New MTH Catalog Online

Perhaps it's time for a new thread with analysis of pricing policy at Lionel MTH; any volunteers?  (Disclaimer - I don't buy new trains, I only collect AMT/Auburn/KMT/Kusan from the 50s, so I don't have a dog in these newfangled train is-they-is-or-is-they-ain't tooooooo expensive threads)... 

Absolutely Not!

At least there is some more Alaska stuff I want. The reefer, double door box and passenger cars. If I can afford them lol. 

Phew......Nothing I want in this catalog. With exception to the wifi set up.  I'll give it a shot. Other than that it will give me time to catch up on what I really need to spend money on.......... I need more supplies from Brennan's.  

Agreed, as someone who models a small class I road, this was very prototypical operation for their declining years. I really like the flexibility the new F-unit setups offer. Just waiting for some O&W FT's or F3's. 

I know their representation of the 4501 is not accurate, it is closer than Lionel's attempt at the 630.  I am definitely interested in getting it, but I will wait until I see it on a secondary market.  Also, how hard is it to put Frisco decals on a Russian Decapod?  I would definitely be interested in it then, but I will also wait until it comes out on the secondary market - I won't pay full price for something I'll repaint...  The 611 looks good!

Since they are making individual E units (and asking us to pay a higher price for each locomotive), I hope they make them with road specific details like the winterization hatches on Union Pacific E-8s and 9s and the air tank tubing atop the Southern E-8s.

If they make some Florida East Coast Railway equipment of just single F or E units I might be interested.  

I can't even open the catalog to look at it. Nothing happens. Tried many times this evening and even rebooted the computer. What gives? Never had this problem before. Lionel catalogs page through fine as always.

We can have our opinions and you can have yours "MTN." Why bother complaining about the opinions of others on this subject if, by your own admission, you only buy old stuff? 

An undecorated version of the premier 2-8-2 in scale wheels would of got my money.

The NS GP40 in scale wheels with two different road #'s might get my money if they get made. They canceled the GP38-2 in scale wheels for NS which took my hopes of getting some modern diesel's.

I agree wholeheartedly, Cincinnati!  There is a price tipping point (pretty much passed for me) at which those of us who want to buy simply refuse to because of the price.

Hi Dave, Try this direct link or see caption below. Hope this helps.

 http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...v_1/html5/index.html

  Gary - Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway

There seems to be a constant parade of posts questioning Lionel's pricing strategies; it now appears that MTH has made a significant price increase for their E and F units with no discernible improvements in technology.  I'm wondering why there's been no commentary/chiding about a 25% increase in price from MTH?  If folks are going to offer helpful hints about how to price/market toy trains, let's do it for all the importers, and not single out the largest importer.  I happen to believe most toy trains currently produced are overpriced - Lionel sells expensive trains, but so do Atlas, 3RD Rail and MTH.  25% is a significant jump in price - wouldn't you agree?

Well, I did like the 2817 LCT MTHRRC Caboose. May have to spring for that? I wonder what really happened with the Scaletrax. Rich Batista made it look like it was a wonderful track system to install and operate on for his layout.

Regarding MTH's price's, and I am not a fan of increased pricing, we all have to remember that they held their pricing the longest. For years they had not raised prices on numerous items including tinplate. This just shows their costs are going up like everyone Else's. Labor rates oversees have gone up, and not for just train manufacturers

I do have to agree on the catalog disappointment as I felt the same as when the LCT catalog  came out. A lot of recent remakes, along with new tooling for a car that I really did not see what the buzz was about. I would have liked them the remake the NJC 384 blue comet starter set, and more of the 385, 390, and 392 engines.

JoeG

Unable to open the new catalog. New Windows 10 laptop. Tried Google Chrome and the new MicroSoft Edge browers. 

I get to this page:

http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...v_1/html5/index.html

I get to the title page with the thumbnails below. And then nada, nada thing. Seems like it's frozen. What browser are you guys using?

Thanks,

Rick

Update: opened the catalog on the Chrome browser on a Windows 7 computer; so there must be an issue with Windows 10.

"Kind of lame",you are too kind,sir.

NS SD60E's and maybe some fishbelly hoppers As far as pre-orders go. 

That's just right for me with several pre-orders from a few of our favorite toy train makers still waiting to be delivered.

Since I don't buy MTH engines, or any Railking, that just leaves premier cars (as always). I might be good for up to a dozen this catalog. That is down from previous catalogs.

I seem to have a thing for those all door boxcars. The air slide hoppers are a body style my fleet is seriously lacking. A few funnel flow tanks, and a couple coil cars and maybe a bulkhead flat with logs.

The answer to increased prices is clear:  The people who know how to manufacture/import model trains and sell them for less need to start their own businesses and show the rest of the industry how it's done.  In the meantime, there is Menard's and the used model train market.

Why increased prices? The people who make the model trains want to improve their quality of life, too.  Wages are going up in the countries from which most of our trains are imported.  If I heard correctly at the TCA Museum yesterday, I believe Lionel said they are now making their rotary dump gons (swiveling couplers) in Romania.  So it does appear Lionel is looking at the available options for where to make the models - they are not just "standing in place."  The fact that there is competition, not just between MTH and Lionel but also companies like 3rd Rail/GGD and Atlas, ensures competitive pricing.

Today's China will be like yesterdays Japan. These companies will all move on to lower wage countries. One thing we knew all along, moving overseas did not bring down prices for us.

Jim

I don't understand why folks are up in irons over the prices. Now I am NOT saying there hasn't been a price increase but let me make a few points.

I have the 2015 Volume 2 catalog right in front of me. F7 units are the same price in that catalog as they are in the new catalog. So the price of F units is not new.

The price increase came when MTH went from selling A-B-A sets to individual units. For instance in the 2015 Vol 1 catalog you could get a A-B-A set of E6s for $800. Now the same set (two powered A units and a non powered B unit) will cost $1,140. That's a $340 price increase but you are getting a DCS decoder that you didn't get before which allows for individual control of the powered units and removes the tether. I totally agree with everyone that this increase is kind of a lot considering an upgrade kit costs about $200. But we are getting more than we did when we were getting the A-B-A sets. So when you think about it is the price increase really that severe?

Last F units I can find are in the 2014 Volume 1 catalog. Price was $730 for an A-B-A set. Price in the last two catalogs for the same set (two powered A units and a non powered B unit) is $1,070. Also a $340 price increase. Same thing where we are getting an extra DCS decoder.

Everyone has their own budget and has a right to their own opinion on prices. Comparing MTH F7 unit prices to Atlas F7 unit prices (retail to retail) MTH actually comes out a little cheaper. Atlas retails for $499 and MTH $449.

Anyway, my point is since MTH started this in the last catalog it really isn't news. At least not to me.

They still beat Lionel with 2 powered units for less than you can get a powered and a dummy from Lionel. I wanted a set of CB&Q E units to pull my Califronia Zephyr but one powered unit just isnt enough and the lack of powered b units is pretty lame form both companies

Well, ScaleTrax is still in there.  That's a good sign (I think).  All my purchases will be #4 and #6 turnouts along with some track although the decapod is stirring a little interest.

That is true. BUT, given the option I'd much rather live with a tether then cough up an additional $340.00.

Joe

JC642, yeah I can totally see your side of it.

That is SO TRUE!

I looked at the catalog online.  I found a lot of things that I would like to buy.  I have too many trains already, however.  So, I will probably only purchase a freight car or two.  I would be thrilled with the variety of trains that MTH is offering if I was just getting started.  We are lucky to have MTH making great models for us.  Model trains aren't cheap but they aren't expensive either when compared to many other hobbies and pastimes.

NH Joe

FWIW, I didn't have any issues w/the catalog using my computer, which was recently upgraded to Windows 10.

So the problem probably is Windows 10 working with Chrome browser on this site. I guess I'll have to wait to get a hard copy...

I am using Windows 10 and IE (whatever the latest version is?) and have no problems at all with the new MTH catalog.

I don't like the new Win 10 Edge browser and it doesn't work well, at least it did not for me. I also use Chrome occasionally, but have not tried the new MTH catalog with Chrome.

Edit: I just tried the MTH catalog with Chrome, it also worked just fine here, no problems.

I am very excited about these. MTH auto carriers are the best in the biz.  MTH folks, if you're listening, I would love some auto carriers with modern muscle- Camaro, Mustang, Challenger.  The new golden age of muscle cars should be included in the MTH lineup

Using Google Chrome with no issues.

   Bill T

Yay! the operating reefer is back, I want one.