Why the lack of diecast pre-war reissues?

The more recent open-frame motors have had overheating issues, and are apparently not up to prewar Lionel standards, which were essentially "bulletproof"! 

Lionel made a modernized 763E around 15 years ago. It has an early version of TMCC and an open frame motor. I have one; it doesn't fit my theme but I just like the looks of it with the Scullin drivers and Vanderbilt tender. Here it is with a Rail Chief set, also a repro.  Click on photo for a better look. 

Not sure I'm wholly on target here, but....

I thought that this segment of historical reissues/reproductions had been given over to Lionel Corporation Tinplate (MTH), who, IMHO, have been doing a very good job of meeting these needs?

Some of Lionel's more recent reissues of early postwar trains/engines seemed to linger the longest on the shelf of our (LHS) store. 

Perhaps there's a clue in answer to your OP?

KD

Why opt for foreign made & modern innards when there are enough vintage USA made "bulletproof" (as Tinplate Art correctly says) stuff still circulating? Just my 2 cents.

I know I am in the minority here!

Tom

I have always hoped somebody would repro the 700 freight cars in good zamac.  Williams came close, but not quite the same, in brass.  MTH missed by a mile, although they advertised them as repros.

why reissue when there are so many good ones around? And as others have pointed out, absolutely bullet proof.

Tim

Tom,

"News Flash!" I'm sure you will find you ARE NOT in the minority.

Gentlemen,

   Got to admit I would rather have an original that I can run in Conventional from my DCS TR mode than a repro die cast.  Now the Tin Plate that is  much different matter,

bring on more report Tin Plate trains!

PCRR/Dave

Dies don't last forever and some of the older ones probably were changed, not worth making new ones. The marketplace rules, I would guess there is not enough demand for the older engines. I look for the originals and you can still find decent ones at affordable prices. I guess some of the people  running the new fancy control systems might like to run the oldies that way.

They would probably have to make new dies and with a small market would not make a profit.

MTH already had what was needed to make tinplate.

I agree with what Jim said above. Besides, I also agree with Jim pastorius above him. I think the two Jims hit the nail on the head. 

I'm not really in this group - except marginally.

I just received a Legacy SOU GP-30; do everything but wax your floors, even using plain TMCC.

BUT: last month I purchased on Mr. Bay a tender-less 1666 2-6-2 in runner-restored shape. I had a modern tender that "matched" one of those that came with the loco. Painted it. Why do this? I like the looks of the loco; would like to put an ERR AC Commander in it, one day...

Would prefer if it had a modern can motor (for cruise) - even though it runs very well..

And, though actually PW, I would dearly love to see Lionel offer a 2-6-4 221 "Dreyfus" with modern innards. Maybe the LCCA will do it. I have a small 221 collection (5 locos/tenders), and one of them got a second-rate "restoration" (not by me) a few years ago...I'd love to put an AC Commander in it. Runs so-so, and I have never been able to satisfactorily tune up these old things, anyway, regardless of the stories. Modern I understand.

My point: some of us (even hi-railers like me) like some of the old look, but would enjoy

it upgraded internally (like much of the "Tinplate" stuff). I know a lot of you don't get it, but standing at a transformer and doing F-N-R got old around 1960 - even with the stuff that ran well (not all of it does, be honest).

And, though well-made for sure, since when does "bulletproof" apply to things that need occasional repair? Good? Yes. Perfect? Naw; I've owned it.

But I guess that I'm the one in the minority. That's OK.

I'm usually in the camp of "buy original", and I have very few reproductions pieces (a few houses, telephone poles, and a crane since the original motors could be trouble), but the idea D500 mentioned is a good one, in response to a Lionel 221. I think it could be a great Lionchief Plus engine, if Lionel (or MTH wanted to do it), with some add on passenger cars.

I am in the "original"  camp but fully understand wanting a modern version of the Dreyfuss. A great design is great, no matter what drives it.  I agree about a LionChief version.