I don't like it, but I understand why Lionel no longer wants to stock parts for 20 year old engines (#1 being their business model that requires continued sales of new engines). The stated excuse was needing shelf space. Really? RS and DCDS modules are pretty small. You can fit a lot of them on a shelf.
More disturbing is the question as to why did they not simply let supplies sell out over time? In that scenario, we would all order boards as we need them or keep a small supply of commonly used boards on hand. Needed parts would ordered, and hoarding would be unlikely. Now we have 2 other scenarios:
1. They trashed them to "force" us to start buying new engines. Not likely, but it would be a really bad PR move.
2. They are selling remaining stock to a 3rd party. This will be somewhat analogous to announcing that there won't be any gasoline available after this week. As soon as the 3rd party offers them up for sale, the supply will be wiped out by big orders to stock up on "just in case" boards. These will sit unused, and the guy who needs that one board will be out of luck.
Well, at least we have ERR . . . for now.
Bob
