Lionel’s 2024 Catalog Volume II honors the past and present with some superb sets and locomotives operators and even collectors are sure to like. I discovered a number of impressive and desirable new models when I finally found the time to devote an entire evening to exploring the second and shorter catalog from 2024.
By the time trains.com viewers and Classic Toy Trains readers begin to look at what I’ve written about the second volume from last year, the brand-new catalog from Lionel will be available. I haven’t seen it yet, but I imagine it will be packed with extraordinary trains for all the niches in the company’s growing line. After all, Lionel will be celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2025, so engineers and decision makers there will have good reason to bring out amazing new models.
All the same, I’m here to tell you that the second catalog developed and then distributed in 2024 should never be overlooked. Lionel managed in the 115 beautifully illustrated and well-written pages to pay homage to some noteworthy locomotives in both American railroading and Lionel history while at the same time providing enthusiasts with additional replicas of contemporary diesels and landmark steamers, not to mention plenty of outstanding models of rolling stock.
Heralding the GG1
Above all, Lionel’s 2024 Catalog Volume II stands out for the amazing assortment of models of the landmark GG1 electric-profile locomotive introduced by the Pennsylvania RR in 1934 and then honored in O gauge by Lionel in 1947. Whoever authored the text in the catalog had it right: “As popular today as it was on its debut 90 years ago, the GG1 balanced style, speed, and power in a way few other machines ever have. … Raymond Loewy’s styling has never grown old.”
First some general comments that apply to all versions of the VisionLine GG1. They feature the Legacy Control System, which enables them to run using Legacy or TrainMaster Command Control or even in a conventional mode. They also have Bluetooth Control, which enables them to run using Universal Remote or LionChief app on smartphones. And they come equipped with Lionel Voice Control, which enables them to run using directions spoken into a smartphone via the Lionel Cab3 app. In addition, all GG1s include 4 Digit Addressing with Cab3 and Base3 operation, Odyssey II Speed Control, and Legacy RailSounds system.
What else? How about two maintenance-free motors with momentum flywheels, Electro Couplers on front and rear, traction tires, a fan-driven smoke unit, directional lighting that includes LED headlights, front and rear marker lights, illuminated number boards and cab interior, die-cast metal trucks and fuel tank, a metal frame, dual sprung pantographs, and engineer and conductor figures.
Entire history
Okay, enough with the general stuff; let’s check out the individual models. Lionel has brought out a veritable history book on the GG1 in the form of highly detailed 20-inch-long scale replicas built to operate on O-72 track. The parade begins with the Nos. 2533070 and 2533080 decorated in the Brunswick Green and gold-striped scheme from the 1930s. Next we have the No. 2533090 from the next decade; its appearance should remind collectors of the Lionel No. 2332.
Additional Pennsy paint schemes distinguish the Nos. 2533100 (silver with red details) and 2533110 (Tuscan Red with gold details) associated with passenger trains from the 1950s. Then there are two sweet models decorated for the Penn Central (the Nos. 2533050 and 2533060). I really like the former, with its white logo outlined in red to really grab your attention. Did I mention that all the models have accurate road numbers from the 4800 and 4900 series once used?
The Amtrak years are wonderfully represented, with the Nos. 2533020 and 2533030 in a Phase I scheme (the former highlighted by a United States Savings Bonds emblem). Can’t leave out the Nos. 2533010 American Railroads 1869-1969 and 2533040 Conrail GG1s. Their different blue schemes are smashing!
Three of the Pennsy GG1s plus the Penn Central, Amtrak, and American Railroads can be enhanced by adding on sets of two or four matching passenger cars. Best of all may be the No. 2522010 six-car freight outfit. A Brunswick Green engine pulls specially designed rolling stock, including an N5 caboose.
Operators guided by nostalgia for what Lionel did when it introduced its very first GG1 almost 80 years ago will be pulled toward set No. 2522020. In addition to its updated version of the classic 2332, it comes with three Tuscan Red heavyweight passenger cars inspired by those in the classic No. 2124W set.
Other treasures
I apologize for allowing my passion for the GG1 electric — both the full-size locomotive and the Lionel model — take over. Let me turn to a few of the other terrific locomotives in Lionel’s 2024 Catalog Volume II. There are many steam and diesel engines, especially those from later in the 20th century, I like.
First come the steamers. As much as I admired the replicas of the Norfolk & Western Y6B Mallet loaded with Legacy features, it was the 4-8-2 Light Mountain model that captured my attention. Maybe the variety of color schemes made the difference. The blue and cream on the No. 2531260 Texas & Pacific caught my eye; so also did the green and gold on the No. 2531240 Southern Ry.
Legacy diesels were highlighted for me by the Alco PA units paired with a SuperBass B unit. Slick as the Nos. 2533260 Santa Fe engines wearing the classic silver-and-red warbonnet scheme undoubtedly are, I prefer the Nos. 2533310 red-and-orange Southern Pacific and 2533270 yellow-and-black Erie RR models.
Equally as nice was the No. 2533181 Ferromex SD70ACe road diesel. I appreciated as well the No. 2533191 Maine Northern SD70M-2. No surprise that the designers at Lionel hunt for modern motive power in unfamiliar road names.
Winding it up
I could go on and on about the new locomotives, but it’s about time to wind things up with a brief look at the rolling stock presented in Lionel’s 2024 Catalog Volume II. The GG1s with look great leading freight trains that have the new Pennsy and Penn Central boxcars plus one of the cabin cars at the end, with versions decorated for the Pennsylvania, Long Island, Penn Central, and Conrail.
Other favorites in my book range from a Maine Central single-dome tank car to an Illinois Central “hotbox” refrigerator car as well as a Pacific Electric trailer-on-flatcar, dazzling Milwaukee Road rib-side boxcars, and AC-2 covered hoppers lettered for Atlantic Coast Line, Great Northern, and Millen Feed Mills.
What also are neat to see are the four-bay covered hoppers decked out in vivid paint schemes with equally vivid graffiti and realistic weathering effects. Purists out there may shun these models in favor of pristine Centerflow models.
While on the subject of hoppers, Lionel has wisely begun offering three-bay models augmented with separately priced six-packs of realistic coal loads originally marketed by Weaver Models. Operators will want to update their fleets of Chesapeake & Ohio, Virginian Ry., and Lehigh Valley cars with these loads.
Given enough time and space, I know there are other locomotives and individual models in Lionel’s 2024 Catalog Volume II I could extol. Instead, I will arbitrarily stop here and look forward to what will be shown in the first consumer catalog released this year to mark Lionel’s grand 125th anniversary.
Look at more catalog commentaries:
Lucas Iverson’s look at 2025 V 1
Lucas Iverson’s look at 2024 V 2
