@Choo Choo Charlie posted:MPC line from Lionel tried to keep the post war O gauge TOY train Lionel line affordable for the masses. It was great value at the time.
Lionel type O gauge trains now have evolved from TOYS into more scale like details and tons of features and at $600 to $1200 or more for an engine are out of the average Joes price range.
Charlie
Charlie,
I hear you but it's not quite that simple. Three things to remember:
- Not all of them have evolved in that way. The 'Traditional O' line are still toys and are still "affordable". Standard O is a scale line, is not, never was, and was not intended to be "affordable".
- Prices are indeed getting ridiculous; runaway inflation is currently a big problem.
- If you paid close attention, back in the 1970's when MPC was in its prime, you'll know that runaway inflation was a big problem then too. I purchased precisely zero MPC locomotives during that time because they were much too expensive for my meager paper route proceeds to support (at 13 or 14 years old). I did buy cars and accessories, which I still have, and still enjoy.
Don't forget this as well: Lionel has always been expensive, from day one in 1900, and in every year since. That's why Louis Marx was so successful back in the day.
Mike
