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Lone Star Trains & Collectibles
4161 Naco-Perrin Blvd. San Antonio,
Tx 78217 (210) 655-4665
Lone Star Express
the newsletter for Lone Star Trains and
Collectibles
updated July 1, 2009
Contents:
STORE EVENTS
Event TimeTable
Train News
STORE EVENTS
****
CHRISTMAS
IN SPRINGTIME SALE only while supplies last...
*******************
February 21, 22: World's Greatest Hobby on
Tour
Was in town, an a good time was had by all! We
were there!! Were YOU?

Thanks to Mike Johnson for the great photos.
Christmas 2008: We missed you at the
store! Don't let the Polar Express leave the station without YOU in 2009!

June 24, 2008: Lone
Star Trains Layout has Changed
We have made some
exciting changes to the in-store layout. Come on in and see the new
action. And keep coming in because there will be many more changes coming
over the summer.
Birthday / Event Room Completed &
Ready
The long-awaited event room at Lone Star Trains is now
finished and ready to book. We have already hosted a birthday party there,
and soon we will be scheduling events, special workshops, and more, so stay
tuned. The room has lots of privacy, its own elevated train, and lots of
great optional features. Check back soon for a page on our site devoted
exclusively to this room.
Engineer and railroad
enthusiast Joe Covert has passed away
On Tuesday, July 12, 2005,
the railroading community lost a very important person. Joe had
friends everywhere--especially in the railroading world. Joe Covert was a
very important part of the atmosphere at Lone Star Trains. He was always
ready to help us with any historical railroad information, and was very quick to
inform us of any local railroad happenings. In addition, he often allowed us to
play with trains from his own collection in the shop. Many of the trains
you have seen over the years on Lone Star layouts were Joe's.
Joe started his career
with the Illinois Central. After a short stint there, he later joined the
Missouri Pacific which was later taken over by Union Pacific. In the
1970's, he was instrumental in many projects at the Texas Transportation Museum,
some of which he did single-handedly. He was an avid railroad memorabilia
collector and historian. He especially loved railroad china. Last
year, health reasons forced him to retire from UP.
Joe was a fixture in our
shop and our daily lives. He was knowledgeable, generous, big-hearted, and
most of all, a good friend who enjoyed bringing little bits of sunshine to our
daily lives. We will miss him intensely.
George "Super Coop" Cooper has
passed away
George Super Coop Cooper passed away on
Monday, November 17, 2003 around noon. In addition to his legendary radio
career, Super Coop was the first co-worker at Lone Star Trains and was
instrumental in LST's early success. All of us here at the train store
will miss his mentoring, kind manner, and friendship very much.
Click here to read his obituary.
LONE STAR TRAINS FEATURED ON WOAI-TV'S LIVING
SHOW
Woai-tv channel 4 featured Lone Star Trains
and Collectibles on its Friday July 18th telecast. Popular weatherman
Maclovio Perez came out with Renee the camaraman and did 4 live spots direct
from Lone Star Trains.
One spot showed the layout and was used as
a teaser during the Regis and Kelly show. Another longer spot featured
Maclovio and Lisa Kinsner at the Thomas tables playing and talking Thomas.
Another spot featured Mac in the middle of the layout. The longest spot
had Mac and Clay Kinsner discussing and showing collectible toys and the
different gauges of trains. At the end, Clay presented Mac with a TCA 2006
Convention button which he wore home!
TRAIN NEWS
06/30/09:
Ringling Brothers Circus Train
The famous circus train
is in town through July 5th. If you were receiving
our emails, you had
advance notice! And guess what? The cars look
JUST like the
Lionel/K-Line ones. Click here
for a video of the famous elephant walk from Sunset Station to the Alamodome.
The circus train is now resting
at the Union Pacific
East Yard at N. Pine.
05/11/09: “DISNEY’S
A CHRISTMAS CAROL” TRAIN TOUR
Coming to San Antonio
FROM SNEAK PEEKS OF EXCLUSIVE 3D FILM FOOTAGE
TO SUMMERTIME SNOW – DISNEY PULLS OUT ALL THE WHISTLE STOPS FOR 40-CITY
TRAVELING EXPERIENCE
Departing Los Angeles May 22; Tour to
Cover More Than 16,000 Miles
Burbank,
Calif. (May 8, 2009)
-- Disney is pulling out all the whistle stops and taking its show on the road
with a spectacular immersive and interactive 40-city train tour including a 3D
sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas
Carol,” it was announced today (05/08/09) by Dick Cook, chairman, The Walt
Disney Studios. Set amidst a snowy backdrop—complete with all of the
sights and sounds of Christmas including carolers, decorations, giveaways and
many more surprises in each of the 40 cities—the Train Tour is being launched
with HP on board as the title and technology sponsor and driven by Amtrak.
This family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public.
Starring
Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert
Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens in theatres November 6 in
Disney Digital 3D™ and in IMAX 3D®.
Commenting
on the announcement, Cook said, “‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol’ Train Tour
is an incredibly fun way to introduce families across the country to the wonders
and spectacle that is Robert Zemeckis’ unique and spectacular new holiday
film. We are so proud of the movie, and think the 3D footage is so
incredible, we just had to give everyone a chance to see it in Disney Digital
3D. From Los Angeles to New York, and all points in between, guests are going to
have a fabulous time discovering things about the making of this extraordinary
film, participating in their own festive fantasies, and getting into the holiday
spirit all year round. ‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol’ is great
entertainment for moviegoers of all ages, and this is the perfect introduction
to a fun and exciting new holiday classic.”
Among the
highlights of the tour are authentic artifacts on loan from the Charles Dickens
Museum of London; artwork, costumes and props from the film; demonstrations of
performance capture technology; and a chance to morph your face into one of the
film’s characters using HP
TouchSmart PCs. At each stop along the way, a state-of-the-art
Disney Digital 3D Theatre will be erected, where guests can get a sneak peek of
“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and see other exclusive behind-the-scenes
materials from the movie. The latest details about tour stops and scheduled
events are available at www.christmascaroltraintour.com.
Featuring
four custom-designed vintage rail cars full of behind-the-scenes attractions,
entertaining demonstrations, and fun activities, the tour will have its
inaugural stop at Los Angeles’ Union Station over Memorial Day Weekend, from
May 22nd through May 25th. During the next 24 weeks,
the train will make 40 stops in 36 states, as it travels its way across more
than 16,000 miles of track. The tour will finish at New York’s Grand
Central Terminal over the weekend of October 30th through November 1st.
At every
tour stop, Radio Disney will invite kids to enter for a chance to become a Movie
Surfer representing their hometown. Each Hometown Movie Surfer will get a chance
to appear on Disney Channel by filming their very own Movie Surfer’s segment!
They’ll also receive a prize package of exclusive Movie Surfer and
"Disney’s A Christmas Carol” gear.
ABC
television stations across the country will run local promotions.
At each stop, guests will have the chance to win an HP TouchSmart PC and
an HP Photosmart wireless printer. Additionally,
Disney is working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America organization to
provide an early Christmas experience to kids across the country. Disney
will present the organization with a donation in the amount of $100,000 at the
May 21st launch in Los Angeles to
further the organization’s efforts of helping kids grow up to be great and
will invite Boys & Girls Club kids to be part of the tour when it comes to
their town. Boys & Girls Clubs
throughout the nation are impacting the lives of 4.8 million young people each
year with after-school programs that emphasize education, career exploration,
community service, technology skills, financial literacy, the arts and more
to help them reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens.
A variety
of innovative HP technologies helped to make the Train Tour possible. HP
ProLiant servers and HP ProCurve switches will provide Disney with the computing
power that will allow guests to collect and upload photos.
Throughout the train exhibits, Disney is using HP TouchSmart PCs to run
an interactive face morph application and HP monitors to showcase performance
capture technology as well as images and digital effects from the film.
Additionally, each train car will be wrapped with Disney’s Train Tour logo
using the versatility of HP Scitex printers.
For
decades HP and Disney have joined together to captivate audiences through
technology innovation and digital entertainment,” said Michael Mendenhall,
senior vice president and chief marketing officer, HP. “HP technology used in
the making of ‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol’ has enabled Disney to push the
boundaries in performance capture technology.
The Train Tour offers an innovative way for guests to interact with
HP’s latest technology and experience the magic behind the film.”
Amtrak
locomotives and engineers will lead the four-car Train Tour (plus a private
car), across the US, with stops ranging from 1-3 days along the way. Each
train station will be themed with holiday decorations, and feature artwork from
the film, Christmas Carolers, fun activities for the entire family, and snow!
“Rail
travel continues to influence the way people connect with each other and
celebrating the release of a true classic is a perfect way to further that
connection,” said Emmett Fremaux, Vice President Marketing and Product
Management, Amtrak. “We
couldn’t be more thrilled to be teaming up with Walt Disney Studios for this
40 city tour to help educate Americans about the benefit of rail travel.”
Dolby Laboratories will be supplying its Dolby® 3D Digital Cinema solution for the traveling Digital
3D theater, and Barco is providing the DP2000 digital projectors.
Panasonic provides some of the latest high resolution large screen technology
available to consumers today throughout the train cars.
And, the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration is encouraging guests traveling to and from the train to Buckle
Up, Every Trip, Every Time!
ABOUT THE
MOVIE
“Disney’s
A Christmas Carol,” a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award®-winning
filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic
Dickens tale in a groundbreaking, performance-capture 3D motion picture event.
Ebeneezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the holiday with his usual miserly
contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery nephew
(Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to
Come take him on an eye-opening journey, revealing truths Old Scrooge is
reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before
it’s too late. Through the magic of performance-capture technology, Jim
Carrey tackles seven roles, including Scrooge and all of the Christmas spirits.
“DISNEY’S
A CHRISTMAS CAROL” TRAIN TOUR
SCHEDULE
|
Stop #
|
Market
|
Date
|
Site
|
Address
|
City
|
State
|
Zip
|
|
1
|
Los Angeles
|
May 22-25
|
Los Angeles Union Station
|
800 N. Alameda St.
|
Los Angeles
|
CA
|
90012
|
|
2
|
Grand Canyon
|
May 29-31
|
Williams Depot
|
233 North Grand Canyon
Blvd
|
Williams
|
AZ
|
86046
|
|
3
|
Santa Fe
|
June 2
|
Santa Fe Depot
|
410 S Guadalupe St
|
Santa Fe
|
NM
|
87501
|
|
4
|
Albuquerque
|
June 5-7
|
Albuquerque Amtrak
Station
|
214 First Street
Southwest
|
Albuquerque
|
NM
|
87102
|
|
5
|
Denver
|
June 12-14
|
Denver Union
Station
|
1701 Wynkoop St
|
Denver
|
CO
|
80202
|
|
6
|
Salt Lake City
|
June 16
|
Ogden Union Station
|
2501 Wall Avenue
|
Ogden
|
UT
|
84401
|
|
7
|
Sacramento
|
June 19-21
|
California State Rail
Road Museum
|
111 I Street
|
Sacramento
|
CA
|
95814
|
|
8
|
San Francisco
|
June 26-28
|
Port of Redwood City
|
675 Seaport Blvd.
|
Redwood City
|
CA
|
94063
|
|
9
|
Portland
|
July 1
|
Portland Union Station
|
800 Northwest 6th Avenue
|
Portland
|
OR
|
97209
|
|
10
|
Seattle
|
July 3-5
|
King Street Station
|
303 South Jackson Street
|
Seattle
|
WA
|
98104
|
|
11
|
Spokane
|
July 7
|
Spokane Amtrak Station
|
221 W. 1st Avenue
|
Spokane
|
WA
|
99201
|
|
12
|
Whitefish
|
July 10-11
|
Whitefish Amtrak Station
|
500 Depot St
|
Whitefish
|
MT
|
59937
|
|
13
|
Fargo
|
July 15
|
North Dakota State
University
|
1301 12th Avenue North
|
Fargo
|
ND
|
58102
|
|
14
|
St. Paul
|
July 17-19
|
Amtrak Midway Station
|
730 Transfer Road
|
St. Paul
|
MN
|
55114
|
|
15
|
Chicago
|
July 24-26
|
Chicago Union Station
|
225 South Canal Street
|
Chicago
|
IL
|
60606
|
|
16
|
St. Louis
|
July 31- August 2
|
St. Louis Union
Station
|
550 South 16th Street
|
Saint Louis
|
MO
|
63103
|
|
17
|
Memphis
|
August 4
|
Memphis Central Station
|
545 South Main Street
|
Memphis
|
TN
|
38103
|
|
18
|
New Orleans
|
August 7-9
|
Riverview in Audubon Zoo
|
6500 Magazine Street
|
New Orleans
|
LA
|
70118
|
|
19
|
Houston
|
August 11
|
Houston Amtrak
Station
|
902 Washington Avenue
|
Houston
|
TX
|
77002
|
|
20
|
San Antonio
|
August 14-16
|
San Antonio Amtrak
Station
|
350 Hoefgen Street
|
San Antonio
|
TX
|
78205
|
|
21
|
Dallas
|
August 18-19
|
Dallas Union Station
|
401 South Houston St
|
Dallas
|
TX
|
75202
|
|
22
|
Oklahoma City
|
August 21-23
|
Oklahoma City Santa Fe
Depot
|
100 South E. K.Gaylord
Blvd
|
Oklahoma City
|
OK
|
73102
|
|
23
|
Kansas City
|
August 25
|
Kansas City Union Station
|
30 W. Pershing Road
|
Kansas City
|
MO
|
64108
|
|
24
|
Omaha
|
August 28-30
|
Durham Museum
|
801 South 10th Street
|
Omaha
|
NE
|
68108
|
|
25
|
Detroit
|
September 4-6
|
Henry Ford Museum
Greenfield Village
|
20900 Oakwood Blvd
|
Dearborn
|
MI
|
48124
|
|
26
|
Indianapolis
|
September 9
|
Downtown Bargersville
|
24 North Main Street
|
Bargersville
|
IN
|
46106
|
|
27
|
Louisville
|
September 11-13
|
Louisville Union Station
|
1000 W. Broadway
|
Louisville
|
KY
|
40203
|
|
28
|
Cleveland
|
September 18-19
|
Cleveland Brown’s Lot
|
1085 W Third St
|
Cleveland
|
OH
|
44114
|
|
29
|
Albany
|
September 22
|
Albany Rensselaer Rail
Station
|
525 East Street
|
Rensselaer
|
NY
|
12144
|
|
30
|
Boston
|
September 25-27
|
South Station
|
2 South Station
|
Boston
|
MA
|
2110
|
|
31
|
Baltimore
|
September 30
|
B & O Railroad Museum
|
901 W Pratt St
|
Baltimore
|
MD
|
21223
|
|
32
|
Washington
|
October 2-4
|
Union Station
|
50 Massachusetts
Ave. NE
|
Washington
|
DC
|
20002
|
|
33
|
Atlanta
|
October 6
|
Southeastern Railway
Museum
|
3595 Peachtree Rd
|
Duluth
|
GA
|
30096
|
|
34
|
Spencer
|
October 9-11
|
NC Transportation Museum
|
411 S. Salisbury Ave
|
Spencer
|
NC
|
28159
|
|
35
|
Savannah
|
October 13
|
Savannah Amtrak
Station
|
2611 Seaboard
Coastline Dr
|
Savannah
|
GA
|
31415
|
|
36
|
Miami
|
October 16-18
|
Gold Coast Railroad
Museum
|
12450 SW 152nd St
|
Miami
|
FL
|
33177
|
|
37
|
Jacksonville
|
October 20
|
Jacksonville Amtrak
Station
|
3570 Clifford Lane
|
Jacksonville
|
FL
|
32209
|
|
38
|
Charleston
|
October 23-25
|
Ansonborough Field
|
Washington and Concord
Streets
|
Charleston
|
SC
|
29401
|
|
39
|
Philadelphia
|
October 27
|
30th Street
Station
|
2955 Market Street
|
Philadelphia
|
PA
|
19104
|
|
40
|
New York
|
October 30 - November 1
|
Grand Central Terminal
|
42nd Street
and Park Avenue
|
New York
|
NY
|
10017
|
02/02/09:
12/31/08:
LIONEL LICENSES M.T.H. FOR TINPLATE
New York City, NY, Dec. 31, 2008 -- Lionel Electric Trains announced
today that it has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with M.T.H.
Electric Trains, in which the Columbia, MD, model train maker will create a
new line of tinplate Lionel Standard and O gauge products. The license will
also include tinplate Standard and O gauge offerings for American Flyer, which
has been part of Lionel since its acquisition in 1967.
Using its extensive collection of tinplate tooling, M.T.H. plans to issue new
versions of Lionel and American Flyer classic tinplate trains and accessories
that were originally released between 1900 and 1942. These products will be
packaged in all-new boxes with iconic Lionel and American Flyer advertising
images and logos from the prewar tinplate era. Promotion of new tinplate
Lionel and American Flyer products will begin in early 2009, with full-color
catalogs. A Web site, dedicated to the new product line, will also offer
product videos, sound clips and other information not available in print
catalogs.
“I’m very pleased that M.T.H. and Lionel will be working together on this
new Lionel and American Flyer tinplate line,” said Jerry Calabrese, Lionel
CEO. Calabrese went on to say, “In times as difficult and challenging as
these, I hope it’s reassuring to all model train fans that both our
companies will be joining forces to write a productive new chapter in our
hobby’s history. There is no better way to express our mutual belief and
commitment to the future of model railroading than for Lionel and M.T.H. to
collaborate on something as imaginative and exciting as these new Tinplate
products.
“This collaboration builds on what we’ve accomplished with our Tinplate
Traditions line over the past three decades,” noted M.T.H. President Mike
Wolf. “It is no secret to those who know me that Lionel’s history has
inspired me since my youth.” Wolf went on to say, “By working together,
our two companies will be able to offer products that even more faithfully
evoke the beauty and artistry of the toys that Lionel and American Flyer
turned out in the prewar years, as well as make those trains available to a
wider audience.
Wolf added, “Putting aside the differences our firms have had over the
years, Jerry and I have always recognized how much synergy exists between
Lionel and M.T.H. Together we sat down and worked out this agreement with the
express goal of expanding on both firms’ longstanding commitments to grow
our hobby.”
Based in New York City, Lionel has been making model trains and accessories
since 1900. It is one of the world's leading model train companies, and among
the most widely recognized brands in America.
Based in Columbia, Maryland, M.T.H. Electric Trains is a seasoned model train
manufacturer with a long history of innovation. In little more than a quarter
century, M.T.H. has created an appealing multi-gauge product line.
08/25/08: Newsflash: San Antonio
Children's Museum is having a Let's Play Railroad event through September
14. More here.
08/13/08:
M.T.H., MKT Settle Misappropriation of Trade Secrets Lawsuit
Columbia,
Maryland, August 12, 2008 --- The federal court case between M.T.H. Electric
Trains and MKT (formerly Korea Brass) has been resolved via settlement between
the two firms. Terms of the settlement include payment by MKT to M.T.H. in the
form of Cash, HO tooling from the Broadway Limited product line and Lionel HO
product line, a sub-license from Precision Craft Models for the DCC patent held
by Real Rail Effects and dismissal of the MKT/Korea Brass financed QSI Patent
Infringement case against M.T.H.
A federal trial in U.S. District Court (Southern District Michigan) was
concluded on June 7, 2004 with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, M.T.H. Korea
Brass and its co-defendant, Yoo Chan Yang were found liable on M.T.H.’s claims
of misappropriation of M.T.H.’s trade secrets. The jury also found that the
defendants’ actions were willful and malicious. The jury awarded M.T.H.
damages in the amount of $27,940,925.00.
Two weeks after the 2004 jury decision in Michigan, Korea Brass transferred all
of its assets and purchase orders to a new Korean entity named MKT. In May of
2006, M.T.H. filed a lawsuit in the same Michigan U.S. District Court that heard
the original suit to contest the fraudulent transfer of assets undertaken by
Korea Brass to avoid that court’s judgment. In April 2008, a final judgment
against MKT was issued finding that MKT and Korea Brass were one and the same
and that MKT was liable for the original judgment against Korea Brass. An
injunction was subsequently issued requiring that all payments due to MKT from
its U.S. customers were to be paid to M.T.H. until the original judgment was
satisfied.
The MKT settlement negotiations were complicated and delayed due to MKT’s
current financial status, their previous ownership status of U.S. model railroad
importer Broadway Limited, their relationship with Precision Craft Models and
that firm’s relationship with DCC patent holder Real Rails Effects, and their
joint venture agreement with QSI to fund a merit less patent infringement
lawsuit against M.T.H. Electric Trains in an effort to pressure M.T.H. to settle
the original Michigan trade secrets lawsuit. Precision Craft Models assisted
Real Rail Effects patent infringement lawsuits in Florida against QSI, Atlas O
LLC, and American Hobby Distributors. These suits alleged violations of Real
Rail Effects’ patent for combining DCC with a Sound Decoder and M.T.H. felt it
needed a license with Real Rail Effects to prevent a presumable forthcoming
lawsuit between Real Rail Effects and M.T.H.
M.T.H. Electric Trains president Mike Wolf said; “It was so frustrating to
negotiate the settlement due to all the moving parts.” Toward the end of
negotiations, MKT insisted that the QSI suit dismissal not be included but Wolf
wanted it resolved along with the Real Rail Effects patent infringement suit
between QSI, Atlas O LLC, and American Hobby Distributors. According to Wolf,
“I wanted to wrap up all of this litigation in one big settlement even though
some elements of the resolution would have benefited my competitors, so I
insisted that the QSI suit be resolved as well as the Real Rail Effects suits
against the other named parties. This was one of the reasons this thing took so
long, but in the end it was worth the wait.”
In the end M.T.H. secured cash payments of $950,000.00 and has taken ownership
of the tooling for the following Broadway Limited HO models: Union Pacific
die-cast Big Boy steam engine, Pennsylvania die-cast GG-1 electric, Alco PA
diesel, Alco FA diesel, EMD F3 diesel and EMD F7 diesel. Also included were the
two sets of Lionel HO tooling for their Union Pacific die-cast Challenger and
their Union Pacific die-cast Veranda Turbine. MKT also agreed to provide to
M.T.H., on behalf of Real Rail Effects and Precision Craft Models, a
non-royalty, perpetual license for the right to produce and market model train
products equipped with a DCC soundboard receiver. MKT also agreed to obtain a
dismissal of the QSI lawsuit against M.T.H. for alleged patent infringements, as
was MKT’s right to do so per its joint venture agreement with QSI.
M.T.H. Electric Trains, with the trade secrets case now completely behind it,
will continue to forge ahead with its expansion plans in the HO, One-Gauge and O
Gauge markets. The HO tooling acquired in the MKT settlement will require
significant reworking in order to bring the models up to M.T.H.’s HO standards
and house M.T.H.’s Proto-Sound 3.0 sound and train control modules. Once the
upgrades have been completed, the models will be incorporated into M.T.H.’s
ever-growing product lines that continue to reflect the company’s commitment
to producing the best model railroading products available today.
July 25, 2008: Atlas O
Announces 5% Increases Across the Board Effective August 1.
Due to factors beyond Atlas O's control, effective
August 1st, 5:00 PM EST, Atlas O will raise prices on all track and accessories
by 5%.
- Atlas O dealers and distributors may place one order for in-stock track
and accessories, based on availability, (no back-orders) at current prices,
until the above noted date and time.
- All new Atlas O freight cars, locomotives and train sets, announced as of
August 1st, will include a 5% price increase.
- All locomotives, freight cars and train sets announced prior to August
1st, but not yet delivered, will remain at previously announced prices.
- At the present time, all in-stock freight cars, locomotives and train sets
will remain at current prices and can be ordered as such.
JULY
2:
IMPORTANT LEGACY UPDATE FROM LIONEL. CLICK HERE.
June 2008: Important
Announcement from Lionel regarding 2008 volume 1 preorders.
05/01/08: LIONEL
EXITS BANKRUPTCY
Lionel has fully emerged from
Bankruptcy. Current President Jerry Calabrese touts the fact that it has
been tough, but it has rejuvenated the company and its resolve noting the record
sales over the last three years and new technology such as the Legacy
System. The legal troubles are over.
Read the Official Press
Release here.
04/30/08
The following items are being dropped
by Lionel due to “lack of support” (ie. Preorders)...these items will
not be produced:
LNL27191 RI PS-2CD 3PK
LNL27192 NP PS-2CD 3PK
LNL28284 **FERROMAX SD70ACE
LNL28285 **BNSF SD70ACE NON-PWR SO
LNL28288 **KCS SD70ACE NON-PWR
LNL28289 **SSW SD40T-2
LNL28290 **RI U30C
LNL28291 **MP U30C
LNL28296 **UP AC6000
LNL28297 **UP AC6000 NON-PWR
LNL28304 **UP LEGACY SUPER BASS
LNL28586 ** PENNSY GP7 NON-PWR
LNL28587 ** PENNSY GP7 #8511
LNL28590 ** DRGW GP7 NON-PWR
LNL28591 ** DRGW GP7 #5102
LNL34542 ** MONON F3 A-UNIT
LNL34543 ** MONON F3-B NON-PWR
LNL34556 **C&O E7 A-A SET
LNL35136 ALASKA MADISON 4PK
LNL35137 ALASKA TS BAGGAGE CAR
LNL35138 ALTON LTD TS BAGGAGE CAR
LNL35417 MILW RD 18" ALUMINUM 4PK
04/22/08: New
Lionel American Flyer S Gauge Big Boy Delayed
Though Lionel and MTH settled their lawsuit, MTH and Korea
Brass have not. MTH placed a legal hold on all income to
Korea Brass until the lawsuit is settled. What this means is that all
manufacturers working
with Korea Brass have to put their money in escrow until there is a resolution
between MTH and Korea Brass.
Lionel says that the Big Boy is not completed. In fact, it is still under
development. This
may be a length delay' Lionel has not provided a timeline. Do not expect this
engine until 2009.
S Gaugers should not feel alone; there are many other
manufacturers and many other items that are caught up in this mess.
04/11/08: Lionel Legacy Update for current
owners. Click
here.
October 27, 2007
Lionel and MTH Reach a Settlement
(courtesy Yahoo News)
COLUMBIA, Md. - The nation's two largest makers of toy
trains are nearing a conclusion to a seven-year-old, multimillion-dollar
lawsuit.
Columbia-based MTH
Electric Trains had sued Lionel, a century-old brand, accusing it of
stealing train designs through a Korean subcontractor.
The dispute focused on patented computer technology that synchronizes a train
set's sound, smoke and speed, critical technology in their small but
competitive market.
"We're happy that we've reached a settlement," said Jerry
Calabrese, chief executive of Lionel, based in Chesterfield, Mich. "It was
a long, terrible case."
However, MTH founder Mike Wolf said the settlement is contingent on resolving
several outstanding issues.
"It's not over until it's over," Wolf said. "We don't like
each other. It's personal. It's been very difficult."
The agreement includes a cash payment from Lionel to MTH and an agreement on
future technology uses, but the companies agreed not to reveal details.
The Lionel subcontractor was found guilty in a South Korean court of stealing
train designs, and MTH then sued Lionel in the United States.
A Michigan jury awarded MTH $38.6 million in damages in 2004, but in 2006 the
U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the verdict and ordered a new
trial.
Instead of returning to court, the companies began discussing a settlement.
October 5, 2007
LGBoA Signs Exclusive Agreement with Märklin
LGB of America today announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution
agreement with Märklin. The agreement means that LGB consumers in North
America will continue to get quality LGB products and service from their
friends at LGB of America.
"I have seen Märklin's commitment to keeping the spirit of LGB
alive," said
Tony Castellano, President of LGBoA. "And now, LGB of America is prepared
for a very bright future as the one-stop source for the best model trains in
the world."
LGBoA expects to receive shipments soon of LGB products from Nürnberg.
Märklin has also announced that it expects to restart the successful "LGB
Club" and its member magazine as soon as possible. "Containers to be
shipped
to our Freehold warehouse are already being prepared, and we're pushing hard
to serve our customers even better than before," said Castellano, who noted
that details concerning new products, prices and availability will be
released as quickly as possible.
In conjunction with the Märklin agreement, LGBoA also announced today that
its parent company, G45 Inc., has been transferred to new owners: LGBoA
President Tony Castellano and Munich attorney Stefan Jakob, who represented
LGBoA in the Lehmann bankruptcy proceedings. "I saw the potential in LGBoA,"
said Jakob. "Now, I can see that potential becoming reality."
September 21, 2007
Williams Trains Sells to BACHMANN!
Here are some exceprts of a letter sent out to all
Williams dealers:
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"After 35 years, I have decided to retire from the model train
business. Recently, I was approached by Bachmann Industries, and after
careful consideration have decided to sell the company to them. The
settlement date has not been finalized, but we expect it to be on or
about September 30, 2007. Bachmann Industries has been in business since
1833 and has an impressive line of trains and accessories. Their
Plasticville structures will perfectly compliment the Golden Memories
Line...
Additionally, Larry Harrington, my General Manager, will be
joining Bachmann and will continue working on the O gauge line..."
Signed
Jerry Williams
President
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July 27: LGB assets taken over by
financially challenged Marklin?
The
acquisition of EP Lehmann in Germany has been completed in favor of Marklin.
At this
time we don't have any further information as to what Marklin's intentions for
the US market are.
Representatives
of LGB America are going to Germany next week to try to determine what LGBoA's
position will be in the future with regard to LGB products.
JULY 27: NEW LIONEL CATALOG RELEASED
Highlights include Harry Potter train, die cast!, as well
as a scale 844 in both gray and black, a Standard Gauge Trolley set and a
metal remake of the prewar Flying Yankee!
RC2 Issues Thomas the Tank Engine Recall on
a Few Items
06/12/07: RC2 issues a recall on a few Thomas
the Tank Engine items.
The recall mostly concerns the red paint used in characters such as James and
accessories such as the Smeltering Yard. Visit http://recalls.rc2.com
for
a complete listing and instructions for sending items back to RC2. Here's
a list of what is affected:
THESE
ARE THE ITEMS AFFECTED BY RECALL
|
|
Product
Name
|
UPC
Code
|
Item
Number
|
Sold
Since
|
|
James
the Red Engine
|
7
96714 99005 7
|
LC99005A
|
January,
2005
|
|
Old
Slow Coach
|
7
96714 99030 9
|
LC99030
|
January,
2006
|
|
Lights
& Sounds
James
|
7
96714 99041 5
|
LC99041
|
April,
2006
|
|
Musical
Caboose
|
7
96714 99043 9
|
LC99043
|
November,
2006
|
|
Sodor
Line Caboose
|
7
96714 99050 7
|
LC99050A
|
January,
2005
|
|
Skarloey
|
7
96714 99070 5
|
LC99070A
|
February,
2005
|
|
Adventures
of
James
|
7
96714 99134 4
|
LC99134
|
August,
2006
|
|
Fire
Crew
|
7
96714 99196 2
|
LC99196A
|
January,
2005
|
|
Smelting
Yard
|
7
96714 99369 0
|
LC99369
|
December,
2005
|
|
Ice
Cream Factory
|
7
96714 99374 4
|
LC99374
|
September,
2005
|
|
Deluxe
Fire Station
|
7
96714 99380 5
|
LC99380
|
May,
2006
|
|
Oval
Set
|
7
96714 99561 8
|
LC99561
|
October,
2005
|
|
Bridge
& Crane Figure 8 Set
|
7
96714 99567 0
|
LC99567
|
October,
2006
|
|
2006
Vehicle Assortment
|
7
96714 99634 9
|
LC99634
|
January,
2006
|
|
2007
Vehicle Assortment
|
7
96714 99639 4
|
LC99639
|
February,
2006
|
01/28/07: Bobbye Halle Passes Away at 97
This past weekend we lost a true legend in the model
railroading business.
In 1946, Bobbye Hall was lured into the hobby business by
her husband who wanted her to run a hobby store while he worked.
She was already an avid model railroader with a layout.
The store was a success. Eventually,
she was single and ran the business totally by herself.
She was very involved in the business and became acquaintenaces with most
of the pioneers of the industry such as Mr. Walthers, Mr. Kalmbach, Gordon
Varney, Irv Athearn, and others. After
years of running the very successful hobby business, a friend told her about
importing items from Korea. It did
not take her long to figure out what that could mean for her train business, and
soon she began importing her own line of brass locomotives.
In
the 70's she started Hallmark Models, Inc. bringing in brass HO and N scale
model trains. Even today, brass collectors think of Hallmark as among the better
brass models.
In
2001, she retired and closed her store with a huge sale.
With co-author Tim Blackwell, she wrote her autobiography titled
"Tracks from Texas to Tokyo".
It is an amazing story of her business, colleagues, and many travels.
Over the years, many of us stopped at her place anytime we were near
Dallas for a train fix. Fortunately,
Pat Halpin and I had the opportunity to visit with her in Temple last September
at the CentraMod Show. I enjoyed
talking about the toy train industry with her—she was very accommodating and
kind. She was a true pioneer and
inspiration not just in our industry but for all female entrepreneurs as well.
Bobbye
Hall was 97 years young.
copyright Lone Star Trains and Collectibles,
2002-2007
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