My sons Lego Christmas catalog came today.

[pbjwilson]

"Home for the Holidays" Lego catalog was in the mailbox today.

First impression - Lego knows how to present and "sell" their product. Along with all the great Lego building kits is the new Thomas the tank engine line. Nice assortment of Thomas stuff in the Duplo line geared to toddlers.

Then there's the Lego trains. The way it's layed out even I want some Lego trains. It's just cool stuff. An Engine shed which opens up to reveal a crane, drill press, lathe, and a coffee maker for break time. Then there's a train crossing accessory with crossing gates, tower, pedestrian walkover, etc.

What I'm getting at is I get more excited over Legos offerings than I do over Lionel or MTH. It's all in the presentation and layout of the catalog. Lego has their act together.

[Brutus]

We've got an "L Gauge" Hogwart's Express that is motorized, including the train station platform 9 3/4, plus every Harry Potter kit from 2001 and a few of the newer ones. So far, we only have an oval of track due to space constraints. We're going to expand it a bit over the winter, and I was also thinking of adding a regular "muggle" train - maybe designing a Shay with some logging cars - the neat thing about these kits - you can kitbash like crazy! I added a caboose kit and modified it to fit the HE train.

Check out www.bricklink.com for oddball/extra pieces and some good prices on some kits - it's like ebay for legoes.

[brianel027]

Absolutely Paul!! I've kind of been saying this for years and years. The 3-rail hobby isn't concerned with introducing the hobby to kids or making the kind of products for a family to participate in the hobby together. Ironic too because one of the owners of Lionel, Neil Young, has stated how this is hobby for families and how trains can bring a family together. And when they do bother, it's usually junk that required no investment and no new tooling - and likewise doesn't get promoted either.

So what does the hobby do? Take sole aim at the aging adult market. Hmmm, is Lego in money trouble? Could be, but not that I've heard of. Yet we've all heard about the money problems of MTH, K-Line and Lionel to one degree or another.

But you know Paul, if the so-called "Big 3" came out with catalogs that looked like the Lego catalog (which would actually be a good thing in the long run for the hobby) there'd be a bloody riot in the streets of York, Pa at the next TCA meet.

The adult scale market sometimes acts like kids: make this, make that, do it this way, make it more scale, the chuff rate is wrong, get rid of the tether cord, when is TMCC 7.2 coming out, the market lights are incorrect, etc. At least with kids, I kind of understand their behavior... after all, they are not adults... they ARE really kids. And this hobby would be NOWHERE today if folks had not had trains when they were kids. Today's adult customers were the kids who played with trains years ago. At least of all companies, Lego seems to understand this concept. It's completely escaped the others.

[cnw1995]

Paul, my boy got the catalog yesterday too. Quel impressivio! We have to go through it together -

[willpick]

I'm an "L" gauge fan too[:)] Lego trains are FUN! My pride & joy is the Santa Fe train- I built 2 A units & all the cars[:)] . I'm starting on the High Speed Train now- I need to buy a few more cars and another engine---

[wrmcclellan]

You may not be aware, but Lego is in financial trouble and losing market. Quite similar to when Lionel put out it's best catalogs.

BTW - we got ours the other day also, but my son only messes with the Mindstorms robots now.

[Anonymous]

i like lego trains too![:)]

[Anonymous]

. . .hi, is there a regular cyber-link to the Lego catalog?

[Brutus]

Yeah - www.lego.com

Look down on the bottom toward the right and you'll see Shop At Home.

You should also check out www.lugnet.com and www.bricklink.com

[Anonymous]

Thanks!