its all about the competition, a rising tide floated all boats!!
Good point Steve, you might even say MTH saved Lionel. They kick started the interest in three rail trains and the timing was perfect. Us old geezers had the time, money and interest. No doubt MPC kept Lionel going but they were really still making toy trains. With few exceptions MTH was the first to really push scale equipment. I for one always wanted better detail and scale. Obviously there were a lot of us.
I wish Mike would write a book about it all. I think it would be fascinating to read his thoughts on MTH and how it all happened. Don
I'll echo the sentiment. In the mid to late 1990s I was coming up for air from college and grad school and all of a sudden I noticed that Lionel was making some new and interesting stuff, like the Alco PA-1s. I wondered what was the impetus for this new equipment and then I discovered MTH. I was too poor at that time to really buy much in the way of trains but I could buy the houses and accessories and the last layout I built at my parents' house during that time (I really miss that one -- 16x24) was loaded with all the new MTH houses and accessories I could find and afford. Mike did a great job reinvigorating the hobby.
I like MTH's stuff but really do appreciate that Lionel has stepped up and competed well: I own a lot more Lionel, frankly, so what MTh has most done for me is that . . . . Each drives the other to work harder. Competition is a wonderful thing . . . and beyond what it brings us, consider that it does to the employees . . . it would be boring . . . dull, dull, dull . . . to work at one of those companies it if had no competition.
I love MTH when it works. I have seen many layouts that are huge and very complex, like the Misty Mountain RR and a smaller layout in Cleveland, MS. It has worked correctly for about 20% of the time I have owned it. Initially, my problems turned out to be a defective unit that was repaired under warranty. Got it back, worked for a few hours over a few months. Now I cannot get it to read or add either of my two engines. They were both added and worked together about a month ago. Now, nothing. It appears to be an inconsistent signal problem, but I can't say that for sure.
"I wouldn't be in this hobby if MTH was not around. Thank you Mike Wolfe. Don"
Same here, Don. I know I speak for many subway/traction model fans in that regard as well. MTH and Mike took a huge risk and opened up our end of the hobby after years of neglect by the other manufacturers. The result was a wonderful supply of quality subway trains and long awaited releases by Lionel and others. Additionally, many people that weren't previously interested in O gauge joined in, building outstanding subway/elevated rail line layouts, as you can see in the Subway sub-group of this forum (introduced after MTH released a number of their models). Thanks Mike Wolf and MTH for having the foresight and good business sense to tap this demand.
I think Mike Wolf has been a godsend for the hobby and MTH was the one that really got me interested in starting my train collection and most of my locomotives and rolling stock are MTH. MTH has been great for the hobby with the great products they have produced.
