quote:Lionel Corp. was making/marketing HO.
While there were HO trains in the Lionel 1966 catalog, they did not even put out a catalog in 1967. And 1968's catalog only had one set, two engines, the ballast tamper, and a few cars.
How could it have possibly made sense for them to activate the "S" gauge line? They'd have been competing with themselves.<snip>
Not necessarily. Not if one thinks of it as servicing an additional segment of the total market. The rationale for buying AF, as presented to the Lionel BOD, was to make and market Flyer as an added line. But, as I have already posted, because both the train market in larger scales and Lionel's fortunes were at their nadir, they were not in a position to make and market AF regardless of intent ... which is saying what you are saying in another manner. One might also help one's thinking by addressing the purchase as a business decision (good or bad) and not necessarily through the prism of the "train wars".
Back to the original question .. the Lionel L.L.C. time line is incorrect as regards to the acquisition of AF.
Bob
