--- In [email protected], "Bill Lane" <bill@...> wrote:
>
> While on a larger business scale than the above if MTH and Lionel start
> knocking horns in the S arena by continually duplicating and releasing their
> own versions of the same models we me benefit in the short term but lose
> overall. Neither will see the full scope of scales and possibly think S does
> not have a sufficient market to support future items. Further if they both
> stick to a "modern" era for a while it would be to build sales in that time
> period but at possibly $3-400.00+ per until I am not going there at least
> for a while.
>
>
>
> If MTH got the reproduction rights for the NS Heritage schemes - I would
> imagine it would be in all scales, and shame on Lionel or anyone else for
> that matter for letting that became an opportunity lost. I think for the
> model market the NS Heritage schemes are going to be **huge**. The overall
> sales for that program in all scales may be worthwhile and even OK if S is
> not a banner seller. In that case MTH would truly be playing severe hard
> ball against Lionel to a "scorched earth" level. YIKES - it's just trains
> man!
>
> Thank You,
> Bill Lane
Lionel also has the rights to the NS Heritage locomotives, thet will be
producing them in O Gauge. You can probably bet your bippie they'll show up in
the Flyer line also.
I also don't think MTH (or Lionel) will stick solely to the modern era. It's
still early in this new S game and I wouldn't expect two quarter-inch thick S
catalogs a year out of either company.
NS has created a lot of positive buzz and the MTH NS Heritage unit announcement
is simply striking while the iron's hot. And so far, MTH hasn't said anything
about the GE's in the Heritage fleet. There will be some groaning if the GE
Heritage paint shows up on SD70's.
Also, don't forget, there's the HiRail/Flyer guys that are already being
indoctrinated with Lionel's TMCC/Legacy and MTH is going to have to
educate/convince those folks with the DCS system. In the O Gauge world,
there're strong advocates for both systems, partially reflected with the color
or Kool-Aid wars (Orange vs. Purple) of brand loyalty that occasionally bubble
up on the O Gauge forums.
I think there's about a five-year window of opportunity here for S. If Lionel
and MTH succeed in expanding the S market, great. We all win. If not, this
whole affair will become the biggest flash in the model railroading pan and S
Scale, Gauge, whatever you want to call it will slink back into the shadows.
Rich G(ajnak)
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