What does everyone think of Lionel’s new “MYOS” (Make Your Own Set)?
Personally, I think it’s a great idea. It gives consumers more options with starter sets without Lionel having to make a bunch of different sets that may not get sold. That being said, there are a few things that could be better about it.
The options for locomotives seem a bit limiting. If they’re going to do this, they should do it properly. Instead of just the 2-4-2, the 2-6-2/Prairie, the FT, the ET44, and the Disney 0-8-0, they should have the 0-8-0 in multiple different (real) road names, the Berkshire, the 0-6-0T, and the 2-8-0 (along with whatever other Lionchief steam engines I may have forgotten) as well as the RS3, the Dash-8, the GP38 and the U36B. Basically, all the LionChief locomotives they’ve had since 2013. All in multiple road names.
Give more options for the rolling stock. Currently, there’s 5 passenger sets 5 freight sets (one of which is Justice-league themed). If they want to have these rolling stock sets as options, then fine, but they should more options (like choosing individual freight cars) to add more variety.
A transformer (probably the CW80) should be included as an option for power since the LionChief power packs are a little limiting.
You should be able to pick from the full range of Lionel accessories instead of having a select few.
People should be allowed to choose to not get items from the 3 categories: Track, power, and accessories. But especially accessories, cause not everyone will want one with their set.
Other than those nit-picky things, I think the whole concept of “Make Your Own Set” is great. Unfortunately, I think it’s probably an attempt to get rid of old stock, which is why there’s very few options. But who knows, maybe Lionel will continue this program and expand upon it to include more locomotives and better options.