Sometimes it is hard to see the forest for the trees. Although Lionel's offerings may not please everyone (and no one could especially in this group), this is a huge step in the right direction. The one thing that really irritates me is the fact that most train manufacturers, suppliers, magazines, etc don't even list S as a scale or gauge. Once a big player such as Lionel enters the market with a healthy investment, others will follow. For example, Miniatronics markets the same neon like signs for both HO and O. That means that they must design them for S in order for the same product to be acceptable for a smaller and larger scale. They ignore S completely like we don't even exist, even though a mere mention could bring more sales. Is Lionel still going to ship rolling stock with lousy, unsprung, diecast trucks even though they inherited some decent sprung trucks from K-Line? Probably and I won't buy any until they change (oh no I sound like John). However I applaud the fact that Lionel has decided that there is a market out there for S. I expect that this lone act will result in our favorite scale to be recognized in the industry as a market to be addressed. Perhaps with positive feedback, the next catalog will contain something that will interest me and perhaps even John. And I want to thank all the clubs out there spreading the S word to the world with their modular layouts and positive attitudes. We have made a difference. Alex Sibbald SDSG
----- Original Message ----- From: John Degnan To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, March 02, 2012 5:30 PM Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} Re: Pricey [... but nothing] I second what Mark said (below). It's good that they are (supposedly) offering scale wheels on SOME of these models, but that does NOTHING to address HUGE issue the pivoting pilots and UNGODLY oversized step wrungs, ladders and other details. I "MIGHT" have been able to get past the oversized deatils... but that pivoting pilot DESTROYS the model for me... and I will not be buying any. STUPID move, Lionel... just plain STUPID... because you COULD have done so much better. But honestly, it is exactly what I expected from a toy train maker that doesn't give a !#!%!&! about modelers. I guess it remains true that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. My opinion only... and I'm entitled to it. John Degnan [email protected] [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: Mark Mugnai To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, March 02, 2012 02:00 PM Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Pricey but cool I'll second that; especially the "Pricey" part. Does it bother anyone else that we're looking at $900 steamers,$400 diesels,$200 dummies, and $80 cars? These are, after all, geared toward the "toy train" market as much, if not more than, the scale field. If we scalers want one, we're basically paying (top dollar) for a starting point, from which we must then find and purchase additional items just to bring it up to an Athearn "Blue Box" standard. I thought the idea of taking our manufacturing abroad was to make things more affordable, as "it costs too much to make things in the USA anymore"... Mind you, if there's a market for these expensive toys, then that's great, but I for one just don't get it.... Mark in Oregon
