Well it seems that the new generation is not as interested in the craftsman kits of old or they are just streaming out of closets as the price of these kits is going down, way down. I used to collect these kits to build for my layout and was overjoyed to get a deal on one but the tide has changed as far as price (I still buy when they give them away, nostalga?, like a mint in box #115 coal and sand shed for $66.20 out the door). Another thought is that now you can just buy the castings from my old freind Jimmy as he bought the rights to them.
Who is Jimmy?
Would you have a guess as to why the lack of interest? My guess, based on personal experience is it’s hard to find the time to build kits. The new generation have F/T jobs, often long commutes, wifes and families who demand their husband/hobbyists time.
My kid is grown and working now but between work and the honey-do list and the house that has a lot of work needing done (including getting the basement finshed). Wife was in an accident in Dec, myself a couple days ago. All that and other things suck up time like a vacuum.
How is the above relevant? Because kits take time to build and non-retired people often find it hard to find time. This appears to be the reason so many kits are availble for not only buildings but rolling stock kits as well. And it’s not because people are lazy or want instant gratification (a few probably) but by definitition, a hobby is what you do for enjoyment in your free time. You need to have enough free time for those kits and all the other things needful to build and operate a layout.
Yes, I’ve heard some say they have less time when they retire from F/T work, but as my wife would say, howay now, that is your choice to take on all kinds of other stuff that prevents you from the hobby. Learn to say no so you can have more time for the hobby.
/soapbox
I am retired and I don’t have the time for that or the steady hands orr the sharp eye either.
For me it’s the time period of the models. I have no interest. They might be cool for a diorama, or such, but I have very different modeling goals and wants.
Not into the “old timey” stuff.
As far as time? I find it much more enjoyable using my time to scratch build things that I’m interested in, and not some kit, that represents a period i’m not modeling, or have any interest.
Mike.
Well, perhaps now I will be abe to get some of those kits I wanted but could never afford. And actually put them together instead of storing them away sealed in their boxes as some sort of collector’s item.
–Randy
For me, its more a matter that most of the commercially available structure kits are of east coast or midwest styles that don’t fit into the architectural style of my Southern California based layout. Due to constant ground movement, Southern California construction needs to be a bit different from other parts of the country so the area has a fairly unique look. Since neither craftsman or plastic kits fit the bill, I tend to scratch build most of my structures.
He might be John Galt’s business partner?
Otherwise, I’d like to know who Jimmy is also.
Thank You, Ed
I just checked out what there is for a web site:
https://fsmkits.homestead.com/index.html
And it says to make personal checks out to John Mattinson.
He has quite a list of kits.
Unless he’s talking about this place, that has some FSM castings
I dunno!
Mike.
This is exactly the situation with me. I want a modern building and I want to build it myself.
I agree.
Skip the wife.
Skip the house - rent and let the landord do the work.
Skip retirement.
Paul - who is happily retired with a life. And a hobby called model railroading.[(-D]
Jimmy owns Railroadkits. He used to have a forum site but sold it. It was a site mainly for manufactures and wanabe manufactures and some kit builders. Kathy Mallet used to hang out there along with people like Dave Frary. He also owns some famous model railroads and is a manufacturer himself (we once tried to buy a kit manufacturer at the same time, Jimmy was faster at the draw). Many of todays owners used to hang out there, miss that site.
I think it might also be fair to point out that a wood kit (or kit with wood parts) needs to be stored correctly to avoid warping of parts. The older those FSM kits get the more you have to trust/hope that the prior owner stored them correctly. I was once delighted to get an Alexander kit at a nice price only to learn that it was severely warped almost beyond build-ability and good mostly for the castings, which for Alexander unlike FSM were not always worthy of the rest of the kit.
A risk discount is in order, in other words.
The older kits that had cardstock or matt board parts were particularly prone to damage from humidity.
Dave Nelson
Just one more reason why I am thankful for the collector/hoarders of days gone by. First they stored all my brass locomotives for me until I could afford them, then the two FSM kits I wanted.
.
I also have purchased every laser cut wood kit for my layout for dimes on the dollar.
.
-Kevin
.
Got all my stuff too except a laser cut boarding house that fits between two tracks.
Agreed with all. I have a full-time job, young kids, a wife and subsequent honey-do list. Such responsibilities push MR to the back burner. Getting even 45 minutes a night for MR is such a joy. Why wait until retirement to start a layout?
I enjoy building structures and tried with cars. The latter are far more challenging. I am proud to tell others that these cars I built and so too with the buildings.
Do whatever works!
I’ve spent enough time alone and single - it didn’t work very well for me. I love my wife and she supports my hobby. She made it a priority to find a basement with a house. She is doing a lot of physical work to move the basment forward. We should start painting the basement walls this weekend!
No, not skipping the wife.
I threw my money down a hole for a long time renting. You can get a mortgage where I live for similar cost as rent, and at least you get to keep some of it.
Like many, I’ll probably need to work past when many used to retire. So …
I understand about lack of time, I aquired many of my kits though at a time I was working and many weeks I put in 70+ hours, more than once did it for hourly pay, not including my own money making projects. Luckily when I got married I do not remember some of my 20 hr work days but still had plenty of 10+. Even when I worked for 9 years at HD (big box store), by the time you figure in the commute, it was over 11 hours a day for 5 a week and then home to do landlord stuff. As far no money as in pay, everything from free (doing plumbing with a master to get plumbing skills) to about $25 an hour (this was 15+ years ago) as an hourly for HD and don’t forget investments that earned negative money (investment in a wine syrup company) to 400% (short term bridge loan I did and with borrowed money to boot).
And some of us are more interested in operations than kit building.
And getting a layout built to some relative form of doneness requires a lot of time and different things. Of course to get a layout with some buildings, industries for rail cars to serve, etc. will require some kit building. When I get to the stage of having to locate appropriate buildings or background indurstries, I’ll start sorting out what fits and of course will need to get some together. Likely I’ll be using some Watlhers buildings.