Jim Waterman posted:
THe word from MTH at York was no new tinplate production for at least 5 years. Parts supply is being run out, but I heard that MTH may be able to get runs of parts made in quantity if requested (I need lots of Lionel latch couplers for what I build for example - MTH is now out of stock).
My hat's off to Mike for making almost everything in the Lionel, Ives and American Flyer wide gauge catalog over the past almost 40 years. So many thing that no one would have ever predicted to be reproduced (Brute? Super 381? All the Ives/AF steam loco variations? Showroom cars? All the 200 series cars and about 8 new varieties (Thanks Jim Burke for provided the impetus for the later variations, including the bay window caboose, covered gon, 2 and 3 dome tanks, etc). Repros of the white Ives sets, Prosperity Special, the big AF Mayflower and Presidentials, and even the Lionel #6 in many colors.
I strongly suspect that there will be a second chance to purchase any of these sets, locos and cars in coming years as they turn over. Most will have been run briefly or never left the boxes. So Mike is really competing with his own production of the last 40 years. How many 400's do you think are out there? Maybe 5000?
Jim
Jim,
Were you able to order in bulk from Mike all the parts you need to build your cars? If not, have you identified another source who can provide them?
Bob Nelson
