"I think that Lionel will end up as the bigger loser in this deal - their licensing income for tinplate will be zero."
Perhaps, but I'm guessing the income was modest. Perhaps they simply decided that having your prime competitor making products with your name on it didn't seem like a good idea of brand identity? Remember that the licensing deal was made by a prior Lionel leadership, and the current leadership may not see it in the same light. As in "not our idea." Just some random thoughts. Perhaps an idea and plan that has run its course, from Lionel's standpoint.
