LET'S TRY TO KEEP THE LIONEL/MTH....

[Anonymous]

1. show a Kid an original Wild Wild West rerun, 2. Mention after viewing- how a raked & mowed, front lawn can get a ride to the local hobbie shop. 3. after entering hobbie shop remember why your there....not for YOU, for the Kid! 4. mention how a neighborhood mowing business or newspaper route can match Dad's/Mom's bucks just like a 401K.
5. engage the Child's mind in gear and let the steam fly!

[Back2Trains]

I agree with Tom, that the average age of our group is increasing. As I see it, the 3 rail hobby today is largely based on a bunch of older guys who had trains as kids and still like to play with them. I don't see us getting enough kids interested to really sustain the hobby at current levels. In 1950, trains were the biggest, best Christmas gifts and the big department stores went all out to sell them. But then, in 1950, trains themselves had much more importance in people's daily lives and kids were much more aware of them than today.

Jim

[route1rails]

It's unfortunate that our hobby has been caught up in this. But if past events are any indication of the future, the Lionel name will continue. I'd say the greatest threat to our hobby is our age group continuing to age, our basements filling with treasures to the point of no room and our kids /grandkids interest in instant satisfaction toys. Maybe Lionel's Polar Express set and the movie are coming out at just the right time, for many reasons.

Tom

[nblum]

"
Let's get several things straight here. The facts are that Lionel used plans belonging to MTH to produce locos and profited from their actions. "

Obviously these facts are in dispute. If consumers want to act based upon their view of what the "true" facts are, that is certainly their right, and it may be foolishness to me or you, but a matter of moral conviction to someone else. Personally, I can see their point, although at this point I would not go so far as to advocate that anyone boycott one or the other firm.

[RI Jim]

Let's get several things straight here. The facts are that Lionel used plans belonging to MTH to produce locos and profited from their actions. MTH, defending their corporate rights, brought the case to court, the jury found for MTH and the judge upheld the jury's verdict. Lionel will appeal and a final decision is years off. In the meantime, Lionel files for Chapter 11 so they can continue operating. No emotional ranting by ill informed and/or ignorant people is going to change any of it. I for one, will continue to buy whatever O gauge product is offered that I like regardless of the brand name. Boycotting one brand or another is foolishness, IMHO.

[Anonymous]

It will soon be MLTH = Mike's Lionel Train House.

Dream on!, The bankrupt entity does not own the Lionel name OR TMCC. All Lionel, LLC owns is the Pre China dies, NOTHING MORE.
BTW, Mr Donaldson, why is it that you used to be pro Lionel but since SEPTEMBER, you switched to MTH.

[3railguy]

QUOTE: Please let me clarify my stance on MTH. My opinion of them has NOTHING to do with what ever happens to Lionel. I find fault with the company rushing to market a Protosound 1 board that requires a properly charged battery to even operate it, let alone if it doesnt permantently "scramble" the electronic chips of some engines.

Good point Highrail. This is the REAL reason MTH sales crashed after Korea Brass took these designs and installed TMCC. People want engines that run right and opted for the improved Lionel versions. Especially for $1,000 plus. Had MTH been importing a quality product, their sales would not of crashed.

[highrailjon]

Please let me clarify my stance on MTH. My opinion of them has NOTHING to do with what ever happens to Lionel. I find fault with the company rushing to market a Protosound 1 board that requires a properly charged battery to even operate it, let alone if it doesnt permantently "scramble" the electronic chips of some engines. Then after money invested in this "research" they come out with Protosound 2 boards, which require the purchase of their DCS system which claims to be compatable with TMCC . Try and do a multi-engine lash-up on 2 TMCC engines using DCS only. I just feel as a hobbiest and consumer MTH has taken the wrong approach to gaining customers. In a nutshell its easy to see that whatever love of toy trains Mike Wolf had went right out the window with his sorry corporate goals.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

What does MTH mean?

It will soon be MLTH = Mike's Lionel Train House

[Anonymous]

Link to court filing online:
http://www.trainminder.com/assets/files/LionelChapter11.pdf

[Anonymous]

MTH= Mike's Train House www.mth-railking.com

[Anonymous]

What does MTH mean?

[Anonymous]

Lets consolidate matters. I can see both sides of the issue. Lionel benefitted from stolen technology and should make MTH whole. However, the size of the jury award strains credulity. the real wild card in this is whether QSI will get a large award from MTH and where QSI may fit into Lionel's attack strategy. Trains are fun to play with but these events could dictate the very nature of the hobby for a generation to come. Move the posts, but DO NOT delete them, they are important to the hobby.

[Anonymous]

The answer is easy. Boycott MTH trains.

[Bob Keller]

Good idea, but too easily stacked one way or the other. Too many forum members have multiple identities....

[Anonymous]

How about a poll asking if this will influence their perception and purschacing of MTH products. Might be interesting. Bill

[Bob Keller]

Not at all. I e-mailed people on the deleted threads (before I deleted them) and told them they could re-post in one of the other threads.

At one point this morning there were four threads all posting the Lionel press release, which wasn't needed since we posted them on the forum and website yesterday.

I'd just like to remind forum members - no name calling - on either side.

[Anonymous]

Since at least two posting left within the last 30 minutes suggesting that hobbyists displeased with MTH's actions alter their purchasing habits to show their displeasure have been deleted, should we conclude that such remarks are not welcome on this forum?

[Bob Keller]

....topics in as few threads as possible.