is LIONEL GOING TO YORK THIS WEEK?

@cbojanower posted:

I just saw a segment on Fox Business news about Comic-Con. Didn't see Fox at York.

I saw a fox running across a road in York on Wednesday night!

Here’s the thing. Whatever piece of rolling stock Lionel was selling more than likely are being put on a display shelf alongside the buyer’s Spiderman and Captain America figurines rather than inspiring participation in model railroading or layout building. But maybe Lionel is just happy with the sales. Ka-Ching!  Nothing wrong with that I guess.

Lenny the Lion at  comicon -

@Putnam Division posted:

Ted…..I don’t disagree with you about where Lionel should put its advertising dollars, but your attendance figures are a little off. I regularly go to the Eastern Division business meeting on Saturday AM and get prelims at that time knew that figure was off. Here are the published figures from the Primer…..

Peter

Peter, thanks for the numbers. I feel bad cause looking at the trend is not very promising.

I know Henning's has their best day at York in the last ten years, so it was pretty good.   I never got to most of the other halls as there was a constant stream of people asking questions!

@romiller49 posted:

Peter, thanks for the numbers. I feel bad cause looking at the trend is not very promising.

Just my opinion, of course, but I think the popularity of the Forum, and certain other sites, is now giving folks a lot of the "fix" they need in trains, and that together with the widespread availability of more and more online train auction sites to satisfy shoppers, is working against people making the decision to spend the time and in many cases significant money to attend York these days. Any reduction in York attendance may not be a particularly useful indication of reduced interest in O gauge trains. The continuing large number of offerings by Lionel and MTH and Atlas also seem to indicate that interest remains robust.

@breezinup posted:

Just my opinion, of course, but I think the popularity of the Forum, and certain other sites, is now giving folks a lot of the "fix" they need in trains, and that together with the widespread availability of more and more online train auction sites to satisfy shoppers, is working against people making the decision to spend the time and in many cases significant money to attend York.

Agreed. What can Lionel do at York that they can't do on youtube?, and reach every o guage hobbyist on the entire planet.

Ryan's recent video regarding the new VL Hudson is the perfect example. No cracking  microphone or demonstration table needed.

When the production sample comes in. A demonstration video posted so potential buyers can view it in the comfort of their own home like Lionel has  done before, is far more useful than a York stage.

I know you folks out east feel like your the hub of model trains, and in many respects you are. But there's plenty of us west of Pennsylvania that may never make it to York for whatever reason.  Our money is worth just as much as yours, stop being so selfish😉

@RickO posted:

I know you folks out east feel like your the hub of model trains, and in many respects you are. But there's plenty of us west of Pennsylvania that may never make it to York for whatever reason.  Our money is worth just as much as yours, stop being so selfish😉

If I had known a show as good as York existed out west (and I didn't already have York in my back yard) I would probably line up some other sightseeing with it and fly out to it. Would I do it every year? Probably not. But I would probably do it more that once.

@romiller49 posted:

Peter, thanks for the numbers. I feel bad cause looking at the trend is not very promising.

Still 50% of the regular members which is good for any national organization…..

Peter

After visiting the MTH booth (nice job Rich -  good display with a nice holiday train, some new steam, the new WTIU, and a “wish list” for the customers) my son asked where Lionel was.  I explained that doing a display like the ones from years past was probably very expensive and unnecessary, but having a booth attended by one or two people to meet your customers and hear from them on any ideas or other areas of concern would be a good idea and probably not that expensive.  Yes the internet is nice and all, but in business it is good to meet your customers and counterparties - this is why after all many companies are now insisting upon return to office.  YouTube and Zoom are great but not a substitute for interpersonal contact.

Overall it was a great show.  We came back with a lot of nice rolling stock and a Christmas present for my son.

@Putnam Division posted:

Still 50% of the regular members which is good for any national organization…..

Peter

Though when I joined we had 2x the members

@cbojanower posted:

Though when I joined we had 2x the members

You are correct……it was about twice the current number at one time, I think in the aughts but not exactly sure.

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

You are correct……it was about twice the current number at one time, I think in the aughts but not exactly sure.

Peter

I joined in 02, I seem to remember about 14000 at York and 20,000 plus members

The demographic at Comicon certainly would like Lionel.  I know some of them that do.  The Lionel comic related offerings sell out.  Lionel has been really good at affinity marketing these days.  Nascar fans like Lionel.  Apparently Lionel Fans and Mr Rogers fans love nostalgia and hence that line has been a strong seller.  Picked up two myself.  Who wouldn't want the Trolley on Mr Rogers show.  Marketing dollars are limited so spend where one can reach the most new prospects.  We already keep up and know Lionel.  Sure a booth showing new product and test shots would be welcome but there are plenty of opportunities where Lionel interacts with us fans.

@RickO posted:

I know you folks out east feel like your the hub of model trains, and in many respects you are. But there's plenty of us west of Pennsylvania that may never make it to York for whatever reason.

Yup. York happens to be way up in the northeast corner, far away from most of the country. For many, it would mean a very long drive (2,800 miles round trip for me), or paying a boatload in airfare and car rental. That's a lot for a couple of days at a train show, no matter how big a fan you are. As with many things, it about weighing cost (and time) to benefit. Lionel does the same thing.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I know Henning's has their best day at York in the last ten years, so it was pretty good.   I never got to most of the other halls as there was a constant stream of people asking questions!

That sounds like pretty good news John. While the numbers of how many people are attending is down, and will probably never reach the highest numbers it ever had, maybe there will be an upturn.

I didn't make it this year, but that is okay. It happens now and then to all of us. Sort of wonder if the new media around the existence of York(YouTube) is going to influence the future of York. Granted since Lionel isn't going to York anymore, they don't say it(I believe). However I know at least TW and others do and probably some other stores. I guess only time will tell.

Oddly Dave, TrainWorks was not at the meet this time.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Oddly Dave, TrainWorks was not at the meet this time.

I meant Train World, sorry about that miscue on my part.

I do know that last year when I was chatting at the Train Worx booth, Dorcie had said that they were super busy. I want to say booked solid for years, which I don't remember how many. With that and Ross being busy last year, hopefully that means so very great York's for years to come.

Train Worx hasn't been there for a few meets.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Train Worx hasn't been there for a few meets.

Maybe you missed these two last year John, but I didn't. I got them on day two. You almost had me second guessing my memory. I do know that in 2022 I didn't make it, and neither did they. I know Mike had been there in 2021, and I think he was floating around somewhere in 2023 if I think I am remembering correctly. Either that or he wasn't because he was busy elsewhere. Someone can help on that.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Maybe you missed these two last year John, but I didn't. I got them on day two. You almost had me second guessing my memory. I do know that in 2022 I didn't make it, and neither did they. I know Mike had been there in 2021, and I think he was floating around somewhere in 2023 if I think I am remembering correctly. Either that or he wasn't because he was busy elsewhere. Someone can help on that.

Yep, but no booth.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Train Worx hasn't been there for a few meets.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Maybe you missed these two last year John, but I didn't. I got them on day two. You almost had me second guessing my memory. I do know that in 2022 I didn't make it, and neither did they.

Roger had a severe near-fatal case of COVID during the outbreak. Happily he's ok, but understandably there's been a road to recovery, which may explain absences.

I know some have mentioned why Lionel at Comicon. Just saw this post on Facebook from Brian Quinn of Impractical Jokers TV show. Looks like it might have been successful in some regards in expanding the hobby and awareness to a broader demographic. He alone has 1.7 million followers on Instragram alone.

@brewcrew posted:

I know some have mentioned why Lionel at Comicon. Just saw this post on Facebook from Brian Quinn of Impractical Jokers TV show. Looks like it might have been successful in some regards in expanding the hobby and awareness to a broader demographic.

If they only kept that Star Trek license a little longer.  I think they would have done very well here.

@breezinup yes, I know all about it because I follow them on FB. I also have had pretty candid conversations with both of them. Roger is from NJ, so we have had a lot to talk about over the years.