I don’t view MTH’s “invasion” of the HO market as being particularly brilliant. DCS has already alienated many DCC users because of the patent dispute. There are way too many DCC and DCC ready models on the market already. MTH’s late entry to the game, and proprietary system, will keep it from ever becoming a major player in the HO market. The established HO community is ready to boycott these new products. That’s my opinion.
If it will truly work with DCC with all features as well as DCS and they do a good job, then they may sell very well.
Enjoy
Paul
Thanks for the Press Release, John.
Do you work for MTH?
This news is not getting such a warm reception for the HO folks on the MR side.
I do not nor did I ever work for MTH.
OK, it was just that your BREAKING NEWS was so emphatic. The news isn’t so earth shaking, as it’s been rumored for months that MTH was interested in HO. They even showed an HO DCS engine at York last April.
I agree with Big Boy. HO guys are hell bent on compatibility. NMRA standards or you’re out. Price will be a factor too. If MTH patents their own little world and sues everybody as they have with O gauge, their HO line will only be as popular as Marklin if popular at all.
Reportedly, the new loco will be compatible with both DCS and DCC. But this is an issue for the HO guys to ponder. I personally prefer manly trains.
Oh, thats a joke.[:D]
DC, DCC, and DCS capability in one package–something for everyone. Definitely the right way for MTH to approach their entry into the HO segment of the hobby.
I’m with big boy on this one. [:(!]
Yeah Bob, compatible or not, this is going to be a hard sell for Mike. Those HO guys are pretty riled about that patent stuff, and frankly I don’t blame them.
There is a topic over on MR about this. Some of us 3 rail guys have weighed in over there. While there are some MTH fans in our ranks, there are others who seem to feel as I do. What Mike has done may be shrewd, but public opinion is against him. I don’t expect this HO venture to be successful. Time will tell.
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21652
It may well be a VERY hard sale, but think back seven or eight years and how many guys vowed they’d never buy Lionel trains if they were made in Asia. As they say, “the rest is history.”
Even when they moved the factory, I received loads of what could only be called hate mail (not directed at CTT, but guys venting) about the move. I don’t believe Asian production is an obstacle for most guys in the hobby today.
If MTH offers a good-looking, good-running, flexible (i.e. Proto or DCC) steamer that sounds better (HO is about where we were in 1994), and is cheaper than similar products, I think you’ll find some HO folks will modify their position. Others will go to the grave hating MTH. But HO is a far larger community than O gauge, so MTH can take off a smaller percent of the community as a whole, and still make a buck.
Whether you like Mike or hate Mike, he has some fence mending to do with the customer base. MTH offers a selection of product which is unmatched in 3-rail. His line of subway trains have opened up an area of modeling where 042 curves are prototypical and myself along with many of my friends are enjoying these unique products. However, I have never before heard of a model train company which is actually so vehemently disliked by so many hobbyists. MTH should go on a good will offensive. Really.
Well Bob, the Asia thing is kind of a different deal. A bitter pill to say the least, but there are no longer any real options, as all of the major manufacturers have moved there. Lionel did well to hold out as long as they did. Things were different back in the mid 80’s with the Mexican move. The HO guys are now experiencing that same shock and dismay as Horizon has taken over Athearn and Roundhouse. The MR topic for this is called “What’s NOT made in China?”
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20148
You make an interesting point about the market size issue. Keep in mind that command control is only used by a small percentage of HO modelers. There is a technological resistance barrier in HO just like we have here in O.
John, that is an interesting choice of words, “MTH should go on a good will offensive.” Many here would say that MTH’s behavior has been “offensive”. The question is, can any GOOD will be found?
". . . compatible or not, this is going to be a hard sell for Mike. Those HO guys are pretty riled about that patent stuff, and frankly I don’t blame them. "
I think you are greatly overestimating the number of HO modelers who care about patent infringement issues or anything else relating to the business operations of the firms that make their favorite products. Never make the mistake of believing that what you read in an on-line forum–any on-line forum-- represents the pervasive attitude in the hobby as a whole. That simply is not true for any scale or gauge, but particularly for a very large segment of the hobby like HO.
Participate in NMRA national or regional events, and you’ll quickly learn that (1) the vast majority of HO and N scale hobbists do not spend ANY time on-line in forum participation of any type, and (2) most hobbyists in those two scales aren’t even aware of any legal wranglings between manufacturers, and/or couldn’t care less even if they actually are aware.
Brand loyalists in the O gauge segment of this hobby (alone) tend to greatly exaggerate the emotional aspects of industry-related events. Most hobbyists in all scales, I would argue, don’t care one way or another about such stuff.
OK Allan, forget all of the emotional stuff. Let’s look at this from a marketing perspective. MTH has NO experience in the HO market. Most hobby stores do not carry any MTH products. Only train specialty stores are likely to pick up on this product line. MTH has to convince the dealers to buy in. The only serious MTH dealers near me, don’t mix scales, they are exclusive O scale stores, and will not carry this product. Mike has to find a whole new batch of dealers to market this.
Even if this is the best product of it’s type on the market, it doesn’t mean that it will sell. It reminds me of VHS and Beta.
O Gauge Overlord,
When you speak of preferring “Manly” trains, I assume that you are referring to Standard Gauge?
MTH may have something here - sure, there are great challenges in cracking a new market - but one of the ways to grow your business is this sort of expansion. My experience on the smaller scale side is there is active interest in new products regardless of the provider. And it is a heck of a bigger market than in our scale. I find there is a generational shift occuring where younger would-be hobbyists, if they have any memories of model trains when growing up in the 1960s or 70s (a huge if) are initially drawn to HO trains rather than O. And for the established hobbyists - if MTH makes something that works with DCC, adds more effects and is less expensive, they’ll probably find a niche. If MTH succeeds, they’ll be a more stable, vibrant company with resources to expend. I drink to their success! Skoal!
I am sticking with Broadway and several other makers of good engines. I dont need another entry into the HO side of a company that does a good job with O. Besides these engines are very expensive and for a few dollars more may as well buy brass.
Price point is a much, much bigger issue in HO and N than in O three rail, O and Large Scale. The latter groups are used to spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on locomotives. MTH’s competition is Broadway Limited, Lionel and other high end manufacturers, and Broadway Limited’s pricing is more attractive based upon this initial offering. I think those in HO who are interested in $300+ locomotives with high tech features are much more likely to be aware of the marketplace issues, ethics questions and other discussions that may well hurt MTH’s sales in this niche market. They have some damage control to do to say the least.