Hudsons, how many do we need?

[Anonymous]

      In refrence to the scale sized hudson it seems that every manufacturer (Lionel, Williams, K-line, MTH, ect...) has made a scale sized hudson. I recently picked up a CC 773 for under $500, more than half of what it origonally cost. While origonal hudsons (5344, 763E and 773) still maintain and grow in price, other hudsons in mint condition go down. Now mind you I am one who runs trains and do not buy to invest. I do however see this as a prime example of the train companies not really evaluating what the public really needs.

      I love postwar, it is my passion in this hobby. I enjoy seeing the PWC trains, but I would not buy them.  I cannot afford all these high-end trains and if I could I would buy the origonals. In the PWC, however, they came out with another 773. I do not know the list price but I am guessing it is over $1000. Oh, and the gold hudson from a few years ago?

    Train companies need to start catering to the next generation of this hobby. I am one of them at the age of 22. My colleges (most in their 30s) joke with me about my hobby, but when they see them run they can't look away. Their kids love watching the trains as well. QUALITY trains that are AFFORDABLE need to be made and be advertized on TV as well as other forms of media. This is the only way the hobby will grow. Instead the companies would rather rehash a locomotive from 1937 over and over again so it can sit on a mantle, (or in a box) for the few that can afford it.

         If this is not done then all those priceless 5344s and blue comets and state sets, ect.....  will be worth next to nothing in the future.

    

[csxt30]

I always say, "you can't have too many Hudsons" !!  I kind of think the manufacturers know what they're doing & they aren't going to please everyone. We never had such a variety like we have today.  Just my opinion on the toy train hobby !!

Thanks, John 

[Jim Rotella]

The only reason train manufacturers keep making Hudsons is because their customers keep buying Hudsons. They have always been one of the most popular locomotives on the market.

As far as the Hudson's resale value dropping, in the current market most new trains drop in value a few years after they are purchased. There are exceptions, but there are just too many new train products being produced each year and most buyers are choosing the new models instead of the buying the older ones.

[Train Memories]

Trainsandmusic,   I, myself am waiting for that "Hudson engine" coming out with all the latest features ( 5.0 railsounds. cruse control, 4 cuffs, the works). But I still wonder why Companys like Lionel or other big names don't put Layouts in big stores in downtowns where it is busy in thier toy departments on Christmas Holidays. When there is a layout and you hear the train whistle and trains going when you happen to walk in the store, you MAKE your self go over there to see what's going on. There is always a group of people around the layouts in stores. Some eventually fall in love with the trains and "buy". It almost seems like Lionel wants to just cater to "collectors". 

[wrmcclellan]

I always say, "you can't have too many Hudsons" !!  I kind of think the manufacturers know what they're doing & they aren't going to please everyone. We never had such a variety like we have today.  Just my opinion on the toy train hobby !!

Thanks, John 

I have at least 9 myself (Lionel, Weaver, and MTH - streamlined and unshrouded) - I need a K-Line some day when the price is right

[Kooljock1]

"But I still wonder why Companys like Lionel or other big names don't put Layouts in big stores in downtowns where it is busy in thier toy departments on Christmas Holidays."

HUH?!?!?!?

 Lionel WAS in Macy*s.  Lionel WAS in FAO Schwartz.  Lionel WAS in Fortunoffs.  All with operating nicely detailed layouts!  Did I mention GCT?

 Now, back to the topic of the thread...as has been said: as long as we keep buying them, they'll keep making them.  But it's not like they aren't making a ton of other stuff too.

 And do you really invite whole colleges over to see your layout?

 

Jon

[Jumijo]

I love Hudsons and Berkshires. Can never have enough!

Jim 

[Anonymous]

It isn't really up to Lionel/MTH/Williams/Atlas/Weaver to put up layouts in the department stores, it is up to the department stores.  Back in the mid-70s you could go to just about any department store and they would have a display.  Today there just isn't enough space for all the product, store employees, shoppers, and a huge layout.  Heck Wal-Mart has a hard enough time keeping the aisles clear during non-rush hours!

The reason you do not see trains in TV commercials is because of the high cost of television marketing.  Plus what channels would you advertise on?  What demographic are you targeting?  Would you advertise on ESPN?  SpikeTV?  Outdoor Network?  Speed?  FX?  Or the Chess Network?  I used to work for a company that sold a software package used by television stations to determine how much to charge for 15 second, 30 second, and 1 minute ads during specific timeslots or shows.  The cost to advertise during a primetime show is somewhere along the lines of hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars for a month long run.  In an industry with very tight profit margins you are not going to invest that kind of money in a television ad.

As for having too many Hudsons... I just purchased my first semi-scale hudson and I love it... depending on how much room I have on the new layout I may pick up a couple or several few more!

[Anonymous]

I do not own any Hudsons but I always felt Hudsons especially NYC are like PRR K4 Pacifics. If the manufacturers keep on making them they will always sell. They are/should be a staple in every catalog that comes out (not a bad thing). One of their selling points is they can be considered Big Power and still run on smaller layouts with 031 0r 042 curves.

JohnB 

[Jumijo]

"But I still wonder why Companys like Lionel or other big names don't put Layouts in big stores in downtowns where it is busy in thier toy departments on Christmas Holidays."

HUH?!?!?!?

 Lionel WAS in Macy*s.  Lionel WAS in FAO Schwartz.  Lionel WAS in Fortunoffs.  All with operating nicely detailed layouts!  Did I mention GCT?

 Now, back to the topic of the thread...as has been said: as long as we keep buying them, they'll keep making them.  But it's not like they aren't making a ton of other stuff too.

 And do you really invite whole colleges over to see your layout?

 

Jon

I'll just add that these Lionel layouts from the Christmas just passed were some of the nicest, most imaginative layouts I've ever seen. Who ever came up with the idea of a Christmas tree with Lionel trains running in it, not under it, is a marketing genius. Those layouts really were exceptional.

Now, back to the topic of the thread...My current roster includes 2 post war 2056 Hudsons, an early 736 Berk, and a Polar Express Berk. I think the Railking Hudson and the new K-Line Hudson are both very nice. I wish I was born rich instead of handsome!

Jim 

[laz 57]

I Just bought a MTH Dreyfuss Hudson from GRYZBOWSKIs at YORK and it runs , sounds, and looks great, even has drivers lit up, looks cool.  Glad I have that and my Lionel Century Club 773 Hudson.  The CC Hudson is the best whistle out there IMO, on the market.

Rock on.

laz57