Has anyone thought about NEW Lionel train set concepts for TARGET?
My set concept is an O Gauge intermodal set featuring a 2-Unit Husky-Stack, 2-Unit ARC-5 "TTUX" Spine Car, and a standard Flat Car with Trailer. All the Trailers and Containers would feature variations on TARGET graphics.
What else can Lionel and Target do for their next train sets?
Andrew
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Andrew Falconer wrote: Has anyone thought about NEW Lionel train set concepts for TARGET?My set concept is an O Gauge intermodal set featuring a 2-Unit Husky-Stack, 2-Unit ARC-5 "TTUX" Spine Car, and a standard Flat Car with Trailer. All the Trailers and Containers would feature variations on TARGET graphics.What else can Lionel and Target do for their next train sets?Andrew
Throw in a GP38 with TrainSounds and you've got a pretty good set there! The only problem...Lionel typically charges an arm and a leg for intermodal stack cars (almost 90 bucks per single unit)...it probably would be too expensive. I like the idea though.
An FT A-B Set could pull either a freight or passenger train set with the TARGET markings.
The FT A-B set will look great if it were chrome plated.
The first Target Lionel Train Set suffered from an overdose of cute. Too much cute is as bad as being too dull. There should have been a balance.
There has to be a more realistically balanced set based on Modern Intermodal Trains.
LIONEL must include an Intermodal Crane with Target or even BNSF Logos on the Corner Braces.
A set that has some real world basis would relate to more people.
One of the reasons I think the Lionel set sold at Target store didn't do so well is the price, it was about $260.00 or more and most parents if they are going to buy a child a train set are looking to spend less than $155.00, NO matter what is included in a starter set.
Another road name could be CSX as they are in most of the eastern U.S.
Could have a GP38 or an SD70 diesel engine with six frieght cars.
Lee F.
IMO the target set wasn't displayed correectly for it to sell ??? In my 4 stores each had them in an isle located on a bottom shelf with a mix of other items. It seemed out of place ? Maybe an endcap of its own or a small display (unlikely) would have helped. You had to search to find it. Remember where's Waldo !!
zeke wrote:i saw the target set a few times and now wish id bought one.
They are being blown out at Nassau Hobbies NY I just bought one for my grandaughter!
30070 Lionel Classic Starter set (Repackaged Target set) 119.99 + shipping
I think the whole idea behind starter sets in Target or other big outlets and mail order houses is nostalga. Lionels diecast 4-4-2 is a decendent of the scout engines of postwar. A classic freight set for running under the tree at Christmas. I dont think too many kids these days have Lionel trains at the top of their wishlists. The marketing is aimed at grandpa or to mom and dad who remember the toys of their youth. And just perhaps a Lionel train may get the youth of today away from the computer and video games for a bit. So the classic smoking steam engine is a must. What roadname is on the engine or cars is irrelevent.
With that said, my idea for a Target set would be a set that would be a nostalgic representation of a postwar set. A Erie FA set with passenger cars. A Burlington GP-9 set. All these would be wishfull thinking.
What will be in the Target set is a starter set 4-4-2 with some freight cars and caboose
Bob Keller
njalb1 wrote: IMO the target set wasn't displayed correectly for it to sell ??? In my 4 stores each had them in an isle located on a bottom shelf with a mix of other items. It seemed out of place ? Maybe an endcap of its own or a small display (unlikely) would have helped. You had to search to find it. Remember where's Waldo !!
I agree wholeheartedly with njalb 1. I had been working at Target last year and the shelve plan had the sets on the bottom shelve at the inside, wall, end of the isle, a most undesirable location. Additionally, it is, was, too high priced an item for Target when toys are aimed at youngsters and impulse buyers. Also, kids want "toys", something with a fantisy theme and high play value. Unless a child is already into trains the set was not filling this need. Even when put on an end cap after Christmas, less then a full week, and slightly discounted they did not move. I feel that the big box stores are not the right approach but maybe more advertising backing of local dealers by the manufacturer would help.
If the sets were to include the GP38 Diesel-Electric Locomotive there are 4 major U.S. roadnames and schemes to apply.
CSX in the current Navy Blue and Deep Yellow
Norfolk Southern with the Throughbred Head in the NS Logo.
BNSF with the new Wedge Scheme
Union Pacific with the Building America Scheme.
That would make the sets relatable to current railroads.
I've said it before and will say it again. Telivision is the best way to advertize. As expensive as it is, it can pay off. What kid knows of Lionel? None unless an elder introduces it. If advertized, the play value of a train set would be "too cool" for a young mind. I don't care what roadname or what engine it is, kids think trains are awsome when they are shown them in action, even just a loop of track. What does everyone watch? TV.
Not only kids but adults. They see Lionels on tv and get a sence of nistalgia. "Hey lets get a train for around the Christmas tree." One leads to two and two leads to three and the addiction is started. Wow, I feel slightly evil.
What demographic should these commercials be aimed at? Childrens Saturday morning cartoons. Kids watch them and so do parents. PLUS, the old JLC marketing of father and son should be brought back and updated to the whole family. A family coming closer together with trains. You market that, put it in a box and sell it and Lionel is once again a houshold name.
My second suggeston to Lionel. lthough I see it somewhat, THEY NEED TO bring back promotions with popular cerials and the like. That old, Send us a letter about why you like Lionel trains and we pick the best and winner gets a train set. Put Lionel in the public eyes.
I rest my case, for now.
njalb1 wrote: NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!
NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!
i bet, but wouldnt it increase profits , alot?
i understand its a gamble sorta but one commercial could help double or triple sales. which in turn might lower prices for us? One can dream
It's funny that Lionel commercials have been brought up. The other night my wife and I were watching TV and flipping through the channels. We passed Nickelodeon and saw a Lionel commercial, but it wasn't for trains. It was for a $19.95 Lionel "piggy bank" that looked like a crossing sign. Looked like it stood about 4-4.5ft, and had flashing lights. This commercial looked like it was easily 20yrs old. I don't understand this marketing. This was about 11:00pm and I don't even remember seing a train in the background. This was in a kids bedroom and there was a Lionel blanket, sign on the wall, a lamp, ect. But no train. I don't think Lionel has a clue on how to market their products.
Lee
It's funny that Lionel commercials have been brought up. The other night my wife and I were watching TV and flipping through the channels. We passed Nickelodeon and saw a Lionel commercial, but it wasn't for trains. It was for a $19.95 Lionel "piggy bank" that looked like a crossing sign. Looked like it stood about 4-4.5ft, and had flashing lights. This commercial looked like it was easily 20yrs old. I don't understand this marketing. This was about 11:00pm and I don't even remember seing a train in the background. This was in a kids bedroom and there was a Lionel blanket, sign on the wall, a lamp, ect. But no train. I don't think Lionel has a clue to know how to market their products.
drums1427 wrote: It's funny that Lionel commercials have been brought up. The other night my wife and I were watching TV and flipping through the channels. We passed Nickelodeon and saw a Lionel commercial, but it wasn't for trains. It was for a $19.95 Lionel "piggy bank" that looked like a crossing sign. Looked like it stood about 4-4.5ft, and had flashing lights. This commercial looked like it was easily 20yrs old. I don't understand this marketing. This was about 11:00pm and I don't even remember seing a train in the background. This was in a kids bedroom and there was a Lionel blanket, sign on the wall, a lamp, ect. But no train. I don't think Lionel has a clue to know how to market their products.Lee
IMO Lionel does know how to market. The commercial that you saw was from a 3rd party vendor who is selling a Lionel license product. It's cheaper to advertise late at night. Lionel did not choose to advertise this item.
so lionel cant afford a commercial?
With what they charge for their product i would think they can do a comercial.
imo
wow thats a good idea, i do some shopping there and three weeks ago about 4 in the morning i caught the tail end of some trains they were selling, dont know what kind because they were switching over to rc cars.
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