How do supplier choose the trains they bring out?

[Sascha]

Trough a question from a friend, I am wondering how the suppliers choose what train to bring out. Is there a forum where people can request trains, or do they go by popularity or does it depend on the the license Train companies issue?

[bill937ca]

Traditionally Kato and Tomix focused on the trains of the JR network including Shinkansens along with a few private railway icon trains like the Meitetsu Panorama Cars and Odkayu Romancecars.. Greenmax was often the only source for private railway trains.  Micro Ace had some of everything.  Modemo focused on a couple of revered private railway lines: Enoden and the Meitetsu 600v lines out of Gifu along with trams.  Minor lines were non-existent from the major suppliers until Tomytec arrived.

 

It is always driven solely by the Japanese market and with heavy emphasis on whats new and current.  Once trains are retired the interest seems to decline and many more sets appear in second hand shops.

 

But now that there is through routing, for instance from the JR Joban line, Kato and Tomix are moving into the full range of trains now seen on JR lines including Tokyo Metro 10000, Tokyo Metro 16000, and Odakyu 4000. The Odakyu 4000 for instance is a derivative of the JR East E233 so the distinction is blurring.

 

I guess it comes down to what you encounter and regard as a train.  

Edited April 30, 2016 by bill937ca

[kvp]

There are also occasions, like anniversaries, first runs, last runs, remodelings. And if there is enough demand reissues.

[Sascha]

Thanks for the info guys!!

[katoftw]

Cannot see it being any different to what any manufacturing company would be like.  Marketing does some research into what people want.  The design guys come up with some plans and costings.  Finance figures out a profit margin from those two things.  Manage says yes or no.