I've said it before, I'll say it again, then shut up. If any of our beloved S manufacturers really want to stir things up and bump their sales just issue nicely made, carefully detailed, conventionally controlled with bell, whistle, chuff, and smoke versions of the great streamlined steam engines that S has never had -- the NYC 2Oth Century, N&W 611, SP 4449, LV Black Diamond, Blue Goose, Forty-niner, Royal Blue (but to 21st century appearance standards) -- you get the picture. Don't worry about cramming in all of your proprietary electronics (L & MTH) and I'm a bit of an OS geek with conventional, Legacy, and DCC. Just get it right with AC at an attractive price (e.g. $500 MSRP). Build these and we will come. It's call Disruptive Innovation for any of you familiar with Clayton Christensen's innovation findings. When the rules of the game become increasing prices for more features and functions than consumption and/or production can keep up with, then re-write the rules and tip things over by offering elegant simplicity at a lower price. There are plenty of real life examples in his books. I once hired his consulting arm to snap us out of a rut. The S market is ripe for this kind of move. Get 'er done.
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