Yup, I think you went a little overboard with the euphemism and metaphor.
I have a particular interest in this because I'm heavily invested in O-27 track and could use a better variety of "toy" trains (i.e. not "model" trains).
Once you get away from starter sets, there's a huge gap in level of detail and price.
I don't know if there's simply not a market for it, or if manufacturers are trying to steer you to the better stuff (with better profit margins) by not making a line of middle-end locomotives and rolling stock.
You would think if they could sell you a set with a locomotive, 2-3 cars, a caboose, track, and a transformer for $180, and make money at it, they would produce a line of $100 locomotives and $30 cars to keep the low-budget hobbyists spending money.
There just doesn't seem to be much out there in this market beyond starter sets...