Smithsonian?

[E7]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lionel-O-Scale ... SwglJdL3M5

Never heard of this one before!

[2railjon]

Yep! That’s one of the three engines Lionel sold in their Smithsonian Series. The engines were made by Kohs Fine Art Models For Lionel. Passenger cars for the Dreyfus and Torpedo were also produced, but none for the BR-50 that I know of.

[E7]

Not that I am offended, or even concerned/care, but it seems like they (assuming here "They" being the Smithsonian or whomever chose that loco) would not have chosen some American Iron.

Seller is asking what is (to me, at least) a pretty large hunk of change! I guess if you are the ultimate Lionel collector......

Maybe they should have done the REAL Decapod!

[bob turner]

I think they just paid the Smithsonian and used the moniker to boost sales to the rich folk. These were very high end models.

[ScaleCraft]

But it's a KOHS!

[bob turner]

Might have been Gary Kohs? They did pretty good work.

[E7]

Might have been Gary Kohs? They did pretty good work.

'FINE ART MODELS' was the late Gary Kohs. The gist of the post is why do a German prototype? Does Lionel do that much overseas marketing? I wouldn't think it would be a big seller here despite the fact that it's a nice looking model. Guessing it was aimed at the Lionel collector nuts.

This is the first one I've seen (not that that's a definitive measurement by any stretch).

[E7]

But it's a KOHS!

I think we all agree with that. The question is, or at least my question is, why a German prototype?

[2railjon]

I guess for the same reason MTH makes a French Class 241A. People model different railroads. The 241A is a gorgeous locomotive I wouldn’t mind adding to my roster.

[2railjon]

Also Scott has produced a couple of English locomotives as well.

[ScaleCraft]

Why German prototype? So some folks who model US Military on their pikes can have something to shoot at?