CoasterDynamix wants your input

We have approached a number of parks about selling themed Scorpion trains on a section of track. These would be non-functioning display models (essentially our current and future trains without the wheels) molded in the colors of that particular park's B&M rides. The parks seem to be really receptive to the idea. The track and train should retail for around $25. Our question to park goers is "Is this something you would purchase at a park as a souvenir or collectible?" If it went well, we would offer other train styles in the future. Please don't bombard this thread with "If they made such and such ride I would definately buy it." or "I'm not a B&M fan so no I wouldn't". Keep an open mind and use your imagination. Thanks.

I would most definitely buy them. It would be cool to have little replicas of the trains from my track record of B&M rides. I've always wanted a particular souvenier of this sort, and it's good to know somebody in a position to do something about it has given the idea consideration. I hope to see them soon.

I don't know how much it cost to manufacture the parts, but if you could put them together in the correct colors and have the train in one of the more memorable parts of the ride, that would probably sell better.

I'm just picturing, say, Raptor in its loop or the top of the zero-G roll.

If you were intending this from the beginning I'm sorry, but I just have an image of a straight section with the train on it.

I would be more inclined to buy one if it was a section of track that portrayed action as opposed to flat sections. *** Edited 10/10/2005 7:48:39 PM UTC by Kyle S***

I would buy it as a collectible, especially if it were either molded or painted like said ride at the certain park it might be featured at. Maybe even the logo of the ride could be painted or molded somewhere into the base of the collectible/souvenier piece. I think this idea has pretty decent potetial.

For those of us who have purchased the Scorpion or the Dragon, I think it would be really cool if the trains did have wheels and be able to function. Though it still will be collectible if non-functional in quite the same fashion as a t-shirt or shot glass is for many of us now.

One idea to consider is to include an advertisement for the functional models in the package containing the non functional collectible/souvenier piece.

This is porbably not the response you want, but I wouldn't buy these. Mostly due to space/display concerns. I have no desire to clutter up the place with little coaster train replicas.

As far as putting them at parks, I can see where there'd be interest from enthusiast types, but I have a hard time seeing how the average park goer would be interested.

This isn't a toy, it's a collectable (if I'm following the idea) and only people with an interest in something collect related items. You might get spillover from a small, certain segment that has a strong attachment to a certain park or on a lesser level a certain ride, but for the most part the non-enthusiast customer base seems small.

(Sorry, I'm sure you guys have considered all of this :) )

Bottom line - no, I wouldn't buy this sort of thing. Mostly on the premise that I have no attachment to a particular coaster enough to get just one and secondly because as an enthusiast, if I did start picking them up, I'd want them all and that would just get silly.

I might buy one to have at the office or in my future pool room. The price sounds right, $25.

Way ahead of you beast7369! Good idea! We were planning on selling a wheel set as an option for those who have or want kits. Also, we will put information in the static model about the working model.

Since we are limited in space to a single base piece (6"x12") it is difficult to incorporate an element. I tried a curving 45 degree banked turn and it looks pretty good. Dynamic, yet not too expensive to produce.

It is more of a promotional item for the park (like a t-shirt) than a collectible. Only enthusiasts would collect them and that is a very small number of people who actually attend a park. I am thinking more about the family that visits the park and wants to take home a souvenir. T-shirts are fine, but this is quite novel and way cooler! lol.

Well, you might have something there. At $25 and side-by-side with a T-Shirt, this looks like an outstanding value in comparison.

So I at least see where you're coming from. :)

Even more cool would be if you cast these in pewter. Then you could put them on a wooden base and sell them for a little more. Just a thought...

This reminds me of the thread about the miniature Millie (Danbury Mint? Franklyn Mint? Help me out here.)
It might sell. People buy paperweights all the time.
My kids know I like coasters, might buy me one for my Birthday or fathers day.

Pet rocks sold well...

*** Edited 10/10/2005 9:04:14 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER***

I personally could see myself buying something like this, yes. I can't speak for the GP, but I'd buy it.

The mini Millie was Danbury Mint (I'm working on the fam. to get it for Christmas).

As for this idea, I'd be interested, but could you leave the wheels on in a non-functioning manner? I'm a sucker for models, but being a perfectionist I might pass on it if it's a coaster train without wheels, because it's "not realistic enough". It depends on how it actually looks, though.

I agree that the $25 price tag makes it sellable. The only reason I haven't bought a working model like Scorpion already is because it's beyond my budget.