It appears to me that Lionel is a very conservative and risk-averse organization. Their roots are with toy trains and they probably do not feel they truly understand the scale market. Some folks, like SHS to name one, will mortgage their homes for a fling with a new scale loco. I doubt that Lionel will ever do that. Nor do I blame them.
I see lots and lots of small steady steps in the general direction of making things easier for the scale guys. I see and hear from lots of scale guys who have ordered the SD70 diesels with scale wheels. Most folks in my circle of S buddies, have yet to see a Y-3 in person and close-up. When they do, a preconceived notion of what Lionel is may well change.
I have seen the Lionel 3-rail O gauge Big Boy and it is truly beautiful. If one is made in S scale, it will not be distinguishable from a brass import. Lots of room here for optimism. So if a Polar Express is also made, why complain? We are still getting products that might be suitable for kit-bashing and conversion to scale or repainting. SSL&S is willing to help us with scale conversions when feasible. We are in decent shape in an overall sense.
Leave us not quibble over the details.
Cheers...Ed L.
