I think MTH produces what will sell for them. In O gauge (3R not 2R) the guys
want toy trains and toy accessories with pretty much any kind of paint schemes.
Prototypical locos, rolling stock and paint schemes take 2nd place to fantasy
offerings to many 3R'ers.
I don't think this will be the case in "S". Yes, there will be products
produced you wouldn't find on a scale layout, but I also think there will be
some fine scale models produced by MTH as well. Especially with the legacy of
great products SHS has produced to date. It's as close to a no brainer for MTH
as it can be as they are buying a great company, tooling and a strong customer
base. Let's support them.
Personally, during my 25 years in O scale (2R) I found MTH to offer better
scale cars and locos that were more easily convertable to 2R than Lionel ever
offered. MTH is now producing some very,very nice 2R locos in O and Lionel has
yet to produce one and said they won't. MTH added KD coupler pads to their
rolling stock several years ago (Lionel hasn't) and MTH offers non-swinging
diesel pilots on both their 2 and 3 rail O gauge locos if a buyer wants them,
so overall I think they are a lot more modeler friendly and listen to their
customers.
We are going through a changing of the guards with SHS which is very sad in
some ways; I don't like change anymore than anyone else. But, I think it is
absolutely wonderful that Don and Mike made sure their baby was passed along to
someone who would help it grow and move forward into the 21st century. One
thing that can never change is who started and nutured SHS to what it is today.
It will always be Don, Mike and Robin we think of.
I can't think of a better company to take over the reins of SHS than MTH and I
think it was an incredibly wise decision on SHS's part. Like most of us, Don,
Mike and Robin aren't getting any younger, so sooner or later the age issue
would have to be addressed. Now that a corporate entity owns SHS age is not a
factor. I'm sure Don, Mike and Robin's presence in the "S" community will
continue and they might even have a chance to enjoy it more.
Butch
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