100 years of O gauge

[overall]

Those of you who are informed on Lionel's history know that Joshua Cowen introduced O gauge in 1915, so next year marks it's 100th anniversary. Does anyone know if Lionel plans any special products for the occasion? His first O gauge locomotive was based on a New York Central Electric that worked around Grand Central Terminal ( I think ). Maybe Overlord would know?

[lionelsoni]

This would be the centenary of Lionel O-gauge, of course, not O-gauge in general, which was introduced earlier by Maerklin.

[lion88roar]

Actually that isn't quite true... 2014 *this year* would be year 100. We start counting years in year 1, not 0. This is why technically decades run from 1 to 10, not 0 to 9.

[Nationwidelines]

Lionel certainly was not first in O gauge. American Flyer began producing O gauge in 1907, under the name Edmonds-Metzel. Ives and others produced O gauge even earlier.

[thesiding]

Also did not Marklin?

Lionel DID give us three rail o gauge and trains made all those years ago SHOULD run on all track that is three rail

[wallyworld]

Regardless of how we count, it's remarkable that this hobby that arrived 100 years ago or so still has a loyal following. Hula hoops, soap box racers, slot cars etc all peaked only to vanish in popularity and that says a great deal about not only current fads but the future of the hobby in general.

[Rob412]

As long as there are real trains there will be a following for their model counterparts. If only some of the kids who play with Thomas the Tank stay on the hobby will do fine. So raise a glass for 100 years and to the next 100.

[Penny Trains]

It would be nice if Lionel by way of the LCT/MTH division would release some early repro O gauge equipment.  The small locos (150, 258, 259, etc.) and early 4 wheel cars come to mind.

The last half dozen years or so of Tinplate Traditions and now Lionel Corporation Tinplate have seen A LOT of classic period prewar trains put out with paint jobs that aren't even close to anything Lionel, Flyer or Ives even considered doing way back when.  Call me jaded, but I believe a 517 caboose should be brass and/or nickel trim and heavily enameled stamped steel parts.  Not rubber stamped graphics.  I just think they cheapen the look of the trains.

Is it reasonable to assume that since so many of these cars now fill the LCT catalogs that Lionel/MTH are searching for revenue from the tinplate division?  Adding the 6 and 7 and their associated passenger cars a few years back was the first move since the 80's that they made towards early period  standard gauge.  But wouldn't it make sense to add more low end sets and broaden the market appeal by producing some of the simplest trains instead of creating paint schemes that turn some of us off?  There are a lot of simple locos and cars that could be stamped out using the motors and trucks they've already developed.  Just my 

Becky

[thesiding]

Some kids do move on     some do not