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Trying to characterize the main O manufacturers

R 3RaylFanOGR Forum Member

I'm trying to get a picture of the O scale/gauge manufacturers and understand how they stand as businesses in 2017 and where they are going (particularly related to train control). I don't know if anybody else finds this interesting, but if you do please correct or add to my picture of the current state/direction of these companies within the hobby. I have been out of the O world and am just trying to get back into it.

Lionel uses Legacy which is an updated TMCC. Lionel has a relationship with MTH (?) and to a certain extent there is some compatibility between operating Legacy and DCS (is this true or not?). Lionel has LCS and iCab products which provide a tablet interface to their Legacy product (do I have this right)?  How is this product? Lionel also has Lion Chief which is a simplified RF control system. Lionel will sometimes surprise us by announcing a product like the hotwheels product. Lionel doesn't seem to be afraid to come out of left field (unlike some of the other companies).

MTH has DCS and seems to have put a lot of emphasis on their new Wi-Fi DCS which puts a tablet interface on DCS. It requires a Wi-Fi interface box which is compatible with their newer DCS products (I'm not super familiar with this). What is the general perception with the success of this product?

Williams (owned by Bachmann) has always been conventional, but there is rumor the might eventually extend their E-Z App bluetooth to O.

Atlas is a bit of an enigma to me. They have in the past offered locos with TMCC  (so they have had a partnership with Lionel). Do they offer current products with Legacy on board?  Atlas also seems to have moved to a pre-order model as far as I can tell?  How has this affected their products, business and customer relations? I don't have a clear picture of where Atlas is at right now.  Do they seem to have a solid future?

Am I missing any of the big players out there? I'm just trying to stay up to date with where all these companies are going. Thanks.

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P phillyreadingOGR Forum Member

Lionel first had TMCC command control system and licensed it for sale to Atlas, K-Line and one or two others. Legacy will run most of TMCC commands from what I understand. Legacy is a Lionel only item for now.

MTH's DCS and Lionel's TMCC & Legacy are not directly user friendly, you must have both systems(TMCC or Legacy and DCS)to run both systems and a connector cable to hook-up the 2 systems. MTH has wifi with their newest DCS command control system, version 5.0

Williams and Williams Bachmann are conventional with one exception; they have a remote controlled operating car that has a Williams remote and only Williams and Williams/Bachmann remote will work with it. No command control works with any Williams operating cars, you must upgrade the Williams operating car to command control of your choice.

Bachmann/Williams might extend their blue tooth technology to O scale but that is yet to be seen. So far only H.O. or N scale with Bachmann line has blue tooth technology.

Atlas is a medium to large player in O scale trains, not as large as Lionel or MTH but they are a good competitor with a quality product. Atlas uses TMCC by agreement with Lionel, so far no agreement for Legacy being used with Atlas Trains.

Then there is 3rd Rail Brass, a custom manufacturer in O scale items, a bit expensive for most people.

Another company that is smaller and trying to get a decent share of the market is Menard's. Menard's makes freight cars and buildings in O scale, and O gauge tubular track.

O-Line Reproductions seems to have taken over for RMT in O scale trains, so none of their equipment has TMCC or any other command control.

DCC is mainly used for; H.O., N scale, and G gauge trains. DCC might have some use in 2 rail O scale engines, not 100% sure.

Lee Fritz

 

Last edited by phillyreading
HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member
3RaylFan posted:

I'm not familiar with those two (thanks for mentioning them). It looks like 3rd Rails/sunset is a brass loco company (conventional operation).

No, Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot are all essentially one company, and their powered 3-Rail products come equipped with TMCC by ERR.

I don't see them in TrainWorld and ModeltrainStuff etc. They must sell direct perhaps? 

There are many hobby shops that do carry the Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot products. Lots of their sales are also direct.

And it looks like GGD does brass passenger cars.

No. GGD offer many different types of SCALE (3-Rail AND 2-Rail) passenger equipment, with the streamlined equipment made of extruded aluminum, while the heavyweight equipment is ABS.

Thanks.

 

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