Subject:
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Re: The Future of Trains // Wishlist
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Thu, 4 Oct 2007 17:34:14 GMT
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Viewed:
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13588 times
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In lugnet.trains, Don Cox wrote:
> Point of view? I enjoy working with my LEGO trains. I put out a lot of work in
> 'abusing' my trains to do a show, both for the visitor and mine own pleasure.
> The model Railroad Hobby is the largest Hobby in the world. It is done almost in
> every country and by trainheads of every walk of life. Do we, as model train
> operators consider that we are 'abusing', even in a positive way,the trains we
> run? Do we consider that we are 'abusing the manufacture of our model trains
> when we purchase large amounts of scenery and building material to give our
> layouts a life-like appearance? Do we 'abuse' the manufacture when we do shows
> for the public to enjoy?
>
> The challenge for the future of trains is to have a place in this world wide
> Hobby. Plastic, battery powered trains IS considered a 'toy' by the model
> railroad clubs. It took us many years of 'abuse' and hard work to get into and
> be recognized by Model Railroading. Has all this been for nought? I thought we
> had made our case about this, it seems it fell on deft ears. The profit on the
> train componants is small compared to the other themes done by TLG, however, the
> profit in the large amounts of LEGO purchased to build our layouts and man them
> with minifigs and vehicles and customized trains should have brought up the
> profit over all.
>
> We have told TLG many times about the lack of advertizing the 9volt system. We
> have asked that tha Railroad Hobby Shops be allowed to carry just the train sets
> and accessories to place them in the buying public's view. None of this has
> been done.
>
> At our train shows we have consistenly been asked 'where can we get the trains'.
> Now, officially, we can tell the viewing public that LEGO trains are no longer
> available for another couple of years and at this time we do not know what will
> be presented. We can watch person after person walk away to look at buying
> other manufacture's products instead of starting many more home and public
> layouts of LEGO trains. Keep in mind this also includes mass purchasing of LEGO
> products to add to their layouts. I would be willing to bet other manufactures
> are pleased with this announcement. They will enjoy the profits TLG is giving
> away.
>
> And finally, I feel that it would have been in TLG's best interest to continue
> supporting the 9volt system to keep up this interest in LEGO trains until the
> new system is in production and has a good track record to at least compare to
> the 9volt system. Leaving a two year+ gap will probably cost TLG a lot in
> non-sales and it will mean starting all over to build up the trust in LEGO
> Trains, both with AFOL's and the public.
>
> These are my concerns, about one of my favorite hobbies and my favorite
> company...
Well put Don. Better than I could have done. Every time I started to write
something up I had trouble containing my anger and writing something
constructive.
Right now my hope lies not with the LEGO company, but with fans, finding ways to
repair the 9v motors when they break down, how to add metal rails to plastic
track. This will work for me and my club, but we'll be left telling the public
that LEGO doesn't care about the model railroading hobby. Go somewhere else, buy
some other product, or be prepared for a lot of custom non-lego building work.
Jason Spears MichLUG Lugnet#478 St. Joseph, MI. USA
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: The Future of Trains // Wishlist
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| (...) Point of view? I enjoy working with my LEGO trains. I put out a lot of work in 'abusing' my trains to do a show, both for the visitor and mine own pleasure. The model Railroad Hobby is the largest Hobby in the world. It is done almost in every (...) (17 years ago, 4-Oct-07, to lugnet.trains)
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