As I mentioned, on Tuesday my friend Bob and I drove down to Baltimore to visit the B&O Railroad Museum and MTH. At MTH, Andy Edleman was most cordial, sharing news of the end of the legal matters (below) and showing us what was going on there in Columbia, including the testing of the newly arrived P5a boxcab electrics (yes, they do test each and every one before they're shipped to dealers). We got to see their video and photo studios and, since a P5a was on the photo bench, with Andy's permission I snapped a few photos in advance of receiving my own P5a, which should be in the next few days. As you can see in the photos below, it's yet another exquisite model of one of Pennsy's electric locomotives, and includes all the features you'd expect including the bouncing pantographs and smoke releases to simulate steam from the heating plant. I'll have a full review and photo spread when I get mine, as well as a video or two, but for now, enjoy these photos! 
Yes, Andy was more than gracious to spend the entire morning with us chatting about the business as well as other current events. The B&O museum is always nice to visit since they have so many steamers there to see- many of which have been restored. The only thing that pains me tho especially with its past history is they still have "the American Freedom Train" Reading T-1 2101 down the end of the yard by itself falling apart. It desperately needs some work. From there we "high-balled" from Baltimore MD at 3:37 PM to Edison NJ at 5:34 PM in just under two hours!! I swear we were only going track speed…
Thank you for your great website and videos. I am a total MTH fan, Do you think Lionel has lone to live. Their new catalogue is depressing. Robert
I honestly don't know the future of Lionel. I don't believe it was very wise of them to bring out such high-priced locomotives at this time given the economy, but we shall see. Their name still commands respect and is worth a great deal. Perhaps the new licensing deal between Lionel and MTH in the tinplate arena is a foreshadowing of things to come.