I certainly agree with you guys that such trains would be well-received. However, it is obvious that Lionel (or MTH or Atlas) would be reluctrant to go full-force into a European line. First, it would require a major investment in new tooling. From everything I've read, tooling is quite expensive and it often takes the first run of a product just to recoup the costs of the tooling. Secondly, there isn't an already-established market for such trains. Here in North America, there are plenty of 3-rail O gauge enthusiasts modelling North American railroads who are anxious for new products. When Lionel or MTH comes out with a completely new model, they know there are people who are going to buy it. In Europe, however, there isn't an already-established market for these trains: they would have to create that market. As popular as they could be, there would certainly be a degree of risk involved (not to mention promotional costs).
However, as I said, I agree that such trains would be popular. Since Lionel has gone ahead and made the investment in this new tooling, making a GWR and/or BR set would be an excellent way to test the market. If it is well-received, it could lead to simmilar items being made in the future. If such items were to be made, there is tooling already out there that could be used. Back in the 70's/80's Lima and Rivarossi had 2-rail O gauge lines of European trains. Hornby probably has this tooling now, since they took control of Lima and Rivarossi (this gives support to your idea of Lionel and Hornby collaborating, Nick). When these products show up on ebay, they always sell for very high prices, so there certainly is a demand O gauge European trains. Also, the tooling for K-Line's Husky Line trains came from a Chinese company called Density who used it to make battery operated sets. I own two of these Density sets: one with the Geep that K-Line later made, another with a very nice model of a Royal Bavarian State Railways class S/6 pacific. This is an engine of the "windcutter" variety with a conical nose and streamlined cab: a very classy steamer, indeed! I've always wondered if K-Line ended up with the tooling for this engine since they bought the tooling for Density's other trains and track.
Perhaps Lionel's Hogwarts Express will be the start of something. We'll have to wait until the set is released to find out.
daan wrote: @sask, there isn't any 3 rail manufacturer (apart from ace trains) in europe anymore. We all switched to h0 here for some reason.. Even 2 rail 0 gauge is hard to find and expensive!I would bet my entire layout on it that if any manufacturer would make 3 rail european 0 gauge models to the same prices of the lower end trains in america (under 250 dollars for a locomotive) with the same features, 0 gauge would boom in europe. The past few years I've been (sort of) promoting the 0 gauge 3 rail in Holland and there are more and more people interested, but not necessary american models. Make a dutch "hippel" or "6400" in 3 rail with diesel sound etc for about 200 euro's and it will be a huge hit.As I said before, Lionel, MTH and others are really missing a huge marketing area here.
@sask, there isn't any 3 rail manufacturer (apart from ace trains) in europe anymore. We all switched to h0 here for some reason.. Even 2 rail 0 gauge is hard to find and expensive!
I would bet my entire layout on it that if any manufacturer would make 3 rail european 0 gauge models to the same prices of the lower end trains in america (under 250 dollars for a locomotive) with the same features, 0 gauge would boom in europe. The past few years I've been (sort of) promoting the 0 gauge 3 rail in Holland and there are more and more people interested, but not necessary american models. Make a dutch "hippel" or "6400" in 3 rail with diesel sound etc for about 200 euro's and it will be a huge hit.
As I said before, Lionel, MTH and others are really missing a huge marketing area here.
I totally agree on this, If you put a 3-rail O gauge loco at the right price into the european market I think they would blow the competition into the weeds. A GWR Castle for $250 with smoke and whistle etc. would put out a serious message. I can see somone comparing a heavy metal O gauge loco with a similar priced HO/OO plastic engine. I know I would go with the metal loco every time.
If this proved to be popular, maybe Lionel and Hornby could make a deal and Lionel make a British outline 3-rail range with the Hornby (or Lionel/Hornby)name on it. A sort of retro reintroduction of the Hornby 3-rail O system. I think this could be a winner for both companies.
Nick
I'm in!
Maybe they could retool one of those welder cars and have Harry dueling Malfoy with the tips of their wands flashing and glowing!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
This is an extremely good marketing decision on Lionel's part! This set will undoubetedly be a very good seller and will lead to Lionel getting wider exposure among the general public, which is always a good thing.
Lionel should also offer a version of this set in prototypical Great Western or British Railways livery. Now, I am not suggesting that Lionel should start making a whole seperate British line or anything like that, but since they have this new tooling, they ought to make the most of it. In any case, I'm sure there will be plenty of British enthusiasts buying these sets for customizing due to the lack of any British 3-rail O gauge trains being made today other than the very highly-priced Ace Trains.
Well my kids will be glad to hear that.
My wife bought my youngest son the Bachman "ho" version of Hogwart's express,from the first Harry Potter movie "Sorcerer's Stone".
It's a nice looking set,but has never been opened.They collected the H.P. items a few years back and this set has just not been touched.
But glad to hear Lionel is again jumping in the movie theme merchindise.
Collin ,operator of the " Eastern Kentucky & Ohio R.R."
]well yup Hogwart is coming to a Lionel dealer near u in 2007...
my guess around summer for the last book and the new movie
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