MTH at York

My impression from reading the magazines (imagine that: paper ) is that MTH is devoting its creative energies primarily to HO, where they are creating a buzz.

Part of it is Mike's fault, other Mfg's give a presentation with enthusiasm saying look at this, this is what we are doing, Mike gets up there and just drones away. Maybe it's just his natural nature but it comes across as boring.

Jim

The guys at the Lionel booth just seemed more "energized" for some reason.  MTH was, more or less, just "present".

I feel mike has his hands in too many pies-o scale.ho,g.european.and now s gauge.

o scale is on the back burner,

the dreyfuss looks good to me but I live on a limited income.

I met mike several times at ready to roll in maimi-i always got the impression he

is introverted and quiet.

>>>The guys at the Lionel booth just seemed more "energized" for some reason.  MTH was, more or less, just "present".<<

I guess when they look at what they have and the 175 pages worth of unique trains from MTH, most of which Lionel will never offer, they'll be energized and MW will be present, content to let the catalog(s) do the talking..

When one got past the depleting coal load, a feature destined for the carriage crowd, what else was there at either booth to get excited about?? 

When one puts the experience in perspective...

My guess is, not much.. 

Everything presented from Lionel and MTH this year is the same old reissue.

Joe

York is a fine event, but in the grand scheme of things, it is just one event.  MTH released their new catalog during York week, and it seemed to draw a good bit of attention here.  I know I found a number of Alaska RR and U.S. Army items that I have already placed on my preorder list and which will pretty much account for what I plan to spend in 2014, along with a good bit of GarGraves and Ross track items, and one proposed Lionel Alaska RR item that I read about here on one of the threads.

It's best not to try to read anything into any one event.  And what does it really matter in the long run so long as any of the manufacturers are maintaining a presence in O and providing products that their consumers--online or off--want most?  That is what matters most as far as I am concerned.

I hear the new Sound System in the LIONEL Bigboy is quite spectacular too, I`ll have to watch their Video next week to at least get an idea of how good it is..

Let's not forget... While the booths of ALL the major importers are noticeably less than they were a few years ago -- primarily due to much downsized display layouts, MTH was the only player that unveiled a major catalog around York this time.

I'm likely to have no insignificant amount of MTH items on next year's "want list", including the Dreyfuss loco, a few sets of twin-stack Gundersons, an Alaska RR passenger set, and a few ore cars -- not to mention MTH is the channel that brings us standard gauge tinplate with the Lionel name on it.

Perhaps they could have had a bigger splash at York featuring the new catalog, or the fact that they appear to be back in full swing delivering steam in the US again.  OTOH, there's a cost to everything, and I'm just glad to see them at York period.

David

Could be they realize that they're preaching to the choir?

Jerry

I didn't talk to the guys of either company but at the OGR Forum Grandstand Meeting Andy Edleman seemed to be energetic. Not that the Lionel rep wasn't but I didn't see a big difference.

I have been a wanting Dreyfuss Hudson for a long time and I am definitely going to order the new one from MTH. I had a few chances to purchase an older model but the cost of 2 rail conversion put it out of my price range. Now I can get a 2/3 rail version with DCC compatibility at no extra cost. I am definitely in and excited about it.

To be in business, one does not have a profile of being quiet and introverted.

I have the Dreyfuss with PT tender from 2006 so am unlikely to get the new one but for those who have waited:

The list price has not increased since 2006.

PS3 should be an improvement.

The catalog pics show thinner white and blue outer lines closer to prototype.

Releasing passenger cars at the same time as the engine should mean the paint will match. Not usually true with prior releases.

Pete

The Bachmann booth was bigger this year and featured N, HO, O and Large Scale.

No On30, Jack?  

The Bachmann booth was bigger this year and featured N, HO, O and Large Scale.

Yes it was! You took the old Aristo booth and Charlie Phillips took the old RMT booth!

Allan,

Bachmann had On30 on display as well.

Stuart

Allan, I consider On30 "O" scale so yes we had that as well...... And we missed seeing you this time around!

Mike Wolf always seems surprisingly nervous speaking to groups (though I've

actually talked to him - 3 sentences, maybe - I've only witnessed his public

speaking on YouTube), which at first surprised me; after all, he is The Man, if anyone

is, in O-gauge, and without him...we all know the rest. I do tend to buy Lionel-

electronic locos because I prefer their CC system, but MTH makes wonderful

products, and I have always preferred their rolling stock - detailed AND durable.

But I guess it's just a personality feature, regardless of success, that some people

have trouble with public speaking.

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So long as it's no indication of a long decline, MTH's "neglect" of O may be a good

thing - it will give them a chance to become less dependent upon Us (that's a two-edged

sword) and stoke the fires of our desires (rhymes!), and make the new products

(so many steamers never modeled, so little time) from new tooling that much more

irresistible. We may hurt ourselves reaching for the credit card. I would certainly

risk injury for a NC&StL Dixie 4-8-4 or an L&N M-1 Berk - and I don't mean the NKP re-paint from several years ago. 

Only new tooling from everybody will stoke my fires, again. New electronics won't.

MTH didn't create a buzz at York but they certainly did here at my house.  My wife thinks the Dreyfus Hudson, particularly with the Scullen drivers, is the best-looking locomotive ever made and we have both wanted a scale, modern-electronics version for some time.  Much more important here than the Big Boy is to us.  The 2014 catalog had a number of other things we will get (Imperial Camelback and Triplex), etc., so on balance MTH grossly "outbuzzed" Lionel here.

Now that MTH has gotten back into steam they are getting about half of our business again: I have the S1 and the propane turbine, and now this Dreyfus Hudson on order -- of course, it would be nice if they would ship something.  So far this year its been only Lionel that has delivered anything (the S-2, the H-7, etc.). 

Just pulling your leg there, my friend!  I knew you wouldn't overlook On30, and I consider it O scale as well (which it is).  Would certainly have stopped by to visit with you and Larry if I was there, but I was, unfortunately, back here in Ohio dealing with a kidney stone, among other things.

I hope you feel better soon Allan. We'll send you an On30 Whitcomb to review when they arrive!

* 'modern electronics' ?

I realize that this is a stretch here on my part Lee,  but could you possibly be referring to DCS and be considering 'taking the plunge'?