Subject:
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Re: Whither LEGO Steam Trains? (was Re: QT Movie of 4565)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Fri, 9 Feb 2001 17:43:14 GMT
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Viewed:
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2220 times
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Larry Pieniazek wrote:
>
> In lugnet.trains, Frank Filz writes:
> > > Well, right now, you could put yourself a "push" train the following
> > way:
> >
> > $45 3 3737 Train Accessories
> > $26 2 4520 Eight Curved Rails
> > -----------------------------
> > $71
> >
> > You then use your existing collection to build an engine and two cars.
> >
> > Unfortunately this points out the real flaw in the new Train
> > Accessories, with the old accessory packs you could have done:
> >
> > $12 4 5304 Two Wheelsets
> > $9 3 5303 Buffers, Magnets, and Couplers
> > $2 1 5302 Two Bogie Plates
> > $3 1 5309 Wagon Plate
> > $26 2 4520 Eight Curved Rails
> > -------------------------------------
> > $54
> >
> > This builds you 2 4 wheel cars and 1 8 wheel bogie car.
> >
> > It would be a heck of a lot better though if a push train set was sold.
> > I suspect for $70, TLC could offer a push train with an engine and two
> > or three cars (mostly 4 wheel), an oval of track, and a few minifigs (a
> > good set would be to take 3225 and replace the train motor with two
> > wheelsets and an oval of track, which could probably be sold at
> > basically the same price).
>
> Excellent analysis, Frank! I just have to question whether people will pay
> 75 for a push train when for 60 more they can have the excitement of powered
> operation.
>
> Why did Duplo go powered? When I was buying Duplo for Taya (9 years ago when
> she was 2) it was unpowered. If they went powered for Duplo, I suspect that
> the window for kids that can handle system but can't handle power is pretty
> small. But I could be wrong...
Of course the powered DUPLO train is battery powered. They do still have
a push train (though it doesn't come with track - a good decision for
DUPLO I think, at that age, kids may not need a track).
One thought I have is that many LTCs could probably put together low
cost "starter" sets to offer at shows (doing so would depend on the
ability for people to sell items from layout displays, or being able to
arrange with the sponsor to have the starter sets sold at a regular
dealer table [or in the case of one Raleigh show which is run by a club,
the sets could be sold on their club table]). I for example would be
able to contribute a motor or two. Someone else might be able to
contribute a controller. Wheels and some large plates or train plates
would be relatively easy to come up with. A circle of track of course is
trivial to come up with. We could possibly put together starter sets
which could be sold unpowered for $40-50 and powered for $70-90 or so.
Of course another thought would be for LTCs to as a club buy a handfull
of $60 train sets when the clearances occur, and then pass these along
at close to cost. I bet a $60 4565 or 4561 would be a pretty easy sell
at a train show...
--
Frank Filz
-----------------------------
Work: mailto:ffilz@us.ibm.com (business only please)
Home: mailto:ffilz@mindspring.com
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: Whither LEGO Steam Trains? (was Re: QT Movie of 4565)
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| (...) Excellent analysis, Frank! I just have to question whether people will pay 75 for a push train when for 60 more they can have the excitement of powered operation. Why did Duplo go powered? When I was buying Duplo for Taya (9 years ago when she (...) (23 years ago, 9-Feb-01, to lugnet.trains)
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