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Post by rtraincollector on Dec 11, 2020 23:17:53 GMT
The only reason I would be interested in MTH continuing, would be rolling stock and maybe accessories. Not a fan of the motorized items. Yes Proto sound may have been good, but to me, he should of taken Lionel's offer up for TMCC as it would to me have enhance his sales, as then he would have more people willing to buy, my main reason for not wanting a engine from MTH is it is not compatible with TMCC/Legacy.
Yes I do own a couple, there basically shelf queens at present. One I bought as I wanted Veterans train set for display, and it was cheaper than Lionel's.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2020 0:05:22 GMT
Atlas, which can’t get product produced and to market. Atlas that’s priced themselves so high no one can afford? Well if MTH is to be saved better than nobody but I hope it’s not atlas You have obviously NOT read my post --- Recap: They have a big presence in China The Rail King line gets them into the lower/less expensive part of the market. Adding TMCC would be a slam dunk - and gives them a complete line up of scale and semi-scale trains. The plus is that Atlas would not need to develop their own remote control system. I did read it and my statement stands. Atlas has issues that was my point
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Post by ptc on Dec 12, 2020 0:17:32 GMT
"You have obviously NOT read my post ---
Recap:
They have a big presence in China
The Rail King line gets them into the lower/less expensive part of the market.
Adding TMCC would be a slam dunk - and gives them a complete line up of scale and semi-scale trains.
The plus is that Atlas would not need to develop their own remote control system."
From my contacts with Atlas with respect to OGF projects, they appear to me to have little interest in taking on new business in O-Gauge. That could all change I guess for the right deal. But I would not hold my breath with Atlas in a possible mix.
They already use the Lionel TMCC system for their O-Gauge products, so that would appear not to be a big issue, only for those who like using the MTH DCS system.
All talk now until someone is willing to put the cards on the table.
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Post by Charlie on Dec 12, 2020 4:56:05 GMT
You may have misheard some of what Andy Edleman said...Hi, Last month during a virtual Standard Gauge Manufacturers meeting Andy Edleman VP Marketing MTH stated that a new company will be taking over the DCS side of things and is formed by Mike Wolf and Dave Krebiehl. New website to be launched early 2021. Yes, Andy said that Dave Krebiehl will form the new DCS entity, but not that Mike Wolf will be forming it with him. What Andy did say is that Mike Wolf is really retiring, and, if he has any involvement going forward, he might maintain a small involvement in the DCS entity.Andy also stated that a new company is being formed to take over MTH parts headed by Mike Wolf, Ryan Eisenmann and Mark Sheff?? New website to be launched early 2021. Fast selling parts will be re-stocked...That would be kinda tough to accomplish if all tooling is destroyed. Yes, Andy did say that Ryan Eisenman and Mark Sheff would be heading up the new parts entity, but he did not say that Mike Wolf would be involved in it at all. Again, Andy said that Mike Wolf's only possible involvement after May 31, 2020 might be a small one in the DCS entity.Andy also stated don't be surprised to see Mike Wolf make a few pieces of new rolling stock every year but he didn't state if that was standard gauge tinplate only?? I don't remember Andy's exact statement, but I don't think this is quite what he said.So sounds like to me that Mike Wolf is "downsizing" a bit and why not?? For the last 10+ years everybody seems to complain about something like "why doesn't MTH make this or that" or "why no new engines" and on & on...O gauge never had it so good but all folks do is complain about it. Mike Wolf is not "downsizing a bit." He is retiring--at least from the model train business. This is true whether or not it's what we wish...That is the way I took it too Keith. I watched the same video/interview and it seemed pretty clear.
Charlie
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Post by chipset35 on Dec 12, 2020 15:43:03 GMT
This from a very reliable source. It seems negotiations is going very well and a announcement could be very soon. Also Mth has said that if there is no deal all the tooling will be destroyed. That could be just a negotiation ploy. But if not that would be a shame. If the talks come to a successful end and the company is sold it will be announced very shortly most likely in the next month or so. Lets hope this goes well, Dave Seems a negotiation ploy is more realistic, for as we all know, there is probably a Chinese company waiting in the shadows to steal the tooling for free, and then re-market and sell the newly produced products, under the Chinese Company's name of "USA TRAINS".
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Post by quietman on Dec 12, 2020 15:56:54 GMT
Seems a negotiation ploy is more realistic, for as we all know, there is probably a Chinese company waiting in the shadows to steal the tooling for free, and then re-market and sell the newly produced products, under the Chinese Company's name of "USA TRAINS".
What??? China would do something like that? We all know China is always honest when it comes to international business . . .right? Yessir, China sits right up there in the business ethics with those who sell ocean front property in Arizona, who make dehydrated water (just add water), and who have a hidden gold mine in the middle of the Sahara they will sell you a share in. Sarcastic? Who, me?
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Post by Charlie on Dec 12, 2020 16:12:21 GMT
So, just for discussion sake, lets assume someone does not buy the MTH company, but does get their hands on the tooling and produces choo choo's for the US market.
What next?
Can't use the MTH name, or Lionel, Atlas, Bachmann or even the above mentioned "USA Trains" as they are already taken.
What sales channel would you use? Direct to customer (internet sales)? Distributors? who in their right would take on a commitment with no stateside support? Direct to retailers? All five of them? no way.
These will be made without TMCC/DCS. Remember, they did not buy MTH so they will not get DCS either.
Its one thing to make "stuff" but to actually bring it to market is a whole other world for this manufacture (the fictitious company we are talking about).
Charlie
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Post by g3750 on Dec 12, 2020 20:39:30 GMT
Why would they destroy the tooling? That makes absolutely no sense at all. Wouldn't be totally out of character, now would it?
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Dec 12, 2020 20:55:43 GMT
The Chinese are masters at reverse engineering. They do it with many electrc-mechanical products. They do it with air soft guns, so much so, the Chinese brands have become mainstream. People are aware of their poor metallurgy, but buy them anyway as they are 1/3 the price of Taiwanese, Korean or Japanese produced guns.
I am surprised they haven’t done this already, and started selling model train items ...
Tom
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Post by chipset35 on Dec 14, 2020 14:51:28 GMT
The Chinese are masters at reverse engineering. They do it with many electrc-mechanical products. They do it with air soft guns, so much so, the Chinese brands have become mainstream. People are aware of their poor metallurgy, but buy them anyway as they are 1/3 the price of Taiwanese, Korean or Japanese produced guns. I am surprised they haven’t done this already, and started selling model train items ... Tom In 2021, China is going to be even more powerful than before. IF....you know what I mean...and in so many ways we will lose count.
However, at least for the model train market that might be a good thing for availability and keeping prices from going up too fast. Maybe even new model train makers?
Then again, any model trains with American Flags and other Patriotic paint schemes will be banned in return for getting a trade deal with them or for continuing pay to play to line certain family's pockets.
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Post by Country Joe on Dec 16, 2020 2:41:14 GMT
The Chinese are masters at reverse engineering. They do it with many electrc-mechanical products. They do it with air soft guns, so much so, the Chinese brands have become mainstream. People are aware of their poor metallurgy, but buy them anyway as they are 1/3 the price of Taiwanese, Korean or Japanese produced guns. I am surprised they haven’t done this already, and started selling model train items ... Tom In 2021, China is going to be even more powerful than before. IF....you know what I mean...and in so many ways we will lose count.
However, at least for the model train market that might be a good thing for availability and keeping prices from going up too fast. Maybe even new model train makers?
Then again, any model trains with American Flags and other Patriotic paint schemes will be banned in return for getting a trade deal with them or for continuing pay to play to line certain family's pockets.
I know what you mean, Vince, and I agree. Well said.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2020 17:57:20 GMT
And we as a model train community can chose to buy or not to buy those products made outside of the USA. Yes that might mean doing without that new train or whatever. But there are tons of USA made trains from various companies on the market as the older generation of model railroaders move on to the next life. We all vote/choose in one fashion or another, be it at the ballot box or with our wallets when we choose our purchases. Mike
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Post by Yellowstone Special on Dec 16, 2020 18:14:05 GMT
And we as a model train community can chose to buy or not to buy those products made outside of the USA. Yes that might mean doing without that new train or whatever. But there are tons of USA made trains from various companies on the market as the older generation of model railroaders move on to the next life. We all vote/choose in one fashion or another, be it at the ballot box or with our wallets when we choose our purchases. Mike Well-stated, Mike. There are also lots of trains on the secondary market if one is willing to look. In my case, the layout is saturated and built out. I have all of the locomotives and cars I'll ever need and will be happy with them for a long time to come. 😀
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Post by bluelinec4 on Dec 16, 2020 19:12:35 GMT
Remember O-Line reproductions They brought alot of ex K-Line and RMT products to market No engines but it is possible
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Post by scottsmith on Dec 16, 2020 19:43:35 GMT
Why would he destroy the tooling? The tooling cannot leave China due to their excessive taxes on its removal. If no one buys the tooling he has limited options. 1) Scrap the tooling for cash. 2) Pay for storage in China without any way to watch over it.
So what would you do if you were Mike? Scott Smith
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