Just wondering if MTH is still manufacturing track?
Thank you
Greg 
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If they are I haven't seen any mention of it.
MTH will be making track, switch track & even bridges very soon. That is from a close source to Mike Wolf.
@trainnerd posted:MTH will be making track, switch track & even bridges very soon. That is from a close source to Mike Wolf.
That's good to know.
Seems like the last couple of years were all for nothing. They should have just come straight out and said they were reorganizing. Wonder how many shops were hurt financially not knowing the out come.
@MartyE posted:That's good to know.
Seems like the last couple of years were all for nothing. They should have just come straight out and said they were reorganizing. Wonder how many shops were hurt financially not knowing the out come.
Marty, I think reorganizing was Plan C and those details are still getting worked out yet to this day.
Yes, they still make track. Last week I was talking to a MTH dealer and he stated he was about to receive a large shipment of track.
@MartyE posted:Seems like the last couple of years were all for nothing. They should have just come straight out and said they were reorganizing. Wonder how many shops were hurt financially not knowing the out come.
Marty,
I'm sure that Mike didn't intend to see anyone hurt.
You're assuming that he knew beforehand that no one would buy the whole shooting match lock stock, and barrel.
He was undoubtedly trying to find a buyer that saw as much opportunity in the broader market as he did. Unfortunately no one like that stepped forward and, as a result of the piecemeal divestiture, we have at best controlled chaos.
Mike
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:Marty,
I'm sure that Mike didn't intend to see anyone hurt.
You're assuming that he knew beforehand that no one would buy the whole shooting match lock stock, and barrel.
He was undoubtedly trying to find a buyer that saw as much opportunity in the broader market as he did. Unfortunately no one like that stepped forward and, as a result of the piecemeal divestiture, we have at best controlled chaos.
Mike
Yes you're right but I can't imagine the frustration some of the smaller MTH dealer must have felt. I'm sure it lead to some angst. I'm glad MTH continues on. I hope they thrive and the dealers can maybe make up for some of the uncertainty over the last couple years.
It seems like the transformation of MTH could have been handled better somehow. And it's not over yet either, especially since now we're seeing the potential return of accessories like track and bridges. Thus far some spinoffs have yet to get going in their markets. Wish I had a crystal ball to see the MTH footprint/legacy in our hobby in five years.
Dale
@Pennsylover posted:It seems like the transformation of MTH could have been handled better somehow.
I doubt you'll get much argument on that score! 
@Greg - Mi posted:Just wondering if MTH is still manufacturing track?
Thank you
Greg
Some dealers recently received a delivery of scaletrax. About 3 weeks ago I bought two cases of 30” rigid straight that the dealer had just received.
This is indeed good news. Count me as still a fan of ScaleTrax. Used it on my previous layout and was very satisfied - so easy to work with, especially the flex track. My primary appeal was the low profile rail that helped my equipment appear more massive than any other track system. See photo below. As I mentioned, the flex (think HO flex) was so easy to create gentle curves and transitions. The odd tie spacing was my only real issue that eventually led me to abandon it for the future. Too bad Mike wasn't able to catch that detail and had they produced the track with prototypical tie spacing, they likely would have had a runaway best seller in the 3 rail Scale market!
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In my opinion unfortunately about the time Mike Wolf was trying to retire and sell MTH the entire world got screwed up with Idiots that released Covid on the world. He's probably lucky that he was able to sell as much of it as he did, even though it got divided up quite severely and companies were also hurt financially so it's probably taking longer than originally planned for these reorganized companies to get going, get their suppliers going, and getting stuff out on the market. Probably since almost everything comes from overseas anymore except like Ross and Gargraves for example, it's probably all sitting on ships waiting to be unloaded in the mass chaos at ocean ports. Hopefully these companies are able to survive and keep the remnants of MTH going forward in the future. Competition is good for all of us train operators, collectors, and the hobby too.
@c.sam posted:This is indeed good news. Count me as still a fan of ScaleTrax. Used it on my previous layout and was very satisfied - so easy to work with, especially the flex track. My primary appeal was the low profile rail that helped my equipment appear more massive than any other track system. See photo below. As I mentioned, the flex (think HO flex) was so easy to create gentle curves and transitions. The odd tie spacing was my only real issue that eventually led me to abandon it for the future. Too bad Mike wasn't able to catch that detail and had they produced the track with prototypical tie spacing, they likely would have had a runaway best seller in the 3 rail Scale market!
Yes. Good-looking stuff - and the tie spacing, while not optimal, was no more bothersome to me than the oversized ties on my GG layout. My stillborn "next layout" was probably going to be ScaleTrax, but there were stocking issues with the product, something that is never a GG problem, apparently - plus, I simply never moved and built a new layout.
@MartyE posted:That's good to know.
Seems like the last couple of years were all for nothing. They should have just come straight out and said they were reorganizing. Wonder how many shops were hurt financially not knowing the out come.
I think my second sentence should read...
I wish they knew in advance they would end up reorganizing.
As pointed out I don't think there was any malicious intent on MTH just the way the cards were dealt.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I doubt you'll get much argument on that score!
@Pennsylover posted:It seems like the transformation of MTH could have been handled better somehow.
Nothing is so easy as imaging how the job should have been done after the dust settles!
Hindsight vision is always 20/20.
@H1000 posted:Nothing is so easy as imaging how the job should have been done after the dust settles!
Hindsight vision is always 20/20.
And here we are, imagining just that. 
@gunrunnerjohn posted:And here we are, imagining just that.
And "imagining" is the operative word. Although the future may seem clearer, I doubt that the dust has really settled.
Wow, this is really great after the fact opinion working here. I remember, early in my working days, sitting around on payday after hours waiting for the bank to call saying they would cover the company's paychecks so I could actually buy groceries. Later after being in business with someone who, 'knew the business' I recall being hung with 80 grand owed to the IRS. The good news is that late in the VIDEO Store business, Blockbuster forced me up against a wall and stuffed money in my pockets. If it had not been for them it would not have ended well. I think you just try to make the best of the situation and try to hurt as few people as possible.
@lpb007 posted:And "imagining" is the operative word. Although the future may seem clearer, I doubt that the dust has really settled.
I'm not sure what planet you're on, the future of MTH sure doesn't look clearer to me! 
John, Respectfully, I believe that I am on the same planet you are. Please note the intended emphasis on the word "imagining" and the use of the words "may" and "doubt". My intent above was to skeptically state that I believe that MTH's future is quite uncertain. If there is any doubt on this I agree with you. Sorry that was not obvious. Please accept my violent agreement.
On C. Sam's earlier point, unrealistic ties and spacing were show stoppers for me. This seems to be an obvious defect consisting of simple cosmetics. Why was this not obvious to MTH?
@jim sutter posted:Yes, they still make track. Last week I was talking to a MTH dealer and he stated he was about to receive a large shipment of track.
Do you know if ScaleTrax is in the mix?
Love MTH RealTrax and my large layout will always remain with it. Way better than the Lionel version IMO.
@lpb007 posted:...
On C. Sam's earlier point, unrealistic ties and spacing were show stoppers for me. This seems to be an obvious defect consisting of simple cosmetics. Why was this not obvious to MTH?
I took some measurements on a modern light rail line and found that the spacing matched the ScaleTrax. My suspicion is that a nearby commuter/concrete tie track was the source measurement for ScaleTrax. Once ballasted, however, the tie spacing is not as noticeable.
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Matt,
Good evening. I'm sorry, I can't answer your question. Matt, put your question on the forum. Maybe, a MTH dealer may see it and answer it.
FYI: One of the auctions that advertises on here, I believe, has a whole bunch of MTH track and switches, coming up for auction, in several lots. I can not remember if I saw it on Stout, or Cabin Fever, but it is in an online auction in the next week or two.
Jeff
As long as this topic has migrated to MTH's closing, err - reorganizing, you might want to view this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Xa2LmEG2g
Or you can read this article by Andy Edleman (formerly from MTH Electric Trains):
However, track was never mentioned...
Andy did not look happy on that u-tube video.
yes...they are going to do...also bridges too
@gunrunnerjohn posted:However, track was never mentioned...
My LHS has track on order and he's more than confidant that it will be delivered.
@Bill DeBrooke posted:Andy did not look happy on that u-tube video.
He looked like he was reading from a teleprompter. Makes sense because he read the exact publication that was also posted in text format on his website.
I figured it would be a while for them to ramp and start expanding their offerings again. I too wish there would have been some more info out there before I bought a bunch of stuff when I panicked. I am glad to see that track is in the picture again. Especially glad that bridges are on the horizon.
From the overall tone of this piece by Mr Edelman, things apparently didn't go too well for the MTH Executive team including Andy and Rich Foster. I had my retail hobby shop in Louisiana and settled in with Mike's Train House to be my best distributor of Lionel, Williams, and Weaver. After 6 - 8 months when MTH started up as it's own company I was able to buy direct as a previous client and both of those fellas were very helpful and patient with me, helping me order sensibly and gave me advice on marketing as I was new to trains at the time. I was able to order singles of things if desired due to a limited budget which allowed me to have a greater variety of their product in my shop for 'X' amount of $$$ than if I had been required to order in case lots only. Was frankly surprised at the ease at which the initial Challengers and other large die cast steamers flew off the shelf! It was exciting and I was always thankful to Andy and Rich for their assistance and guidance. I wish them a heartfelt 'good luck' in their new endeavors.
Yep Still making track. Both Scaletrax and Realtrax. Right out of Rich Foster's mouth!
