Posted document.write(‘’);July 15, 2008 09:42 AM July 15, 2008 09:42 AM
Hi
I am now back from a long trip and when I am away I don't check the boards much. While reading your opinions about Legacy control features I get a great feeling. It is very cool to read how so many are truly enjoying the hobby more with the Legacy control system. In this world, there are really not that many of us doing what we do and enjoying our great hobby. We are really a small and focused group. But we are so engaged! It is really cool to hear how Legacy has enhanced operator's experiences with their trains. Thank you from Lionel.
More features are on the way. You’ve heard them mentioned and even seen them in some advertisements. We are focusing on them now with our great team at the new Lionel. We sincerely hope you continue to be pleased with our products and the progress we have made since JC came onboard. It has not really been that long and we are turning around big time.
Every new Lionel product is the result of a focus on perfection. You can see it in t
Neil was not fond of the idea of Lionel moving production overseas & now that shipping costs even more on the seven seas I think that it is a strong possibility that Lionel may move some production back here to the States. Hence Neils comment: “Keep your eyes on New Jersey” What else could he mean? Lionel was in New Jersey for a long time from about 1917 until 1979 when they shut down their Service Dept in Little Falls,NJ & moved it to Michigan that same year. Keep your resume fresh, Rich. You never know what may happen. You could be in charge of the Super Streets Corvair production with Jersey Devil Decals & Simulated Flames on the sides.[:o)][:o)][:P][:P] Take Care.
That would be a great move for Lionel . Bring production back to the us yeah baby but we’ll just have to wait and see even if they had the molds and all made ioverseas and just produced here would be a great move,
Seeing that they have released the information on the ‘Postwar Classics’, and Postwar trains WERE made in New Jersey… and had MADE IN THE USA molded right into their shells… sounds logical to me!
Now if we could just get them to move ALL operations back within these great borders we’d be onto something.
Just thought of this too… isn’t WEAVER in New Jersey? IF Lionel buys out WEAVER that would give them a manufacturing facility with limited impact to production? OR they could partner with WEAVER, which may be more likely since that seems to be how many industries are moving (partnerships).
If New Jersey dosen’t tax the crap out of Lionel, the way the economy is, it makes sense to build 'em here in the USA. No shipping problems or design lag time from concept to production. No overseas trips to confir and confirm quality (saves a bundle right there). Being close to New York, central hub of the Universe, we could have items in as few as 6 months.
Just makes sense. Employ locals and keep those @$#%@&@%#$ unions out[banghead]. Things will be just fine and Made in the US of A will really be a selling point.
I could do a whole litany of how this will be torpedoed by Gov. Corzine and the Tax & Spend Democrats (feel my pain there, Jack?). [soapbox]
Hope springs eternal, maybe it’ll get done. I hope it will (wonder what Atlas O thinks about this in Hillside, NJ?)[swg]
Not to speculate to much but I would put my money on the new Visitor Center and store opening up here. I don’t think much of the manufacturing will return like the earlier days, maybe some final assembly and shipping will appear. Will be good to see the Layout or a new Layout appear… though a drive from Mich to NJ probably will not happen.
Rich…NJ can’t hold a candle to Taxachussets in this regard. We chase away business. We’re #1 and, sadly, are proud of it! And we don’t mind squandering everyone else’s tax dollars either (Big Dig $15 billion and counting).
How is it that Honda and other foreign auto companies can manufacture in the US and compete price and quality wise? Some food for thought. I know the answer.
Jack, yup, I know, you guys rank right there at #1. We GOTTA be a close 2nd. Honda & Toyota invests here because of 2 things…tax breaks and exchange rates. Right now, I think they’re takin’ a beatin’.
Rich…Don’t forget all the employees are new. Where would that put them on the vacation scale? Where would that put them on the pay scale? And isn’t GM sagging under the weight of pensions? And I’ll bet the average age of Toyota U.S. is younger, so the health care pool is younger and hence the health care provided is less expensive. Lionel starting up manufacturing again in the U.S. might be viable.
well this was a topic on another thread that got shut down so, we should keep it trite.
Listening to the workers who got let go and bought out here at Michigan. Word is everything in Mich. could move to NJ. Workers were given a buyout and will receive a pension, but after what GM did this week this could change.
The Visitor Layout was sold rumor has it, and somebody came in and bought the lot. Word is the Visitor center will reopen in NY or NJ maybe combine with the K Line display layout. Parts and service will move a year later only after they relocate temp. in the old visitor center building.
My Bet is maybe some manufacturing will come back, with the Visitors Center, store and parts and service and reopen in NJ…good news for al
Something tells me Service has relocated to Canton, OH. This is where you have to mail your Legacy systems for upgrades. BTW - Canton, OH is where TAS is located… so maybe Lionel is subcontracting out some of their operations to reduce costs?
Where was Mike Regan from? TAS? TAS is in Boardman, OH. It’s possible that the parts could be made in China then shipped, CHEAPER I would think, and assembled in USA. Either way, its a win-win in my book. J. Daddy (& Sir James), I am under the impression that the taxation in Michigan is also repressive. Could that be another reason Lionel is moving?
It just seems if the tax rates go down on all fronts (corporate and individual), we’d have more industry and jobs stay here. (don’t get me started on THAT one)!
Rich - yes Boardman that’s it… I got Canton confused with Canfield… althought Canton is much larger… been a while since I’ve been through there (Boardman was only 45 minutes from my place in Pittsburgh).
You hit the nail on the head about taxes, if your from out of the country different story, so maybe the NJ Governor gave them a huge break which will be a win-win situation for all? Maybe the manufacturing labor rates are less than the transportation cost?
Local cities and towns in MA. are permitted to provide TIFs (or tax incremental financing) which permits the local property taxing authority to grossly undervalue the assessed property tax valuation over time.
In theory, to induce the facility purchase (existing), facility construction (new), and/or facility rennovation/expansion. Temporary and permanent local jobs follow, theoretically. The property taxes are incrementally graduated back to 100% over a period of time (like 5-10 years), provided the company invests in the city or town in the amounts committed over the time commited.
Some of the State-level tax incentives (like headcount tax) for a business to relocate to MA. or to stay in MA. are contingent upon the business’s achievement of the city and town benchmarks.
