Percentage of modelers by scale

[Kenfolk]

In +/- 50 years, my modeling has been in:

s =10%

ho=40%

n =30%

g =probability of +/- 50% in next 5 years

Disclaimer: not a random sample; the population is homogeneous with respect to the variable of classification. Also, standard deviation=+1; confidence variable=+1

= estimator.[%-)]

[R_T_POTEET]

Everybody IS and everybody HAS a statistic; at least I had a college prof who said so. I had him for two classes and he began every one with a “What is your favorite statistic?” inquiry. His was that, contrary to the belief that we are a predominantly rural nation, every census has revealed that the majority of our population resides within 5 miles of an incorporated community; mine was that from 1886 to-date–that date was about 1979–Texas has always raised more sheep than cows!

Anyway, it has probably been twenty-five years since one of the hobby press periodicals took a survey and even those usually garnished no more than a thousand respondents. The last one I recall from the early-'80s returned a 75:15 ratio for HO-Scale:N-Scale but N-Scale has probably increased by 1/3rd over the year and Z-Scale has made significant inroads into the market and I would by-guess-and-by-golly that the current HO-Scale:N-Scale:Z-Scale ratio is probably somewhere in the vicinity of 63:19:8; it could well be, however, that the N-Scale:Z-Scale ratio is slightly inflated and the HO-Scale ration slightly deflated. Twenty years ago there were prognosications that within twenty-five years N-Scale would become the predominant scale but things pretty well appear to have flattened out with Z-Scale attracting a greater percentage of New Modelers.

I don’t know what earthly purpose these surveys ever accomplished but, as a history major, I did find them an interesting tabulation of current interests and your post raises speculation as to just what the circa-2008 figures might just reveal the current status of our hobby!

[lvanhen]

79.3% of statistics are made up on the spot.

The accepted wisdom is that, in the United States, your figures are accurate. In other countries, or worldwide, they probably aren’t. (What is the predominant scale in Uganda, anyway?)

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - in a real minority scale, 1:80, aka HOj)

Chuck, that question has an obvious answer - “U” gauge!![:P]

[BRAKIE]

CNJ831,In 2000 3 guys worked hard trying to form a N Scale club…It never got off the ground…Fast forward to late 2005 the same 3 guys tried again and the club came into exsistance.Today we have 19 members of those 19 members 3 of us model in HO and N however,I recently switch to N Scale as my primary scale and sold 2/3s of my HO.7 of the members converted from HO to N Scale since 2000.

IF N Scale hasn’t seen growth explain why many clubs are adding N Scale layouts?

As many of the above posts clearly indicate, personal opinion or personal observation usually can’t be taken too seriously as a clear indicator of a particular situation that may, in fact, be highly localized, or skewed by personal views. In my area I can’t even name an N-scale club but can quickly list upwards of a dozen operating in HO. Nevertheless, I appreciate that this probably isn’t typical nationwide. There is a great deal of regionalism in our hobby which accounts for much of the strong deviations one sees posted on this form regarding things like the success/failure of local hobby shops, train shows, type of rolling stock most desired by hobbyists, etc.

As to the post by another individual that the expansion of N products by the HO manufacturers signals dramatic growth in N-scale, it is far more likely to be a reflection that the contracting of the model railroading marketplace has forced them to diversify ever more to remain in the black.

CNJ831

Localizing of a given scale or perhaps the use of DCC does indeed vary from area to area and scale bias seems to rule in these types of topics…I fully agree with Lee that N Scale has seen a sufficient growth over the years there is no doubt about that.Folks can look the other way and grin but,the facts is there if one cares to lift the bli

[Kenfolk]

Localizing of a given scale or perhaps the use of DCC does indeed vary from area to area…

I recently visited the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, and discovered from speaking with some of the hobby shop owners that they had very little market for n-scale products (as opposed to HO) but also told me there was a significant market for n-scale in the Orlando area. I thought that was quite interesting.

bi scalers