Post by harborbelt70 on Apr 13, 2021 15:33:30 GMT
Interesting discussion about Lionel cancellations. Offering lots of roadnames for a given product cuts both ways.
On one hand, offering multiple liveries helps fill out a production run to meet factory minimum requirements, while also offering enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire lesser-known roadnames made in smaller quantities. That works... as long as the roadname doesn't involve too much in the way of extra time and costs for setting up graphics. For basic steam locomotives, the change in roadname/roadnumber could be as simple as different lettering/numbering or modest paint changes such as trim highlights and such.
On the other hand -- using the Acelas and Verandas as good examples of electric and diesel locomotives -- a different roadname can involve intricate paint masks. So the number of pre-orders is more critical to coming out ahead of the game when fancier paint schemes and graphics are involved. Combine that with the bloated price point of the Acela trains, I'm not at all surprised to see a bunch of those canceled. In fact, part of me is surprised that the Acela is even being made at all. Whereas the Veranda -- while definitely not chump change -- comes in at a price-point well under Lionel's Vision Line products. Yet some of those paint schemes are pretty intricate. Time will tell what happens with the Verandas.
Unfortunately, Lionel gets confused easily in this market. They want to appeal to enthusiasts... hence the exotic catalogs that are getting larger with each issue. Yet when it comes to production, they only seem to communicate to dealers. They seldom keep enthusiasts informed. Scott Mann is the gold reference-standard when it comes to keeping consumers informed. Lionel needs to learn more from Scott in this regard.
Unfortunately, Lionel gets confused easily in this market. They want to appeal to enthusiasts... hence the exotic catalogs that are getting larger with each issue. Yet when it comes to production, they only seem to communicate to dealers. They seldom keep enthusiasts informed. Scott Mann is the gold reference-standard when it comes to keeping consumers informed. Lionel needs to learn more from Scott in this regard.
I have no hope of Lionel aspiring to, let alone matching, Scott's standards. I take nothing away from Dave O. and those who design these (increasingly complicated) models - the problems are at the manufacturing end and in particular with assembly. Less versions to make may mean less potential for errors - he says more in hope than expectation.
Where this thread started is that not all dealers communicate effectively either. That, unfortunately, is still the case.