Best Toy Train products of 2005?

[cnw1995]

What would you say was the best
Steam?
Diesel?
Electric?
Accessory?
Structure?
Other?

I'd say (mostly from drooling over CTT reviews and videos)
Diesel: RMT RDC (a great unit)
Electric: Tie between MTH Little Joe (wonderful detailed) and MTH White Sox subway models.
Steam: MTH Triplex (a funky looking monster - I like the blue color)
Accessory: K-Line gateman (clever animation)
Other: The 'return' of Korber structures - they have some great items.

[wrmcclellan]

Doug - all of them! [:D]

[FJ and G]

I think the most innovative idea was the K-Line roadway.

Lionel's 0-6-0 and K-lines plymouth switcher were sweet

Beep stood out for the whimsical (great price as well)

[brianel027]

I think there is some irony in the train products that seem to get all the "respect" and those that turn out to be the biggest hits. When the magazines review the latest high-end steam engine, of course the reviewer is drooling over it as are probably the readers of the review. The big question is how many readers have the kind of big bucks to lay out for such a train purchase?

I don't know what would be the best product of this past year since I haven't been buying trains. I would agree with Dave that the K-Line SuperStreet system would have to be on the list.

Certainly there have been some high end products that have been on recent lists and would have to be on any new list. But I find irony that many of the best selling products (and not the best technologically advanced products) have also been lower end products aimed at larger train buying audiences. I think back a few years ago when the Industrial Rail line of cars were on many "best product" lists: non-scale, openly advertised as running on 027 curves, quality made and budget priced and avaliable in many road names... Hmmmm, that seems to go against the loudest voices doesn't it? The vast majority of pages in any new product catalog seem to be devoted to products in the other direction.

The RMT "Beep" has been a big hit and it's hardly a new item, having origins going back almost 50 years to Kusan. And now the RMT "Buddy" RDC could be added to the list, again with a history going back to the original MARX company. Funny how K-Line gave up on making this type of product for whatever reason: maybe they thought it wouldn't sell, or maybe because it is a "toy train" item and wouldn't bring the respect they have sought. Yet the same item is reissued by RMT and is becoming a big hit as with their "Beep."

Some have hoped RMT could lay their hands on the K-Line Alco S-2 tooling long given up by K-Line. I know I would welcome that move too. I'd be willing to bet RMT could have another big hit by reissuing that S-2 switcher especially if they were to follow the formula of wide road name selection.

Williams certainly struck the right idea years ago when they realized you could have success with older types of tooled products if they are available in a wide variety of roadnames to suit the tastes of as many buyers as possible. This, along with a good quality/price point, seems to have much to do with the success RMT has recently had.

Lionel has certainly had some success recently too with the new die cast Dockside steam switcher. Ironic too, that these more broad appealing budget priced items like the Lionel Docksider, the RMT Beep and Buddy haven't had to have big price reductions in order to encourage sales.

I know if I were running a train company today, I would rather have product approval via good sales figures rather than kudos and respect for innovation. And that seems to point in the direction of more basic, affordable traditional train product offerings.

[PaulEFudd]

I vote for the JLC GG1 for best electric of the year. Others have been making scale GG1s for years now but Lionel out did them all with respect to awesome sound effects.

Best steam: Lionel N&W J-class No. 611. While streamliners are so-so in appearance because of shrouds, Lionel's J No. 611 sounds like the real thing with the best toy train whistle ever made.

Paul

[Anonymous]

Accessory-wise, I'd vote for the K-Line Gateman vs. "slot cars 2005"[:D] Joe

[tmcc man]

The best electric in my opinion would be the Lionel GG1, the best steam Lionel's J

[dwiemer]

Docksider from Lionel, RMT Beep, K-line Plymouth sets, I like the gateman too. I am not so much into the K-line streets as there is plenty of action with all the other accessories. It is great to see all the animated items coming to market these days. I hope K-line is kept in business under any name so long as they and the rest continue to innovate.
Dennis

[laz 57]

K-line porter engine.
Smokes like a northern chimney in the winter.
Cough Cough!!!!
laz57

[dwiemer]

yes Laz, add the porter to my list too. Got one too. I will add a new post about this.
dennis