I’ve been buying trains for my kids every Christmas. There are so few sets aimed at modern day kids. My kids know Amtrak and the local Metra. That’s it - oh there is the Santa Fe- Gotta be the warbonnet color scheme. New super diesels, Amtrak, ETD’s Thats the trains kids see today but Lionel and MTH offer hobos and John Deere???
And please can they keep the prices within reach of a middle class family. I don’t need a train engine that costs the same as my mortgage payment. Your thoughts?
Paul the Painter
Agree with you, MTH offer some Amtrak train set with the Dash 8 or FP59 engine and Lionel has an upcoming Acela ( fall 2005) but at $1999.99.
The Hobo set is neat but sure if you’re or your kids not into steam can fit the bill.
Check Williamstrains they do have Amtrak engine/car or even Metroliner and their price are very good.
Paul, this is a hot topic for me. In all fairness to MTH, they are the only company to issue starter sets in contemporary roads like NS, CR, CSX, CP, Amtrak, UP and BNSF. Lionel has recently done Amtrak and UP; K-Line’s recently done the UP and the IC - but it’s been a decade since the others roads have been on starter sets, if at all. The MTH Railking engines are a little big in size for my liking. And I don’t like the extra electronics they now include with everything. But that’s me. I really wish MTH would issue some of the smaller engines like the SD90Mac or the SD-45 without the electronics - just a basic solid quality set that would compete with Lionel’s on a price point. Those solid Railking locos are better quality than Lionel and I think that could be a good thing for MTH and the newcomers.
The trains are being marketed to the parents, not the kids. Kids don’t know what Lionel trains are (nevermind the others) … the parents know at least what Lionel is. Many times I’ve been at a show or a shop and have overheard a parent say “oh look, there’s the railroad your grandfather worked for.” Other than the technology end and the adult scale end, the whole hobby is geared at the past. In the case of Lionel, the past also comes with a price. On the other hand take the affordable $10.95 list “Keystone Classics” by K-Line - a wonderful idea! I think it would have been a better idea to either use contemporary products kids might know, or some current roadnames. Again, it’s all nostalgia. And aside from the new operating technology, this is a very nostalgic hobby.
I’ve done a lot of repainting and have engines in current roads. Sure, they’re smaller engines like Alcos and switchers that CR, CSX and NS don’t own in reality. BUT kids recognize the paint scheme/color first. I’ve seen 5-year olds get excited over the NS horse logo and the CR wheels-on-rails logo. I will also add the ATSF warbonnet scheme remains forever popular… kids today love that scheme as much as we did years ago!
Brianel 027,
Appreciate your comments. You and I think alike. I to wi***hat MTH would come out with some basic locos. I do think their locos are the best runners. And I do shop around for bargains. The train set my kids have liked the best was the Alien 51 set. I liked it too. Simple, fantasy railline with operating and illuminated cars-great fun. And you are right the train manufacturers are targeting parents and the nostalga of 50’s L:ionel trains. But why not market an Amtrak Genesis powered passenger set for under $200? Kids know that train. Hopefully they will one of these days.