Lionel has announced that they are acquiring Model Power. The announcement touts how it will expand Lionel’s HO range but does not mention the N Scale portion of MP’s products. It will be interesting to see what Lionel does if the N Scale tooling is part of the sale. Charlie Vlk
I am certainly curious. This move seems to have suddenly materialized. I wonder what they have in mind...?
The announcement on Lionel's web site: "LIONEL NEWS Lionel is pleased to announce that it has agreed to a deal with ATI Model Products Inc., doing business as Model Power, to acquire a broad range of model train tooling used to produce the Model Power/Mantua product lines. Final details of the agreement are being worked through and tooling is expected to transfer to Lionel in September of 2018. No previously produced product is contemplated in the transaction. This strategic acquisition will accelerate Lionel’s expansion in the HO category, while adding complementary products and accessories to other portions of its business. More details will be shared as they become available." Kind of vague but sounds like they're only getting a selection, not the entirety. But that's a guess based on the wording.
If you are familiar with the history of the Mantua product line, which dates back to 1926, there is nothing vague about Lionel's announcement. The Model Power/Mantua product line was comprised of HO-Scale diesel and steam locomotives and various pieces of rolling stock (i.e., generic corrugated aluminum and 19th century passenger cars and some generic 19th and 20th century freight cars). The only N-Scale product ever released under the Mantua moniker was an NFL promotional freight train set that was produced by Life-Like. Given that the various incarnations of Lionel have marketed HO-Scale products in the past (e.g., FA diesels, GS-4 steam locomotives, and Veranda Turbines), acquiring the old Mantua tooling is somewhat logical. Neville Trains N Scale™
We’ll have to see just what is included in the deal. “Model Power / Mantua” may only refer to the old Mantua / Lindbergh stuff acquired by MP or if it includes the Marx tooling and other Model Power lines G thru N. No mention is made of MRC which announced in 2014 that they entered into an agreement to produce the Model Power lines .... Charlie Vlk
Charlie, Given the fact that I had completely forgotten about Model Power's acquisition of the old Marx tooling, you have made a very astute observation. Along with the "Mantua Classics" product line, the Lionel purchase could very well include the ex Cox and Marx HO-Scale tooling. Neville Trains N Scale™
Three-rail AC N scale! No complex return loop wiring! A pink N scale train for girls! Ya gotta love it! Doug
ATI ... is this the same Co. which put out those inexpensive READERS DIGEST models which someone here labeled them as JUUUUUUNK! Tom
In the interest of historical context, I'm thinking that ATI has its legacy in American Tortoise International who was at one time the U.S. importer of Minitrix N Scale in the 1970s.
In all seriousness, I need some heavy Pacifics... I imagine Lionel's ownership would only improve Model Power quality.
Yikes, I have been waiting patiently for MRC to make the same improvements to the 2-8-2s and 4-6-2s that MP had already made to the 2-6-0s and 4-6-2s. Now, if Lionel is really taking over the N scale products, I doubt that will ever happen. But, Maybe that would open the door for Bachmann to do 2-8-2s and 4-6-2s.
"No previously produced product is contemplated in the transaction." So, what are they getting? If it has never been produced, then we have never seen it- either as a whole item, or just parts...???
