I have heard that the amount of modelers is going down. Is this true? I am a next generation modeler and do not want to see the hobby die out!
-Cajon Kid
I doubt that will happen, Cajon–the hobby has had ups and downs throughout all of its history. And remember, we are NOT a Majority Hobby, never have been. Someone like yourself is always invariably attracted to model railroading. The main thing is that older guys like myself who have been in the hobby for years–through the ups and downs of it–remember that the best thing we can do is
–as I was saying before my little finger hit that $$@#& TAB Key yet again–the best thing we older modelers can do is ENCOURAGE the participation of younger modelers, get rid of the idea that we Invented the hobby and it’s just ours with no room for anyone else. That’s more detrimental to the hobby than anything. I’ve seen younger modelers discouraged more by the attitudes of some older guys than anything else, and it’s sad. I’ve encouraged younger modelers a lot, converted a few that I know of. it’s not important what scale you model-Z to G or live Steam–or two or three-rail. what’s important is that we all get along and help each other. encourage each other. when I’m out in my garage working on the layout, my garage door is UP for the neighborhood to see. Amazing how many fathers and sons–and daughters–stop and ask me questions. Of course I grin a lot when a teenager asks me “How FAST can you make it go?” and explain patiently that the object isn’t really speed on a mountain layout. Sorry if I’m rambling, but my point is that as long as Model Railroading remains a SHARED hobby, the chances of it surviving are pretty darned good.
Glad you’re in the hobby. Santa Cruz? GREAT town–how far do you have to go to get your supplies?
Tom
Well, there’s a hobby shop carrying train paraphenalia in Capitola.
Which means he has a considerably shorter distance to go than I do.
Andre
Thank you very much for the encouragement and I do have to go a long way to get supplies(Santa Rosa).
Andre/Cajon–I thought there was a pretty good shop over the Hill in Santa Clara called the Train Shop. Is it still there? Santa Rosa seems a real trek for supplies. Of course I’m a little spoiled here in the Sacramento area, we’ve got two GREAT LHS–Bruce’s Trains in Sacramento and Railroad Hobbies in nearby Roseville. Both carry a LOT of stock in all scales. I think they do mail-orders, too.
Tom
Cajon, let’s be realistic here. I’m afraid that if you look at any of the available numerical indicators as to what is happening in the hobby, sad to say they all present a picture of steady decline. The average age of today’s model railroader in about 55 and is increasing rapidly, implying relatively few young people are entering the hobby. The circulation of model railroading publications, across the board, is declining steadly (the two largest, MR & RMC, have lost a combined figure of 60,000 readers in the past decade). Local hobby shops are declining in number (although this is partly the result of competition from internet sales, their disappearance makes individual modeling much more difficult). Prices of locomotives and rolling stock are rising at an unprecedented rate, such that the offerings of a significant number of manufacturers are well beyond the acceptable range of most young people - as well as many adults - leading to a declining market.
So, there is little question that the hobby is shrinking but it certainly won’t disappear overnight. If you are careful with your expenditures and don’t set your sights unrealistically high in the way of equipment, you should be able to derive a lot of pleasure out of model railroading. Stick with it!
CNJ831
It won’t die out because people like you are coming in.
Oh…and tell your friends!
Yes, The Train Shop in Santa Clara is still in business. They are a strictly model railroading hobby shop, cater to all scales and gauges, have courteous and knowledgable clerks, and sell below list prices.
I don’t think this hobby will die any time soon - if anything we may see new modellers who are mainly interested in the new sound equipped DCC-controlled locos we’re seeing more and more of - the right advertising could see these alongside home cinemas, flatscreen TVs and powerful computers in the gadget stakes. The secret to grabbing the undecided people out there is to show the trains do more than just run - that they are realistic, rumbling, hooting replicas of powerful machines. Just my thoughts!
What needs to be done (and hasn’t been done since the early 90’s) is the manufacturers need to start advertising on TV again.