What do you think will be the next Big Thing in the O gauge hobby?
I’m not sure,Hopefully a run of 1688’s from Lionel would be nice.[:)]…Keith
Animated roadway systems like K-Line’s.
I think the ability to have moving cars is going to be a huge draw after a century of only having static road vehicles on layouts.
Low priced locomotives.
The big buck locos have their fan base, and those people will still buy them, but I hear too many people say that the high end locos just aren’t worth the price. I’m also pleasantly surprised at how many people own and want more of the less expensive locos now. More choices in that market niche would entice more beginners and people on a budget to purchase more O and O/27 equipment.
Jim
I think we are seeing the manufacturers getting on the dinky locomotive band wagon. RMT has its very successful Beep. Lionel has its 0-6-0 tank engine, K-Line has its Plymouth switcher and new Porter 0-4-0. Even MTH has a nice 0-4-0 docksider. All of these small engines also come with smaller price tags. I hope this trend continues! Maybe someone will come out with an SW-1 or a more realistically proportioned 44 tonner.
I predict that in the future we will be running our trains without electricity in the tracks, except for special sections that will recharge the batteries. Nano-electronics will enter the fray.
The next big thing will be 3 rail North Shore Line and Chicago Transit Authority cars. They look good and can run on O27.
I’d love to see some contemporary lightrail cars along with a non powered units. I beleive this a product that has been long over looked by all the manufactures. I 'm begining to see a possible tread in the Hi-rail scene to scale couplers. (I have mixed feelings) I wonder how far this will go! MTH is offering their loco’s with a 2r/3r option so…what’s next? I’ve been heading down the Hi-rail road, but I still love the traditional!
My hat’s off to the likes of Williams, RMT, and others who keep the traditional 3rail alive and well.[tup]
Er…by the way…just what is a “Thing” anyway? [:D][%-)][:D]
Cast iron clockwork wind-ups will make a huge return. In an atempt to get young kids back into trains, a whole line of wind-up trains and accessories will invade Lionelville.
The concept will fail miserably, but the baby boomer generation will embrace it and wind-up toys will experience a rebirth.
Gee, I thought the next BIG thing would be (insert drum roll)
Caffeine-Free Smoke Fluid Flavored Diet Pepsi.
[:D]
Being a news junkie, I read with interest about the tensions between China and Taiwan, since China has never wavered from wanting Taiwan as part of China. China wants American dollars, but they also want to strengthen their military - and have been secretly trying to buy new weapons. Things could get mighty interesting should China ever invade or take military action against Taiwan. Given the history though of the 20th century, this isn’t likely to happen.
Of course, the US has a defense treaty with Taiwan. So should the US attack China (and accidentally bomb the factory where the trains are made) I predict the next big thing will be a slight delay in new product arrivals to the mainland US.
I like K-Line products. The new roadway system is about to become a part of my office layout. This is something I dreamed about in the 1950’s. I even tried it with race sets but is was not successful.
Watch K-Line, they have the answers to make this hobby grow.
The new road system is pretty interesting. If someone has an exisiting city and replaces the streets with the K-Line road system, be sure to take before and after “makeover” shots for us to see.
Dinky low priced (relatively) engines. I agree the wave of the farther future are rechargable-battery-powered engines/rolling stock. I don’t think the K-Line roads will go anywhere. 
This is probably a lot of wishful thinking, but it’s nice to see others hoping for smaller, less expensive engines. Note to brianel027 : you forgot the vanilla.
I’m not so sure Doug. I think the traction fans will take a good look at the Kline roads, especially if they expand the line to include parallel curves and junctions. It sure looks intriguing.
I’ll second cbq9911a’s idea of interurbans, but he left out the South Shore. I wish someone would do an affordable Electroliner, and/ or affordable interurban freight engines (a small steeplecab would be great) .
J White
I predict that someone will creat a train set that will be controlled by electo magnets.
laz57
A model of a New York City or Chicago El Forney would be a good model to do. There were over 800 of similar design that were sold all over after the change to electrification. They found many uses commuter trains, logging, construction and other industry. They were used all over the states up to the end of steam. Three real ones were even found recently in the Alaska tundra where they had been abandoned after a highway project in the late 1950’s.
A manufacturer would do well across the board with this because it is small so inexpensive and they were used for everything everywhere. They could have many different but prototypical paint schemes for different runs and could appeal to all those Subway modelers too.
A more recent model to consider is a GE 70 Tonner. No one has done one of those yet. Could be nice.
I would like to see more "Dinky " engines:
4-4-0s, 2-6-0s, 4-6-0s, 2-8-0s.
A 3-rail North Shore Line Electroliner.
BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com
I’m still waiting for a DD40 that runs on 027 track!