Lone Star Trains & Collectibles 4161 Naco-Perrin Blvd. San Antonio, Tx 78217 (210) 655-4665

Lone Star Express 

the newsletter for Lone Star Trains and Collectibles

updated July 25, 2008

Contents:

STORE  EVENTS 

Event TimeTable

Train News

           STORE  EVENTS

June 24, 2008: Lone Star Trains Layout has Changed

We have made some exciting changes to the in-store layout.  Come on in and see the new action.  And keep coming in because there will be many more changes coming over the summer.

HUGE THOMAS SALE 

Now--while supplies last.  Receive a FREE Thomas conductor's cap with a $30 or more wooden railway purchase, and receive a special Thomas the Tank Engine Conductor's Cap FOR FREE!!!  Note that this hat is not for sale anywhere--the only way you can get it is through this promotion.  We have a limited number of hats for this sale, so please come soon if you want to be sure to get one.

Birthday / Event Room Completed & Ready

The long-awaited event room at Lone Star Trains is now finished and ready to book.  We have already hosted a birthday party there, and soon we will be scheduling events, special workshops, and more, so stay tuned.  The room has lots of privacy, its own elevated train, and lots of great optional features.  Check back soon for a page on our site devoted exclusively to this room.

 Engineer and railroad enthusiast Joe Covert has passed away

On Tuesday, July 12, 2005, the railroading community lost a very important person.   Joe had friends everywhere--especially in the railroading world.  Joe Covert was a very important part of the atmosphere at Lone Star Trains.  He was always ready to help us with any historical railroad information, and was very quick to inform us of any local railroad happenings. In addition, he often allowed us to play with trains from his own collection in the shop.  Many of the trains you have seen over the years on Lone Star layouts were Joe's.

Joe started his career with the Illinois Central.  After a short stint there, he later joined the Missouri Pacific which was later taken over by Union Pacific.  In the 1970's, he was instrumental in many projects at the Texas Transportation Museum, some of which he did single-handedly.  He was an avid railroad memorabilia collector and historian.  He especially loved railroad china.  Last year, health reasons forced him to retire from UP.

Joe was a fixture in our shop and our daily lives.  He was knowledgeable, generous, big-hearted, and most of all, a good friend who enjoyed bringing little bits of sunshine to our daily lives.  We will miss him intensely.

George "Super Coop" Cooper has passed away

George Super Coop Cooper passed away on Monday, November 17, 2003 around noon.  In addition to his legendary radio career, Super Coop was the first co-worker at Lone Star Trains and was instrumental in LST's early success.  All of us here at the train store will miss his mentoring, kind manner, and friendship very much.  Click here to read his obituary.

LONE STAR TRAINS FEATURED ON WOAI-TV'S LIVING SHOW 

Woai-tv channel 4 featured Lone Star Trains and Collectibles on its Friday July 18th telecast.  Popular weatherman Maclovio Perez came out with Renee the camaraman and did 4 live spots direct from Lone Star Trains.  

One spot showed the layout and was used as a teaser during the Regis and Kelly show.  Another longer spot featured Maclovio and Lisa Kinsner at the Thomas tables playing and talking Thomas.  Another spot featured Mac in the middle of the layout.  The longest spot had Mac and Clay Kinsner discussing and showing collectible toys and the different gauges of trains.  At the end, Clay presented Mac with a TCA 2006 Convention button which he wore home!

TRAIN NEWS

July 25, 2008: Atlas O Announces 5% Increases Across the Board Effective August 1.

Due to factors beyond Atlas O's control, effective August 1st, 5:00 PM EST, Atlas O will raise prices on all track and accessories by 5%.

• Atlas O dealers and distributors may place one order for in-stock track and accessories, based on availability, (no back-orders) at current prices, until the above noted date and time.
• All new Atlas O freight cars, locomotives and train sets, announced as of August 1st, will include a 5% price increase.
• All locomotives, freight cars and train sets announced prior to August 1st, but not yet delivered, will remain at previously announced prices.
• At the present time, all in-stock freight cars, locomotives and train sets will remain at current prices and can be ordered as such.

JULY 2: IMPORTANT LEGACY UPDATE FROM LIONEL. CLICK HERE.   

June 2008: Important Announcement from Lionel regarding 2008 volume 1 preorders.

05/01/08: LIONEL EXITS BANKRUPTCY

Lionel has fully emerged from Bankruptcy.  Current President Jerry Calabrese touts the fact that it has been tough, but it has rejuvenated the company and its resolve noting the record sales over the last three years and new technology such as the Legacy System.  The legal troubles are over.

Read the Official Press Release here.

04/30/08

The following items are being dropped by Lionel due to “lack of support” (ie. Preorders)...these items will not be produced:

LNL27191        RI PS-2CD 3PK 

LNL27192        NP PS-2CD 3PK 

LNL28284        **FERROMAX SD70ACE        

LNL28285        **BNSF SD70ACE NON-PWR SO         

LNL28288        **KCS SD70ACE NON-PWR     

LNL28289        **SSW SD40T-2             

LNL28290        **RI U30C            

LNL28291        **MP U30C            

LNL28296        **UP AC6000          

LNL28297        **UP AC6000 NON-PWR

LNL28304        **UP LEGACY SUPER BASS

LNL28586        ** PENNSY GP7 NON-PWR

LNL28587        ** PENNSY GP7 #8511 

LNL28590        ** DRGW GP7 NON-PWR

LNL28591        ** DRGW GP7 #5102 

LNL34542        ** MONON F3 A-UNIT   

LNL34543        ** MONON F3-B NON-PWR

LNL34556        **C&O E7 A-A SET

LNL35136        ALASKA MADISON 4PK      

LNL35137        ALASKA TS BAGGAGE CAR   

LNL35138        ALTON LTD TS BAGGAGE CAR

LNL35417        MILW RD 18" ALUMINUM 4PK

04/22/08: New Lionel American Flyer S Gauge Big Boy Delayed

Though Lionel and MTH settled their lawsuit, MTH and Korea
Brass have not. MTH placed a legal hold on all income to
Korea Brass until the lawsuit is settled. What this means is that all manufacturers working
with Korea Brass have to put their money in escrow until there is a resolution between MTH and Korea Brass.
Lionel says that the Big Boy is not completed.  In fact, it is still under development. This
may be a length delay' Lionel has not provided a timeline. Do not expect this engine until 2009.

S Gaugers should not feel alone; there are many other manufacturers and many other items that are caught up in this mess.

04/11/08: Lionel Legacy Update for current owners. Click here.

October 27, 2007

Lionel and MTH Reach a Settlement

(courtesy Yahoo News) 

COLUMBIA, Md. - The nation's two largest makers of toy trains are nearing a conclusion to a seven-year-old, multimillion-dollar lawsuit.

Columbia-based MTH Electric Trains had sued Lionel, a century-old brand, accusing it of stealing train designs through a Korean subcontractor.

The dispute focused on patented computer technology that synchronizes a train set's sound, smoke and speed, critical technology in their small but competitive market.

"We're happy that we've reached a settlement," said Jerry Calabrese, chief executive of Lionel, based in Chesterfield, Mich. "It was a long, terrible case."

However, MTH founder Mike Wolf said the settlement is contingent on resolving several outstanding issues.

"It's not over until it's over," Wolf said. "We don't like each other. It's personal. It's been very difficult."

The agreement includes a cash payment from Lionel to MTH and an agreement on future technology uses, but the companies agreed not to reveal details.

The Lionel subcontractor was found guilty in a South Korean court of stealing train designs, and MTH then sued Lionel in the United States.

A Michigan jury awarded MTH $38.6 million in damages in 2004, but in 2006 the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the verdict and ordered a new trial.

Instead of returning to court, the companies began discussing a settlement.

October 5, 2007

LGBoA Signs Exclusive Agreement with Märklin

LGB of America today announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution
agreement with Märklin. The agreement means that LGB consumers in North
America will continue to get quality LGB products and service from their
friends at LGB of America.

"I have seen Märklin's commitment to keeping the spirit of LGB alive," said
Tony Castellano, President of LGBoA. "And now, LGB of America is prepared
for a very bright future as the one-stop source for the best model trains in
the world."

LGBoA expects to receive shipments soon of LGB products from Nürnberg.
Märklin has also announced that it expects to restart the successful "LGB
Club" and its member magazine as soon as possible. "Containers to be shipped
to our Freehold warehouse are already being prepared, and we're pushing hard
to serve our customers even better than before," said Castellano, who noted
that details concerning new products, prices and availability will be
released as quickly as possible.

In conjunction with the Märklin agreement, LGBoA also announced today that
its parent company, G45 Inc., has been transferred to new owners: LGBoA
President Tony Castellano and Munich attorney Stefan Jakob, who represented
LGBoA in the Lehmann bankruptcy proceedings. "I saw the potential in LGBoA,"
said Jakob. "Now, I can see that potential becoming reality."

September 21, 2007

Williams Trains Sells to BACHMANN!

Here are some exceprts of a letter sent out to all Williams dealers:

July 27: LGB assets taken over by financially challenged Marklin?

RC2 Issues Thomas the Tank Engine Recall on a Few Items

06/12/07: RC2 issues a recall on a few Thomas the Tank Engine items.  The recall mostly concerns the red paint used in characters such as James and accessories such as the Smeltering Yard.  Visit http://recalls.rc2.com for a complete listing and instructions for sending items back to RC2.  Here's a list of what is affected: