@DylTrains posted:I haven't been in O scale for as long as many people on these forums, and I know many of the concerns Ive been having have probably been stated before... but does anyone else feel that the 'new' MTH companies are off to a real rough start?
DylTrains,
If I distill your comments down to one salient point I think what I'm hearing is that you were hoping for leadership from "The New MTH" and apparently see none, or at least not enough to calm your fears.
Many of us share your apprehension, but there isn't going to be a dramatic flourish in the near term. I'm sure that Mike W. was hoping for it, in the form of an organization wanting to by MTH lock, stock and barrel, that would immediately inject energy, a vision, and, above all, leadership. That's how he ran MTH, from day one onward. Because he's a man of high standards he expected to see it continue.
Yes, we have little evidence of it yet, but I'm quite pleased with Mike R's work as a start because it follows the desired pattern. We just won't know for some time if it will happen across the board.
Having said all of this I'll ask a few related questions:
- Q: Didn't we also hope for "energy, a vision, and, above all, leadership" from the new Lionel when the old Lionel was sold to it's current owners? A: Yes, most definitely.
- Q: Did it come? A: No, a little perhaps, but not nearly what we hoped for.
Back to MTH. Right this instant substantial patience is required. Have a little faith. With any luck and some hard work we, and Mike W., will see what we're hoping for. It happened once. It can happen again.
Last but not least, anybody want to help make it happen? Any entrepreneurs among you? Raise your hand you young people. That's what Mike W. did nearly 50 years ago now. The hobby needs you, and now is the time.
Fortunately we see the results of Mike's original commitment with the old MTH even to this day. Energy, a vision, and, above all, leadership.
To paraphrase a famous tag line Just do it. Us oldsters will be here to help -- even if all we can do to support you is to buy your product. We'll be happy to do so, quite enthusiastically in fact.
Mike
