UNOFFICIAL Update from TrainWorld's Virtual York Show Podcast

So is MTH still in the game then? Not going out of business?

I found it odd that everyone was talking to Rich and Andy like it was their last time in a forum like this and it was good bye. Yet, somebody is moving into a much smaller building. Not a lot of details of who is moving it, or what the company will be called, and there was no commitment ( or denial) to or for any additional BTO items beyond the next months.. Still a lot of unknowns and not much information.

I watched the TrainWorld vitural York presentations.  Really great information and high interest.  Have to thank Ken, Jr., of TrainWorld for handling the experience.

I thought Ryan of Lionel gave a modest update on Lionel's upcoming ventures - spending quite a bit of time on the voice control of trains.  It works!  Lionel's last 2021 catalog will be out in mid-July - and the HO catalog is currently out  and available.

MTH? There was not much enthusiasm shown by the old gang (Rich/Andy).   I got the feeling that the "company" is just biding its time producing BTO as production equipment from the remaining lines is waiting to be sold.  Hard to know who's making money out of the current production ... Mike?  Andy?  Rich?  ???

We still haven't an idea on how much of DCS will continue to be produced - or for how long.  Best to look at the video to try to understand what exists in the current DCS line-up.

There seemed to be a number of employees on "vacation".  It's impossible to tell how many are still working / getting paid by the company. 

Atlas presented some of its current and proposed O Gauge production.  Could be good.  We'll see how fast they can produce the trains ....

Angela presented as well.  Her art is terrific.

Lots of gallows humor. Andy did seem a little glum although his usual amiable self.

@Landsteiner posted:

Lots of gallows humor. Andy did seem a little glum although his usual amiable self.

Yes, there was a real sense that this was goodbye.

Not the way I  see it.  They appeared to more guarded when it came to the future as to not let anything slip out.  Delays were in acquiring the necessary components, which is currently happening through many industries.  The move also appears warring on them.  Having a new facility to continue whatever they are planing, says there is something in the works.

@paulp575 posted:

(Rich Thomas and Andy Edlemen)

Rich Foster.

Richard Thomas was Johnboy Walton. Lol.

@rthomps posted:

I watched the TrainWorld vitural York presentations. ...  Atlas presented some of its current and proposed O Gauge production.  Could be good.  We'll see how fast they can produce the trains ....

Did Atlas say anything about production of their own engines (not the MTH tooling)?  Such as the SW and MP15 switchers?

Thanks, Jim

@rthomps posted:

I watched the TrainWorld vitural York presentations.  Really great information and high interest.  Have to thank Ken, Jr., of TrainWorld for handling the experience.

I thought Ryan of Lionel gave a modest update on Lionel's upcoming ventures - spending quite a bit of time on the voice control of trains.  It works!  Lionel's last 2021 catalog will be out in mid-July - and the HO catalog is currently out  and available.

MTH? There was not much enthusiasm shown by the old gang (Rich/Andy).   I got the feeling that the "company" is just biding its time producing BTO as production equipment from the remaining lines is waiting to be sold.  Hard to know who's making money out of the current production ... Mike?  Andy?  Rich?  ???

We still haven't an idea on how much of DCS will continue to be produced - or for how long.  Best to look at the video to try to understand what exists in the current DCS line-up.

There seemed to be a number of employees on "vacation".  It's impossible to tell how many are still working / getting paid by the company.

Atlas presented some of its current and proposed O Gauge production.  Could be good.  We'll see how fast they can produce the trains ....

Angela presented as well.  Her art is terrific.

@rthomps According to the following e-mail, DCS will continue:

This was posted to the MTH Dealer's network on June 9, 2020:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DCS/Proto-Sound Lives On.

June 9, 2020 - With the scheduled closing of M.T.H. Electric Trains next year, support for the DCS Digital Command System and the Proto-Sound 3.0 onboard locomotive systems will continue through a new independent company headed up by current M.T.H. staff once direct M.T.H. support for the systems concludes on June 1, 2021.

The new tech company will continue to manufacture and provide support including any necessary software updates to the DCS hardware or DCS WiFi App. In fact, new and exciting product ideas are currently under development.

The DCS System controls any Proto-Sound 2.0 and later equipped locomotives and first debuted 18 years ago. It has been an integral part of the M.T.H. product line family since its inception and its continuation beyond the closing of M.T.H. is an important part of the transition envisioned by retiring M.T.H. president Mike Wolf.

As the retirement transition process moves forward, more details about the new company's creation and ongoing development of M.T.H.'s technology packages will be announced. Stay tuned.

Rich and Andy did say that more information would be coming next month regarding the future of MTH. Here is how I see it, would MTH be investing in a new parts website, and a new building, if they were still trying to sell off the rest of the product line and shut down for good?

I am sorry but if last night was informative not sure of what? Atlas made very little mention of the Plans for PS3 and DCS in their offerings? Andy and Rich just talked about the special runs they are doing but yet canceled engines I had on order. I was not happy with the lack of questions and responses that one of the great joys about York is getting the scoop on things to come/

@RJ I posted:

Rich and Andy did say that more information would be coming next month regarding the future of MTH. Here is how I see it, would MTH be investing in a new parts website, and a new building, if they were still trying to sell off the rest of the product line and shut down for good?

Well I think parts are to support repairs for product that has already shipped. As for the building, Rich and Andy emphasized that their space will be very limited, no space for warehousing product. It sounds like they are leasing a small office suite, not a building.