The New Lionel 2025 Catalog IS BAD!

[@rjshier9188]

Nailed it! Quality has gone down while pricing has gone up and up.

[@rj.trains]

Yup!

[@burlingtonbill1]

LIONEL's ridiculous prices are doing 2 things: preventing kids from joining the hobby, and driving more people to buy Menards.

[@doct0rnic]

Absolutely right, hell I can barely afford start now with my kids

[@alexanderpoirier3350]

Don’t forget RMT. RMT just released a bunch of affordable scale rolling stock. Eric’s Trains did a review of them and they look rather nice.

[@Samstrainsofficially]

Meh, you could give trains away free, you still wouldn't get many people interested. Scary fact for train nerds, not everyone does, wants to, or has to like trains 😂 it's okay to not you can't get kids interested just by having them cheap.

[@prhf]

Well, now they have Battery-O!! Now even cheaper crap from China! The mid-grade (Railking Imperial like) LC+ 2.0 stuff is so overpriced, you just as well buy legacy. This market segment is slowly diminishing from the lineup and we are now left with cheap crap that's still expensive for what you get and really nice stuff that is just plain unaffordable...

[@neilblumberg3341]

The least expensive Lionel LionChief sets are basically the same price as Menards, whose product line is much more limited. Menards overhead is doubtlessly tiny compared with Lionel's for their train products, so the LionChief sets represent remarkable value in many cases. Menards makes some nice stuff at good value, but the price difference is not all that remarkable at the lower end of the Lionel product line. An example would be the LionChief Thomas set, which can often be found for less than $200 at some times of the year.

[@dwaynemccarty8118]

I love your honesty RJ. It’s about time some of these people start telling Lionel. They need to reduce their prices and make stuff that kids can actually afford. And I too think the new Lionel catalog was completely overrated and blown out of the water.

[@rj.trains]

Thanks! I’d rather spend my money on MTH and Atlas where I get more bang for my buck

[@dandeo50]

I stopped buying new Lionel, $100 plus rolling stock, $600 lion chief, $1500 plus legacy locomotives I just can no longer afford it.

[@MatthewJoseph-td5qc]

All you guys hit it right on the head!!! Now Lionel is starting to ruin the LionChief line of trains by making them more scale like. Thanks for sharing this RJ.!!!! MPC Matt.

[@vsrailroad6226]

Price and space wise is why I went to HO. But o scale will always hold a place in my heart.

[@falcondragonslayer]

@@MatthewJoseph-td5qcI don’t mind making the LionChief line more scale-like. I don’t like the fact that the prices are going up because of it. LionChief was supposed to be affordable. You can get older TMCC or even Legacy engines for the retail price of LionChief sets now

[@turdferguson4124]

New feature: Smoke from the engineer’s cigar.

[@dandeo50]

Lionel is out of control, I am retired now no way I am I paying these prices on new trains! I found some great deals on the used train market and I will stick to that.

[@davidschaadt3460]

Very true.

[@TheTrainboard]

Yes, the used market calls to us and is worth taking a chance on 20 year old boards working just fine for a while

[@turdferguson4124]

Let’s face it: Lionel’s target market is dying off and they’re flailing. The ridiculous Vision Line stuff with prices in the stratosphere, the silly fantasy paint schemes on premium models, the plastic entry level battery trains, and the super overpriced traditional sets are all signs of a company that has lost its way. I think Lionel needs to simplify.

[@BlueCometDude]

It's sad because I do want to get the 675 'Prairie Freight' set. Say what you will about LionChief, but I like how they brought back their postwar K4 engine in a regular train set and not some expensive legacy locomotive for like, $900.

[@Samstrainsofficially]

You think rich people are dying off? They really aren't 😂 If only! What a socialist dream

[@turdferguson4124]

@ Do all rich people buy toy trains? Nope.

[@Samstrainsofficially]

@@turdferguson4124 nope, and they don't need to either. They are however the target audience.

[@Tattooedtrains]

This is the only video you need to watch about Vol 1. Period... Cheers RJ!

[@rj.trains]

Thank you!

[@samsogaugetrains8670]

I hear the pain in your voice, bless your soul. Thank you for dumping your stress for our entertainment. The UK boxcar is icing on the cake.

[@rj.trains]

I almost broke when I got to that boxcar

[@J.Tstudioproduction6375]

you have made some good points about the Lionel volume one 2025 catalog, despite being a current hot topic, i'll just say in my opinion, the volume one 2025 catalog is Mid. the only thing i'm ever gonna get from that volume one is that T&F 80th Anniversary Boxcar, period. it's in a way to have in my own o gauge collection Lionel, MTH, and Railking. along celebrating the 80th anniversary of the RWS (Railway Series) and the tv series of Thomas the tank engine, along with the three railway engines. so yeah, that's probably about it from me on my behalf.

[@tomarity6657]

O gauge has turned into a rich man's hobby. I see no chance of that changing.

[@johnbenedict6703]

The month and a half, leading up to Weaver's closing, I stopped by a half dozens of times shopping. On one such occasion, Lionel was there. I talked to the two fellows from Lionel. I have since been informed that they are no longer with Lionel. This begs the question, did cooperate get rid of competent people? I am retired now 10 years. My expendable income for stuff hasn't changed. With these crazy and ever increasing prices, I asked my wife, who buys this stuff? It's like Gibson guitars, same thing. Fortunately, I loaded up on MTH Milwaukee Road engines, rolling stock, and passenger cars when prices were reasonable, and I could afford to buy a lot. Here's a flashback, Premier diesels were $329, and Railking scale was around $200. And that's for proto 2.0 engines. Well, if you made it this far, thanks for reading this.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

It is a shame we lost the other options like Kline Williams Weaver etc. They had some great stuff for each end of the hobby from simple cheap well made trains to the nicely detailed scale items.

[@johnh.toytrainfanatic5300]

was honestly hoping for something better being 125 , but my wallet absolutely loves this catalog . Love the video

[@train3827]

Me too couldn't I could not have said it better. Right on.

[@uscscjohnson]

My wallet loves it too. I might even get the Cab 3 with all the money I can't spend. If the industry is this bad, I need to get the last generation operating system.

[@cf1925]

This kind of stuff makes me glad that I stick to HO/OO scale, possible switching to N in the future. Really is a shame that an anniversary this huge is treated like this. Amazing job as always, and keep being awesome! :D

[@rj.trains]

Thanks!

[@daniele.markle6428]

I still run my O but N is amazing nowadays, especially if you want to run realistic length trains.

[@nickatano9086]

Lionel's prices are beyond justifiable and their quality control is absurd. The fact that there are those out there who try to justify this is beyind ridiculous.

[@rj.trains]

Agreed!

[@Samstrainsofficially]

People with more money than you or I justify ridiculous prices all the time. Lionel trains are in the same "pointless purchasing" catagory as other luxuries, they are merely following the trend and the money which is after all what company do. The more pointless and silly the thing is, the more the price. The more caché the name has, the more silly the price. This is why "stink of dave" perfume will sell for $2 while Chanel, a name the public know, can sell for more as the public and particularly the well to do would rather have a great name on or about their things than buy smell of dave even if it smells better, is less harmful to you or the environment and so on... price point dictates to some degree who a product will appeal to so the price can be set needlessly high as they are appealing to well, not you or me, they are seeking to appeal and sell to rich people that can buy a bunch of it and show their rich friends who buy a bunch of it as they tend to buy more product and at higher price. Welcome to the capitalist dream. The dream that built america 🇺🇸 You think money bags folk are going to care if you can get model trains or not? They don't even care if you live or die or get healthcare 😅 maybe you need a luige but for model train companies

[@JerryTheTankYank1776]

Postwar sets look really cool, but I might as well buy the originals for around half the price.

[@rj.trains]

Haha yes exactly

[@DJHProductions]

Thanks for the shout out.... 600 bucks for 2 passenger cars? You gotta be f&%king kidding me! Gotta be honest, first time I have ever heard you speak critical about Lionel, good job!

[@rj.trains]

Haha you’re welcome. I guess I’m more of a realist, I will compliment Lionel when they do good and criticize something I don’t like

[@raymondleggs5508]

Piko G gauge is cheaper.

[@Tomeleck]

How can they possibly justify a $89 or$99 boxcar?? Can't anyone at Lionel spell MENARDS?

[@md4449go]

Just try to resell those heavyweight passenger cars on the second hand market. You will definitely get pennies on the dollar for them.

[@asdfdsa45]

MTH blinked when Mike Wolf retired and Lionel got the green light to begin their much desired price hikes. MTH held them down.

[@dathanpoole73]

This is the first review that I've seen after flipping through the catalog myself, and I just want to say that I appreciate how blunt and honest you were. My sentiments exactly. I was expecting something Grand and I couldn't have been more disappointed. I think if I get anything it would be the ADM tank cars because I have a collection of them. One again, spot on review ✊️

[@rj.trains]

Thank you!

[@williampalmer8052]

I just got randomly recommended your video, and I'm glad to see the hobby still has some popularity. I used to very active with model railroading back in the 70s, but with HO scale. I can't believe these Lionel prices... Even then they were over-priced, but 500 bucks for a few starter cars and a basic engine sounds way out of reach for most people these days.

[@dantiel4179]

You are 100% right their prices are crazy I think MTH is more of in line with reality and quality great review RJ 👍🚂😃

[@Denniss7420]

It's 1991 Again......right before 1992-93 when MTH changed the 3-rail world with their SCALE Dash8-40CW locomotives. Unfortunately, this time - there will be no MTH to challenge Lionel and since Lionel has No competition this is what you get. All of the ADDICTS need to stop buying junk and hold out for a change. The second hand market looks better than ever!

[@davidschaadt3460]

Nothing but problems with the old MTH batteries.⚠️

[@rayhankazianga6817]

@@davidschaadt3460 just install a BCR

[@WashingtonDistrictRailfan]

I was considering making a video but now I don't need to - you took the words out of my mouth. Very well said review.

[@RsTrainsonYT]

Can’t help but agree with every point you’ve made RJ! I love the PRR turbines, but you’d never see me pay over $600 for an engine, especially $2,000+ for something I can find with similar features on eBay for half the cost. Another reason I love to buy second hand stuff! That and all electronics in these trains only scare me more because all it takes is a short or bad derailment and there goes your $2,000 engine 🙄… I love postwar and MPC Lionel, but I’m much less inclined to purchase anything from today’s Lionel because of those prices.

[@MacBrian]

Just for context: $500 today is equivalent to approximately $30-$35 in the 1930s. I took a quick glance at Lionel’s 1930 catalog and saw many steam/passenger sets with a price tag of $38-$50. Yup, model trains have always tended to be a rich man’s toy with pricing that stings and makes the wallet scream. 😉 I share your frustration!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Rich man's toy? Well certainly some articles in Lionel's product line in 1939 fit into that category. For example the Standard Gauge "Blue Comet" set retailed for $75, but with that same $75 you could get a Winchester 30-30 rifle AND a Colt .38 revolver and have $5 change coming. However, Lionel also offered starter sets in O Gauge for $19.95. Not super-cheap but not heart-stoppingly expensive either.

[@johnchambers8528]

As for affordably you do not have to go back that far to see it could be done. When Lionel was owned by MPC they made some really cheep plastic starter sets. I bought several for gifts to get children interested in O gage trains and I never paid more than $19.95 at a major toy store for them. Yes they were cheaply made and had no extras like smoke or whistles but they did run ok and if the kids broke them it was no big loss. However it did get them interested in trains and I am sure some of them stayed with the hobby and upgraded to more expensive items as they got older. I do not see many families wanting to invest the money Lionel now wants for a basic starter set.

[@alexanderinsignares8784]

That's just Lionel being overpriced. Marx always had much better prices. You could get an entire Marx railroad for the cost of one singular Lionel set.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@alexanderinsignares8784 It's been said and with quite a bit of veracity that: "Joshua Lionel Cowan made electric trains desireable. Louis Marx made them affordable!"

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@johnchambers8528 I ran into one of those cheap MPC sets last year and had to look twice to see that it was Lionel! A fellow club member gave it to me (soembody gave it to him) with a "I don't need it, see if you can do something with it" statement. The engine was a bit beat up but with some patience and epoxy I got it put back together again. I made sure the transformer was still working, cleaned up the cars and the track and sold it at a club show for $30. The folks came back the next day looking for some more tubular track, they were having so much fun with it! So sure, that cheap Lionel set still did what it was meant to do, get people interested!

[@TheTrainboard]

Yes, the used market calls to us and is worth taking a chance on 20 year old boards working just fine for a while

[@Seans_Station]

You can pre-order a great MTH Premier engine for less than a LionChief set which is crazy 😅

[@rj.trains]

True!

[@mic-drop-74]

O Scale locomotives don't have much for competition with Lionel. Menard's is an option but extremely limited and they seem to only stockup during Christmas.

[@Shipwright1918]

Fair call in my book, the prices are just getting ridiculous, which is a shame as there are a few thing in the catalog I did like, such as the Lionel Kiddie City piggyback, the Speedy Delivery Parcels car, and the Butterbeer tanker. For what I would spend on just one of those cars, I could have several RMT scale cars or a whole brace of Menards semi scale ones. Don't even get me started on the loco and set prices. Very happy to have found a Williams 746 J for $150 used instead. Think that'll be my main anniversary year purchase as it's a replica of the postwar original.

[@SimRacin14]

I don't model O (I'm an N scaler) but browsing through this catalog, there's nothing that would've appealed to me other than maybe the FEC autorack set. The prices just get crazier every year. For the price of one Lionel loco I can buy 40-50 N scale freight cars, or a half dozen N scale engines or more. I don't see how their business model is going to work long term.

[@seanstraindepot]

Great video, yeah, the prices are out of control! I remember 10 years ago a Legacy engine was around 1000.00. Putting Vision Line on something and bumping up the price 500.00 seems to be the new thing. I think they have pushed it too far. Luckily, we have tons of older stuff on the secondary market. How come MTH can keep prices down, but Lionel can't. I splurged on the Vision Line Triplex because Mr. Muffins made an Army version. It's been at Lionel now for 2 months still not fixed. So, I am with you on the prices. The Commodore Vanderbilt is nice but it's not worth 1800.00 for just the engine. Thanks for a being real in the video!

[@johnandrus3901]

A very good overview, RJ. I think that you are spot-on, here, with how Lionel is honoring their 125th anniversary. Lionel used to have history and it was promoted. MPC and Richard Kughn's LTI really capitalized upon Lionel's history and put out some real nice trains. To this ownership, history is just an afterthought, as Lionel is basically just one little cog in their corporate portfolio. They really dropped the ball here, which is too bad. The 125th anniversary is just another year for them so instead of a big celebration of Lionel's history, they just did nothing, except offer a few things at awfully high prices. I guess that they thought that they could rest on their laurels, instead of doing the Lionel heritage proud. Oh, well, it is what it is, I guess. I'll stick with my post-war trains. An excellent video, as always.

[@doubleutubefan5]

How much money do you want to spend on a pile of plastic and wires that goes in a circle?

[@austint918]

I thought about ordering one of the rio grande tunnel motors but you can still find the ones from 2022 at most stores for $500 or less.

[@rj.trains]

It’s just insane, the stuff is still sitting on shelves and they are making to again

[@Denniss7420]

I can't get over the incorrect truck placement on those. 3rd Rail Sunset is your only hope. Of course the MTH SD45T-2 tunnel motor is accurate....but Rio Grande didn't have those.

[@garygreene578]

Thanks for taking the time to pull this together. It's difficult to ignore the increased pricing, especially when Atlas and MTH are 20%+ less, plus they have quality products. Keep up the good work!

[@RichyN25]

Almost all model trains are vastly overpriced, it's why I buy second hand

[@evanhizon8112]

I think Lionel should go back to the drawing board. They should look back at their early to mid-2000s catalog. More grounded and realistic train sets with rugged locomotives and real railroad names instead of relying on fantasy, licensed products, and wacky paint schemes.

[@Denniss7420]

They had competition from MTH then. MTH cleaned house with their offerings of: SD45, FP45, C30-7, GP9, GP20, GP30, GP40, SD9, SD40-2, SD45T-2, SD50, SD60, SD60M, SD70M, SD90Mac, Dash8, Dash9, AC6000 etc and Lionel was releasing Daylight cab forwards!!!

[@COCarDude]

Lionel quality has tanked while their prices have sky rocketed. Its the same with their Nascar business. Every year it just gets worse, sadly.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey RJ, great review. I appreciate your honesty. I had high hopes for this catalog. There are a few items I like but will likely not pull out the old wallet for anything in this catalog. I am a Lionel guy and frankly am disappointed in many of the price points. I like the Legacy Commodore Vanderbilt and the Heisler for example, but for $1,800 and $1,700 respectfully, they are simply not worth that much to me. I may find something in this catalog, but so far, I have not found it. Thanks, RJ, for your review! Bill B.

[@Tomeleck]

My first car (2 years old) cost less

[@Cbtrainnut]

Excellent review R.J. Been saying this about Lionel for 5 years. I’m an S Scale American Flyer Person myself. Thank goodness for American Models who produce Great quality S Scale models! Thanks for your thoughts on this catalog.

[@rj.trains]

Feel bad for you not much new s scale but tons out there on the secondary market

[@wcmodelrailroad]

I agree with a lot of your points about this catalog, and it's probably a sign of things to come moving forward. I was never a super Lionel guy either (MTH4life). O scale has already priced me out - which is why I moved over to HO - actually doing European HO now and I love it. Only thing I will get is the Star Wars Empire set. I have been waiting for an O scale Star Wars set for almost 30 plus years. It might end up being the last thing I purchase in an orange box, but only time will tell.

[@rj.trains]

I know you, you will end up with one

[@Mcnibbus]

1699 for that tiny ass heisler is outrageous

[@rj.trains]

Insanity

[@MichaelMartinczak]

When I was a kid growing up in the 50s and 60s. The car is most admired where the Cadillac and Lincoln Continental. Everybody dreamed of owning one of those vehicles. Unfortunately, not many people could afford them, especially if you were a family man. I feel Lionel Company is following the same path. Nothing in this catalog is for me.

[@bw6378]

Everyone just needs to speak with their pocketbook. If they can get people to pay the high prices then they will. Its unfortunate they couldn't pull off something better after 125 years. Thanks for the video!

[@trainsoflark]

I completely agree with you on the commodore Vanderbilt comments, I’m happy to see the commodore back too, but I feel like they should have done more to make it VL otherwise it’s basically a glorified legacy engine with a Visionline price.

[@rj.trains]

Even after seeing the catalog, it’s literally a legacy engine in a black box

[@TheCreativeMind]

Thankfully the catalog is free. These prices are horrific. $50 for a disconnect caboose, $189 for disconnect Halloween set. $1800 for a locomotive, $3500 for the 20th Century Set, Over $1000 for 4 passenger cars. I'll look elsewhere.

[@rj.trains]

Yeah it's outrageous!

[@thehighiron]

We need more people like RJ telling the truth about stuff like this

[@JohnsTrainHouse]

Checked some passenger car pre-order prices. The Lionel 2527650 O Lionel Lines 125 Red “Tinplate Inspired” 4 Pack that Lionel listed at $1,100 is $785 at Charles Ro, $824 at Train World and $924 at Mr. Muffin’s. The Lionel 2527580 O Vision Line NYC Niagara Falls 2 Pack listed at $600 is $430 at Charles Ro, $460 at Train World, $510 at Mr. Muffin’s.

[@kptrains]

Thanks for the info. That's too bad the prices are so high.

[@MarkJensen706]

I think Lionel is backing themselves into a corner in terms of pricing. I like a lot of the stuff in this catalog but what’s really driving me away is the pricing. The Alco FA’s are still over a grand with the discounted price. The Commodore Vanderbilts are vision line yet they don’t have any visible bells, not sure how that swinging bell feature will work? This may end up being another catalog that I don’t order from and I think I’m okay with that. Buying from the second hand market is cheaper

[@dennisfillhart88]

You got a lot of positive reactions and support on this one. Lionel has gone back to its roots and is making products for people who are well off in their finances. They have a name.

[@KatyPacific382]

The new Lionchief pacifics are $700... *they are more expensive than every modern American Flyer S Gauge steam locomotive made from the 2000s to 2021* Fun fact: *the Lionchief pacifics originally cost $430 in 2016* So in the span of 9 years, lionel raised the price by $270!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Seeing alot of the other comments, I can tell people are getting fed up with Lionel. The catalog wasn’t the worst but of course the high prices still suck. And there was nothing really new except the 700es and the S2 Turbines which we haven’t seen in a while. I accept your opinion on the catalog RJ. Great video!

[@user-ERA-RMHD-TNP]

Lionel 125th anniversary. They just marked everything up 125%

[@superwarp12]

Been years since I purchased anything out of the catalogs , Lionel sucks whether it’s paint or QC issues

[@donaldfaris4798]

I switched to N scale 40 years ago and haven't looked back I saw Lionel pricing it's self out of business.

[@rj.trains]

God bless I dont think I could work with a scale that small

[@HelenT-xv6zm]

I have always loved N scale but my eyes and my coordination make it difficult to manage. Time is not improving those qualities so I guess that I am stuck with O.

[@gerardrusso4156]

@@donaldfaris4798 I am an N scaler as well. I could never afford these prices.

[@teschvalleyrailroad]

I was so hoping this catalog would be disappointing, and I'm glad it was so. I still am waiting for nearly 40 other pre-order items, so my wallet needed a break. Not one single Soo Line item, and the only real interest I have are in the track cleaners. I just wonder how well they work, if at all. I think the Area 51 Track Cleaning car would be fun to have on the layout while also having a way to clean the track.

[@clemsonpirate7144]

I’m not one to complain about catalogs/new product announcements from any of the big 3 manufacturers, but this one is beyond awful. A volume 1 “Big Book” combined with the 125th and this is the best they came up with? And the fact they started working on this catalog before last years V1/Big Book was released makes this even more embarrassing lmfao. Only 3 legacy steamers (what a joke), no legacy diesel switcher, and again seeing locomotives that have been cataloged way too many times in recent years are my biggest gripes. Should’ve had something exciting with new tooling or more locomotives that haven’t been cataloged within the last 5 years at the very least. There were such high hopes for this catalog because of the great options that were on the table. Lionel dropped the ball, bad.

[@doubleutubefan5]

The 2024 volume 1 catalog had the three pack of BNSF tank cars in a three pack of Cargill tank cars. It said it was an all new product so I ordered them. What they didn't tell you is it's Weaver tooling and the plastic was complete junk. The cars constantly derailed within 5 minutes of operating them so I packed them back up, returned them and got my money back. I want to be very cautious with Lionel from now on. I'm probably just going to stick to the Legacy locomotives because they are done well even though they are expensive. I would warn people against those 3 packs of hopper cars in the back of this catalog as they are most definitely older tooling. Also about 6 years ago I bought Lionel auto racks for $85 NEW. Now? 150 plus and over 300 for a sounds one? Why?

[@Saltyglass]

Definitely agree with you, probably won’t be getting anything from this catalog if I do it would be the cp FA set

[@alexrojik]

I feel like Lionel is going to discontinue (if they haven't already) the ready to play range in favour of battery O which I think is a good decision. The best option is to include a new cheap fastrack (metal rails) kind of like 0-27 tubular track. Also great choice with the Thomas boxcar!

[@fastbackford687]

Awesome review and spot on! , can’t believe that’s what they came up with for such a big deal. Love the channel 🤘

[@rj.trains]

Thanks!

[@mscott255]

Amen man. These manufacturers are pricing out most people who wanna get into the hobby. Mario’s trains has the vision line Hudson for 1525 which is still absolutely insanity. But it was the cheapest place I could find one for preorder. Mth needs to bring back starter sets. They offered so much more in sound and smoke and overall quality in their sets.

[@rj.trains]

they did but they are so much more complex and can't compete with Lionel's affordability

[@mscott255]

@@rj.trains agreed I recently purchased the Lionel LionChief New York Central train set and it has the 280 which is the old MTH tooling and it’s a completely different locomotive. They stripped it down. The sounds are awful. The smoke is pitiful compared to what you would get in a 280 MTH train set and honestly it only cost 50 or $60 more for the MTH train set then it did for the Lionel set, and I would much rather have the MTH set.

[@Slade677]

I completely agree. I think Lionel just jumped the shark.

[@jameslanders4819]

I did enjoy your comments r.j. You said exactly what you feel..your choice of thomas boxcar makes perfect sense.

[@rj.trains]

Thank you!

[@richardgiammarino7568]

This is why I operate Postwar

[@mikesmith3049]

Every Christmas dad and I would hit the train store for my main Christmas gift. It had a Palmore motor with traction tires. Cost about $80.00 and got a matching caboose so tick it up. Given inflation the cost of the one engine now is $362.48. That is only one item and not a set with track and transformer. 😆

[@UncleSalty-nz5uk]

The Great Lionel Letdown 2025! Great spin on a catalog review! I always appreciate an honest opinion!

[@williamkolina3988]

I rather have some of your Pecos River rolling stock I can't wait to hear Zac's comments

[@UncleSalty-nz5uk]

@williamkolina3988 Yup! Joker gonna be way honest!

[@rj.trains]

Thanks!

[@QuincyO5b]

MTH is really the only way to go at this rate. Lionel is more of a money-grubbing company than ever, and that shows in this disappointment of a catalogue. but yeah, Lionel has lost the crown, and MTH has a chance to pick it up

[@Tomeleck]

Nah. How do you spell Menards?

[@JoePTolen]

Honesty is the best policy! I still can't believe the prices of trains today. I feel very fortunate to have completed my railroad empire back in the last century when prices were just high. My sincerest condolences to you young bucks today.🤑

[@sdiv_tim]

Thanks for posting this video. You might inspire more people to speak up.

[@rj.trains]

Thanks for watching

[@boylesterminalshops6841]

Slightly off topic, but who makes those mid century style passenger train artwork prints on the wall behind you in the intro?

[@rj.trains]

Those were made by Amtrak

[@ROKMAN1445]

At this point I just ignore the prices unless it's something I'd genuinely throw money at and enjoy having - I like the concepts behind most of the commemorative stuff, but for those prices you can forget I even own a bit of O gauge. 1200 bucks for the singular conventional train set in current year? Buying the postwar equivalents of the stuff in that set should save you at least 700 bucks. By comparison, the 2007 remake of the #2269W set has more cars, more features overall, and (adjusting the MSRP for inflation) is priced at a hundred less than this offering (and can be found for less secondhand)... It's safe to say I'm sticking with my scale for anything new being offered this year 💀

[@RetroMikado]

Sometimes a good venting session really helps bring everybody together! Great review man! Some forget that it's okay to criticize something that you are passionate about.

[@mollycaz1]

Is Bachman a good brand to start out with ? How about Lionel Santa Fe passenger train for around 350.

[@ESIG3800]

I see a lot of demand for used train engines and cars.

[@MrBKDoll]

What is the sixth car in the $3,599.99 Visionline 20th Century Limited set? In the photo there are shown six passenger cars behind the tender however only five passenger cars are discussed in the feature section above the photo. Also, the write up shows the train length to be 139” which would constitute one engine with tender and six 19” passenger cars.

[@leoberiding]

i am glad Lionels prices are so high. I love to buy trains, and I have way too much stuff. So Lionel Is solving my problem by pricing them out of my reach !

[@CountryBunkersTrains]

Amen! Great video! 🥃🍻

[@Craig-fe5hr]

Nicely done! The F19 seems like even a more amazing value considering these crazy prices.

[@DynamicDuo795]

It was, and that was a miracle it was that cheap. Picked up two of them.

[@JohnsTrainHouse]

Without even looking at prices, there’s nothing that interests me in entire catalog. Add in prices, and zero chance I will buy anything.

[@rj.trains]

Agreed!

[@cecilyoung5042]

As an old school model railroader (76 years old ) a trend that seems to be only in O scale Model railroaders and that trend is or seems to be collecting trains based on their future price increase (investment value ) and trying to collect everything that comes out.. As a HO model railroader ,who is new to O scale third rail model railroading , is seems as if the HO model railroader is more into enjoying the hobby and not collecting everything that comes out . I feel that Lionel along with along certain KZbin influence-rs propagate this attitude . When I got back into model railroading and into O third rail ,I was going to model the 1950's era with first generation diesels and my two primary railroads would be ,the New York Central and the Pennsylvania Railroad . By doing this ,it eliminated any second ,third ,fourth or any other generations of diesel locomotives ,along with any and all "fantasy paint schemes ". This also makes it easy on my wallet ,since I am not purchasing everything that is put out by O gauge manufacturers I feel that most of the KZbin O gauge channels are sometimes too focus on the gadgets ,such as crew talk that one would not actually hear when a train is passing you in real life . Another good example is,a number of KZbin channels/ influences reviewed Lionel O gauge 1938 Twenty Century streamline passenger cars from the 2023 catalog . Not one of them discussed the Pullman type of car.that the cars represented nor if the cars are actually prototypical . Not all of the sleeping cars /Pullman cars ,are prototypical to the 1938 consist .

[@Tomeleck]

My personal favorite loser is the option to "Talk" to your trains. Gotta be expensive. 76 also, and disappointed.

[@Thomas-z1y6s]

Well young man you hit the nail on the head. Lionel has lost there way and I can say that after 40 years of collecting toy trains. Lionel thinks they can just raise there prices time and time again. Well we will see how this fairs the quality is not what it once was. I won’t ever go into the paint issues and color correctness. If this catalog reflects the best they can do for 125 years in business that is sad.

[@rj.trains]

Lionel certainly ain't what it used to be

[@blackdiamondbethlehem]

👍 to the Middle Fork Heisler and the Chessie System items.

[@debtshredder4928]

LIONEL has forgotten that the average young person, the future of the hobby, has been completely priced out of the LIONEL world.

[@rj.trains]

Lionel is marketing themselves to the ultra wealthy, always have, just more pronounced now

[@eal8645]

You and the Country Bunker trains are the only truth speaking train guys left on KZbin.

[@daivdwalker2374]

For sure was watching Eric's Trains video and he was still gunna order some of their over priced stuff it's how many year old tooling and made their money 1,000 times over and selling their old tooling again but claim it's new like Eric said it says it on very page in the catalog but it isn't new it's old tooling old trains with new paint job that's the only thing that's new is the paint oh and 2nd thing that's not new is trying 2 rape it's customers on these outrages prices holy crap

[@tomrogers5516]

I won't say your take on the current Lionel catalogue is 'brutal', but it is honest in your reaction to the current pricing habits of Lionel. It's become a never ending chase for the big bucks, but with a great loss of quality in the product and the delivery. It's a shame that a company that brags about it's excellence due to its historic connection to electric toy trains seems to base it's quality claim on some past triumphs which is largely absent in today's products. You've shown great restraint, RJ, in your patient reviews over the years, but there's a breaking point when you've had enough. Good for you. Hold their feet to the fire!

[@rj.trains]

It’s a real shame how the quality has slipped, I’m glad you understand where I’m coming from.

[@WesleysTrains]

Scream it to the heavens! Decided to switch over to HO 2 catalogs ago. I’m not paying Lionel’s ridiculous prices. They’re going to destroy the O scale following.

[@rj.trains]

Wish I had less O Scale stuff or I would also switch, oh well

[@Tomeleck]

And their HO line isn't that reasonably priced either. Last one I purchased was shoddily assembled too.

[@dathpo]

What a shame. Lionel is gone out of control. I am grateful for the Trains I have in my collection. I thought they were expensive then, but at least they represent the the trains they were model to. Not some cheaply mafe un-prototypically bazaar paint scheme at a ridiculously high price. Thank you for this honest review.

[@train3827]

RJ, your video is well done. I voiced my exact opinion directly. to Lionel at train fest? In Milwaukee? Where they were charging an exorbitant amount of money for a box car to receive a free lionel bag, which was embarrassing. So I will not be buying anything from this new catalog. seems to me, the theme was expensive, New york Central, so much for making some of the stuff that all of us train collectors have been looking for for many years. Lionel, thank you for pricing meny of us or our next generation out of the train collecting hobby. For cheap china profits. That will ultimately be your demise.

[@NormanAllen-ps9ju]

Lionel may be adding a little greed to its price rises .

[@joshuamcdonald4909]

At some point, this pricing stuff and poor qc is going to reach critical mass. It also looks like they're killing off American Flyer judging by the lack of product the past three catalogs.

[@rodrossi9749]

Your paying to keep a few individuals belt lines growing.......i believe these employees now enter thru the dock doors.

[@AtomicVisionary]

I have a neat idea. You should try and keep an eye out for a vintage O gauge Japanese train set. They are pretty rare, but would make a neat addition to your collection in my opinion.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

It would! But the downside is you'd have to find an O Scale Godzilla to eat it!

[@AtomicVisionary]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 lol that would be terrifying. XD

[@jameshiggins4067]

while i personally love colorful fantasy paint schemes, i still hate that they keep focusing more on vision line and then just not delivering new innovative features. i feel like at this point there should be more competition and LC+2 engines should have whistle steam. that's how every other tech market develops - cool features come to the mid tier models, high end models get new features.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

The only fantasy scheme I don't like is the C&O scheme. It makes the engine look like a Creamsicle, and I DON'T like Creamsicles! Every time I got one when I was a kid it melted all over me before I could finish it! A Popsicle or a Fudgesicle? Another matter entirely!

[@Samstrainsofcircumstances]

This is spot on. Thank you for your honest thoughts. I totally agree with everything you said. However I am a big fan of the ORIGINAL Star wars movie and The Empire Strikes Back. The Storm trooper gondola was kinda neat but not $109 neat. I had been putting off other purchases saving up for this catalologe. Boy was I disapointed!

[@happywanderlust1402]

It's nice to finnaly hear a brutal but honest take on Lionel from one of you guys with these channels. I'm sick of a fake smiling face telling me how great of a "piece" they just purchased for $$$$. It's a damn TOY! The real hobbyist are going to be priced out of the game soon.

[@YellowNoseProductions]

4:54 Remember when you could buy an MTH set with 4 fine passenger cars priced at essentially $25 each? And Lionel charges 10x that? That’s unbelievable

[@Tomeleck]

A lot of the new Lionel stuff is made in China ...or India ...or even Vietnam...and on and on. I am a Hollywood based Film & TV Production Designer. Recently I designed an animated feature film. I had a team of 8-10 American designers working with me. After reading the script, we would draw up the initial characters and scenes as needed. Our producers then sent our drawings to China to be animated. The Chinese had 300 animators working on our final product. The Chinese had constructed buildings for living quarters and an animation studio. These were two very large 5 story structures constructed in 3 months after the existing forest there had been leveled. One building housed workers. The other was where they lived.They paid their workers the equivalent of $1.00/day and $1.00 for Lunch. The resulting product was about equal to anything we could have produced domestically. I mention this to illuminate the discrepancy between "Made in the USA" and made anywhere else--and how American industrialists (including Lionel) may be inflating their profits. In the 1920s, and for years after that, American workers built Lionel products. Lionel and America prospered. I believe Lionel is probably inflating their domestic prices to pay management. They are accepting the very real risk of losing any future buyers and model railroad fans for questionable short term profits. I noticed a number of $89.00 Boxcars in the catalog. How can young modelers (or their parents) possibly afford even a 5 car train? One wonders if anyone in charge at Lionel can spell MENARDS?

[@dennisford5913]

Right on RJ. an unimpressive catalog and Prices are way too high.

[@strasburgrailfan90]

Big L for Lionel

[@rj.trains]

That's why they have two in their name