On Tue, 04 Feb 2003 22:54:30 -0500, Chris Zizzo wrote: >Cheap trains didn't save Gilbert and they won't save you. The last thing we >need is more c___. Lousy trains make newbies crazy.
In so many words, yes. One can buy a LARGE set of plastic / battery Tomica trains for about $20, and the trains are Thomas characters no less. How in the world could someone new attack the cheap market, compete with Thomas - the train everyone knows, and gain any market share. We have tooooo much of this stuff already for our children. Next level up, Brio. I had early Brio, now our children do. QUALITY STUFF! Even have a turntable and roundhouse for the children! Some of the "Trains of the World" series for dad! Next level up from that, our AF collection. However, you will never find the AF EMD F-9 on my wish list.... YUCK!!!! Same with the rolling stock with all plastic couplers. <><><><><><><><> The bigger issue, today's culture is totally different that the post WWII ira when families were stronger, more people got married, dad's had time for their children to play with the trains, not to mention more cargo traveling around via train. These days, model semi trucks seem a bit more appropriate. Complete with cracked up highways to run them on! I think the best way to get people interested in trains AND help make families stronger is for those of us with the model RR disease to build a good layout for operating session purposes, and then open the doors to word of mouth and teach the folks that come in showing their interest. That's what our layout is going to be all about. Plus living in a fairly busy train town - migrate into some real train spotting, see about getting in the main tower downtown for a visit, etc... As a result of sharing the disease, families my decide to invest in electric trains of their own... and at that point I really don't care WHAT guage makes them tick - Z through G it's all fine with me if it's what turns them on. Hey, maybe even a bit O live steam like at Hesston, IN. Cheap trains are NOT the answer, spending time mentoring IS! Michael S-Trains list sponsor: http://www.americanflyertrains.com All the Flyer you desire...books and accessories too! To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list send a note to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
