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There's more than meets the eye in every situation, including this. 1.) For starters, there is the currency issue between China and the US. Yes, the commies have agreed to let the Yuan inflate marginally, but no more than a few percentage points per quarter. That's a pitance to the Yuan's real value. If the Chinese were to float their currency on global markets like a big boy, you would see something closer (no, I don't mean equal) to parity between US and Chinese manufacturers.2.) Are the Chinese running the most efficienty production model possible, or the easiest? It's possible that the Chinese have MBAs and manufacturing engineers designing their plants for maximum efficiency, but I would stake good money on it that they're not. In the U.S. many small-sized companies, even family owned companies, could produce high-quality goods for less using modern manufacturing methods and computer technology. Yes, it would still be more expensive than China, but it would be less expensive than throwing a few hundred of your fellow Americans into an older-style assembly line and watching the process of Bachmann locos come off like so many Model T's.The process I'm speaking of works exceptionally well with wooden chairs, made to spec. close to my home town. Guys who used to push button to produce widgets now know C++ and how to make a 5,000 Horsepower razor blade make a $120 chair ... up to 500 a day. 3.) I think there are some who underestimate the branding Made In The USA offers for the niche market. True, some people will want what they want as cheap as they can get it. That's why we have Wal-Mart. Hobbieists (SP?) do like choice, and variety and the ability to pay more for what they want. Bachmann Spectrum is a great example. Bachmann is trying to fill the need for trains in the lower-middle-range -- pretty good detail, not bad price. That could be filled in by some domestic production.  Domestic manufacturers may not be so good, however, at mass-producing other cheaper versions... Then again, how many Roundhouse, Athearn and MDC kits do we have still around, still in good condition and with a ancient price tag under $5?I think there's a possibility for anything. We just have to think. Ignatius
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