@Notch 6 posted:I'd like to see one person say, "I bought a model train with XYZ railroad on it and because of that train I decided to use railroad XYZ to ship my product." I highly doubt that's going to happen. Yes PR is important but no way making model trains has increased business to that railroad.
I think that reasoning is wrong on multiple levels. A case in point would be my 2343 AA that if memory serves appeared under my Christmas Tree in 1953. I assure you that I developed a love of the Santa Fe Railroad that has really never gone away. While I am not sure they have ever made a nickel off me, if there had been a way to pay them back for the enjoyment that train gave to me, in a heartbeat I would have.