Do you think Lionel or Mth would read this post?

[Anonymous]

I would like to see if we made up a suggestion box that would suggest things we the buyer's of their products would like to see made or changed. To give you an example as for me I would like too see if MTH would build in a fuse in their port terminal block so that all the guy's with their older transformers can use it with out going out to add that external piece. Felix

[brianel027]

It seems fairly certain that folks from the companies do check out the OGR forum. Whether they also look here is another thing. I'd be willing to guess most folks at the companies have other more pressing things to do than to constantly monitor what's being said on the train forums. But at the same time, I'm sure they at least have some awareness.

That being said, the wish lists and "suggestion box" posts usually turn into lengthy requests for unusual and oddball items that have little chance of appealing to a broad spectrum of buyers and modelers. I very seriously doubt most modelers are obsessed with rivet counts, marker light placements and chuff rates as the train forums would have you believe.

MTH in the past has acknowledged and thanked the participants on the OGR forum for their trouble-shooting and contributions to making DCS a better product. So suggestions CAN and DO work. On the other hand, they need to have some level of practicality and the companies need to be interested.

There's little love between the companies themselves and all the legal actions not only show this, but also must be putting a financial strain on them. The competition has been good for the hobby in some respects. But when the companies make products with claims they are full scale and the ultimate in prototypical realism - and then they are not, the companies open themselves up to the on-line criticism they get as the buyers they are trying to appeal to are also very demanding these days.

I'm sure some of this involves profit margins and what the buyer will accept. For example the plastic frames used by Lionel on some of their boxcars are a poor example when compared to the plastic frames that were used on the Industrial Rail boxcars. They must realize this and I'm sure someone has looked at the IR products. But is putting the additional quality and cost into such an improvement worth the extra investment when so many investment dollars are being put into items like the Acela, which have limited runs, limited appeal but seem to laud so much more attention and praise?

[Anonymous]

Andy Edleman reads this forum. So does Tony Lash.

[Anonymous]

All the major manufacturers read these forums--this one as well as the OGR forum.

There's really no need for a separate "suggestions" area because about all one normally reads on the various discussion forums is wishes, complaints, and, of course, personal takes on the various legal goings-on.

In any event, they use a variety of sources for determining what they will produce, and what they read on discussion forums is only a small part of the equation--a vocal and visible part, perhaps, but really not a deal maker or deal breaker.

[1688torpedo]

Hello Felix! In quite a few ways this and the other forums do pretty much what you asked as there are various posts for different types of Trains & other requests as well. And, as noted before. The Companies are aware of these forums & what is posted on them also

[Anonymous]

Hold on everyone, we need to clarify suggestions, are these complex graphic schemes or are these new bodies or improvements to problem electronics?

There has to be a bit more of a focus on these comments and questions. You go too broad with comments and questions then the replies posted will make no sense.

Everyone needs to be positive and focused on a specific goal.

Andrew F.

[Anonymous]

The TRACKMOBILE is a great place to start discussions on a new U.S.A. model company.

www.trackmobile.com

Andrew F.

[trigtrax]

Manufacturers do read these forums.. What most posters may not understand is that what sounds like a simple suggestion often may not be simple or even workable.

Let's take the simple fuse suggestion.. You want to replace it easily right? That involves finding a place to add the fuse holder, changing the case mold, and rewiring the product. Then you get to the fuse itself. Fuse technology predates modern electronics and what was safe for electromechanical devices is often too slow for these units. And which transformer will you use a 90 watt 1033 or a 275 watt ZW? If you think about it simply adding a fuse is not so simple and may actually cause more problems than it solves.

[Anonymous]

I can see that by adding a fuse holder may be costly but what kind of problems will it cause by adding one in line. Let us know what type of fuse to go with the various transformers that are out there if thats the case.

[Anonymous]

MTH makes some of the most beautiful models that i have ever owned.
I have 100 or more. mostly MTH Locos.
I wi***hat the locomotives would just RUN.
I have a Big Boy that is very impressive.
but the board is shot.
only 12 hours of operation.
around 20 of my locos have been back for repair.
some of them has been in the shop three times or more.
if I lived closer to MTH world HQ i could keep them running ......... maybe.