NotInWI posted:The truth of it is, unless an S gauge set has exposure to the RTR non educated train market....then what’s the point?
A Thomas and Polar Express set in S does not mean anything to someone who is looking at a O Gauge or G Gauge set at their store. Most hobby shops I would venture to say don’t even stock an S Gauge polar express set either. A better widget does not sell if it’s not front and center.
Heck, I have seen the Lionel trade display at several shows, they might have some flyer on the wall, but none running. There will be 10 sets up and running, but nothing in S.
Ben
Bingo.
It's the age old problem of getting S out in front to where people will buy it. A little bit of novelty isn't really going to bring the masses in. When I used to be with a modular group, I got really tired of telling the public that they'd have to search online for a dealer, manufacturer or ebay to find most S stuff. They'd usually say "thank you" and disappear into the crowd.
And of course, the experienced model railroader would say "I got too much invested in..."
I really wonder how many non-S gaugers actually bought the Flyer Polar Express verses how many in the choir did. I suspect most of the sales have gone to the S crowd. Lionel may have done another run of them but it's nothing as to how many they crank out in O. The same would be true for S Thomas sets I'd wager.
Rusty
