Just got the newsletter announcement. Will post
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Customers,
June 8, 2020 - First, on behalf of M.T.H. Electric Trains, I want to thank you for the support and encouragement you have shown my company over our 40-year journey. From humble beginnings and a lot of hard work, we were able to build one of the world's largest model train manufacturers - one unquestionably buoyed by your unwavering support.
In particular, I am proud that M.T.H. has released more models than any train manufacturer in the history of our hobby. The variety, quality, and infusion of technology throughout our offerings allowed M.T.H. Electric Trains to help bring enjoyment to all who share our wonderful hobby.
It is, therefore, with mixed emotions that I tell you I have decided to retire in 2021 and close the business. The last two M.T.H. catalogs, our 2020 Volume 2 O Gauge catalog, and our 2020 HO catalog and all non-delivered items from our 2020 Volume 1 O Gauge catalog, 2020 Ready-to-Run Train Set catalog, 2019-2020 S Gauge catalog, and 2019-2020 G Gauge catalog will feature the last products produced by M.T.H. Electric Trains.
The new items featured in all these catalogs will be available beginning Summer 2020 through April 2021 and will carry our limited one-year warranty supported by our Authorized Service Center network and the M.T.H. Service Department. Upon our closing in May 2021, our ASC network will provide warranty coverage through April 2022. A list of M.T.H. Authorized Service Centers is available on the M.T.H. website and will be updated as M.T.H. Authorized Retailers join the program over the coming months.
M.T.H. Electric Trains would not have enjoyed success without the support of the M.T.H. Authorized Retailer network. While traditional retail has changed significantly over the past decade, the independent hobby shop has been and continues to be the most important cog in our distribution chain. I truly appreciate the support and friendship these shops have shown M.T.H. I wish all of them good luck and prosperity in the years to come.
Finally, I want to thank all of my employees for their hard work over the years. Most of them have been with me for decades and their loyalty and talents were paramount to our success.
With thousands of tools and molds and a wealth of intellectual property, a new model railroading company may arise from my former company as I entertain various options and buyers. One scenario is a new company organized and owned by members of my current staff. Their decades of experience, work ethic, and creative talent will ensure success regardless of who owns the assets while providing a welcome bridge between the past 40 years and the future.
The remainder of my time will be busy as we clear out inventory and other miscellaneous items accumulated over the past 40 years. As that process evolves, we’ll be offering consumer and retailer purchase opportunities
Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your loyal support for all these years.
Mike Wolf, President
M.T.H. Electric Trains
Not entirely a surprise.
OMG
Didn't see this coming. I figured Mike would sell when he was ready to retire, not shut down.
😳😳😳
I hope Lionel buys Mike out and puts Legacy in all of the MTH engines!
@Mike D posted:Didn't see this coming. I figured Mike would sell when he was ready to retire, not shut down.
No buyer ... so far?
Mike must be ready to move on. Quickly.
@MIKATT1 posted:I hope Lionel buys Mike out and puts Legacy in all of the MTH engines!
Dave ... This brings up many, many interesting scenarios regarding options Lionel may have. Not implausible.
No surprise that Mike is retiring, running a business can be tough.
Just surprised that he didn't already have a buyer.
Very interesting, I have not found anything I wanted to purchase from MTH in the last 6 catalogs anyway.
Sad though.
Stay tuned, I'm sure there will be more to this story in the coming weeks.
Paul
Hay, my tinplate may just have gone up in value 
@RickO posted:Whats to sell? The factory probably owns the tooling.
Hmmm...maybe Mike Reagan should by it. Then the name could stay the same.
May be why there's no buyer, in these anti-China days.
One word . . . Menards?
I would have thought the business would have continued on without him. I am surprised.
I just saw this news on Facebook and I have to say I was stunned to see this. The quality of MTH was one of the reasons I got into the hobby and have accumulated a good collection of locomotives and rolling stock over the years. Like everyone on this board I am going to miss MTH a great deal but life will go on. Hopefully a new company will pick up his tooling or maybe Lionel and Atlas will pick it up as well. Definitely a sad day for the hobby. I wish Mike Wolf all the best in his future endeavors.
Troubled Times
Thank you Mike -- it's been a great ride.
SZ
Let's see if Lionel increases their prices now, they will become a virtual monopoly.
One less bell to answer.
Wow. I didn't see that coming at all. MTH reenergized the market back in the 90s and made Lionel step up their game. I always felt they made a quality built product (the electronics not withstanding). I do hope Mike finds a buyer and the company can continue under new ownership
Speechless
No panic here the product line will be divided up and sold to prospective buyers it probably can't be sold as a package because the market is a niche market and financially can't absorb it and get quick return. After all what are you selling or buying a brand and tooling and maybe any parts or product inventory.And this is whether its MTH lionel or...
I hope Lionel gets the tooling for the subways and finds a way to keep the auto mode feature. I really have no words for this! So sad!
Shocking news. Did not see this coming, as Mike is a relatively young man.
Pat
As much as I like Lionel, I really hope another company takes over MTH. The competition drives innovation in the hobby.
My congratulations to Mike on his planned retirement next year! I pulled the pin myself a year ago and have not regretted it!
I will also say thank you for everything you’ve brought to this hobby over the past 40 years. Your products have captivated my attention and brought me years of fun!
All the best in your retirement next year!
Curt
All the best Mike. Thank you.
The biggest issue I see? Parts for existing product! As for the new catalog, who in their right mind will order a complex electronic product when support is vanishing???
I started getting into MTH a year or two ago, so it's pretty sad and shocking to see this. Who knows, maybe the old staff will pick up where they left off and start something new under a different name.
I, for one, will continue to be optimistic about the future and that there will be a buyer for MTH.
I wish Mike the best of luck in the retirement.
Mike, enjoy your retirement. You have earned it. Gotta get my order in ASAP.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:The biggest issue I see? Parts for existing product! As for the new catalog, who in their right mind will order a complex electronic product when support is vanishing???
Well, at least with the S Scale, I can gut the electronics and either install DCC or wire up conventional DC.
Rusty
Not a good thing for the hobby. The best outcome will be for the company to remain intact and continue to make its products under new ownership. If the company is sold off in pieces, there will be no effective competitor for Lionel. My best wishes to Mike Wolf. His products have provided me with a great hobby for the past 23 years.
MELGAR
@MIKATT1 posted:I hope Lionel buys Mike out and puts Legacy in all of the MTH engines!
Oh no...please, no!! That’s the last thing I would want. Don’t get me wrong, I love Legacy and all that it offers...but competition is good for all of us in this hobby, especially in “O“.
I’m really rooting for some version of the MTH employee-formed company as stated in Mike’s letter. He’s got some good folks there that really know model trains. Now whether that’s a financially feasible option, I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Fingers crossed in the meantime.
Thanks, Mike, for all you’ve done for the O-gauge train hobby. I’ve really enjoyed the ride since my first MTH purchase in 1998. I sure hope it continues!
Wow! This is stunning news. Good luck, Mike. It has been a fun ride.
I wasn't expecting this. As if 2020 couldn't get any worse...I'm hit with this!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:The biggest issue I see? Parts for existing product! As for the new catalog, who in their right mind will order a complex electronic product when support is vanishing???
A possible outcome is the company is sold piecemeal with the electronics being one of the pieces. Could be an opportunity for some electronics guy with in depth knowledge of the system. 
Pete
