What is going on with MTH?

[spodwo]

I think many of us are forgetting that MTH basically severed their relationship with Samhongsa and moved production to a factory that they own in South Korea. Stuff is starting to flow out the door now although still not fast enough for some of us.

[MikeSanta]

I think that it's good that there is some duplication of some products by the different manufacturers assuming that they don't copy each other's equipment numbers. In HO for years the makers like Atheran, AHM, Tyco, etc. did that so that way if someone wanted to model the Allegheney mountains during WW2 or West Texas around the 60's they could do that. Back when it was just Lionel only, you couldn't do that as easily in many cases. Now we in O Gauge can do that. They need to work on different numbers, tho. Remember the idiocy of both Lionel AND Right-of-Way BOTH numbering their Shay engines Number 6!!!

[MikeSanta]

I think that it's good that there is some duplication of some products by the different manufacturers assuming that they don't copy each other's equipment numbers. In HO for years the makers like Atheran, AHM, Tyco, etc. did that so that way if someone wanted to model the Allegheney mountains during WW2 or West Texas around the 60's they could do that. Back when it was just Lionel only, you couldn't do that as easily in many cases. Now we in O Gauge can do that. They need to work on different numbers, tho. Remember the idiocy of both Lionel AND Right-of-Way BOTH numbering their Shay engines Number 6!!!

[Anonymous]

YO BOB KELLER: I am not concerned to MTH, toooo much, but with the other, two big guy's>>>>>LIONEL & K-LINE,Both seem to be dragging their feet for getting products to hobby & train stores shelfs, what is lionel sending out now xmas stuff,but from what year, I have had a order with K-LINE (membership) circus boxcars ( I got one),still missing two, from a year ago,you talk about a large company giving people the run-a-round, I would say k-line is at top dog,I sent them a email asking for delivery date,1st was fall 2002, the spring of 2003, then summner of 2003>>>>>>>>>>very dumb HUB

[Anonymous]

YO BOB KELLER: I am not concerned to MTH, toooo much, but with the other, two big guy's>>>>>LIONEL & K-LINE,Both seem to be dragging their feet for getting products to hobby & train stores shelfs, what is lionel sending out now xmas stuff,but from what year, I have had a order with K-LINE (membership) circus boxcars ( I got one),still missing two, from a year ago,you talk about a large company giving people the run-a-round, I would say k-line is at top dog,I sent them a email asking for delivery date,1st was fall 2002, the spring of 2003, then summner of 2003>>>>>>>>>>very dumb HUB

[Anonymous]

I like MTH just fine, even with the Proto Sound 1 battery issue, their products have placed ol' Lenny the Lion on the spot to start making some decent trains again..... unfortunately just too darned expensive (Lionel). Thank Goodness for competition, K-Line, Williams, MTH and of course Lionel all have something to offer, I'd hate to have only one type of auto to buy, I love the ability to choose my level of detail and choose what I'm going to pay for it!

[Anonymous]

I like MTH just fine, even with the Proto Sound 1 battery issue, their products have placed ol' Lenny the Lion on the spot to start making some decent trains again..... unfortunately just too darned expensive (Lionel). Thank Goodness for competition, K-Line, Williams, MTH and of course Lionel all have something to offer, I'd hate to have only one type of auto to buy, I love the ability to choose my level of detail and choose what I'm going to pay for it!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ttam

Should MTH disappear, I say GOOD RIDDANCE! All they have ever done is copy everyone else's products and ideas and try to under price their competiters. Their only goal in the market place is to put Lionel out of business, and if they take everyone else down in the process, so much the better.

Thats what their SUPPOSED to do. It's called "Business".
MTH has a lot of good stuff, and most, is just as good as "Lionel".

We NEED MTH, if for anything,- to keep over-rated prices down, to where the average person can afford to stay in the hobby.

I like Lionel, and MTH both, but the world would be an ugly place to live in, if 1 manufacturer had a monopoly on the market, thus being able to charge as much money as they wish.

I'm thankful for some of the reproductions they have reissued. (and MTH isn't the only ones who do this).
It's nice to be able to buy a modern, more technically advanced version, of a classic piece of rolling stock, engine, or accessory, not to mention the superior, cheaper, and less cluttered, command control system (DCS) they offer.
Look how many "Sold-seperatly" perifials (at least 6 or 7) you need to buy for TMCC to do the same things that DCS does with 2 or 3. There's a few things on DCS, that TMCC trains can't even do...

Yes! We NEED MTH, Williams, 3rd rail, Atlas, K-Line, Lionel, etc., to keep each other at bay, where prices are concerned, and to keep each other competetive with function, reliability, and quality.
Lose even 1 or 2 of these companies, and the consumers will suffer.

Thats my 2¢.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ttam

Should MTH disappear, I say GOOD RIDDANCE! All they have ever done is copy everyone else's products and ideas and try to under price their competiters. Their only goal in the market place is to put Lionel out of business, and if they take everyone else down in the process, so much the better.

Thats what their SUPPOSED to do. It's called "Business".
MTH has a lot of good stuff, and most, is just as good as "Lionel".

We NEED MTH, if for anything,- to keep over-rated prices down, to where the average person can afford to stay in the hobby.

I like Lionel, and MTH both, but the world would be an ugly place to live in, if 1 manufacturer had a monopoly on the market, thus being able to charge as much money as they wish.

I'm thankful for some of the reproductions they have reissued. (and MTH isn't the only ones who do this).
It's nice to be able to buy a modern, more technically advanced version, of a classic piece of rolling stock, engine, or accessory, not to mention the superior, cheaper, and less cluttered, command control system (DCS) they offer.
Look how many "Sold-seperatly" perifials (at least 6 or 7) you need to buy for TMCC to do the same things that DCS does with 2 or 3. There's a few things on DCS, that TMCC trains can't even do...

Yes! We NEED MTH, Williams, 3rd rail, Atlas, K-Line, Lionel, etc., to keep each other at bay, where prices are concerned, and to keep each other competetive with function, reliability, and quality.
Lose even 1 or 2 of these companies, and the consumers will suffer.

Thats my 2¢.

[Bob Keller]

Hi Ken,

Currently, 100% of what the manufacturers send us for news photos or for review gets into the magazine.

MTH's total through our October issue, has been 24 product photos, reviews, or videos placed on the website. Their total last year (Jan-Dec) was 24. Through the October issue, Lionel's total is 39 and K-Line's is 28.

I've got a review of the MTH RailKing NYC Aerotrain coming up in December and the MTH Premier S1 steam locomotive in the January CTT.

Bob Keller
Classic Toy Trains

[Bob Keller]

Hi Ken,

Currently, 100% of what the manufacturers send us for news photos or for review gets into the magazine.

MTH's total through our October issue, has been 24 product photos, reviews, or videos placed on the website. Their total last year (Jan-Dec) was 24. Through the October issue, Lionel's total is 39 and K-Line's is 28.

I've got a review of the MTH RailKing NYC Aerotrain coming up in December and the MTH Premier S1 steam locomotive in the January CTT.

Bob Keller
Classic Toy Trains

[Anonymous]

Should MTH disappear, I say GOOD RIDDANCE! All they have ever done is copy everyone else's products and ideas and try to under price their competiters. Their only goal in the market place is to put Lionel out of business, and if they take everyone else down in the process, so much the better. I for one have and will never buy anything from MTH.

[Anonymous]

Should MTH disappear, I say GOOD RIDDANCE! All they have ever done is copy everyone else's products and ideas and try to under price their competiters. Their only goal in the market place is to put Lionel out of business, and if they take everyone else down in the process, so much the better. I for one have and will never buy anything from MTH.

[Anonymous]

The past few months I have noticed less and less MTH in Classic Trains Magazine and in other similar magazines. Their advertising is only relating to DCS. I see fewer and fewer MTH product reviews. Fewer MTH releases in product news. And, fewer, fewer, and fewer advertisers in the magazines advertising MTH products. I have loved their Premier line since I came back to the hobby about 4 or 5 years ago but am worried that they are disappearing from the horizon. Any thoughts on this? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

The past few months I have noticed less and less MTH in Classic Trains Magazine and in other similar magazines. Their advertising is only relating to DCS. I see fewer and fewer MTH product reviews. Fewer MTH releases in product news. And, fewer, fewer, and fewer advertisers in the magazines advertising MTH products. I have loved their Premier line since I came back to the hobby about 4 or 5 years ago but am worried that they are disappearing from the horizon. Any thoughts on this? Thank you.