The Chinese probably own the controlling interest in all tooling made in China.
Once the MTH story is complete, I would think they (the Chinese) would offer the use of that tooling to anyone willing to pay. Would it be DCS? To offer it in DCS would mean a service network that might have to be developed, unless the MTH service rolls over to a long-term company. Do they (the Chinese) want to form a new company and go into selling through distribution to retail? Maybe not.
More likely- the MTH offerings come back as Lionel, Third Rail, Atlas, or another "brand", and probably having Lionel/ Legacy/ TNCC innards, to take advantage of existing service infrastructure. I don't know anything, but I understand business, and what "controlling interest" means. At least I think I do.
And, I doubt if a Menards would be interested in selling locomotives- (a) they don't sell "trains" in retail stores all year- in the fourth quarter only in most locations. (b) Having locos would carry the same problems that the local hobby shops have as far as slow inventory turnover, and (c) having to be concerned with dozens of road names.
And why is Menard's in trains at all?? Can it be justified financially? I HOPE so- because then it will last.
Or is it because of the love of trains by "the old man"?
