Lionel Fast Track availabilty? Lionel What's Happening!

[RRaddict]

Here where I live and from what I have seen on-line certain types of Fast Track are hard to find 036 automatic switches, 22.5, 45, 90 degree cross overs as an example.  I contacted Lionel and they said 036 will be back out in April but as for the rest they had no idea of when they will start being manufactured again.  I noticed on another post Lionels refusal to fix reverse board problems. What is going on with Lionel?

Kevin

[Seayakbill]

I am guessing all the electric train importers are feeling the pinch from a stagnant economy. A lot less folks with disposable income to spend on electric trains.

[arkady]

No one's going to be  spending any disposable income on track that isn't available.  My local dealer's been out of 036 manual switches since before Christmas.  First time ever.

 

[Kooljock1]

FasTrack was made by Sanda Kan which is owned by Kader, which owns Bachman/Williams.  They decided to no longer manufacture for Lionel.  Lionel then had to find new manufacturing partners (as did virtually every company in every scale that used Sanda Kan).  EVERYBODY is backed up from TT to Standard Gauge, with the exception of Bachman/Williams and MTH who now own their facilities.

 

Jon 

[Demay]

I conducted a quick search of Charles Ro, Grzyboski’s Trains, Train World, and eBay and found all the items you are looking to buy.  A couple of items at Charles Ro were out of stock and scheduled to be available in April 2012.  I understand you may want to buy from your local hobby shop but sometimes they cannot maintain as large of inventory as these large online dealers.

Jon makes a good point about production.  Williams and MTH may be able to capitalize on Lionel's production changes and gain some market share. 

Joe

[RRaddict]

I also found most items on-line in various places but various places mean mutliple shipping charge which is rediculous as it is with most retailers.  At least I know now why Lionel customer was beating around the bush why they weren't producing Fast Track peices.  All the stuff I have found on Ebay they are trying to gaffle everyone on shipping cost.