About 2 years ago I dropped out of model railroading because I left my job to start my own business and was planning to move. I had a 75% complete layout at the time but didn’t think it made sense to finish only to take apart. So I got into other stuff (model airplanes, toy soldiers) while waiting to move, which in this housing market took longer than expected. The move is finally here and I’m revving up to get back to work on a new, bigger layout. Yesterday, I picked up the Walthers catalog for the first time in 2 years and after skimming it, it seems smaller and not much changed since 2009. Same thing when I visit websites for modeling companies. Has the recession hit the industry hard in terms of new products? What happened to Broadway Limited? What else have I missed, both good and bad?
Our last forum software upgrade at the end of July '10.
Other than what you’ve listed, not much.
The catalog also seems smaller because some of the larger manufacturers (like Athearn) no longer list in it, companies were merged, or product lines were cut down to limited runs.
And DCC has been replaced by DCS. [A]
Hmm. I can think of a few things…
MTH gained some respect. Digitrax released new Zephyr DCC controler to support more than 8 functions. QSi released a sound decoder supporting Stereo - whether it picks up, yet to be seen. Walthers, on the other hand, dropped QSi from their Proto 2000 line and switched to Tsunami chips. Kato released the whole range of Amtrak fleet, but only in the N scale. Walthers released 2 more complete named trains: UP City and Santa Fe? Now they are doing Pennsylvania. Trix and Marklin all but disappeared from US shores. Rapido releasing its first complete Canadian named train including F3 units with Sound and DCC.
http://www.broadway-limited.com/ I think the Paragon 2 decoder may have come out in the last 2 years. BLI is now doing much more limited production runs, and don’t seem to be releasing nearly as many models as in their hay-day.
I can’t think of a single monumental change or development over the past maybe five or even seven years. Well, maybe the best thing for steam guys is the newest indexed version of the Walthers’ turntable, but that came in late 2005. No great discoveries or new technology, same old competitions and court challenges between importers, yada yada.
But the hobby offers as much fun to the keen as it always has. [swg]
Crandell
Somebody (Bachmann) is FINALLY releasing an affordable plastic Yellowstone! (You guys KNEW I was going to mention that one, didn’t you? [:P])
Due out in October. As I posted earlier: Step aside, Big Boy.
Tom
Not in my basement.
Bob
Nor mine, Bob. [(-D]
Tom
DCS?What is DCS?
I suspect (but cannot prove) that three has been something of a pickup in detailing/kitbashing/scratchbuilding as cash-strapped modelers substitute time (avalable) for money (unavailable or very limited.)
Unfortunately, I can’t back this `gut feeling’ with statistics. New activity in this realm tends to stay low key, behind the scenes and well below the model press radar.
The hobby has taken hits from the US recession combined with inflation in China - less product at higher prices.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
OK Tom, I missed the Yellowstone announcement. What more can you tell me.?
Art Hill
That is something since I was struck by the lack of new steam models in the Walthers catalog, especially with Broadway Limited in decline.
2009 wasn’t all that long ago, I mean BLMA, ExactRail & Summit were around, although their product lines have increased considerable (to mostly favorable reviews).
NuComp (the ‘Trailer Park’ people) has closed, as has IHC, and nobody knows when or who will pick up their product lines (like, for example, Roco Minitanks was eventually picked up by Herpa)
And there’s always the guys who produce neat items (like the Parking Meters that just came out). that usually you say (months later) wow, those were neat, how come I didn’t see them before, now they’re unavailable/sold out.
OK, perhaps the largest splash being made in the scratchbuilding/kitbashing area are the 3-D resin Rivet/Weld/Tread plate decals coming out (e.g. Archer decals) - I don’t recall these from 2009, and they will come in handy for some projects I have in mind.
Something I’m happy about…the return of Bachmann’s beautiful Cityscenes building kits:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewCat&catId=243
The model of the Woolworth store looks almost exactly like the prototype store my mother used to go to back in the early 70s. Definitely want one for my layout.
I could tell ya, but I’m not allowed to use that kind of profanity on the forum. [swg]
Well, prices have continued to skyrocket on new production rolling stock (hence the need to resist profanity), only the Athearn RTR loco’s seem to have under $100 street prices now among the more detailed HO engines - fortunate for me as I’m a SD45 and tunnel motor junkie!
On a positive note, even though generally new products have slowed down, there have been some nice new items come out from ExactRail, Tangent, Genesis, Atlas etc.
riogrande:
Makes me wonder where I’VE been the past two years, myself, LOL! I’d never heard of Tangent until I picked up a couple of their gondolas at the Sacramento Show the other week. Just BEAUTIFUL!!
Tom