COLUMBIA, Md. (AP) -- The nation's two largest makers of toy trains are nearing a conclusion to a seven-year-old, multimillion-dollar lawsuit. Columbia-based MTH Electric Trains had sued Lionel, a century-old brand, accusing it of stealing train designs through a Korean subcontractor. The dispute focused on patented computer technology that synchronizes a train set's sound, smoke and speed, critical technology in their small but competitive market. "We're happy that we've reached a settlement," said Jerry Calabrese, chief executive of Lionel, based in Chesterfield, Mich. "It was a long, terrible case." However, MTH founder Mike Wolf said the settlement is contingent on...
