Good evening all,
Every once in a while, some random questions pop into my head concerning toy trains. Here are some I would like to share and see if there is any opinions on any or all. None of them are related to the other except in the general of all being about the toy train area.
1) Has anyone ever asked MTH or Lionel reps when the concept of Proto (Electro) couplers would be expanded to rolling stock? Lionel made a few high operating cars with that feature a few years ago, but to my knowledge it never went beyond that. Lionel made the Electronic set 60 years ago with relatively low grade technology (compared to what is available now), and neither company has duplicated the feat since.
2) When if ever will Lionel make Fastrack in O-27 curves with switches and straights to match? O-36 is nice, but it chews up so much space that a 4x8 table holds at best a slightly complicated oval with maybe one passing siding.
3) Will MTH ever make repro IVES 1770 series cars? These were Lionel 500 series Standard gauge cars with Lionel couplers and IVES name plates and numbers. These are rare as hen's teeth in the original form, and priced accordingly.
4) WIll there ever be a Standard gauge diesel? A Boxcab Alco or early EMD switcher would certainly fit in the time frame.
5) Will anyone ever make American Flyer S switches again?
As you can tell, this is an eclectic set of questions. Please feel free to jump in on any or all with your thoughts and comments.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
In my opinion, I wouldn't hold my breath on One through Four. But this one, I think affects a lot of people:
Sure, there are aftermarket S hi-rail switches out there, but they tend to be fairly expensive and don't always lend themselves easily to temporary floor layouts. Just why Lionel would choose to reproduce AF rolling stock and track but not switches puzzles me. Maybe they're waiting to see how their new/old Flyer line is doing before coming out with some kind of FasTrack-like S gauge line, but I haven't heard any rumors to that effect.
As for number 2, Lionel would have to decide whether to deviate from the pattern that they have established of making Fastrack in diameters to the center rail that are multiples of 12 inches. That measurement for tubular O27 is 25 inches. So they would have to make the new Fastrack as O25 and break the pattern, or as O24 and make something even tighter than tubular O27.
Perhaps a half-step compromise--Fastrack O30. It would be just a little gentler than tubular O31 (which is O28.284 in Fastrack terminology).
Bob Nelson
I have talked to Mike Wolf about electronic operating couplers on rolling stock. One concern is that the increased price for the piece of rolling stock would not generate sales to cover the expense of adding the couplers.
Bill T.
The building blocks are out there for electronic couplers on rolling stock - though in present form it is overkill. Some creative soul could make it work. Initial expense would be high.
As far as the AF switches go Lionel does not own the AF track, Kline did and I believe Lionel only has been marketing under the licence.With every thing thats going on they may never make it. Just my opinion not based on any facts.
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