D500 posted:"Over the years I have observed the people who throw stones at a locomotive are the people who did not buy it for whatever the reason."
Well, could it be that those guys didn't buy it for the reasons with which they take issue...? Ya' think...?
Hot Water posted:J Daddy posted:How in the heck did you compare a toy with a scale brass model?
You're kidding, right? I don't recall Lionel "advertising" those $2400 Vision Line series of UP 4000 class models as "toys".
Where have you been? Lionel makes toys!"
No, Lionel does not (just) make toys; they make very good to excellent 1:48 3RO scale models. This "toys" thing is really doing a disservice to those of us who wouldn't be here at all if it was "just toys". I am a grown man; I don't make choo-choo sounds nor wear an engineer's cap when indulging in my hobby.
Are some (yes, only some) brass locos "more detailed" than some die-cast (with brass details)? Sure. So what? That in no way detracts from the die-cast models, especially given that, as a rule, the brass models are more prone to poor running design than are the "mass-produced" die-cast models. (I am not speaking of those ultra-high-cost pieces; never saw one.)
I own both, like both, and have cursed both. But, I have had to tune up and/or repair and curse, out of the box, new, far more brass steamers than die-cast ones.
Yesterday I was looking at a Japanese (remember those?) O-scale (KTM, maybe?) NYC L-2a Mohawk; I was comparing it to my Lionel TMCC L-2a. The brass model was more beautiful and better-looking - a bit; the thin brass has a look that is literally sharp. How much better was it visually than the Lionel? 5%, max. And the KTM just refused to accept any TMCC commands...what's up with that? Roller pickups were missing, too...
However, neither of these locos was anything like a "toy". That's getting old.
I wish that Lionel would drop the "Lionel" name altogether for its high-end equipment; it can be a real boat anchor at that level, especially when these items are in the same catalogue as the...y'know.
The only thing really getting old is us...
I have never seen an accurate 1:48 3RO scale model from Lionel compared to 3rd rail.
I don't see how calling these toys is a disservice to the hobby. Its for recreation, not work... and its not making revenue... technically its a toy.
Sorry you don't like to wear the hats and enjoy the fun, it sure is a winner with the kids. 
