O GaugeWatch.com

Fans of NJ Transit will be excited to hear this:

Bloomsbury, NJ…Walter M. Matuch, president of Ready Made Trains, LLC has announced a licensing arrangement with New Jersey Transit Corporation, operator of NJ’s commuter rail system that will allow RMT to produce O/0-27 gauge 3-rail toy train locomotives and railcars with the distinctive NJ TRANSIT logo and markings.

The NJ TRANSIT system is well known throughout the country as a premier railroad transit system with trains carrying thousands of commuter rail passengers each day to destinations throughout New Jersey and into New York City says Matuch. NJ TRANSIT is a welcome addition to the Ready Made Toys line that currently features many colorful toy trains from America’s historic and current rail lines.

Previously RMT had only produced NJ TRANSIT items as special limited edtion offerings but now will have NJ TRANSIT logoed BEEP diesels, BEEF diesels, BUDDY railcars and a caboose as part of the complete RMT product line.

Enjoyed by train hobbyists around the world including members of our Armed Forces in Iraq, RMT’s toy trains features durable, detailed and inexpensive locomotives and railcars.

The NJ TRANSIT caboose will be arriving during November, 2007 with additional NJ TRANSIT items to follow. 

For additional information, please contact Ready Made Toys at 908-479-1279 or online at www.readymadetoys.com

Thank you.

My goal is to keep this report short and sweet (a novel concept for a lawyer). Here is the current status of the MTH Lionel settlement as of this morning.

MTH’s and Lionel’s lawyers were back in bankruptcy court on October 25th. Lionel CEO Jerry Calabrese and Mrs. Martin Davis were present. MTH’s Mike Wolf was not. It was not necessary for him to be. I also attended the proceedings.

Click on the link below to read on

Continue to read Current Status Of MTH, Lionel Lawsuits Settlement By Erol Gurcan

MTH’s 2008 Volume 1 catalog is available to be viewed online.  The latest from MTH includes a number of items in MTH’s less expensive but highly detailed Imperial Line.  These items include the 4-6-4 Hiawatha Passenger Set which is a great deal at a MSRP of $499.99 for the 4-6-4 and a set of 4 passenger cars, the Norfolk & Western Class "J" Northern Steam engine and the 4-6-4 Hudson Empire State Express.   I got a chance to look at most of the new Imperial Line products at the York show and they all were very nice.

Click on the link below to read on

Continue to read MTH 2008 Volume 1 Catalog Now Online

The Associated Press ran a story this week about the Lionel Bankruptcy hearing.  Read the story here.

Back in late September rumors were circulating that Bachmann had purchased Williams.  Today Bachmann Industries circulated a press release today officially confirming the purchase Williams Electric Trains.  From the press release:

Mr. Jerry Williams, President/Owner of Williams Electric Trains, Columbia, MD
and Mr. Bud Reece, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, along with Mr.
Ed Winter, Senior Vice President Finance & Operations, Bachmann Industries,
Inc., Philadelphia, PA announce the acquisition of the assets of Williams
Electric Trains.

Read the rest of the press release here.

It’s been about 2 months since I have written anything substantive about the Lionel MTH Trade secrets case or about the status of Lionel’s bankruptcy. That’s because there was little going on in the proceedings during this period of time. As you may recall, on August 13, MTH filed an appeal concerning Judge Lifland’s August 2 rulings in favor of Lionel. On August 2, Judge Lifland ruled that any future trial (the Bankruptcy Code 502(c) damages estimation hearing) in the trade secrets case would be held before him, instead of in the Federal District Court in Detroit Michigan, and granted a fifth extension of time to Lionel to file an exclusive bankruptcy plan with the court. MTH had opposed Lionel’s motion for exclusivity and proposed three alternative plans which were rebuffed by Judge Lifland.

Click on the link below to read on

Continue to read Lionel And MTH Making Progress In Trade Secrets Case By Erol Gurcan