Lionel is still the lead dog in our hobby. Most sets, for one example, that are available to new hobbyists ARE Lionel sets. So, beginners, looking for trains need to see sets in stores. And more dealers carry Lionel than other brands. By extension, if no Lionel sets were available, a chunk of potential buyers would assume that the train hobby is dead, or at least dying.
There are many other companies that are important to US- but as goes Lionel goes the O train business in the USA. So, it's good news when Lionel has a good year- because too many bad years in a row is very bad news indeed.
They may have problems, and I have been liberal with my marketing advice, but they are doing many things right. Go, Big L, go!!!
