by lionel. We value your input gary j

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Agreed, thank you Gary. I’m a very patient person, but have my limits. I think anyone that had their issues go unresolved, with so many of them compounding, would finally throw in the towel no matter how much they used to advocate for, and love Lionel products. Too many disappointments.

All I have to say is thank you for putting this video out. I bet there are many including myself that have experienced issues maybe not to your extent but we all should not have to. Again thank you for being a voice to Lionel.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Dennis, I appreciate the comment. Agreed, as I mentioned, whether you buy one item or several over, it should be a consistent experience with better quality items and less frustration getting issues resolved. 👍

I absolutely agree. Now add that MTH is no longer a big competitor I suspect Lionel's quality and quality control will dip even lower. Always sorry to hear about people's bad experiences with Lionel, there's too many stories and the numbers growing. TX for sharing.👍

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the comment, agreed, that is a big concern, lack of options and competition is never a good thing. People have really been talking about their issues from Lionel and thanking me. I thought I just had really bad luck, but it looks like a lot of people have had similar experiences.

Mike, your understanding of the recent Lionel train issues is greatly appreciated. I am afraid Lionel will lose much of their customer base.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

11 ай бұрын

Thank you, with a little more effort and better customer support and quality control measures, they could be a good company to deal with. Expensive products with poor quality and support is a going out of business plan for sure. 👍

You pretty much summed up everything I’ve been experiencing…I have a 6 year old son that loves his Lionel trains and he has no idea the frustration I go through trying to keep these things running behind the scenes. Just like you, I have Visionline, Legacy, LionChief and they all have had at one point or another massive tear apart time consuming fix issues pretty much from the day I opened them. I stopped sending stuff back because waiting months multiple times made it just not worth the hassle. Now I’m do all the repairs myself..ugh!..Lionel Customer service has been continually rude with me as if they were on a mission to find out WHAT I DID so I’d have to pay for warranty work…From non operating electro couplers, loose/missing screws, gear issues, light issues, sound issues, paint issues, board issues and of course the absolute junk smoke units..Then trying to get parts has now become a nightmare!..I still love them when they run, but man has it been frustrating!..Great video

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story and checking out the channel. Sorry to hear you’ve had a similar experience to me. I hear about experiences like ours more and more. Maybe they will eventually get things figured out around quality control and quit passing the blame onto their customers at some point, and show some appreciation. Hopefully your son always has some favorites to run to keep him happy and interested in the hobby versus being disappointed when favorites don’t work. Have a happy Thanksgiving, and have fun running some trains! Mike

"We don't do anything on locomotives when they're damaged in shipping." Given Mike's report of inadequate packing when items are returned from Lionel, that in itself is a deal-breaker.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

That one was so tough to take, especially when I repack them the exact same way they were packed at the factory to send them in for service and get them back with the locomotives just placed in the styrofoam without any of the plastic wrapped around them or the rubber or foam pieces put back in place to keep them from moving back and forth and secure the trucks from scratching the tender and cylinders. Yet the packing materials are returned wadded up in an open compartment of the styrofoam instead of taking the time to pack them back up correctly. Some damage could have been avoided for sure.

Long time subscriber, I wish you the best and am looking forward to all your up coming videos and what ever direction you take your train hobby in.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate it! Was working on my layout tonight. New video, more upbeat, coming soon!

Mike, That is a shame you've encountered so many problems. It is a new year and sounds like you have a plan. Good luck and I hope the year is a good one for you and Christian with the trains and layout.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Henry!

I’m so sorry you’ve had all these problems. I’ve only had a couple issues from Lionel products (both most likely due to shipping). The plow on my Cab Forward was a little bent and loose in the the box when I received it and one side of a caboose’s truck was broken. I don’t blame you for stopping to buy their newer products. Videos like these are hopefully seen by Lionel so that they can focus their attention to aspects such as customer service or overall quality control. That Cobra will be nice, enjoy!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

I’m happy to hear you haven’t had too many issues. I was on a good luck streak in 2017 and 2018, only a couple minor things like that, not really deal breakers but annoying or disappointing I should say, since we are excited to get new stuff and it’s damaged. Now the odds of me buying something that doesn’t have a problem seems to be like the odds of winning a lottery. Not good! Lol. Thanks for checking out my video, and yes, I hope enough people express concern and voice their opinion that it forces Lionel to take another look at their business model/plan and make changes on their approach to quality control, service department, and customer service.

Thank you! Finally, someone has posted a video like this! I have had the same type of problems over the last four years. Thank you, Mike. I'm sorry to hear you've had all the same heartache. You are doing the right thing. Are you setting up at the St. Charles show? I'll come by to shake your hand.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Hi! Thank you, yes I will be at the show, see you there!

@christsogaugetrains

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies at at Charles I’ll?

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

St Charles MO

I wouldn't say you were ranting. I think you explained it well. You are not alone and you hit the nail on the head. Poor manufacturing and quality control. Lionel has a packaging problem too. Even simple box cars arrive with broken applied parts like ladders and brake wheels. That's unheard of. Atlas and MTH aren't like that. For what these TOYS cost it should be perfect. Thanks for this video. And one last thing. I don't want to run my trains from my phone or tablet.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment! I hear you for sure on the packaging. Lionel couldn’t understand why I wanted them to replace the rolling stock boxes in my SP Visionline freight set. Somehow, all of the boxes within the set box were smooshed. Like top down, not side to side, and the set box and shipper were fine?!!! They acted like I was crazy, made me send picks of everything, and still did nothing. Not even a sorry. All this was before I figured out the tender paint job was terrible and the locomotive had board issues. That was the first major frustration from them and down hill since! Thanks again!

@ralphmiller8087

3 ай бұрын

Amen!! I don't want to run mine from my phone or tablet either. That phone is in my hands all the time and sometimes I need a break from it. I have Legacy, DCS and DCC, each with their own hand held units and I run conventional as well.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

3 ай бұрын

I agree! 👍

New to the channel - awesome video! I did a video not too long ago on the “new” Vietnamese man. Flat spot box cars. My PC box had an issue with the couplers and they wouldn’t couple to anything but weaver cars. Lionel said they knew about the issue…. Couldn’t believe they’d send something out without QC. The switches also were wired incorrectly haha

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Wow, that is crazy, sorry to hear you experienced that. Maybe they need to send someone over from the US that knows about trains and what the consumer expects, plus how they should be to begin with, to be the quality control person on the pre production before they start to make a run, and inspect during and after production. Seems like any easy enough to fix and process other manufacturers use. Thanks for checking out my video.

Wow Michael, wow… I’m speechless. I’m a little over 30 grand into my set up and just made my first pre-order for the new Big Boy. This leaves me with a lot of trepidation and something to ponder going forward. I definitely don’t have time for the headache you have faced. Going to reconsider big purchases and be content with what I have. Definitely first world problems, and if Lionell continues to manage its customers, as you have experienced, I’m done!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

First world problems for sure! Also just getting started in O about 5 years ago, and so excited about it because of Lionel’s 100+ year legacy, I abandoned N and HO for the most part selling off a lot of my collections to get similar models in O, not I regret it because what I had wasn’t problematic and if it was, it was an economical fix and wasn’t $600 to $2500 to begin with. Talk about deflating and disappointing!

@alfrednawrocki8061

Жыл бұрын

There getting to expensive for a fix income retired guy, and middle income guys.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Agreed!

Thanks, Mike, for the Condor. I am so sorry for the issues encountered and agree with your path forward. A hobby is supposed to bring joy and fun, not what you have encountered. I wish you luck with the other manufacturers look and forward to many more years of O scale content on your channel, even if not new Lionel.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Scott! I appreciate the comment and compliment! I love this hobby, and hope to have many more years of enjoyment from it.

Hey Mike.... The last Lionel train I purchased was the US Navy set from 1994. I've heard much too much about Lionel's products lately. I'm strictly conventional....why pay the price and take any chances. I fully agree with your thoughts. Good for you ! Thank goodness for MTH. Happy New Year...looking forward to your next running session video. Thank You ! p.s. The B&O Royal Blue set behind you is a beauty ! 👍

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Jim! I still have fun running conventional also. One of my friends actually converts his scale steamers to conventional with an e unit if the electronics break, he doesn’t even fool with it. He likes postwar, but likes some of the big modern steam. So doesn’t bother him not having any tmcc or DCS, or sounds. Now I’m understanding why he does that, just smoke, big steamers, and conventional action with no worries, other then when his is going to get time to run his trains again. Lol 👍

Hey Michael, Thanks for sharing this story. I just found your channel and subscribed. I really appreciate the info. your train room looks great! 👍

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your compliment and thank you for subscribing! 👍

@trainwild

Жыл бұрын

Your welcome!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

🙂

Mike, sorry to hear about your Lionel issues. Good luck with the Cobra, I had an ERA back in the day - car was a blast. Backdraft looks like a nice product. Considering a GT40 next. Hope you continue to make content.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yes I will continue to make content! There are key pieces I’m still hunting for and will always buy 3rd Rail, Atlas, and MTH! 👍

Sorry to hear of your customer service (or lack of it) experience. Being in sales myself, it always has been important that one treats the company’s customers with some respect, especially if you are expecting repeat sales! Watching many UTube videos and hearing both compliments and complaints on various companies products, this medium does help get the word out. Because of my self imposed budget for this hobby and gauge, most of my purchases were of the early MTH with original Proto sound. They may lack all those features, but I have to say that they are indestructible when it comes to running on my layout. Hope that you are successful in pairing down your collection. And I’m really sorry you gave up your C7 to get to this experience.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment! I was just running my big Chessie steam turbine, it’s Proto1. With all the new bells and whistles of proto3 and Legacy, I still have great appreciation for how well and smooth proto1 stuff runs, and it’s typically very affordable! I see more of it in my future as well. I like to watch trains run, I have removed all switches from my layout, proto1 is a great option for me also. Thank you for your comment.

Mike, thank you for sharing the issues you have with Lionel. The imperfections on the Lionel items you received and the lack of quality customer service is disappointing. It’s perplexing to hear that Lionel reached out to you and failed to promptly follow up with an appropriate and timely action plan to resolve ALL of your issues. Keep us updated on the resolution of your issues. FYI….. I’ve subscribed to your channel and plan to look at other videos that you’ve posted! Good luck, Mark

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Sounds good, still no call back. It’s been almost 5 weeks. At this point, since I went ahead and picked up all my preorders I’m only looking for answers on a few things. Wire harness issue on the polar express Give back the pieces that were left off of my Northern when they serviced it and some compensation for the scratches and damage caused while being serviced, then the bent cab and cow catcher when packing materials were left out when shipped back, they were in the box fyi, just in different compartments than the locomotive. I wish they would buy that one back since it was 1 or 25. The brake lines and washers missing from my NS FS’s that we have gone back and forth on for the last year. Now I wish I didn’t have to follow through on my preorder F7’s I just picked up because I’m not happy with them. We will see if I ever get anywhere, and the shop I buy my preorders from is trying to get the parts for me as well and no luck so far. Doesn’t look hopeful.

@Tiger-54

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the update.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome!

I think this is a good move. Stop “investing” in things that give you more headaches than runtime. There are other aspects of trains than just stockpiling items that you never unbox. I know I have found a whole new level of interest in just talking with like-minded train junkies and finding out how they “do” the hobby. To me, talking trains is just as fun as collecting and running trains. Looking forward to seeing where you go from here!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Agreed Wes! I’m working on my layout right now! 😉. Thank you!

@fernandosantiagorodrigueze2655

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies yo no lo vendería, nadie tiene en Europa colecciones como esta

I am downsizing my collection as well. I am keeping my postwar and getting rid of modern era stuff. You are also 100 percent right about the pool of buyers, some want everything for 3 cents on the dollar.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Be patient, and there is a buying for everything. Although what just sold for me best at the train show this weekend, was modern, scale, steamers and diesel that are on the rails right now. The postwar remake and less detailed stuff sold, just not nearly as well and had much lower prices than the scale stuff. There is a shift happening for sure. 👍

Mike, great video. I am actually taking a similar approach to the hobby now. Out of the 4 engines I purchased from Lionel in the last two years, 3 of them have issues. The one that put the final nail in the coffin was the Vision Class A. After one loop around the track it came to a jolting hault and the cab light was flickering. Gearbox appears to be locked up. The front step on the boiler is hitting the pilot light, and the rear trailing truck fell out. It’s just not worth the hassle. I’ll stick with getting some used 3rd rail stuff and be happy with that

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear that! That should have been one of the highlights of your collection, or any collection. Tragic for sure, now you will have to deal with the back and forth and packing and unpacking of the locomotive again. Hopefully they fix it right and don’t damage it more in the process. Very disappointing for sure. 😕

@luccislayout9520

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies yep, couldn’t agree with you more. It’s a huge disappointment. One another note, keep us posted on car content. I have been restoring cars since I have been 12 and starting a KZread channel on it soon

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Very cool, let me know when you start your channel! I’ll be your first subscriber! I’ll keep you posted as well. 👍

@johnchambers8528

Ай бұрын

I am sorry to hear how bad quality control has become on newer Lionel trains. I have bought older Lionel trains and they usually still run as good as when they were new. With the high prices and poor quality control and then poor or no customer service after the fact I feel we may see the demise or sale of Lionel trains soon.

Yours is not the first collection of horror Lionel stories that I have heard. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am avoiding the high end of Lionel, and stick mostly to MTH for new product, though I will buy older lionel trains (MPC Era) as I enjoy tinkering with them. Great video!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for checking out the video. My first purchases in O were MTH and older Lionel, l should have stuck with that strategy. I’ve pretty much gone back to that now having sold the majority of my Lionel Legacy locomotives outside of a few favorites that MTH didn’t have available. Tinkering with them is a very fun aspect to this hobby for sure!

I'm so sad to see this go... I hope you keep the layout. I really look up to you and your Layout.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Hi, it’s not all going, as a matter of fact I’m working on the layout tonight! I love this hobby and have so many other ways to buy stuff. I also no longer want to keep stuff I don’t run, I’d rather other people enjoy it than let it sit in boxes unused. Thank you👍🙂

@Crash_ton

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies are you selling it? Had to cut the video off because I had to get ready for bed

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Nope, I’m keeping a lot of it, and working on my layout right now for my next video. Thank you

Thank you for posting this- my TMCC locomotives from 1999-2004 still run better than the Reading T-1 I purchased in 2021. Lionel is not a good thing anymore.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

The fit and finish on them seems to be a lot less flawed as well. I have some from those years also. Thank you for the comment. 👍

My friend, I share your frustration with Lionel. I also purchased locos which fried , smoke unit malfunctions and circuit board meltdown. Can't find any local hobby distributor who wants to deal with Lionel products. They all tell me to talk to Lionel. Sad that it was us enthusiast for Lionel who helped bring the hobby back in the 80's and 90's beyond. Today, the "Big" rollers of Lionel have forgotten about us little people who helped Lionel come back.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

That is sad to hear, our local shops here in town say the same thing, and order little to no Lionel for the most part, unless you ask them to preorder something or try to find an item for you at a distributor. Ho, N, Scale, slot cars, and RC cars are now filling up the shelves that used to be O Scale. Lionel is biting several of the different hands that feed them. The path they chose has been very sad to see and experience. Thank you

Wow you just saved me a lot of grief. I was planning on buying a Lionel train dor Christmas.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

9 ай бұрын

Ohh man, sorry to hear that. Christmas trains are a lot of fun. Understandable though. New Polar Express set we got had an issue right out of the box, if I hadn’t figured out what was wrong we couldn’t have run it, it came in on Christmas Eve for a run that night.

I feel your pain Mike, i have some issues as well with recent items. Made my blood boil when the guy said there just toys. With that said i back you on this and understand.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Zaine! Nice to hear from you! I’m sorry you are having some difficulty also. You cannot believe how frustrated I am, I feel your pain for sure. I’ve been working on my layout and running trains all night so I’m in the zone right now, even considering picking up my class A tomorrow during lunch…I’m an addict for sure. You don’t know how hard it is not to pick up my new stuff! I’ll never quit this scale or hobby, I love it too much and I would never allow Lionel to ruin that for z Christian and I. Take care! 👍

@ralphmiller8087

3 ай бұрын

That would have made me fume as well. A $2K locomotive with high levels of detailing is NOT a toy, it's a model representation of something real. I like my 3rd Rail models over Lionel anymore.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

3 ай бұрын

@ralphmiller8087 I discovered 3rd rail a couple years ago and have been very happy with their products, both new and used since. They are the best looking models for sure and the ones equipped with TMCC and cruise run just fine for me. 👍🙂

You can't beat the quality of the 20th century post war Lionel products. Anyone who is handy can repair and service them. Parts are still available even if they are reproductions. I have Lionel and Marx trains and accessories. A close friend is a toy train dealer and he has told me of the horror stories of the current production line. I notice that most of the outrageously priced Lionel products are manufactured In China so I wouldn't purchase them even if I could afford them. I'm glad that you presented this expose.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Gary, I have my fair share of postwar for sure, fun, low maintenance and overall durable. We need a good option for the more prototypical stuff in O Scale as well, I like the best of both worlds for sure. Thanks for the comment and sharing, lots of horror stories from our local dealers and several of my friends as well.

@njlauren

2 ай бұрын

Post war basically used the same components for many decades. The modern stuff is so bad bc it is high tech q crap build quality. They are difficult to repair, most repair shops can't fix them, and there are no repair parts. Once the engine sells out , that is it, and on to the next 4k engine

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

2 ай бұрын

@njlauren tough lesson to learn for sure.

I always wanted a big boy for my modest layout. I got the lionmaster big boy a couple of years ago. When little parts fell out of the box of a brand new engine I knew I was done buying anything with a motor. I have devoted my hobby time to scenery and tightening up electrical work and I am so much happier for it.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Wow, I can imagine how disappointing that must have been. To get a Bigboy and have issues right out of the box, I say that because it’s one of my favorite locomotives and took me some time to work up the nerve to spend that much money on one at the time. I am definitely shifting to more scenery and working on my train room right now as well. I made it through the last train show only buying 3 signs, two MTH Premier cars, and a HO Milwaukee Road F7 A-B set I had been watching the last four local shows the seller was at and he finally made me an offer I couldn’t refuse! Thank you for your comment. 👍

@stevenplyler6306

11 ай бұрын

I used to be an operator but now I only want to purchase trains to both collect and display !

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

11 ай бұрын

Got ya, that’s a fun part of the hobby also. 👍

I haven’t bought any of Lionel’s steam engines. All of my engines are modern diesels. But I appreciate the information about the quality control. I’ve only had one issue with damage from packing. The front hose were broken completely off. They replace the front. Got it back in four weeks. I was planning on purchasing the new Big Boy in the next catalog. But now I might look elsewhere. That’s a lot of money with spotty quality control and service. Your not the first person to make that decision. It happening to often. Thanks for your info.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I’ve only had the issue with my F7 diesels so far that I mentioned in the video, I also had a LegacyUP Diesel that wouldn’t program, and a Trainmaster that the smoke unit fan would run but no heat right out of the box. Both in the past 2 years.

Well, this is what happens when you have a SHELL of a company that use to be back in the days, a real AMERICAN toy company, now you have individuals who didn't have the the company at heart and sold it's soul to China, quality suffers, parts catch on fire, and when you do the right thing you are treated like a sucker.their new product line looks like a joke. Like the lady at Lionel told me WE ARE NOT LIKE THE OLD LIONEL!!! 😳 And said to myself BABY YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

8 ай бұрын

You’re absolutely right, so many fans are trying to hold onto and support them is a way based on “what Lionel was” and ignore “what Lionel is” now. I was one for sure but learned fast.

@user-lw9pj7yz1l

7 ай бұрын

Most kids don't play with trains anymore, it's like rock n roll only the old groups still make music. Nothing lasts forever, only your dreams carry on

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

7 ай бұрын

@user-lw9pj7yz1l for sure.

@daivdwalker2374

7 ай бұрын

Yeah and now Lionel is playing damage control and has moved into Vietnam 🇻🇳 instead of America how sad is that.....they must think Vietnam is going 2 do a better job than China making their products I think they need 2 well not need to.... they must bring production back 2 America and bring back thousands of jobs with multiple manufacturer plants here on American Soil What happened to Loyalty to our own country former Ceo's and founder of Lionel is spinning fast in his grave furious of what Lionel is doing making cheap products over seas instead of making it in America

@daivdwalker2374

7 ай бұрын

My old MPC engine that I got in 1979 old KLine engine is still running....How great is that.... I Garrantee no Modern Lionel engine will ever last that long without having 2 send it off all the time getting fixed my KLine I never had to have it fixed except servicing it which I do it myself

I feel your pain with Lionel I orderd replacement parts for a I12 caboose and they sent me used parts that were obviously taken off and assembled caboose , cut wiring on switches and power boards and detail pieces that had scratched paint.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

10 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear that, frustrating for sure.

Thanks for the info!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome!

Thank you for the video, I was just about to order a Legacy Big Boy. He is only 2 but I was going to store it away for him.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

11 ай бұрын

You’re welcome! That’s a cool locomotive, just make sure to test run it before you store it away to make sure it’s a good one while under warranty. I’d run it for at least 30 minutes and let it sit stopped idle for a while. I’ve seen a lot of posts where the locomotives work initially and issues happen within the first few initial runs.

So glad to here you’re not getting out of trains. 🙂

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 🙂

Hi Mike. There are some nice shelves behind you in this video. Where did you get those?

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, those are from Ikea. Very affordable and sturdy. 👍

Hey Mike great post I’m just seeing it a little late, you trains look great! Did you sale the Illinois Central Es in this video?

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

6 ай бұрын

Hello Keith, thank you for checking out the video. Yes, those sold already.

Thank you for this video, I totally agree re. Lionel. I started Lionel beginning of this year and encounter permanently quality issues : 1) flawed paint of the Locomotive of "Lionel The Polar Express freight train" which I returned. 2) Then ordered the "Lionel Polar Express" with the 2-8-4 Locomotive. Result : Yellow whistle was bent due to sloppy packing. smoke fluid in the box was leaking. 3) Lastly when I unboxed the so-called Lionel "Deluxe" 50 Piece O Gauge Model Train Track set today I had to find out that 50 pieces 6 - i.e. more than 10% - are missing.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

4 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for checking out the channel. Sorry to hear you had bad experiences, and so many in a short time as well. I’ve never experienced anything remotely like the quality control issues from Lionel from any other purchases I’ve made in my life. Whether it’s hobby related or anything else. A lot of people still swear by Lionel though. When it works or doesn’t have a cosmetic issue or flaw, it is pretty neat.

I agree. Lionel is not going to be a wise path to follow with O scale trains. There are alternatives in O scale. It is unfortunate, because if they were a reliable organization with a quality product I would be a continuing customer.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Agreed, Lionel was a favorite, but they can only burn someone so many times before they chase them off. Great potential, bad overall execution as a company. Sad for sure. Thanks for the comment! 👍

Have you had any problems with the Lionel Legacy B&O EM-1? I have one and haven’t had any issues with it.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Nope, other than the smoke unit motor has a really loud, annoying, high pitched, squeak or squeal to it. I’ve only run it twice for a short time, it’s been in a display cabinet ever since. Figured I’d move it out onto a shelf on one of my walls for a while with some of my other B&O line up. It’s finish was also flawless, which I was very happy about!

Hey Mike, do you have the Lionel Pioneer Seed specialty train set from 2001? It was made expressly for employees of the Pioneer Feed Company, limited to 1200 sets. Looking for a sealed set.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, no, I don’t have that one. Thanks for asking though.

Good to see some one wise up !

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Thxs for the info!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the comment, you’re welcome.

Glad you have made this video. Everyone needs to know what they are doing!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

7 ай бұрын

Thank you

I sure understand. I took years off from buying Lionel and just recently started buying again. I used to buy nothing but Lionel but the QC has gotten so bad. I will say I had a positive experience with lionel customer service recently. Received my 2-10-4 Texas with a marker light missing a lens. Sent an email and they sent a new one out within a couple days. I absolutely dread having to send anything in though, I've received plenty back worse than when I sent them in. My only remedy I've found is buying from a large dealer that will take back the stuff that comes broken. I've become a big buyer of 3rd Rail and Golden Gate Depot. The stuff is better detailed and Scott Mann actually replies to emails. Used to love Lionel with Mike Reagan running things, I would send an email and he would get it taken care of. They really messed up losing him.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Wow, that is fast, I’ve just been trying to get two magnets, I wire harness, two little washers, and brake lines….not much to ask for, and what the locomotives should have already come with. Trainworld did get the Tender replaced for me on my Visionline Freight set, they have been the most eager big dealer to help. I had one with a really bad paint job, and the plastic stuck to the paint so was put in box wet or something. I’ve bought a lot of stuff I didn’t preorder from them and never had an issue with Trainworld.

@BledsoeTrainsRC

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies I can't believe they never got back with you. Seems so simple (and is) to just ship some parts out. Really unfortunate. I was upset with Lionel for two reasons, one was the stuff was broken, and the other was I really wanted to buy from Lionel but they made it clear for quite a while they didn't want my business even after spending probably 6 figures over the years. I ended up fixing a lot of things myself. The NW2's from a few years ago that came with the trucks/driveshaft disconnected were the first real dive I did. Ended up doing a write up on OGR on how to fix them.I still have some Legacy F3's that came with electro couplers detached and a set of the old CSX F40's that do nothing but make a loud clicking sound when running. Sent them in and Lionel sent them back saying they were fine. Absolute bs. Can't think of many other things I pay thousands for that if they come broken don't get fixed. I hold my tongue a lot when its comes to some other youtubers that seem to think Lionel can do no wrong and almost seem to shill for them a bit, but I guess they always get taken care of. Like you I got to the point it was causing me more stress than anything and threw in the towel for 4 or 5 years. Nicholas Smith trains has been my go to for along time. Only reason I haven't been using train world as well is they charge tax for out of state stuff and on a 2k engine thats still a chunk.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Wow! I have the Santa Fe NW2, it was one of my first Legacy Diesels I bought brand new. I can tell my rear truck is about to fall off, it works fun but that truck is hanging way down. I need to find your video. Agreed, so many act like they never have issues, impossible! When your channel is monetized and your depending on reviewing trains or visiting a Lionel factory for income, I guess you have to drink the Lionel Koolaide and bite your tongue. Not this guy! Lol. Sorry you’ve had so many issues as well. I had no idea it was going to be an ongoing issue after so many complaints from other people on their NW2’s, broken legacy steamers, parts falling off 21” cars, diesels with wrong paint schemes, Visionline challengers with the wrong chuff programmed into them, Verandas with trucks not screwed on, the list goes on and on and on now. 😏

@BledsoeTrainsRC

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies That screw for the truck is inside the shell going down so the shell has to be removed. Not a big deal but you'll have to pop the rear handrails out which is kinda scary. One of those things that really boiled down to the factory didn't tighten any of the screws. Silly stuff.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Silly for sure, they didn’t tighten a front pilot screw all the way on one of mine and I didn’t realize that before putting it on the track, and you should have seen the sparks flying and the smoke pouring out of it as it burned up during the first have loop of track. All because of a front pilot screw not being installed all the way….quality control.

I don't have the means to buy anything really expensive, but I've had problems with about 1/3 of the new Lionel products I've purchased in the last two years. I find it funny that several KZread reviewers say "that's part of the hobby", "they have a long way to travel", "gives me something to do on a rainy day"- or similar. If you're paying $1500 or more for an engine it should be perfect, and last quite a while.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Agreed! I would rather they send me everything as a kit and let me put it together myself and provide replacement parts than have stuff not work out of the box and be missing parts or have cosmetic flaws. Some people’s standard of what’s acceptable are really compromised if they deem what Lionel is producing and selling these days is just part of the hobby.

@manderschannel2275

Жыл бұрын

Well said. If i were to collect Lionel again, I would get some postwar and Richard Kughn era. Today it’s either HO or N for model railroading for me. I have a had a few mth items and I was fascinated by the detail, I wanted an engine but Mth had a reputation for customer service when the engines crapped out

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

I started in HO as a kid, then my first house I bought was small so I switched to N, had N for the next 20 years. Then in 2017 started buying O, sold off 75% of my N, regrettably. Then with all the issues with new Lionel and their customer service the past two years, it really made me to decide to start buying more HO and N again, and some Z, S, and G. Mostly N and HO though, I’ll always have those scales because that’s what I grew up loving! 🙂

@davidschaadt3460

Жыл бұрын

True,I've been staying away from the high dollar new stuff.

Sorry to hear, Mike. Have to imagine you're one of their top customers. Since you didn't mention it, I also wonder how helpful your local dealers were in advocating for you Note, I've been collection LGB since 1984 - never had one issue in hundreds of pieces (granted most is German though the newer asian mfg items have been good as well. Love to see some Cobra content from you! Why backdraft vs ERA vs Unique etc.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

11 ай бұрын

Thank you, I’m still researching the Cobra stuff, like everything else that market has inflated prices right now as well. LGB and Marklin, both appear to have Berger initial quality construction and quality control. I’m not sure on LGB as far as ease of repair if they do have an issue, but Marklin is simple with readily available parts. Lionel might take a look at what both those companies keys to success are and replicate.

I was at a train show this weekend. And a lot of people had stated, that they too have seen this happening with there new buys. Some even stated that support is very bad from Lionel. Maybe they will drop the pricing on there product line to match the new quality of the product, or lack of. Even the ready run sets are not at there best.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment! Absolutely, I agree they need to align their prices with their quality. I have trouble with starter sets, which are still $400 dollars, and Visionline which is supposed to be their best offerings, and get the equally poor offers for resolution and support. If they are going to treat them like throw away or insignificant purchases, they need to price them that way for sure like other companies out there that are China made and not supported if there is an issue, more of a throw away item. Not good for our environment and land fills though! Would be nice to get them to produce great quality, low defect rate, products for sure as the best all around solution.

Ashame I’m learning of this. My grandfather had a Lionel set from the 50’s that lasted for a while but sadly all we have left is the engine portion. Made it a goal to buy a set when I was old enough to afford one so we can recreate it around the Christmas tree. Nothing is of the same quality but sad to hear that Lionel is not the same. Any recommendations to an alternate company?

@interesting1816

7 ай бұрын

MTH is pretty amazing, made in america as far as I know

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

7 ай бұрын

If you still have the older locomotive, finding cars and a caboose to run with it would be great. You can the old locomotives with modern transformers and track or buy the Menards track that is similar to the old Lionel track for a loop around the tree.

@Adamfitz93

7 ай бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies yep still have the engine! It’s at my mom’s now in her China cabinet. My grandfather has since passed away so might be something I’ll leave alone for now. But good to know that you can still pair them up with modern transformers.

Do you have any of the lionel UP excursion sets?

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Hi, yes, I have the UP excursion 21” set from 2016 Volume 2, page 76 and 77. Cost me $1400 plus tax back then. I got it here locally from Electric Train Outlet before Bob, the owner, retired and closed the shop in 2019.

Hey Mike. I share your sediments. The model train industry is heading down a dark path. I am predicting bad thinks happening. Just another sign of the times. You are making the right decisions. Can the industry recover well only time will tell.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

I agree! They want to product products from the lowest possible bidder, with the least expensive parts, regardless of quality. Yet demand high prices, with bad customer service and support, knowing their products have issues. I definitely didn’t run into this in the other scales or hobbies I have. It is looking dark! I have plenty to run and enjoy if I never buy another Lionel again. 😉. Thank you 👍

Man! So glad I looked at your video! You may have saved me a ton of money! I’m brand new in this hobby. Haven’t bought anything yet! I was looking at Lionel Starter kits. I don’t think Im gonna do that now. My question is what would you recommend as a starter kit? I’m 80 years old and I had Lionels when I was 7-10 years old. Price is not the real issue. I’m interested in diesel locomotives that operated in Mississippi now or the past. I’m thinking O guage. But it seems HO is the most popular. Can you recommend something other than Lionel?

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

6 ай бұрын

Hi, awesome that you’re getting into the Hobby. I’ve had really good luck with Atlas, MTH, and 3rd Rail Brands in O Gauge. I started out with HO when I was a kid and my Grandpa had O. I also into N scale from 1995 to present and still have HO. All scales have brands that can be very dependable. It really comes down to the size trains you like and also the variety of locomotives and rolling stock in the road names you can find that you like in each scale. O scale seems to have the largest variety of steam locomotives which are my favorite and the size makes them awesome to watch run.

Great post...will be following on FB....keep the videos coming

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Also thank you for following! 👍

And I just pre ordered the Big Boy and another high end steam locomotive from TrainWorld don’t know if I should cancel or not.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

I will say this, 3 of my last 5 Visionline locomotives have had no issues cosmetically or with the electronics. The Santa Fe 2-10-10-2, the NYC Niagara, well the water scoop effect doesn’t work very well, but good besides that, and the N&W class A I just opened up. I don’t run them very much so problems might not have shown themselves electronically yet. My Southern Pacific GS1 and GS2, are a total different story. Disasters! The way I see it, based on my own experience the last 18 months with Visionline, 60% chance of getting one with 0 issues. Maybe Lionel has different stats based on warranty claims, but not sure they would share those numbers. It’s an awesome looking locomotive though, you don’t know how difficult it is for me to pass on them. 😕

Thanks for the update. I’m sticking with postwar 45-1960 only. We all know that stuff works. 👍

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

3 ай бұрын

I like postwar also! Not a bad choice for sure.

Thank You so much for posting this video. Lionel really is out of it's mind with these astronomically insane prices and absurd warranty and customer service base. Lionel is the reason why I only buy MTH products and will continue to do so forever. I got banned on a Facebook group for making a post criticizing Lionel's new 2023 catalog. People these days seriously can't handle the truth.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome, I saw several group admins stating to only post positive stuff, so I said nothing at all, it’s like so many are in denial about how bad it really is. I’m excited when I get something with no issues, but it’s not worth the risk of ordering any more. Thank you for the comment, agreed, they can’t handle the truth, or don’t care.

@DynamicDuo795

Жыл бұрын

@Motocraze40 2018 , Lionel is essentially taking the same path that Sunset 3rd Rail had. Very limited quantity, little to no parts available and no warranty of any kind. It's really a sin to purchase a very expensive and cost prohibited model like the one's Lionel is making and than having nothing but problems right out of the box. A friend of mine who's in my local train club 10 years ago bought the than new Lionel Vision Line PRR Baldwin Centipede diesel's and he had nothing but problems with it as soon as he got it. Fast foward 10 years later to today and he still can't get the parts to fix it and get it back up and running. He's now stuck with a $2400 engine that's now and has been for the past 10 years a shelf piece. It's just disgusting. I have 25 MTH Premier engine's and only one Lionel Legacy steam engine that thankfully has not had any issues as of yet. I'm hoping it doesn't.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

That is terrible to hear for sure! I like MTH, and have still been buying the specialty runs in 2021 and 2022, yet to have an issue. 👍

@motherlandone6300

5 ай бұрын

Oh my God. That poor man.

The unfortunate problem in my opinion is the current ownership. They are selling a name that they really no longer understand what and how that company was. In my research about K-line the fact that that Lionel company sued them out of business over a sound system broken agreement and won. So I see it as them taking out all competition and sell to collectors at the highest price and if it is missing parts or quality control who cares, if the customer wants it then they have to come crawling back to Lionel LLC. Mike, I got back into the hobby about 2 years ago and bought many items and sets, Lionel N.Y. and newer, MarX, American Flyer OEM, K-line, MTH, RMT, Kusan, Williams, Weaver. Yes, I have turned my little house into a warehouse, even more then before and then really wanted to set up a operating layout in my back bedroom. Really wanted to do that 12 years ago when I moved here. So I got my table of sorts set up, but my house is just full of stuff. As of last week I decided the past history stuff will be going out to a storage unit in the next few weeks so I can breath, and then hopefully little by little work through that stuff and sell, if I can, what I really don't want and the rest set aside for junk. Then call up 1 800 got junk and have them take it away out of the storage unit. I had a mostly to family computer business for many years, and I see no need to be keeping that stuff anymore. I just turned 60 in January...

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

I agree with you 100% on lionel, just about dollars and cents with people running it that most likely had little to no interest in model railroading these days. I’m sure there are still a few employees but I don’t think the main decision makers are. Yes! So easy to over collect with so much available. I’m happy to hear you started a layout and can run some of your collection. Hard to decide what to part with I’m sure!

The only thing that caused Lionel to temporarily change was MTH when MTH released the Scale Dash8 in 1992 or 93. Now Lionel is back again to having no competition. Couple that with collectors who are addicts and really do not care about accuracy. For example: The latest 2024 release of the SD50. It has a GP35 incorrect cab. As long as the addicts keep buying Lionel's junk....they Will Not change.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Ай бұрын

You’re spot on, terrible colors, so many what if’s, occasionally they produce something accurate and cool but they take too many short cuts, and you’re right, I see it all day long on Facebook train groups, people continue to buy stuff that never existed or colors are way off. Ho and N is dominant around my area now, not a lot of 3 rail or O scale. I understand why. 😉

Gee how unlucky. So far I just haven’t had any real issues - and I import retail into the UK (!) I haven’t been ordering the same quantity as you, but it’s enough to be confident with their quality. I’m sorry you’ve had such a tough time.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate it, I have decent luck with older Lionel stuff so I’ve held onto a lot of that so can still have plenty of fun. 🚂🙂

I have had only one Lionel locomotive in the past... absolutely hated it. Ran it in Bluetooth and couldn't go 20 feet from it before it would stop and Start beeping. Just got one of new MTH mikados, absolutely beautiful and works amazing!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear about the Lionel experience. The MTH mikados are really nice, I’m glad to hear you like it, I’m a big MTH fan also! Thank you for the comment. 👍

Great video and I totally agree. There should be no issues with such expensive models. And if there are they should be quickly resolved. Say just a quick question, I am looking for a Union Pacific sd40-2. I am not on facebook but been looking on eBay and train shows with not much luck. Is there another way to get ahold of you such as email? Thanks again for the good videos. I enjoy watching your channel

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Hi, thank you. I had the Legacy UP SD40 and the Missouri Pacific SD40 from like around 2016, but already sold them to one of my friends here in St. Louis. Let me think of the best way to reach me since you don’t have Facebook and I don’t want my email on here “not because of model railroaders” but all the other people that would have access to it since KZread is global.

Both of my lionchief locomotives (polar express old gen and the blue comet) have broken sounds and missing separately added parts. How they managed to screw up the single piece that is added on the p.e. Is beyond me

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

5 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear that, should be pretty straightforward and easy to get right. It is crazy and so random as to what works, what doesn’t work, what’s missing parts, what wasn’t assembled all the way, I don’t think they have a clue or a care of how to address it and fix it.

@colestrains1

5 ай бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies their customer support is also more like a complaint box they don’t open. They give me the same answer “we apologize for the inconvenience, for further assistance please contact a local repair shop and they will assist you”😂

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

5 ай бұрын

@colestrains1 that’s only after their service department insults me like I didn’t know how to use or operate the locomotive, or wrong transformer or something. I’m like dude, I have a decent sized collection of locomotives, the only one that doesn’t work right is this brand new, out of the one I bought from you, oh, and the when I bought from you before this one you had to fix and the other two I preorder from you that I just opened up. Don’t blame me for your poor quality control and products! lol It’s a joke, and terrible.

My recent Lionel experience has been fine. BUT: Limited HO product is a concern. I liked the track system. Great review. Eaglegards...

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment. I’m happy to hear that! My Visionline class A was a good experience, just wish they all could be.

thanks for the review i agree with you

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment! 👍

And this is why I stick to Traditional Lionel or conventional toy/model trains in general mainly Prewar, Postwar, and MPC. I do like some of the early TMCC stuff as they have their own set of charm. But the current stuff…never really was my thing..plus it’s way too much for me personally. Sorry that you had to go through all that trouble with Lionel as of recently.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I like the stuff you like also, I came over from N and HO scale to O about 5 years ago. Getting prototypical stuff as well as the older stuff we’re equally as important, since that’s what I ran in my other scales. I definitely like the variety and nostalgia of the prewar, and Mpc is what was out when I was growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. 👍. Thank you for the comment and checking out my video!

@isaiahtheclassichistorian

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies You’re welcome!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

🙂👍

Amazing video

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Man I'm sorry you've had so many issues. The only reason I like modern Lionel is whistle steam. I really prefer TMCC and early Legacy cause they're much more reliable. I had to send a Legacy mikado back twice and had damage issues when it was returned. After sending it back a second time I've had no more issues (knock on wood). I just got the VISION Class A in and have had no issues yet (again, knock on wood). They're are plenty of older engines that I can fill my collection in with and won't be doing much if any pre-ordering for a while. Hopefully they can get things worked out!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Box thanks, yes, once worked on here in the US they tend to work, I’ve never had to send one back a second, my issue is that I had to send it back in the first place far too often. 😉. The two that I haven’t had an issue out of is my Visionline 2-10-10-2 and Niagara. I think the 2-10-10-2 was made in Korea, where was your class A made? Good to know because I really wanted the class A , mine is 1211 and is in waiting for me to pick it up.

@whistleboardproductions

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies Yeah I totally get that you shouldn't have to send something you spent a ton of money on for repairs when it hasn't made it around a loop of track! I'm not 100% sure where the Class A was made but I can check. I think it's safe to get if you're still thinking about picking yours up.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I’ve watched a few of them run on KZread now and just met a new friend I’ve been talking to that watches my channel, Jay Hines, he bought the fantasy paint scheme and it looks great on his channel! I just checked it out.

@whistleboardproductions

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies Awesome! If you do end up getting one, I hope it runs well for you! I got 1218 and it's gorgeous. I'll be putting up a video of it soon.

It is a shame that American business today , have loss the meaning of customer service . As much business and money that you have given them ,it would not hurt them to let you have your choice of one of their premium locomotives ,just to reify and compensate you for their poor customer service towards you and rectify any problems that you are having with your purchases . The $150.00 , just shows what Lionel think of it's customers . Sometimes ,companies become too large and they forget the consumers who made them prosperous .

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for your comment. Agreed, I would have been happy with a call back, an apology, and making the products as advertised, complete, undamaged, and in working order. I’m not difficult to please, just give me what I paid for to begin with. 😉. Seems like the way of the world today, too many people have lowers their standards and expectations which enables it all to happen.

I bought all my Lionel, used, and I never had a problem with anything at all , As well as my American flyers All so Awesome!! And I still have my childhood trains that run like new , I wouldn't give any of them up for nothing!!, A lot of good memories in them Trains

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Very cool, the ones we create memories with are the best ones! 👍

@alvinwilliams441

Жыл бұрын

Same here, I bought a lionel set in 2005 and the transformer quit working after just 2 weeks. I began buying and restoring American Flyer post war and have not had a single problem since then.....

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

👍

I agree. I switched my interests to S American Flyer and low end vintage O. The high end Lionel is just too, too far out of reach for families. Yes, the older vintage is plagued with issues to run....but its affordable and the memories come free.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

Interesting! The same complaints all around the world; American model railroaders rant about Lionel, British about Hornby, and German about Märklin. Rising prices, decreasing quality. Where did the hobby derail?

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Not sure, it is a sad state of affairs for sure for the model railroaders out there.

Frame 1:12 - What train show did you go to? Interesting topic🚂• Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, we had a local show at St Charles West High School. Our biggest show of the year in the St Louis are is the Great Train Show at the St Charles convention center on January 28 and 29.

@trainroomgary

Жыл бұрын

​@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies Cool: My Dad was born in East St Louis, Illinois - Came to metro Detroit as a young man to be an Automotive Engineer. I do prefer Lionel because MTH is going out of business, but they are having a comeback. If they start to manufacture the MTH DCS / TIU - controls they will be great. Gary 🚂

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Very cool, MTH keeps releasing more stuff, just no catalogs, I’ve bought several things they made in 2021 and 2022 and haven’t had any issues with it. I hope they don’t go way all together, agreed on the electronics.

I was curios what issues you had with the lionchief line I have 5 engines 3 Christmas and Bethlehem Steel and PRR and I thank God so far no Issues . I have also heard these horror stories from my friends that buy Legacy And Vision line I'm not in the group to spend more than $400 dollars on an engine I am taking your information as I move forward and look at other Manufactures. Now I realize why my friends say stay old conventional. I only got in the Hobby 4 years ago after becoming empty nesters. I'm Very green and not very knowledgeable in the hobby I started with O scale not sure if that was a mistake . I thank you for your honesty God Bless Wish you well on your Cobra.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Hi Larry, the ready to run sets and stand alone Lionchief Plus locomotives had been really reliable for my family and I. Some of our most run trains on our Christmas and Halloween layouts. Then in 2021 we bought the Elf Work Train and the Polar Express Bluetooth 5.0 sets in December to run on our Christmas Layout. Both had messed up wire harness, pinched and pulled to tight, causing locomotives to not run and spark if we could get them to move. My local repair shop fixed the 0-6-0 tank locomotive for me and he explained what was wrong. The polar express set came in the day before Christmas Eve and didn’t work, I know what he did to fix the elf train locomotive so I looked for the same issues in the Polar Express and fixed it myself. The pilot screw was also not in all the way and shorted out against the center rail until we figured out that might have been the bigger contributing issue.

Lionel no longer comes to the York TCA train show. It's been a while since they were there.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Ай бұрын

Yeah, I went the last two years and they weren’t there either time.

Great video! I went through the same attitude over 20 years ago with Lionel when my Century Club Berkshire had a sound issue. They don't care about the customer, they know there is always another sucker that will buy their crap. Good for them. I haven't bought pretty any new Lionel since then. I did buy the first run of the Milwaukee Road 261 engine though, that was a home run. No purchases since then, what is that? 10 years now. More money for overpriced pinball machines instead from manufacturers that care about the customer even less than Lionel.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! The Milwaukee Road 261 is a cool locomotive! 👍

Really a shame. I'm a collector/operator for 30 years. This should just not happen.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

6 ай бұрын

Thank you

Hey man… just seen your channel, I really like it. I like seeing people passionate about collecting. I’m curious how do you get those awesome shelves in your background for the locomotives?

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Hi, thank you! I bought those at IKEA, as far as the black ones go. The wooden ones in the other video I made my self.

@thebuttbuddy

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies awesome I’ll check it out. I’m trying to display g scale and it’s hard to say the least lol. I might just have to make them myself too.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

G gauge takes up more space for sure, my G gauge Lionel Diesels fit in the width of the shelf, it’s close though, not sure if a steamer would fit.

@thebuttbuddy

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies steamers are mainly all I have, I just wanna be able to look at them displayed, we’ll see!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Very cool, sounds similar to me! 👍

You are 100% correct I’ve had so many problems with new era Lionel , probably 85% of what I bought is just plain junk . I’m done with them ..

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear you have had a similar experience to me. I’ve only been in O a short time and did the last 3 years in a row of preorders, it didn’t take long for them to run me off.

@rickboice5702

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies yep , I lost it with them and called consumer services , it’s ridiculous they are in business ...

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Understandable for sure! 👍

How is it dealing with 3rd rail.they look awesome

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

I haven’t had any issues yet. I’ve heard others that have had good luck but haven’t needed parts or service to see for myself.

@jogbutchtrain1

Жыл бұрын

I have a 3rd rail PRR S2 and also a PRR Q1. They are absolutely beaitiful. I purchased both engines fr om previous owners. Having the S2 upgraded to ERR. The Q1 was upgraded to TMCC and runs flawless. These are brass engines and tender handeling of these engines is required. MY engines are 30 yrs old. I ordered a 3rd Rail Siemans locomotive and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. have several f

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Nice locomotives you have there. They are more delicate for sure, almost like handling HO or N scale because the number of pieces and level of detail. I had to get used to that when I added my first couple of third rail to my collection. A lot of people in O would say they aren’t good because the parts come off too easily, they same people that complain about Atlas rolling stock for the same reason, which is my favorite rolling stock. Definitely awesome stuff, the detail makes the difference, but I’d they are used to handling older Lionel stuff is is delicate in comparison but you need detail to be prototypical, which I love that from 3rd rail and I’ll take the trade off of having to handle it gently and maybe reattach a piece now and then. Thank you!

What kind of lionel trains do you have?

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

5 ай бұрын

At this point I’ve sold almost all my Modern Lionel. I had a list of trains for sale I made in July, 95% of that list has sold. I might make another one this week.

@user-ig6dm7cq1g

5 ай бұрын

What kind of modern trains do you have left? Can you describe them for me please?

I agree with you. I stick to MTH and don’t regret it😊

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Great choice for sure! Thank you

@swohs100

7 ай бұрын

MTH is worse!

Real quick, I just thought I would take a minute to say that I just saw a new video of the new Lionel Legacy NYC Dreyfuss Hudson that just started arriving to stores. The colors and the sounds are completely wrong. Would love to hear back from you.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

7 ай бұрын

Hi Alex, thank you for letting me know, I actually sold both my MTH Dreyfuss Hudson’s when I heard Lionel was making them with Legacy for the first time. Then I made this video after my last round of preorders and then haven’t ordered or purchased any Lionel since. Sounds like I dodged another disappointment. I’ll have to check them out. 👍

POSTWAR conventional is the way to go, but I enjoy the modern sounds. The new technology is amazing and the details are crazy. Very sorry to hear this. Good luck with the cool car.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

I agree, I like both postwar and modern, I switched from HO and N to O, so I really wanted more prototypical stuff but in the larger size. I’ll always like postwar as well because that is what I used to run with my grandpa and have great memories! Thank you for the comment! 👍

At least some of your engines ran for a little bit. I bought a used lionchief that the seller claimed didn’t run so I figured what the heck let’s give it a shot. Put 16 volts to it and the sounds came on as normal and then BANG. Sounded like a gunshot. Can’t say that ever happened with any of my MTH stuff

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

5 ай бұрын

In 2018 I had that happen on one MTH dealer appreciation GG1 set. It was PS2 5Volt and I was new to O and didn’t know about checking the battery and speaker before running one that was never used. I blame my inexperience because I’ve never had an issue with MTH since. Knock on wood. That was a set over 20 years old so I wasn’t upset and I had it repaired. The price of the set was half of when it was released as well. Now, the current Lionel stuff, happens all to often much like your experience. Thank you for sharing. I’ve personally had really great experiences with MTH, nothing I’ve purchased brand new has never had an issue, and the couple things I’ve had an issue with that were used, parts were easy to come buy to repair.

I find it hard to believe that Lionel is still in business. I had decent experience with Lion Chief and Flyer Chief engines that were reliable and reasonably priced. All of a sudden the only thing Lionel makes is extremely overpriced Legacy stuff that you get maybe a a year out of before they burn out a chip that cannot be replaced and Lionel refuses to make replacement parts and has been able to block third parties from offering solutions. My Lionel Facebook groups universally say that users will never buy any new Lionel engines. The two outfits that I use to service my equipment both complain that Lionel uses unique new parts on each engine that they do not make replacement parts for. My post war stuff runs great and I get get replacement parts. I too will be selling off any Legacy engines since even the few engines I have that still run will probably soon break and have to be scrapped. Mennard's seems to be taking up some of the slack so t least the hobby won't die if Lionel declares bankruptcy and folds. Actually maybe that would give a real company the opportunity to buy it up and restore it to decency.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

29 күн бұрын

Well put, the proprietary parts game is definitely a rip off for consumers. Even legacy is not reverse compatible to when they started designing locomotives with it. You wound think they would be more supportive with providing a solution for someone that bought a $300-$1500 locomotive from them in 2009 for example, but you can barely find parts left over somewhere for those, electronics or otherwise. In other scales with DCC and Sound, you buy another chip at a reasonable price, and you’re back up and running.

The Pride is Gone along with the Quality. THANK YOU

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the comment, agreed! Not run by enthusiasts anymore, which not every business needs, but for a hobby, passion helps, not just a big business approach and strategy. The difference between running a business because it’s something you love and want to share with others, versus just running a business to capitalize on others that someone heart is not into, they just see the dollar signs. They don’t need to be not for profit, but they do need to want to deliver top quality products with great customer service at the prices they demand for being made in China and other places overseas, at this point I’m not sure if it would actually cost them less to build them here in the US again with better quality control then have to deal with all the lost consumer sales revenue, shipping defective products back and forth, and losing dealers and potential customers to other hobbies or scales like N and HO. 😉

I’ve been collecting O since I was 7 and I have found Lionel engines going downhill. The sounds they are putting in aren’t correct for what you’re paying we deserve the best! I’ve been more impressed with the other manufacturers you talked about and most of my fleet is MTH and Atlas. I have older lionel engines that work great luckily. I had bad luck with an S4 I bought, SW and alco FA. I sold all of them off. Bad QC. The rolling stock luckily has been better and with less issues.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for your comment, sounds like we have found the same solution to keep adding to our fleets. Took me a while to figure it out because buying older Lionel locomotives to start, I rarely had issues. Then when I decided to order brand new models they did have quality issues and the sounds are pretty generic now. Thanks for checking out the channel. 🚂👍

I too had a dead on arrival Lionel train set with broken small parts. QC is definitely a problem which will discourage hobbyists.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

5 ай бұрын

Agreed for sure, several people don’t really share their negative experiences or take it as “it is what it is” and keep buying more. I noticed a really bad trend, followed up with a poor experience from an executive level when giving them to chance to apologize and make it right, which they didn’t and wasted my time. Hopefully your experience with getting it resolved was better. Even the most basic thing, I explained to the lady and the executive both that our Polar express was missing the whistle and had a bad wiring harness, and they sent me a bell and said no harness was available. I fixed it myself and bought a whistle from local hobby shop.

this is why i run old postwar Lionel. They need to reinvent the company and get back to making sturdy strong trains made in U.S. of America

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

8 ай бұрын

Those are great trains for sure! 👍

The last item I bought from Lionel was my N&W Visionline Class A. Fortunately, it arrived with absolutely no negative issues but upon hearing other people's experiences with poor quality control, makes me not want to purchase from Lionel again unless the item is in front of me and functions properly before I buy - like in the old days when you could go to the store, sample the product then buy it.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

3 ай бұрын

Agreed, that’s the issue with the built to order model for sure, and only the big shops have a some back up for store stock but always want Lionel to repair and deal with issue instead of giving another from store stock, which I don’t blame them either. It’s just a bad situation for the consumer and shop when there are issues, so bad situation all together with OCC stuff.

Wow Mike, I am really sorry to hear. You are one of the good guys. Not someone trying to take advantage of Lionel. Just someone who wants what they paid for! They will not last pulling stunts like this! Sounds to me like they need a new CEO. There are not a lot of people that can afford to plunk down 2 grand plus. Thet will soon find that out the hard way. I am really tempted to just go with 3rd rail, MTH, and Atlas, and forget Lionel! This is just really sad. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your collection grow as well as your layout, and your incredible talent. I will call You soon My friend.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Joe, it is very sad for sure. Talk to you soon!

@jsgtrains3176

Жыл бұрын

@@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies Thinking about it last night. How much effort would it have taken to put 2 magnets in and envelope snd mail at their cost to you. Simple Customer Service!

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely, I was not asking for the world, only parts they lost when they worked on the locomotive.

How sad to hear this. Glad I found this video prior to buying Lionel trains.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

6 ай бұрын

I was definitely sad as well, having just started in O in 2017 and excited about the heritage and history of Lionel. Fortunately there is a massive selection of preowned out there and other brands that have kept my interest in O.

I just brought two SD40-2 BN One non powered and powered. I loved it but basically they were junk. The coupling on the powered units were sagging down to a point that they can’t couple the non powered engine. The non powered unit couplers keeps opening up we’re in motion pulling only a few cars. I had to secure the couplers with zip ties to prevent them from opening up. The sagging couplers on the powered unit are corrected by using a rubber band and secured it by attaching it to the railings so they are not sagging. For almost 900 dollars for the 2 units I should not have to go through this. I called the hobby shop and they told me to call Lionel directly. I figured they should give another set but they probably have the same problem too. I collected MTHs with no problems. This was my first new order from Lionel. Bummer.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Man, that is a bummer for sure, I’m sorry to hear that. I thought I had really bad luck, I’m not a complainer for sure, but no I am truly hearing about so many other people having my same experience. It is very disappointing, Lionel’s warranty department must be overloaded which is why they lost one of my locomotives and sent me someone else’s completely differently model than what I sent back. I hope you have better luck than me with getting the issues resolved, you shouldn’t have to use rubber bands or accept poor quality for your hard earned money. Thanks for the comment and for checking out my video.

Wow it’s sad to hear how Lionel has fallen.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Sad for sure, why did it have to happen right when I started buying O stuff, I had heard stories but after not having bad experiences in HO and N with stuff made over seas for years, I thought I’d take a chance. Some things are nice and cool that work and don’t have flaws, but the number of purchases made with flaws or electronics issues outweighed the positive ones, and are super frustrating to deal with Lionel to get resolved.

I bought a Lionel Rail Link SD45 #331 the truck was so terrible. The trucks couldn’t navigate around turns and got stuck somehow & the plow was to low and hit the track also. Luckily the guy who I got it from gave me a full refund and I bought a SD33ECO (SD40-2) which should be here in a few days. I hope the ECO works fine.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear that! I hope you have better luck with it.

@Craiggg12345

Жыл бұрын

I have that exact engine and mines been fine

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

That’s good to hear for sure. 👍

Sorry you had these problems Michael. You can always buy Lionel stuff in the aftermarket like me. Plenty of stuff on eBay.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

That’s where I started, was all preowned. I think it gave me a false impression because people must have already had all the warranty work and bugs worked out before I bought it preowned from them. 😉

I so agree with you

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

If I was standing in place of you ….. From the very beginning to end this could have been a video I posted ! Let’s start out with when Mike Regan left Lionel he took the QC with him ! From then on every purchase was loaded with surprises 😢 The only reason there still in the game is there is no other competition PERIOD …… With the price of these trains it’s ridiculous ! I feel your pain and I’m exactly where your at with Lionel and there lack of caring that most generally falls on deaf ears !

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment, I definitely learned the hard way being new to O and expecting the same quality control and reliability I had with other scales, I didn’t really have to worry about customer service either since nothing ever broke or if it did most of the time I could fix it or buy a replacement at reasonable cost. I had a 20 year old Kato locomotive stop working, they still had the parts and only charged me shipping and did the repair for free. Now that’s good experience and standing behind what you build and sell.

I made the same move years ago, got tired of the junk arriving at my door step. Liberating.

@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies

Жыл бұрын

It’s definitely time for me to be liberated and just enjoy the hobby with minimal corporate BS to deal with! Thank you for your comment. 🙂