Toy train operating and collecting

I think a lot of great ideas like the upgradeables didn't take off simply because there was no promotion, and no promotion because there was no money to do it.  Train magazines are a start.  But print media ain't cutting it for Lionel or the others.  At the least it is not reaching a broad enough audience

Maybe many of you will disagree, but I don't think it was an accident that some of the best recent sellers are hooked to something the kids and parents SEE (movie, tv commercial) and the parents make the connection to a purchase.  PE, Hogwarts, Thomas, etc.  I agree with the funnel comments.  

I've got to go back to developing my Christmas 2008 Budweiser commercial that has the Lionel trains with Nascar freight cars circling around the Christmas tree, replacing the Clydesdales routine.  And perhaps a Clydesdale can be peering in the frosted family room window and shaking his head as if to say "YES, GO FOR IT!"

Jack

PS: You also better believe that the marketing folks at the train manufacturers are reading the many train forums and are chomping at the bit at threads such as this.

johnandjulie13 wrote:

dougdagrump wrote:  lionroar88 wrote: trainsfan, This is why I feel selling engines that are conventionally equiped, but upgradable to TMCC/Legacy with add-in boards is the better route. Also, the boards should be available through service centers only, if selling to individuals they should be made fully aware that Lionel does not gaurantee the boards unless they are installed by a service center. They did this for a few years starting maybe around 2000, that is how I got started with TMCC. I have two sets of the B&O FT's that I bought the plug-n-play boards and a pair of D&H C-420's one that came w/TMMC and the other, issued the same year, that I upgraded the same as the FT's. Not being privy to the cost breakdowns I don't know what the cost difference would be to market them as upgradeable. However it seems as though if they were upgradeable, on a P&P basis, it would be a good way to get your foot in the door in anticipation of additional sales of upgrade parts. But that brings up another question as to wheather "upgrading " is even feasible with Legacy systems. I would also think that their production costs would go down.  When Brent mentioned that Lionel should offer easy upgrades, I thought it was a great idea.  I did not realize Lionel had already tried this.  Jerry Calabrese talks about the funnel theory.  Doug hits the nail on the head, by giving owners and easy upgrade path to TMCC (and even to Legacy) Lionel has a chance to make the funnel larger.  I would be curious to know if providing a "P&P" option is really more expensive than making a conventional locomotive. Regards, John

I'm not saying make some that are upgradable and some that aren't, I'm saying make them ALL upgradable. Then you don't have to change marketing at all, it is either TMCC or it is conventional (upgradable).

I've seen a couple engines in the latest catalog that are 'TMCC Ready' which means they are not TMCC now, but you can upgrade them to TMCC at some point.

I don't think Legacy Upgrades are necessary, just upgrades to TMCC. You can still operate TMCC engines in Legacy - just without all the extras.

My problem is right now most of the items produced are upgradable with the ERR boards, but how does the everyday layman know what board to purchase? That is what my problem is... if ALL engines are upgradeable then they just need a list of what engines are compatible with each board....

I agree Brent, but another question yet to be answered is "how long will Big L continue to market TMCC after Legacy has been fully operational and widely in use for a period time" ? Or will the original TMCC become an aftermarket add-on licensed to TAS, DD and ERR (even though there already is a relationship between ERR and Big L).

                          

More affordable tmcc train's. The average guy married with kids cannot afford the really cool stuff offered by lionel. With Kids now a-days everythings handheld and wireless. The cheapest tmcc controlled train is $450. to 1700. dollars I surely can't afford that, I wish I could. Don't get me wrong I know every company need to make money and be profitable but if you want to get more kids in today's enviroment interested you got make it more realistic for the average earner. Mth seems to be a little more affordable so I may be leanin towards there stuff when my little guy gets older ,for right now though looks like we'll have to be happy with a whistle button.

 (This has to be the coolest site)

 Aaron Dilbeck