Can MTH move forward with catalogs?

The MTH  website is absolute dreck. I really like the page-through pdf-thingy that lets you look at any years physical catalog, but that is just bought technology.

The MTH website I am betting was made in the early 'oughts and never updated. You can get cheap commercial software that does a much better sales-cart solution than what is on the current website.

Aside from retirement, MUCH funds could have been pumped into MTH with an appropriately designed digital storefront. That is a mixed bag, since traditionally trains have flowed through local dealers instead of direct from the manufacturer as it were. A highly efficient digital storefront/website could either make or break local dealers, so I understand how a bad website is good business for local dealers. "Does suchandsuch function per the catalog/website really work? Can I see it?" are two questions you need your dealer and/or youtube to answer for you, for example. An explicit example was the "smoking quilable whistle" text I was asking about some time back, which the catalog said the train had (greenbrier, 2016 catalog, premier), but was roundly disabused to me by the awesome people here.

Had I gotten that train unawares, I would have been pretty grrr, because a smoking whistle was something I was REALLY looking for, having just seen one in action on a muuuuuch more expensive Lionel train that same year. That, and finding out that smoking whistles arent all that, well, fancy, especially if you watch enough whistle failures on youtube!!! Smoke should jet out! Not dribble...

Tl;dr (too long, didnt read): MTH website: stinks. Much better sources of information, both practical and accurate, are found in non-MTH digital sites, or through local dealers.

Plz fix MTH website.

There's not much left of MTH as a producer.  Sure, 80% of the tooling by report is in the "company's" hands - but owning and producing are two different things, yes?

So, I'm not waiting for future MTH catalogs.  There won't be any.

@rplst8 posted:

True, I agree.  I wasn’t sure if you noticed the links is all.

Why do you think the site is so slow: reduced server size or lots of interest driving traffic?  I know one person here on the forum mentioned they were downloading all the sound files in case they went belly up, but I don’t think that’s happening any time soon.

I followed a couple links and realized that I could be there all day doing that as slow as it's responding. I think they probably downsized the server when they closed and moved, hopefully they're considering an upgrade.

I have all the sound and chain files, I'm not taking any chances.

@rthomps posted:

There's not much left of MTH as a producer.  Sure, 80% of the tooling by report is in the "company's" hands - but owning and producing are two different things, yes?

So, I'm not waiting for future MTH catalogs.  There won't be any.

MTH still has a catalog, not as once was only more streamlined, like the company has become or as others have used the term “MTH Lite”. According to reports, they still retain 80% of their tooling for O & Accessories. Does the tooling just sit, get sold for scrap or does it continue to make money. If Mike could sell any more of the tooling he would, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more sells in the future. However the new MTH is able to remain profitable by releasing products in a different way, yes with digital releases and pre orders but not so much as a traditional catalog. As far as new tooling?

This year through end of June I counted more than 130 daily emails from MTH introducing O products & Accessories through Pre-Order new releases or dealer/club exclusives. Kinda like getting the catalog one page every day in an email.

From Railking:

11          Bump-n-Go Trolley - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

5          40’ Boxcar w/Power Meter - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

1          Alco PA AA Diesel Set Santa Fe Gold Bonnet w/6-Car passenger set

4              RS-1 Diesel - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

3          RS-3 Diesel - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives                

27          SW1500 Diesel - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

5          SD70Ace Diesel/Caboose Set - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

2              SD70AC3 Locomotive Norfolk Southern Heritage Virginian & NYC

1          40’ Boxcar w/Blinking lights

1          PS-2 Hopper

9          4-Bay Hopper, - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

6          F-3 ABA Sets w/6 & 8 Passenger Car Sets - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

8          50’ Modern Boxcar - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

1          40’ Dbl. Door Boxcar

7          TOFC, - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

1          Engineering Car BNSF

4          Bay Window Caboose - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives

1          Modern Tank Car

2          SW-1 Diesel (7) Versions including Morton Salt

2          6-pc Figure sets

1          Die-Cast Fire Trucks

9          40’ Boxcar - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer/Club Exclusives      

4          1900s Tank Car

2          Gondola w/Crates

3          50’ Dbl. Door Plugged Boxcar, Political Series, Montana Rail Link

4          4-Car Window Boxcar Set Political Series

3          3-Story Building, 2 Political series, 1 USO

1          Billboard flatcar, Political Series

From Premier:

28          GP-9 Diesel Locos 14 Road Names (2 #s) each

6          GP-7 Diesel Loco 3 Road Names (2#s) each

4          ES44 Diesel Florida East Coast (2#s), Santa Fe Black Bonnet(2#s)

8          36’ Woodsided Reefer - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

14          70-Ton Hoppers - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

4          70-Ton Hoppers 6-Car set - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

20          40’ AAR Boxcar MONON (4), Weirton Steel(4), Soo(2), IC(2), GT(2), NP(4), Seaboard(2)

16          40’ Modern Reefer - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

20          Drop Bottom Gondola - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

2          Drop Bottom Gondola 6-Car set MONON(2)

10          2-Bay Fish Belly Hopper - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

11          2-Bay Fish Belly Hopper 6-car sets - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

6          Flatcar w/PUP Trailers

3          40’ Reefer

1          4-Car Flat w/DUKW Boat

1          4-Car Flat w/Bradley Fighting Vehicles

1          4-Car Flat w/Troop Vehicles

1          Alco S-2 Switcher

17          USRA Pacific Steam - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

1          8-Boxcar set BNSF 25^th Anniversary

2          Caboose BNSF 25^th Anniversary

8          ES44 Diesel BNSF 25^th Anniversary

2          50’ PS-1 BXCR

2          4-Bay Hopper

4          TOFC - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

7          50’ Dbl. Door Plugged Boxcar - Multiple Road Names Including Dealer & Club Exclusives

1          Big-Boy Steam Locos (4) Versions

2          Coke Hopper

1          Center Cupola Steel Caboose

1          33K Gallon Tank Car

Starting to look like a catalog yet?

I can’t  find the link to the MTH catalog…

My opinion is there is just too much that we don’t know to speculate what kind of business model what’s left of MTH is going to go with. There are lot of variables and unlike certain people on this forum I haven’t been sitting in on all the board meetings at MTH. I am not going to spew out what I think as if it were fact. I am just happy that a part of MTH will live on.

@Hudson J1e posted:

My opinion is there is just too much that we don’t know to speculate what kind of business model what’s left of MTH is going to go with. There are lot of variables and unlike certain people on this forum I haven’t been sitting in on all the board meetings at MTH so I am not going to spew out what I think as if it were fact. I am just happy that a part of MTH will live on.

Agreed!

"Starting to look like a catalog yet?"

LOL!  It's NOT a catalog! 

Granted, it's a nice list of product.     But I'm not seeing a "catalog" and that was the question.

@rthomps posted:

"Starting to look like a catalog yet?"

LOL!  It's NOT a catalog! 

Granted, it's a nice list of product.     But I'm not seeing a "catalog" and that was the question.

You can lead a horse to water but...

Catalog? Necessary? I dunno. Back in the 70's, Sears, JC Penney ...sure.

In 2021? Not so much. If you have a good internet site/ catalog.

Amazon sells just about anything . No catalog required.

This reminds me of the anguish over the closing of  local brick and mortar hobby shops.

Unless I'm mistaken, the biggest online dealers were/ are someone elses local brick and mortar shop with a well done internet site.

Outside of 3 rails. From prototypical details to the control system. MTH has never really done it "Lionels way" have they?

Additionally, does Sunset /3rd Rail  have a catalog?

@Rail Dude posted:

You can lead a horse to water but...

We're talking trains, not horses.

@rthomps posted:

We're talking trains, not horses.

I know that's right!

@Rail Dude posted:

I know that's right!

BTW, great list of product you made.  Thanks. 

@rthomps posted:

BTW, great list of product you made.  Thanks. 

Thanks, I got them outta my "Digital" catalog.

@rthomps posted:

"Starting to look like a catalog yet?"

LOL!  It's NOT a catalog! 

Granted, it's a nice list of product.     But I'm not seeing a "catalog" and that was the question.

It's actually literally a catalog.

@rplst8 posted:

It's actually literally a catalog.

I think it is well understood what is meant on a train forum by the word “catalog “ and what is posted above is not a “catalog “ by that definition.  

@RickO posted:

Catalog? Necessary? I dunno. Back in the 70's, Sears, JC Penney ...sure.

In 2021? Not so much. If you have a good internet site/ catalog.

Amazon sells just about anything . No catalog required.

This reminds me of the anguish over the closing of  local brick and mortar hobby shops.

Unless I'm mistaken, the biggest online dealers were/ are someone elses local brick and mortar shop with a well done internet site.

Outside of 3 rails. From prototypical details to the control system. MTH has never really done it "Lionels way" have they?

Additionally, does Sunset /3rd Rail  have a catalog?

There is something nice about having a collection drop, rather than random releases. Anticipation and budget planning are the main advantages, outside of nostalgia. Furthermore, I think Amazon started sending out a physical catalog to prime members for the holidays. Obviously, my argument would be weaker if mth had a decent website. While I prefer a catalog, i am definitely happy new MTH will continue.

MTH is most likely negotiating dealer special runs all year long. I don’t know how they would keep a catalog current. I think the website is the best way to keep current.

@harmonyards posted:

I doubt given the current business model of MTH that you’ll see a catalog in any format. It appears ( at least for the moment) the “new” MTH is only doing custom runs for its network of dealers. It’d be a nearly impossible task given the already multitude of custom runs in the works, and being delivered already,…..perhaps on their website they might have a listing on what’s being made, and who’s selling it, but that’s not likely either, I’d imagine trying to stay lean and trim to survive, they’ll leave the advertisement part of the program up to the retailer that initiated the custom run,…

Pat

Doesn't Atllas have a separate section where you can see all the "custom" runs they have done?

As mentioned it seems MTH production is now a specific item available at a specific retail store. An easy to access web location showcasing all the items would seem to be a great way to increase sales.

@BobbyD posted:

Doesn't Atllas have a separate section where you can see all the "custom" runs they have done?

As mentioned it seems MTH production is now a specific item available at a specific retail store. An easy to access web location showcasing all the items would seem to be a great way to increase sales.

I can’t speak for the “new” MTH, this is a question you’d have to ask them, …….as far as custom runs go, the retailer initiating the custom run is going to pound the ground to get the word out to see their project come to fruit, no??…..I’m just not understanding why you guys are so worried to death about a catalog???…..the custom runs done by Pat’s Trains, Berwyn’s and others are slathered all over the place!….what more do you need??……

Pat

@BobbyD posted:

As mentioned it seems MTH production is now a specific item available at a specific retail store. An easy to access web location showcasing all the items would seem to be a great way to increase sales.

And help out the individual dealers!

@harmonyards posted:

I can’t speak for the “new” MTH, this is a question you’d have to ask them, …….as far as custom runs go, the retailer initiating the custom run is going to pound the ground to get the word out to see their project come to fruit, no??…..I’m just not understanding why you guys are so worried to death about a catalog???…..the custom runs done by Pat’s Trains, Berwyn’s and others are slathered all over the place!….what more do you need??……

Pat

Not sure why you brought it up, I didn't say anything about a catalog. Atlas did/does it on their website under "Custom Runs" IIRC, a running history. Hobby shops sending emails to previous customers don't help us if we've never purchased there. That's why a manufacturers website compilation would serve us, and them plus their dealers,  better.

I just used Google to search for Berwyn’s web page. Cicked the link, there is nothing about any custom runs or inventory appearing on it.

This may sound unusual... but how does one become a dealer? We were originally (and may still) relocate to Japan for family reasons, where I had planned to open a model hobby shop (n, z scale trains, small scale hobbies, diorama building (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tneLw8VbKYQ)).

I still have an interest in doing this, but less brick and mortar, more 21st century online using 3d presentations of every loco or car sold, complete with demo of all functions, tied to each listing directly, with a more useful search function. The rationale behind this is simple: people new to the hobby, or returned years after childhood, really aren't aware of all the super fancy available in today's trains. A text blurb is only... I spend an inordinate amount of time on youtube trying to figure out all the "everythings" on these new fangled trains, with mixed to limited success. One example was the 2016 greenbrier I want(ed) to get, but could find zero MTH youtube videos that showed the details on how the **** thing worked. Another is the difference between railking and premier, which short of getting your hands on it physically, isn't terribly clear. The railkings look really nice! For the first train I had seen newer than 1983, it was an amazing experience listening to crew talk and sync chuffing for the first time ever.

I think there is untapped market out there, but (personally), getting into the hobby can be a bit daunting. SUPER glad to have found this forum by the way...

I am in the auto delete mode on the MTH Special Announcement emails especially when the title contains the words “Bump n Go” or even “RailKing”. I went all scale about 20 years ago. When a new MTH catalog was issued I did go through the “RailKing” section just so I would have an idea what was being offered but now I just delete the emails especially since they issue one email for each road name of bump n go trolleys being offered.

Perhaps a digital monthly catalog similar to what Atlas O does with a “custom run” section.

Basically I am a Legacy/TMCC guy so I do not buy a lot of MTH engines (or any for the past 20 years) but I do own a ton of their premier flat cars with military vehicles, double stacks and express refers.

JohnB

@Rail Dude posted:

This year through end of June I counted more than 130 daily emails from MTH introducing O products & Accessories through Pre-Order new releases or dealer/club exclusives. Kinda like getting the catalog one page every day in an email.

From Railking:

4          1900s Tank Car

I could not find anything in regards to 4 1900s tank cars.  I've not seen any emails on these or postings here.  Do you have specifics please?

@JohnB posted:

I am in the auto delete mode on the MTH Special Announcement emails especially when the title contains the words “Bump n Go” or even “RailKing”. I went all scale about 20 years ago. When a new MTH catalog was issued I did go through the “RailKing” section just so I would have an idea what was being offered but now I just delete the emails especially since they issue one email for each road name of bump n go trolleys being offered.

I agree that they need to have a better way of determining what is being made, and also provide a way to browse it, sort of like an online catalog.

You may want to be a bit more discerning on the auto delete though.  There are a few nice RailKing models that are indeed Scale.  They don't have as much detail, but for instance in the case of the Alco RS-1, it is actually a really nice model with prototypical hand rails and more detail than some of the others.  The Baldwin VO-1000 is another one that is a pretty nice scale RailKing, and then there are a few other switchers that are pretty good too.

@BobbyD posted:

Not sure why you brought it up, I didn't say anything about a catalog. Atlas did/does it on their website under "Custom Runs" IIRC, a running history. Hobby shops sending emails to previous customers don't help us if we've never purchased there. That's why a manufacturers website compilation would serve us, and them plus their dealers,  better.

I just used Google to search for Berwyn’s web page. Cicked the link, there is nothing about any custom runs or inventory appearing on it.

Sorry, I should have replied “ not sure why some of these guys are worried to death about a catalog “  I didn’t mean it directed at you,….my mistake in typing,..

Pat

"It's actually literally a catalog."

Good grief. 

You. Missed. It. Completely. 

@Frank Mulligan posted:

I could not find anything in regards to 4 1900s tank cars.  I've not seen any emails on these or postings here.  Do you have specifics please?

Hi Frank, These were referred to as just "Tank Car" so I added the date to help with Identity. The text at the bottom of this post is from the original newsletter email.

I know the list (catalog) I shared missed quite a few items as well, still researching those.

E-mail Newsletter received Jan 25, 2021

E-mail Newsletter received Jan 30, 2021

E-mail Newsletter received Feb 3, 2021

E-mail Newsletter received Feb 6, 2021

The tank car was relatively uncommon until the 1870s, when the nascent petroleum industry ordered large quantities of metal tanks carried on wooden car bodies. By the early 1900s, a standard design had evolved that lasted throughout the steam and early diesel eras: an 8,000-11,000 gallon metal tank perched on a metal flatcar-like underframe.

The one big change during that time was the transition from riveted to welded construction beginning in the late 1930s. Car builders introduced X-ray inspection of welds to ensure safety, as well as giant annealing ovens that could heat-treat assembled tanks to relieve joint stress. Welded tanks were stronger, less susceptible to rust and corrosion, and less likely to rupture in the event of a wreck.

Our model represents a typical all-welded, insulated tank car built in the late 1940s or 1950s. A layer of insulation protected cargos that were sensitive to temperature extremes, and some such cars also had heating coils under their outer layer. Our model also features a safety platform around the dome — insulation and safety platforms being features commonly found on cars used in the chemical industry.

CAR FEATURES

• Intricately Detailed, Durable ABS Body
• Die-Cast Metal Chassis
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Die-Cast 4-Wheel Trucks
• Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
• Decorative Brake Wheels
• Separate Metal Handrails
• Fast-Angle Wheel Sets
• Needle-Point Axles
• Unit Measures: 10 3/8" x 2 3/8" 3 13/16"

Operates On O-27 Curves

It's sort of amazing... With all the demands of stuffing more and more electronic razzmatazz into the models, people don't want to lose the hard copy catalogs.

Rusty

@Rusty Traque posted:

It's sort of amazing... With all the demands of stuffing more and more electronic razzmatazz into the models, people don't want to lose the hard copy catalogs.

Rusty

Not everyone wants more electronics put into models and not everyone wants hard copy catalogs. Who exactly are you talking about?