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Trainfan.com Offers Haven for Train Enthusiasts
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 There has been a resurgence of interest in trains this year thanks in part to some high-profile activities from Amtrak, Lionel, Thomas the Tank Engine and Microsoft Corp. This is good news for Trainfans.com, a company planning to bring back the glory days of Trains & Railroading. Industry sources estimate the current size of the model train hobby as approximately $1 billion dollars and growing at a rate of 12% per year. However, Steven Haase, founder of Trainfans.com, indicates that the overall train hobby market is much bigger. ``This industry is comprised of much more than just model trains'', says Haase. ``When you include sales of other products such as train collectibles, books, videos, audios, DVDs, the hobby generates well over $1.5 billion dollars annually.'' As a result of this large and growing market for trains, the industry is getting attention from companies such as Microsoft, who recently announced a that it is developing, ``Train Simulator,'' a software program that realistically brings the the thrills of trains and railways to the personal computer. Scheduled for release in Spring 2001, ``Train Simulator'' is being developed in cooperation with six of the world's leading railroad companies, such as Amtrak and the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, and will feature hundreds of miles of routes with realistic scenery, equipment and operations. Others creating increased visibility for the industry: - Amtrak's Acela Express Launch - One of the most publicized events in the history of Amtrak was the launch of its first high-speed rail service on December 11. The fastest train in this country, the Acela has been promoted as the financial solution for the nation's passenger rail system and a standard for other high-speed intercity routes--quick enough to compete with jets and cars, convenient enough to lure travelers from highways and airports. Transportation experts say that the Acela will mark the beginning of a rail revolution across the nation.
- ``Thomas the Tank Engine'' - The Thomas phenomenon began on-screen when the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends series, created by producer Britt Allcroft, first aired in the UK in 1984. In 1989, Britt Allcroft co-created Shining Time Station and brought Thomas to America on PBS. This Emmy award-winning TV show has been seen in over 100 countries, attracting the talents of Ringo Starr, George Carlin, and Alec Baldwin. Worldwide, over 100 million Thomas books and 10 million videos have been sold in the U.S. In July of this year, a popular feature film and subsequent video was released titled ``Thomas and the Magic Railroad & Friends''.
- Lionel's 100th Anniversary - Lionel Trains has celebrated turning 100 years old with an unprecedented rollout of new products this year. The A&E cable television network recently named the Lionel train one of the Top 10 Toys of the Century.
There are other factors contributing to the increased interest of trains as well. ``Parents are increasingly looking for ways to bond with their children and are discovering that -- unlike most extra-curricular activities-- the hobby of trains gives them a real opportunity to do so'', said Haase. ``In addition, many baby boomers are interested in the train hobby now and want their children and grandchildren to be exposed to trains so that the hobby will continue to thrive.'' ``This increased attention is terrific for Trainfans.com,'' said Haase. "We intend to be the leader in this growing industry by leveraging this renewed interest and expanding the hobby to millions of new enthusiasts-- especially children.`` About Trainfans.com Trainfans.com provides unique products and services to train enthusiasts-- an industry generating an estimated $1.5 billion dollars annually and growing. Currently, the company owns and offers over 280 train-related video titles marketed to adult enthusiasts. Beginning in January, Trainfans will be announcing the launch of several new products and partnerships targeting the children's marketplace. More information about ``Microsoft Train Simulator'' and the participating railroads is available on its official Web site. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. [Posted 12/14/2000]
  
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