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Post by rockymountaineer on Jul 25, 2020 15:28:01 GMT
I also noticed today while browsing Stockyard Express's website that the MTH Z-4000 transformer will no longer be produced after a Fall 2020 production-run. The announcement makes it sound like the Z-4000 has become a victim of the technology treadmill. It certainly had a good ride... I have two of them on my layout, and I gotta believe these were the go-to transformers for many an enthusiast. I hate the thought of buying another one just as a "spare", but the thought has crossed my mind.
Then again, Lionel's ZW-L has gotten rave reviews in the marketplace too in recent years. And its serviceability is more of a given now that MTH is closing up shop. I hate when these closing announcements are made, because the ripple effects just keep on going... and going... and going.
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Post by josef on Jul 25, 2020 17:14:55 GMT
The one thing that I have a concern for, be it past engines, or the last of the up coming engines yet to be released, is parts. Be it broken, lost, or worn out parts. I been waiting 3 years for a part to a tender, now I'll just kit bash one. What about replacement boards? Its tough enough to acquire them now while MTH is still in business.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jul 25, 2020 17:38:02 GMT
.... What about replacement boards? Its tough enough to acquire them now while MTH is still in business. It's a harsh reality that some of our roster may be relegated to being shelf-queens at one point or another in their life -- both MTH and Lionel. But the comfort level just dropped a few notches for MTH.
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Post by dennym57 on Jul 25, 2020 23:15:12 GMT
If the electronics go out there is always Electric Railroad. It operates with TMCC so you can use Cab1, Cab2 or run conventional.
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Post by rtraincollector on Jul 26, 2020 2:06:28 GMT
"I wonder if MTH closing will mean that Lionel will spend less on advertising."
That's a very interesting and well thought out point, Joe. Lionel doesn't do much on advertising as it is. I believe they ride on the name and what it use to stand for ( I say use to because there quality from what I have read has gone down.) I like Lionel. infact about 90% of my stuff is probably Lionel. But I don't see much advertising from them, other than maybe around the holidays.
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Jul 29, 2020 13:51:40 GMT
If the electronics go out there is always Electric Railroad. It operates with TMCC so you can use Cab1, Cab2 or run conventional. Good point, Denny. I have a few MTH PS2 with the 5 volt systems that have a tendency to fail over time. Unless I shell out the money now for the MTH PS2/3 boards, I will be out of luck. I wouldn’t mind converting them to TMCC in order to keep them running. Finally, the closing and total erasure of MTH products, parts and service strikes me as a disservice to those of us who have invested money in their products. Feeling resentful.... Tom
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2020 16:21:40 GMT
I have the MTH 20-2213-1 Amtrak F59PH I picked up in January. Thinking about the TMCC conversion. I searched the Electric Railroad but didn't find anything. Who can put me on the right path for this conversion and is it possible to do?
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jul 29, 2020 17:18:38 GMT
For anyone building a new layout these days, I'd wire it exclusively for Lionel Legacy. My layout (built almost 3 years ago now) is wired for both DCS and Legacy, because I have enough MTH locomotives to make it worthwhile. All turnouts and most accessories are wired through AIU's as well. So DCS will still be an integral part of my operating plan. I just need to keep an eye on the market in terms of sourcing TIU and AIU "spares".
However, I won't buy anymore new big-ticket locomotives from MTH. I was thinking about getting a Big Boy 4014, because I've never purchased one in all these years. But after MTH announced its closure, I'm not entertaining any outlay of cash like that with MTH anymore. So it'll be interesting to see how MTH and its dealer network plans to move these kind of products. Perhaps these will be part of the upcoming series of auctions.
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Post by JDaddy on Jul 29, 2020 17:32:09 GMT
Like I say, I am still in denial... They are liquidating the warehouse in MD. But that does not mean there will be no new products in the future. DCS alone … it cannot survive.
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Post by thebigcrabcake on Jul 29, 2020 19:42:33 GMT
One possible "Dream scenerio" is that the elimination of a major competitor could cause Lionel's value to go up enough for the current Equity Owner to sell Lionel to another Equity Group that knows the Toy business and the right way to quality control manufacturing. Unlikey to happen, but I can always dream.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2020 20:04:06 GMT
I am still stunned by all of this. One of my conclusions is the Toy Train manufactures simply do not make a large enough profit to command a significant sales price for passing the company on. 40 years of operation, an established name in the industry and nobody is willing to pay the price. There may be other complications Wolf is facing that we do not know about. It is a huge loss for our hobby. Will we ever see another Mike Wolf build a model train manufactiuring company???
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Post by ptc on Jul 29, 2020 20:23:23 GMT
"I have the MTH 20-2213-1 Amtrak F59PH I picked up in January. Thinking about the TMCC conversion. I searched the Electric Railroad but didn't find anything. Who can put me on the right path for this conversion and is it possible to do?"
E-mail me, happy to help if I can.
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Post by ptc on Jul 29, 2020 20:33:15 GMT
"Will we ever see another Mike Wolf build a model train manufacturer company???"
Good question Wood. I doubt it as the overall market has changed a lot in the past few years. Maybe we will get a few smaller suppliers though.
This may be an opportunity for Scott Mann and 3rd Rail to offer a new lower priced product line
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Post by josef on Jul 29, 2020 20:53:09 GMT
I am still stunned by all of this. One of my conclusions is the Toy Train manufactures simply do not make a large enough profit to command a significant sales price for passing the company on. 40 years of operation, an established name in the industry and nobody is willing to pay the price. There may be other complications Wolf is facing that we do not know about. It is a huge loss for our hobby. Will we ever see another Mike Wolf build a model train manufactiuring company??? Makes me wonder what he's asking for in way of molds, etc. Maybe to high? I heard that molds, etc. can't leave China, wonder if this is true, or just rumors?
Be a nice move for Atlas to increase its "O" scale engines sale with a proven market of MTHs sales. ERR may have boards to get many engine back into control, but they don't have sizes that will fit all engines. What does one do if the boards fry on the 44 Tonner?
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Post by dennym57 on Jul 29, 2020 20:53:45 GMT
I want a MTH Amtrak Genesis. I'll get that first then build my Amtrak train even if I have to buy one car at a time.
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