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Bonus Forums => What Lionel trains would you like to see issued or reissued? => Topic started by: frostey on February 04, 2015, 11:58:30 pm

Title: star trek
Post by: frostey on February 04, 2015, 11:58:30 pm

I thank it would be cool to have a star trek themed train. like a starfleet one what do you guys thank.

Title: Re: star trek
Post by: djacobsen on February 05, 2015, 08:01:10 am

Frosty
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!

I am what is referred to as a Toy Train Infidel, so whimsical/fantasy trains are just fine with me!

I could see someone kit bashing or scratch building a Starfleet Class F Shuttle locomotive.  A Type 10 Shuttlecraft has beautiful lines, but would be a challenging build. The Lionel Acela locomotive was my immediate thought for a bash, similar lines to the Type 10 shuttle but it is way too long.
I would consider bashing the shuttle mode that you have found into a locomotive using an 0-4-0 chassis.

I hope you decide to go with a Star Trek themed train.  If you do, take lot's of photo's and make a build log to share with us.

Happy Rails!
Dave

Title: Re: star trek
Post by: TrainLarry on February 05, 2015, 08:07:44 pm

Expanding on what Dave posted above, a Star Trek themed train in '0 'gauge would have to be custom built right now. An HO set seems to have been produced in 2009, although it was a subscription item. http://trekmovie.com/2009/07/04/the-collective-reivew-of-star-trek-electric-train-collection/ (http://trekmovie.com/2009/07/04/the-collective-reivew-of-star-trek-electric-train-collection/)
Notice the prices of the items, which are about half the size of '0' gauge, and also 6 years ago.
Although there may be many train enthusiasts that would want a Star Trek train, getting one commercially produced would need first to get a market survey to see what kind of market there is for such a product.
Next, licenses must be procured ($$$) to use the images and names in a product.
Designing and manufacturing the appropriate tooling dies and molds would add more money (LOTS) to the equation.
After all this is done, the first Star Fleet commissioned train would roll off the assembly line.

For now, "Beam me up, Scotty, there's no '0' gauge Star Trek trains down here"!

Larry