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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2020 3:30:58 GMT
Sinking feeling isn't it. Mike has been quality and a wonderful asset to the hobby. Hopefully some of his employees have relationships with the factory in China. Not sure what there is to buy without Mike and with production overseas. At the same time, the factory likely needs a successor to MTH so there should be some positive reasons to work together.
Thanks Mike for all that you have done for this hobby. What you have meant to all of us is tremendous. Hope to see you at York in October or April.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jun 9, 2020 7:06:30 GMT
Tough when these announcements are made like this (i.e., retirement and closing the business combined), but I wish Mike all the best in his well-earned retirement. I can still remember meeting Mike at York way, WAY back in the Yellow Hall under the grandstands. FM Trainmasters were always a post-war favorite of mine when browsing Lionel catalogs, but I missed out on the original post-war FM's in the mid-1960's. So I couldn't believe Mike had a nice selection of roadnames he was selling at York. And I can still recall him telling me his FM's would be completely compatible on Lionel track with Lionel transformers -- this was long before command-control TMCC/Legacy/DCS hit the scene. Just conventional control. You knew even back then that Mike was going places in the hobby. And he sure did.
The game is changing big-time now, so it'll be interesting to see how all this shakes out. I don't buy nearly as much new stuff like I once did. And this will be yet another reason to slim down an already very selective buying pattern. If I'm representative of the hobby overall, then that's not a good sign. Hopefully there will be a firm plan for parts and supporting new purchases. Otherwise, it's game over for new sales out of the last production runs.
2020 for sure has been just one unexpected event after another. I don't even wanna take a guess at what's next.
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Post by josef on Jun 9, 2020 9:14:36 GMT
I received the notice in the mail and as everyone here has stated, I'm shocked. Makes me wonder what will happen with the O scale Hobby and direction it will go. Not only availability of quality products, but DCS. My thoughts on control boards that will die at some future time, especially all those PS2 5 volt boards remaining. It was MTH and their control system that increased my interest and increase purchase of engines because of their system. Now, also with only ERR boards and at some time in the future will also be unavailable to replace burned boards by the hobbyist makes me wonder how long our scale will be there. Hopefully someone out there will keep MTH alive. I have no longer faith in Lionel with all their quality problems. Sad Day.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2020 11:48:59 GMT
So, if MTH doesn't survive employee buyout or some 3rd party buying it and they go the way of Weaver; what's left? AtlasO, which can't get product to market and is way over priced, 3rdrail with Scott not getting any younger. Lionel? Lionel can't build a trouble free locomotive to save their life. Scary times if MTH doesn't get reborn somehow.
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Post by ptc on Jun 9, 2020 12:23:24 GMT
"MTH had a great run, Mike turned the O Gauge world upside down with higher quality, more affordable trains, great smoke units, and a new digital command control system...DCS. MTH produced many many types of Locomotives that no one else made, and painted them in many liveries that were overlooked in the past.
I thought Mike was great, every time I went to York, Mike was manning the booth, shaking hands, answering questions, receiving suggestion, and complaints, Mike was always there. I admire that dedication to his business, the hobby, and us hobbyists.
I hope MTH continues on with Mike’s underlings running the show.
And most of all I hope Mike enjoys a well deserved retirement.
Thanks Mike Wolf, it’s been a great ride."
Craig comments sum this up pretty well.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2020 12:44:07 GMT
It has been well known over the last few years that Mike Wolf had been looking for a buyer(s) for MTH. Rumors about his impending retirement have been swirling around for a while as well. You can't begrudge someone wanting to retire and enjoy everything that comes with it. Forty years is a long time to work at something. Let alone start a company and ride the waves as he has done. Especially a company based on a hobby. MTH was very innovative and has produced some great product over the years for sure. They also forced other train manufacturers to up their game as well. MTH has practically cornered the market on 18" Passenger Cars, which is all that we purchase and has for the last few years been first out of the gate when it came to bringing prototypical equipment to the Model Train Hobby. As for the future of MTH in any form, I can't speculate to this. One thing that does come to mind is that when a company may carry on in one way or another there is usually a game plan in place when an announcement such as this is made. Whether it be a pending sale or an employee takeover it goes without saying that a lot of dealers, large and small will be affected as well. Given the current state of affairs in the world I would not be surprised to see some dealers close up shop and retire or at the very least become online retailers only. I guess time will tell. I hope that MTH will continue on in some reincarnation and produce products such as their Premier Passenger cars, Rail King line, their innovative SS painting and selective locomotive production. If something like this does come to fruition I for one will support them.
Gary.
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Post by Adam on Jun 9, 2020 13:00:48 GMT
I wish Mike the very best in retirement. Has has certainly enriched our hobby.
Hopefully the employees find a way to keep the company going, but this is a tough time for businesses in general. Fingers crossed!
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Post by JDaddy on Jun 9, 2020 14:58:13 GMT
The DCS control system is really whats at stake here. I believe MTH second in command holds the rights and patents to this? I don't see this operating system disappearing off of the map. This affects HO and O operators so the demand for the operating system will continue and there will be a solid business case for it for whomever picks it up. Tough thing is Who will be able to get parts to service the TIU's and remotes?
As far as all the tooling and products? Those tools and assets can be divided as needed to other buyers. The Tinplate line being one of them. What I will miss whole heartedly is the operating accessories, the buildings, signals, bridges, and unique tooled engines and cars. What a blow to the hobby.
I know just like when the remotes were canceled the price will sky rocket. I am already searching for the 64 foot wood side passenger cars to complete my sets. Not even sure if the ones in the 2019 volume 2 catalog will make it to the customers hands. These are beautiful cars
I will miss unique cabooses and they will probably go for a premium.
You know this could be strike Two for York in general. MTH was a huge supporter of the Orange Hall. And Mike was always there to help you find what you need.
Hang on to your Hat Effie! 2020 has been a wild ride... and its NOT over.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2020 15:10:19 GMT
Well if the employees or some other 3rd party doesn't take up the mantel and MTH really goes the way of the dodo bird. I will be pulling out the DCS system in my layout and converting my two MTH engines to TMCC/ERR. The app is in peril here also.
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Post by stoshu on Jun 9, 2020 16:21:21 GMT
Truly a sad day. Does anyone know if MTH was profitable ?
A potential buyer may be looking at
1. Is the company profitable. 2. is there a market, for how long 3. What does he want for the business
( I think someone already mentioned this )
and with what is currently going on in the economy it's a tough time to sell. We need another Dick Koughn
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Post by JDaddy on Jun 9, 2020 16:48:55 GMT
Well if the employees or some other 3rd party doesn't take up the mantel and MTH really goes the way of the dodo bird. I will be pulling out the DCS system in my layout and converting my two MTH engines to TMCC/ERR. The app is in peril here also. If you do, I sure could use another remote when I host my open house
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2020 17:08:56 GMT
MTH is my favorite train to buy. I am so upset there coming to an end. I wish mike a happy Retirement. He really worked hard to create an awsome company. So he really deserves the rest and relaxation while he can.
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Post by laz57 on Jun 9, 2020 17:41:09 GMT
Wishing MIKE the best in his retirement. I will miss seeing him along with his great display at YORK. Another sign of the shrinking of the YORK MEET.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2020 17:48:31 GMT
Well if the employees or some other 3rd party doesn't take up the mantel and MTH really goes the way of the dodo bird. I will be pulling out the DCS system in my layout and converting my two MTH engines to TMCC/ERR. The app is in peril here also. If you do, I sure could use another remote when I host my open house If/when or if/not it's still functional when I do pull it out. I'll be asking for a premium price for it. No longer will a lot of us take a loss on selling our MTH stuff. The price just went up two fold.
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Post by sdivtim on Jun 9, 2020 19:47:43 GMT
June 9, 2020 - With the scheduled closing of M.T.H. Electric Trains next year, support for the DCS Digital Command System and the Proto-Sound 3.0 onboard locomotive systems will continue through a new independent company headed up by current M.T.H. staff once direct M.T.H. support for the systems concludes on June 1, 2021.
The new tech company will continue to manufacture and provide support including any necessary software updates to the DCS hardware or DCS WiFi App. In fact, new and exciting product ideas are currently under development.
The DCS System controls any Proto-Sound 2.0 and later equipped locomotives and first debuted 18 years ago. It has been an integral part of the M.T.H. product line family since its inception and its continuation beyond the closing of M.T.H. is an important part of the transition envisioned by retiring M.T.H. president Mike Wolf.
As the retirement transition process moves forward, more details about the new company's creation and ongoing development of M.T.H.'s technology packages will be announced. Stay tuned.
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