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Post by trainman9 on Apr 13, 2024 13:27:13 GMT
Boy, MTH seems to be producing as much now as when Mike was in business. Every day I get an e-mail announcing yet another engine, piece or rolling stock or accessory available and in stock. I think they are doing more business now and that doesn’t include all the special runs.
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Post by Adam on Apr 13, 2024 13:29:41 GMT
I agree, that was an unusual about-face they did. Not complaining as I like their products.
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Post by seayakbill on Apr 13, 2024 15:08:02 GMT
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Post by runamuckchuck on Apr 13, 2024 16:39:43 GMT
The main difference I can tell if only from the comparative size of their facilities then versus now is a lack of excess inventory on just about anything. Which is good for them in theory, but not so good for us if you end up with a defect.
But yes, the hobby needs MTH to be healthy.
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Post by lionelllc on Apr 13, 2024 16:41:52 GMT
MTH never went out of business. Mike announced he wanted to retire and sell the business, but those plans never materialized.
Stu
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Post by Traindiesel! on Apr 13, 2024 18:18:24 GMT
MTH never went out of business. Mike announced he wanted to retire and sell the business, but those plans never materialized. Stu
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Post by rockymountaineer on Apr 14, 2024 0:38:01 GMT
I'm very likely in the minority here on this topic. But as I've commented before, I am NOT a big fan of MTH's current business model. Oh yes... it helps THEM tremendously. But it's like a Texas two-step in that they have successfully -- in fact, QUITE SUCCESSFULLY -- shifted the risk of holding product to dealers and clubs. And from a consumer standpoint, this nonsense of announcing new product on a daily/weekly basis makes it impossible to "plan" expenditures for those still in the market to buy new goodies.
Look... I know for a fact that my saying these things isn't gonna change MTH's approach to marketing toy trains today. They've found something that works extremely well for THEM, and that's their priority.
I do worry how much risk enthusiasts are taking on nowadays, because it's not completely clear to me how much -- if any -- spare parts will be available for ANY kind of servicing for custom-runs that have as few as 12-15 models made for consumers... which by the way is the number of MTH Premier "Appalachian Timber" Shays that were reportedly made earlier this year for The Train Loft's custom-run.
Pat's Trains just sold out COMPLETELY of it's 24-unit, blue Cincinnatian Dreyfus. So these jewels ARE selling... and selling OUT. But with such small production quantities, only dealers and clubs know how they're managing those extremely limited quantities to DOA's that might occur.
Welcome to the new world of built-to-order model trains, I guess.... 
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Post by Traindiesel! on Apr 14, 2024 1:36:16 GMT
I'm very likely in the minority here on this topic. But as I've commented before, I am NOT a big fan of MTH's current business model. Oh yes... it helps THEM tremendously. But it's like a Texas two-step in that they have successfully -- in fact, QUITE SUCCESSFULLY -- shifted the risk of holding product to dealers and clubs. And from a consumer standpoint, this nonsense of announcing new product on a daily/weekly basis makes it impossible to "plan" expenditures for those still in the market to buy new goodies.
Look... I know for a fact that my saying these things isn't gonna change MTH's approach to marketing toy trains today. They've found something that works extremely well for THEM, and that's their priority.
I do worry how much risk enthusiasts are taking on nowadays, because it's not completely clear to me how much -- if any -- spare parts will be available for ANY kind of servicing for custom-runs that have as few as 12-15 models made for consumers... which by the way is the number of MTH Premier "Appalachian Timber" Shays that were reportedly made earlier this year for The Train Loft's custom-run.
Pat's Trains just sold out COMPLETELY of it's 24-unit, blue Cincinnatian Dreyfus. So these jewels ARE selling... and selling OUT. But with such small production quantities, only dealers and clubs know how they're managing those extremely limited quantities to DOA's that might occur.
Welcome to the new world of built-to-order model trains, I guess....
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Post by dlagrua on Apr 14, 2024 7:00:55 GMT
The train market has really changed. Once we saw mass produced product that was widely available at every dealer but today the shift is towards BTO and limited runs. This small specialized marketing approach will surely continue as the new norm. Today small quantity business is widespread and it will surely continue. The train importers (except for Menards) no longer need thousands of buyers for a product but far less. This explains the premium pricing trends that we now see.
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Post by madockawando on Apr 14, 2024 9:43:47 GMT
I look forward to MTH’s product announcements in my email when they come in and I use it to order locomotives and freight cars. However, the new MTH is a much smaller company with much smaller production numbers.
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Post by ron045 on Apr 14, 2024 12:05:01 GMT
This sure sounds like a "Going out of business" announcement. "I have decided to retire in 2021 and close the business." www.mthtrains.com/news/658In the letter he mentions the possible scenario of his employees creating a new company... Yeah it just happens to be called MTH and have the same logo. I feel bamboozled like someone pulled the carpet out from underneath me. You lie to us for a year, telling us you're quitting and then like a phoenix, the new MTH rises from the ashes. No thank you. I liked MTH products too but will only buy on the secondary market it I see something. My box color of choice now is Light Blue. Purple if it's only something I need that's not made anywhere else. And only on the secondary market. I had already started to convert some stuff to deadrail in 2020, so this announcement just solidified my decision to depart from MTH DCS. If I had the funding to rip up every piece of Scaletrax and replace it, I would. Not because of the announcement, because it's a terrible track system. Now I feel like I just picked a scab off an old wound. I have to go to my happy place. Ron |
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Post by seayakbill on Apr 14, 2024 13:13:53 GMT
Ron, sounds like you are upset that Mike Wolf was able to create a business scenario with his senior execs to keep the company viable & active in the O Gauge market. So since Mike and his VP's was successful in saving MTH you don't want anything to do with the company. This looks like the only option that Andy and Rich was able to swing to keep the company in their control. For me I am thankful that the new MTH is still in business and I will continue to purchase their product. Bill www.youtube.com/user/seayakbill |
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Post by ron045 on Apr 14, 2024 13:28:01 GMT
Ron, sounds like you are upset that Mike Wolf was able to create a business scenario with his senior execs to keep the company viable & active in the O Gauge market. So since Mike and his VP's was successful in saving MTH you don't want anything to do with the company. This looks like the only option that Andy and Rich was able to swing to keep the company in their control. For me I am thankful that the new MTH is still in business and I will continue to purchase their product. Bill www.youtube.com/user/seayakbillThe whole thing was a scheme and we all got sucked in. If he was so passionate about saving the company, they would have worked at it, come up with a plan and announced their new business model. Instead they lie about this closure, and everyone went crazy for a year buying stuff thinking we will never be able to get it again. Then magically, "Oh look, we're not really out of business". 2020 and 2021 was nothing but a money grab for MW. No thanks. Fool me once... you know the rest.
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Post by dlagrua on Apr 14, 2024 19:02:12 GMT
The matter comes down to a simple solution. If you like the product you buy if not you pass. I am an modeler, operator, and enthusiast just looking to run trains in a detailed scenic presentation; like something you would see in an exhibit. Since I am not a member of the high end collector club; whats being put on the market these days is of little interest. They can do what they want but I'm not buying. Got the funds but never spent more than $500 on any engine and $35 on a piece of rolling stock. Have spent thousands on my layout in tables, track, roadbed, switches, scratch built structures and elaborate realistic scenery. Bottom line, is you not the importers decide what model railroading represents
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Post by rockymountaineer on Apr 14, 2024 21:55:58 GMT
... If I had the funding to rip up every piece of Scaletrax and replace it, I would. Not because of the announcement, because it's a terrible track system. ... With all due respects, Ron... I couldn't disagree with you more. What's your beef with Scaletrax? I spoke to Rich Battista about the track system, after I saw it featured in his Black Diamond Railway videos back in the day. Between what I saw on Riche's video's and his positive experience with it, I decided to go for Scaletrax. And I couldn't be happier with it on my Allegheny and Pacific Railway layout.
Sadly, it's an academic argument NOW, because ScaleTrax hasn't been offered anymore, ever since MTH did an about-face on its "going out of business" episode. Ironically, MTH has offered some gondola rolling stock that has ScaleTrax crossings inside the car. But aside from that, no individual ScaleTrax product SKU's appear to be on the horizon. I guess only time will tell. But I'm not holding my breath.
So if I were to ever expand my layout, I'd need an alternative. With the exception of a few curved Ross turnouts, my entire layout is ScaleTrax. And mating track to the Ross turnouts was quite straightforward too. Sad turn of events.
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