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Subject: 
Re: Hypothetically Speaking...
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.trains
Date: 
Sun, 10 Dec 2000 20:20:24 GMT
Reply-To: 
johnneal@uswest.#nomorespam#net
Viewed: 
2616 times
  
Mike Walsh wrote:

> "John Neal" <johnneal@uswest.net> wrote in message
> news:3A32A16E.30CC5580@uswest.net...
> > Some questions which I would like all LTDs (LEGO Train Dudes) to ponder
> > and discuss:
> > 
> > What if the guy/gal in charge of designing LEGO trains posted here and
> > asked, "Should we continue to design LEGO trains 6 wide or begin to
> > design them 8 wide?"  What would be your response?  Would you care
> > necessarily?  What if he/she also said, "We're also going to offer
> > larger radius track curves, new points, DCC; eventually the works."
> > Would that influence your preference between 6/8 wide?
> > 
> > Or, if TLC just out of the blue started producing 8 wide trains, how
> > would you feel about it?  Would you just accept it and build from there,
> > or would you feel that 6 wide was better and consider it another bad
> > move by TLC?  Or would you just be happy that TLC was producing more
> > trains again-- 6 wide, 8 wide--whatever?
> > 
> > I have a sense of how people feel about the subject, but I wanted some
> > direct feedback to see whether or not I am all wet.  These are purely
> > hypothetical questions:-)
> > 
> > -John
> 
> 
> I'd prefer them to stay 6-wide.  Moving to 8-wide would likely mean at least
> a 33% more bricks to build a train which means the cost would go up a fair
> amount.  There are a lot of good 6-wide designs, I not sure I see any real
> benefit to TLC for moving to 8-wide.  I suspect that staying with 6-wide
> will be a better business decision for TLC and allow them to serve a larger
> market.  When "toys" get in the three digit price range there are a lot of
> people who won't even consider them as a purchase.  Now if TLC wants to go
> after the model railroading market then changing to 8-wide probably makes
> sense but that would be a divergence from their primary business.

This is my whole point!  Are people happy with TLC producing "toy" trains, or
would people like to see a move on the part of TLC to go to the next level of
detail and sophistication in the trains theme!  I hear a lot of people saying
that they want a larger radius curves, DCC, motorized points, etc.  But if you
are satisfied with LEGO trains as "toys", why desire "model railroad"
appointments?  This seems a little inconsistent to me.

And BTW, I am not considering the benefits or "business decisions" of TLC; I am
asking about what is most beneficial *to us* as consumers.  If it is a
divergence from their primary business, it will be because that is what *we*
wanted, not what *they* want.

-John

> I'd rather see TLC put some resources into better track configurations,
> flexible track, multiple radius curves, "X" crossings, and points that allow
> parallel tracks to lie closer to one another (like the 12V points).  I'd
> also like to see LEGO release individual cars as just complete trains.  If
> they were available in regular retail stores at a $20-$40 price range
> (depending on complexity of course), I imagine my impulse buying would
> result in a lot more total train expenditures than I currently do.
> 
> Mike - mike_walsh@mindspring.com



Message has 2 Replies:
  Re: Hypothetically Speaking...
 
In lugn (...) Because no one else even comes _close_ to the price that Lego have for a 1/4"-1/2" model range. Old Hornby O goes for astronomical prices, new Lionel is just about as bad! (I mean, the current production hudsons are $500 USD...not in (...) (26 years ago, 10-Dec-00, to lugnet.trains)
  Re: Hypothetically Speaking...
 
"John Neal" <johnneal@uswest.net> wrote in message news:3A33E582.4335F9...est.net... (...) least (...) fair (...) real (...) larger (...) of (...) go (...) makes (...) or (...) of (...) saying (...) you (...) As someone who builds 'toy trains', I (...) (26 years ago, 10-Dec-00, to lugnet.trains)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Hypothetically Speaking...
 
"John Neal" <johnneal@uswest.net> wrote in message news:3A32A16E.30CC55...est.net... (...) I'd prefer them to stay 6-wide. Moving to 8-wide would likely mean at least a 33% more bricks to build a train which means the cost would go up a fair (...) (26 years ago, 10-Dec-00, to lugnet.trains)

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