A Vision for Lionel in the 21st Century - Radical, Standardized Kitbashing

JTrains posted:

 I was wondering if there were product safety certification (e.g., U/L) concerns with "mix and match" parts that would hamper the implementation of this idea.  Would appreciate everyone's thoughts on this side of the topic as well.

I reckon that some lucky guy at a U/L lab would get to play Gomez Addams with the gear. There would have to be verified U/L tests on every possible combination of the modular idea. That could also mean inter-connectivity between modules that might not usually be seen together. The concept of new-to-the-hobby people doing the wrong thing with the connections would be a big "what if" test item, methinks. 

Firewood posted:

JTrains posted:

 I was wondering if there were product safety certification (e.g., U/L) concerns with "mix and match" parts that would hamper the implementation of this idea.  Would appreciate everyone's thoughts on this side of the topic as well.

I reckon that some lucky guy at a U/L lab would get to play Gomez Addams with the gear. There would have to be verified U/L tests on every possible combination of the modular idea. 

Perhaps someone can comment / confirm - but are engines and cars U/L listed?  I believe (and would hope!) that transformers and other power-centric items are - but would these sorts of items need to be?

It is very difficult to develop a marketing strategy for the toy train market.  Yes some big buck die hard collectors have supported the high end  portion but changing demographics has to be brought into the equation. The "build to order" philosophy that we now see in the new catalog exemplifies this.  I believe that the  market will evolve at the low cost/lower end toy market or the small children's market and maybe pick up some traction from our sons and daughters as they age. 

The "Baby Boom" generation (those born from 1946 -1964) are the main, if not the only consumers, that support the model train industry. I would estimate that a large segment will in a few years, no longer be consumers. That brings me back to my original point of changing demographics.  A sound marketing plan for the model train market must consider this. Perhaps our sons and daughters will take an interest as they enter middle age but I still view the Toys R Us  "Tiny Tots" audience as the future market.  If we can leave emotions aside, I would enjoy hearing from anyone who can dispute what I have said with fact and evidence.

Dennis LaGrua posted:

It is very difficult to develop a marketing strategy for the toy train market.  Yes some big buck die hard collectors have supported the high end  portion but changing demographics has to be brought into the equation. The "build to order" philosophy that we now see in the new catalog exemplifies this.  I believe that the  market will evolve at the low cost/lower end toy market or the small children's market and maybe pick up some traction from our sons and daughters as they age. 

Definitely agree - as with most older companies, you are constantly torn between trying to maintain your long-time customers while at the same time bringing on new ones.