They told us Model Trains is a dying hobby...
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Once considered the World's Greatest Hobby, model trains are now said to be dying in the year 2024. Here is our perspective as owners of a Model Train Shop.
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I'm 14yo and I'm planning a model train layout for the first time I'm just glad I have other friends that know what they're doing in this hobby.
That great! It is always nice to have some friends to do it with!
You're blessed - I'm 20 and I barely meet any young people who are into model trains. I often feel like I have no one to share the hobby with.
I'm 56 and proud to admit that I still play with trains.
Model trains are like blue jeans, they never go out of style.
I hear ya, I just turned 58 and it sure is addicting!
I am 54 and i found out were considered young in the train world.
As a hobby shop that has been in business for over 85 years I personally can say that the hobby is not dying.
It's a matter of not being stuck in the same rut but staying with the times.
We have learned to keep evolving with the new products.
Yes it's not easy but we buy more hobby shop every year that learned to keep with the times.
Good luck with the business glad to see new shops start.
From Henning's Trains.
Hi from Israel, I'm back at the hobby as a 51yo because of my authistic son loves trains. I have fond memories of me playing with my grandfather rivarossi trains. Already then, 40 years ago, it was an expensive hobby and the space needed is just not fitting with modern european homes. But I never stopped to dream about train models. Nowdays probably the only way to start on a budget is buying second hand and your shop is just terrific. Hope to be able to order from you sonner than later.
Keep up your great job!
Here in the UK the national press carried doom and gloom stories about the hobby dying just because the biggest model railway exhibition in the UK will no longer happen and one of the biggest model shops has shut down it's business. This great hobby of ours evolves and these changes will bring alternatives. Agree that some model shops didn't change with the market needs and exhibition managers and staff are getting older. My hobby shop is on line, competitive and knows the market. I model American Railroads and he even stocks American merchandise. It's not dying... technology is changing it for the better.
It's unfortunate how some of the press have characterized the hobby, giving the general public plenty of reason to think it is going away. Just seeing everything here on UA-cam that people are doing with their layouts is proof that it isn't.
I always found it weird when people made this claim, and I look over at Japan and see the hobby alive and well. I think the issue is a lot of people out here just take the hobby staring in at it thinking it's an exclusive club that people were very restrictive of who to let in. Which, in any case, is partially true if people showed up and policed what models you should be using (I was dismissed at a hobby shop because my model trains were British makes vs American). I feel like the hobby can thrive more if they can be more accepting of all model trains rather than just be loyal to their fandom of railroads/railways.
Like it or not, a lot of the younger generations entering into the hobby never had steam locomotives chuffing around in life, their introduction to trains were either at Disney or other theme parks, or seeing the models and CGI animations of Thomas the Tank Engine. I figure we're fine as long as we can ignore the rivet counters.
Change is the only constant. You two are non traditional shop. Thx
It is not dying. It is just shrinking. This is also true of most collectibles. Reason: Those under 30 are not collecting anything.
Theyre just waiting for the old gaurd to die off because the price for collectables people actually want are currently unattainable
and their are a lot of us under 30 crowd.
Model trains is not a dieing hobby at all and it is a great hobby to get into and on top of that, you can lurn about all the different railroads and railroad history and a bunch more. You can also make up your owen railroad layouts and name it what ever name you want it to be.
GO FOR IT GUYS, I'M WITH YOU ALL THE WAY!!!
All industries go through change because they are run by people and people change. Rarely does something like model trains ever truly die, it rises and falls in popularity or affordability and as always people will try to profit from both then up and downsides because that's what people do.
It's sad to see so many youtube channels trying to make a quick buck from pessimistic takes on things that only serve to make the hobby look less appealing to new people by failing to project it as the positive vibrant hobby it is, its also heartening to see the people who keep the hobby going sharing more positive narratives and experiences.
Really we need to call out the negative voices and kick them to the curb before they do any more damage than they've already done.
This Hobby Is Not Dying, It Is Going To Live Forever!
Brick & Morter hobby shops is what's dying. It's b/c of online shopping, electronic devices, and unfortunately sometimes a cliche that says if you're into trains as a hobby, you're...slow. A long-time running and well-known hobby store in my area closed down due to the high demand of r/c drones at the time.
Agree. I travel for work and it is hard to find local model train shops.
At 54, I started my "dream" HO scale layout in 2019. Still old school DC on a very tight budget. I have been documenting the journey on my UA-cam channel. I'm going to take a look thru your online store and see if I can find something to pick up! By the way, I think a few of us long time YT'ers have talked about this subject over the past month. Good to hear it come from the store owner perspective!
Thanks for the kind words! Nothing wrong with DC. It is much cheaper, you can get decent used cars and locos, sometimes in like new condition even! That is why we deal a lot of USED on our online store! Just subscribed to your channel! Keep it up!
@@TrainsintheValley Thank you! I did take a look around you site last night. Bookmarked it and will revisit time to time!
Corey and Victoria, you are on the right track. This is not a dying hobby. it's an expensive one, and yall are making it more accessible for people. So keep up the good work keeping the cost down.
The Hobby is not dying but I see it declining. But we have to be realistic here. Money is tight for alot of Hobbiest with the current economy thanks to you know who. Tight Spending and High Prices won't work. Even Fast Food Resteraunts are starting to see Repercussions from High Prices. Lionel needs to see the Bigger Picture. Make items way more affordable to the Average Collector, Beginning Collectors and for those who want to get in our Hobby. Cut out some of the extras like Crew Talk, Whstle Steam and Swinging Bells. Yes they are nice but they add costs. Bring the Factories back to America. Better Quailty Control, Faster Production and Shipping Times and Cheaper Prices if they did. Luckily I've been buying for 30 Years so I bought most of my stuff when it was affordable. Now I can't afford to buy a really nice Steam Engine and Deisel Engines are heading in the same direction. For those with extra money they'll keep buying. For the rest if us we won't be able too.
You are not wrong in what you said. That is the biggest reason we buy/sell used collections. We try to make them reasonable for people to get/stay into the hobby.
I started the hobby in 2006 with my then 3 year old and stopped until I got a bigger house in 2020 with the added bonus of a 3rd car stall. With the help of a great wife, I have completed that DC layout and just started a DCC layout which I am just learning. Being in my late 50's now, this will be my hobby for life. Nothing gives you more peace and serenity :-) Keep up the good work you 2!
Dang, I'm just getting started in DCC! Good goin mate!
That's so cool! It is nice to have a spouse who is supportive and just as into the hobby as yourself! Would love to see some updates on your setup!
@@TrainsintheValley I sure will. It's always a tough decision to finally glue down your tracks and start landscaping. I will need more curved Bachman tracks. Order coming your way!
@@lonluna721 Good luck building
@@joshthetrainfan Thanks, it will be educational too!
I believe one of the factors why smaller independent train stores have closed is not everyone in the immediate area will be into model railroading and others may live a long distance away and people order through retailers like ModelTrainStuff, Lombard Hobbies and ebay and have it delivered to their door as opposed to traveling a long distance to the nearest hobby shop. Also some manufacturers like ScaleTrains, Walthers, Tangent Scale Models and Class One Model Works allow people to order direct. I don't believe the hobby is dying. It's just undergoing changes. Model railroading, as Ken Patterson says, "Isn't this the greatest hobby in the world?"
the problem with modelling (and most other boomer leftover hobbies) is they require time, space, and expendable income none of which the majority of under-70s have
Yes, the space is a big thing! So many people have small apartments or very small homes.
God bless you guys you are definitely making an impact on saving this hobby
I think you’re correct a lot of train shops were people doing it as a job and not a scaleable business so to speak. They opened up a store signed a lease or bought a building sold model train stuff for years and that was their job and how they made money, but it was a job not a growth businesses to them. Now those people have retired or died out some of them and that was a big part of it.
Got to be some interest in the hobby video posted 9 days ago and 10k views,.
Love the story behind your business and it is inspiring to say the least. I am interested to try this approach and you gave me some ideas how to start up a little booth. Thanks for some ideas as try to venture out into this brave new World. Good luck and keep it up the great work!
Enjoyed this interview. I agree that the hobby is changing, as everything else in our society.
I totally agree that this hobby is most certainly NOT dying, but it is going through a transition period. The other thing that I feel is hampering the hobby is some of the "gatekeeping", call it what you will, from a certain section of the hobby where people think everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, must be these hyper detailed, 100% prototypically accurate models, and anything less than that, is subject to ridicule! I mean just look at fantasy schemes, there are people who just loose their minds over these things, even those others have created on their own, and will even resort to bullying people who either buy these things, or create their own, and they fail to realize they are only hurting the hobby further by doing it! I wish you guys all the success, just subbed too!
Agree 💯
I’ve never thought the hobby was dying, I know it was growing seeing new manufacturers and new era specific models coming out, just a lot of things that people from the 70s and 80s either scared to evolve, just stubborn, or just wasn’t willing to admit that change was coming. I honestly wish that more hobby shops would do what y’all have done, like you said, after joining UA-cam myself, I’ve seen people like myself and amazed at how many younger folk are in this hobby. Yes I’ll admit that things like the actual hobby shop is going away, but they’re just moving to online services, they just learned to adapt. Keep up the great work!
This has also been said about amateur radio, for decades!
I know a few that where into it but none of them do it now. It's like any hobby.
Far from dying. At 28, I've been doing this my whole life. 3 years of N scale, over $50k spent on it, nah. Far too many new things for it to be dying.
AGREED!
I've had the same train set since I was a kid, and I'm 60 now. But, all of the guys who were seriously into model trains, with the huge layouts and big budgets have all been dead now for 20 or so years. I tend to dig out and put up my layout every once in a while then when I get bored it gets packed up and goes back in the attic till I 'rediscover it again'. I suppose the time is coming soon where I just couldn't be bothered to dig it all out and and set it up.
I do on occasion buy a new piece for the layout but only if its really cheap. My limit is around $3-$5 or so per car, less if they need work. I also will only buy items from the same time period as my original layout, I have zero interest in the new stuff.
I'm 34 and very interested in getting into the hobby
"I'm 56 and proud to admit that I still play with trains.
Model trains are like blue jeans, they never go out of style." Quoting RPR below, what is physical address?
Our storefront is here:
www.trainsinthevalley.com/pages/elizabethville-train-shop
Model Railroading is not dying just changing. One thing that would really help get new people involved would be a ready-to-run train set with a contemporary "wide cab" diesel, a modern box car, a modern coal gondola, a covered hopper, and a couple of well cars with containers. This is what kids see on the railroad today, not steamers and F7s and Geeps and cabooses.
I will allow that the diesel may be a problem since they are all six-axle engines, but perhaps a compromise in track could be made and 22-inch radius curves be included instead of the 18-inch radius curves of yesteryear.
And the set needs to be priced at $100 or less.
All they best in your endeavor!
"This is what kids see on the railroad today, not steamers and F7s and Geeps and cabooses."
I would disagree with that statement that everyone only wants modern, contemporary railroading. I belong to a club of 70 members and all the young members including a couple new ones that just joined are all about steam engines and classic railroading. I would not throw out the baby with the bath water.
"I will allow that the diesel may be a problem since they are all six-axle engines, but perhaps a compromise in track could be made and 22-inch radius curves be included instead of the 18-inch radius curves of yesteryear.
And the set needs to be priced at $100 or less."
Well that demand is unreasonable. The price point and features you desire don't match. If you want a set less than $100 then go buy a vintage Bachmann/Life-Like set or you can buy one of the generic Chinese toy train sets on Amazon. This hobby isn't cheap and never was even in the 70's-80's. Priced for inflation what you pay now is what you would pay then but now you have more features, better motors, and detail.
If you want quality models at a cheap price you have to learn to bargain hunt, not Google search the first premium item and be mad you can't afford it.
The Hobby is not Dying it is evolving. There are some older members that are scared of change and not seeing the bigger picture. Social media has brought people out to show their stuff. Then also allow new younger people to view and get involved with technology offered. The old Brick stores are going away which is sad. The up side more online stores and shows and conventions are filling the space. The people afraid of the Hobby Dying need to look around, get out more , and do more research. I am a middle aged Model Railroader and it's never been easier to find , research , and learn in this Hobby right now.
Scared of what change? It's about the money.
@@iamcarrot1 get the F out of the hobby then or quit buying. The Hobby is an unnecessary want. It is not food , rent , or etc. Also if people quit buying so much extra train related items at high price mark ups. The price may go down since 85% of model Railroaders have more than they will ever need. Myself included!
@@adriengadson3544 still never answered my question.
Yes!
Rapido is killing the hobby. Sure they are giving people what they want, but at a premium price. $100 for a caboose is insane. Now all the other manufacturers are following by charging higher prices. Do we really need the level of detail that dictates these prices. You can't see most of it when your operating.
It's like any hobby, it's about the cost.
The hobby isn't dying. The end😊 Just count how many model trains channels are on the Tube😋
Exactly!!!!
Positive.....keep going, get the message out.....never stop trying to improve...
I couldn't agree more!
I just got into model railroading this year..... The model trains hobby isn't dying...... But it NEEDS to change.... Seriously $250 for a DC locomotive..... Id be happy with a $80 loco even if it was worse quality
That is one of the big reasons we focus our shop on Used items. They are much cheaper and it gives people the ability to do the hobby at a reasonable price.
@@TrainsintheValley agreed ^^ I feel like I've done more repairs than buying new locos
Where are you located or your website… Be glad to take a look at your merchandise… I am a n scaler…
Bryan
Thanks so much for the support!
www.trainsinthevalley.com
This hobby will never really die. In fact, my channel is loaded with model trains and I'm thinking about picking up a ATSF B40-8W soon! I'll always be into trains and I hope my future kids are too with the layout I have planned. This is still the world's greatest hobby. However, I did lose my local train shop, and it was horrible. Personally, I see a boom bust cycle within the railroad economy. I've been to many open houses and train shows where there's either an enormous turnout of people of all ages, and then there's sometimes a lot less, but never no one. I'm 19 years old, and being one of those people who grew up with trains (I started literally less than a year old.) I can safely say that there will be a lot more like me out there. Granted, the hobby isn't as large as it used to be, but it will never die. I will stand my ground on that, and I think I speak for all of us railfans here when I say we must help the process of raising younger railfans to keep it alive.
Very wise words! I think the fact that there is so much just here on UA-cam, is proof alone that it isn't dying! Some kids now a days don't even know what trains are. We can all do a little part and show them off, even if it just here on YT!
@@TrainsintheValley Exactly.
KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB
People have been saying that for 40 years.
Thanks to 3d printing closing the gap between eras and styles
3D printing is amazing. So much potential!
Don’t believe this crap model trains will be here forever IT IS NOT DIEING OKAY STOP BELIEVING NEGATIVE
The hobby is NOT dying. It’s changing.
It is definitely evolving, that is for sure!
@@TrainsintheValley yeah, sorry if my comment sounded in any way aggressive, that wasn’t the intention sorry
you aren’t agressive.
Im 25 years old. Im in to it more than ever because im working full time. My fiance lets me buy whatever i want since i got her a njce ring 😊
I run a accucraft ruby live steam model train and that model has shown me that I do need to pursue starting the horse drawn farm equipment restoration/reproduction shop because I love equipment from the steam era and in my quest to meet as as many of the suppliers and other shops I've met several amazing families that are also into live steam equipment from the sauders who build machines for fixing horse carriages that have 7 1/2 inch gauge trains to the miller's who run a circlemill blade repair shop and have traction engines , to another miller that runs a foundry and also has traction engines, the things that have really shaped my life are horses, trains and antique equipment. The only thing that sucks about model trains is that portsmouth ohio doesn't have any hobby shops
I don’t feel it’s dying. It does seem that consumers do want more realism as you said. I’m in Oscale, and some more manufacturers would be nice. Lionel being the main supplier is a bit of a problem I see long term. The other thing that hinders the hobby whether we want to admit or not is the sorta stigma put on people who enjoy it. We can be seen as weird or odd for doing so and it isn’t something(at least for me)that isn’t unnoticed. Social media has been great for hobby for the most part I feel. I’ve met some great people in the hobby and hope to meet more. It helps fuel the fire to continue to collect and operate these great models. I wish you all the best moving forward with your business.
"I’m in Oscale, and some more manufacturers would be nice. Lionel being the main supplier is a bit of a problem I see long term."
That is the problem with O Scale. It backed itself in to a corner letting Lionel (and MTH when Mike Wolf was still around) dictate the market since it was THE market for that scale then Lionel gobbling up the competition because they were either mismanaged or didn't want their cheap models anymore (K-Line notorious for that). It didn't develop open standards like in HO, N, or G for that matter. Because no one or two companies held the reigns to what could be dictated more companies formed creating more competition to make better, cheaper models in the other scales.
Now in O you are either stuck with Lionel or MTH which was severely hampered by Mike Wolf retiring so its future is unknown especially without a visionary at its helm. It is just a committee now and we all know how well committees fair in the long run or you can go 2-rail O but that is extremely niche and way more expensive than 3-rail O. I think the only way going forward for O is to rely on Bluetooth technology to break Lionel's Legacy and MTH's DCS stranglehold and Menards for affordable models.
Social Media has been very good for the hobby! I understand what you mean about the stigma to those who do the hobby. It's a shame, we can't really make that go away too easily. But, we can show our joy and passion for these things and people will eventually come around! (i hope)
@@TrainsintheValley not for my wife lol. Unfortunately I don’t think she’ll ever get it. But social media really has done a huge lift for the hobby, especially during Covid. I tell people all the time n any hobby they should get on all the social media platforms and out yourself out there. You’ll always meet other people with your interests.
I wish people would quit saying or giving this thought any kind of attention. Just say The Hobby is Not Dying!
I'm 72, trains were dying way back in the 1960s. Things change, once "O" gage was king, now it's "HO" and "N" is not that far behind.
I was watching a video a yesterday and a similar statement was made what happened to model trains price and poor quality was mentioned. I have to agree. Not saying its correct but even today you have some of the same issues
Hobby shops and train shows are in decline. Not the hobby. If the hobby was in decline, trains on eBay would be much cheaper. I’m 58 and get my trains directly from outlets via the internet. I get my model railroading info from UA-cam and other sites.
I am more concerned about the rising cost of homes hurting the hobby. People buying smaller homes can impact the future of the hobby.
Im 14 and i can completely agree that it is hard to start in the hobby. I have never met anyone in the hobby and there are no hobby shops near me. I have had to figure everything out on my own. I hope to see more people like you two in the future!
Join a local club, I'm 63 and been doing the since I was six. I realized I didn't know anyone else in the hobby. Joined a club just two months ago, great to get together and talk trains one day a month. Whatever you need to know, someone has already figured it out and will be happy to teach you.
One thing that can stop model railroading is the lack of parts. Trains of the brass type; have problimes with the drive moters. Any one ever try to pruchase one that fet a special steam enging? People who sell them have no ida how to advertise them. The roules are ! the outside dimenthions, diameter and lengh. 2, shaft dia. adn length. If its for an electric train we don't need know the voltage and the rpm, it's controled by the power supply. and no need for the RPM it's controled by the same sourse. No need for junk info.
They have been saying that for 30 years that model trains are a dying Hobby. The original Whistle Stop in Pasadena California has been in business since 1951 so please tell me it's a dying Hobby
I'm a 65yr old man and I built my layout about 15yrs on the sideboard in the living Room,all it was was a end to end just over 5ft by 3ft now I've moved into the spare room and I now have an 18x6 ,two loop track ,one large station ,big goods yard ,a village and a town centre., and a loco yard .so what ever age you are build a layout you desire and sit back and enjoy it .And i dont believe for one minute this hobby is dying
I see it as just becoming more of a niche market with command and more realism. A lot of these places that are closing are not catering to the market or supporting their customers. My local train shop knows nothing about the trains they sell nor even how to set up legacy command from Lionel. Literally overheard them telling a customer to “Google it” needless to say they walked out and didn’t purchase anything. Glad to see people like you catering to customers and engaging with them!
Given that Doncaster was utterly rammed with people, I think the hobbys just fine.
Had an HO scale layout when I was a child. Now I’m 40, I’m starting up an “N” scale layout soon
It's really not that hard, and depending on the kiddo, you don't need much. My son's layout is an oval with a Thomas and friends engine and 4 cars. He ignores his tablet for hours as he plays with his trains.
Where A live at they don't have a model train store here hobby lobby in Waycross Georgia don't have much HO model train supplies that A need n want ta get and upgrade if they build a model hobby shop where you can buy anything n scale ta 7.25 or 7.5" backyard railroad n have remote control cars and planes and model rockets that would help me n other model enthusiasts here in Blackshear Georgia and Waycross Georgia alot better n will be closer too A would love ta get more train cars freight cars passenger cars steam engines and diesel engines n not spend alot ta get them especially if you have ta order it on line and have it shipped ta your place at the hobby stor store you can look at all the stuff that you need grab how much you need what you need n pay for the parts n have it that same day instead of ordering it on line n pay for the shipping fee on top of that and then waiting for the package ta arrive n on top of that have ta worry about porch pirates stealing the package with the hobby shops you don't have ta worry about all that just pay for the parts n you have it n you don't have ta worry about paying shipping fees and porch pirates stealing your package
Just started couple weeks ago age 36
Awesome!!!! If you need any insight on anything, feel free to reach out to us!
www.trainsinthevalley.com/pages/contact
I am still playing with o scale trains. I love model trains so much
The Hobby is definitely NOT dying. I have people and kids ask me daily ,how to get started ,where to go, how to do this and that. The one thing that seems to chase some people away is the costs for various items. When they bring that up, i show them the numerous alternatives that they can go to and show them what is recommended or to avoid. The hobby in a sense is still growing, just a bit slow is all. I am pretty darn sure that there will be a big blow up of interest and it will gain more and more traction as time goes on. I've been in the hobby 47 years and still am having a ton of fun and in the process teaching what I've learned and passing on my knowledge to the newer hobbyists.
Im frankly tired of people saying the hobby is dieing.
Ive been hearing it literally my whole life.
I got in to the hobby as a small kid and I remember in the late 90s early 00s when the old heads where complaining its dieing.
Yeah I'm sorry that cheep toys like tyco and lifelike are not like 5 dollars a pop anymore.
But everything's such high quality now and adjusted for inflation its relatively a similar price.
Just the economy is crap because of low wages and people not being able to afford hobbies is more a symptom of that than anything else
The hobby is definitely dying… but “dying” does not mean “dead”. It will probably be two or three decades before it becomes a real concern.
I have collected American comic books (which is another hobby in decline) for decades. And it’s funny how both industries are unsuccessfully employing some of the same tactics.
Amen, brother.
@@Eyrrll heavens no. This hobby will be alive as long as the young railfans keep pouring in.
@@joshthetrainfan There is not really a ton of evidence that they are pouring in. I don’t know how they could really. With prices being what they are, it requires an enormous financial investment just to figure out if they even like it… and youngsters have too many options these days where the same money can yield a faster, more dynamic result in other hobbies.
To be fair, train pricing has always been high. But in years past, trains were actually something of a high-water mark for toy technology, while today it is not… and even the common tech in trains (remote control, sound) has exploded the pricing beyond reason.
I’m 54, I’m on disability and work part time. I still find money to spend on my train hobby. It’s about saving and budgeting. NOT DYING!!!!
Very true!
Hope not. I have 16 storage bins of ho and n scale trains waiting for me to get my life settled after a divorce. Dcc added so much fun to the hobby.
Really enjoyed this video and your story. Just placed my first order from your business from way out in Kansas. I'll be checking back again and looking forward to more videos.
Thanks so much for the support!!!! We appreciate it so much!
Model trains r not dieing hobby shops r closeing closet store to me is now bout 250 mile 1 way u kids r great
I totally agree with both of you. The hobby is evolving. In O Gauge more younger people got into the hobby. Due to that Lionel post war is quickly dropping off while modern Lionel with Legacy or LionChief controls are very popular. BTW I bought HO from your ebay store. Great items
Great video, thanks for all you do. I just enjoy your videos.
Its over Johnny, its over..............
I think the hobby will pick up again soon enough. I have been into the hobby on and off and I have just a few model trains to keep me happy on a loop of track. I even make unofficial reviews of model trains to help the model train community. I look forward to being a future customer. Keep up the great work.
Thanks so much!!!
My GOD BLESS you and business.
G Scale All the way 😎👍
G Scale is pretty amazing!
It's definitely a lack of money, not a lack of interest, at least for me
No its not dying.Its living on my Railroad
There’s more model train stuff out there than ever!
VERY TRUE!
Agree with you. It’s evolving, not dying. New comers are attracted by technology as with every business sector. DCC, signaling, train detection, Bluetooth, sounds, ultra realism (because of better manufacture tech.). Gone are the days of selling old used Lionel trains from the 1940’s at little train shows. The trend is moving toward mass volume retailers (mainly online) with the latest technologies and modern-era trains. Those like you who are embracing the change will succeed. Thanks for the post.
And all of that has jacked the price up. I don't know anyone anymore that does model railroading.
Fair point, but Lionel trains were never inexpensive. The only time HO trains were inexpensive was when they were cheap junk like Tyco and early Bachmann or Life Like. With companies like Walthers thriving and a lot of content on UA-cam and Facebook, I think the hobby is alive and well. I suppose like any hobby, it’s a luxury so it will always be costly.
model trains aint dead you just dont look hard enough.
Great video!
The folks that don't understand boundaries and bully you for not model railroading their way the folks that gate keep, the folks that take themselves to seriously are major problems to the hobby.
I think with youtube and other sources, folks are opening up the hobby and showing that there is something for everyone.
I personally love my freelance bullet trains with my wild paint schemes.
I agree. I have heard it and have had it said to me also. You need to do this or that, you can't just run trains they have to do something. You have to have a yard, you have to have scener, you have to have dcc. You run and do what you want and let others run and do what they want. It's like any hobby it's about the money also.
The store is growing ... keep on with it and have good honest practice and you will thrive ... Some time you might have to suck up some losses to keep your reputation ...Its not dying
We try to best to be honest! Losses happen, that is business, but keeping at it for this long has gotten us to where we are now! Thanks!
Great video. Subscribed.
There was this one time, at band camp…
I’m 34 and just starting out!
You guys are an inspiration.
Thank you for what you are doing! This is very inspiring! I have been saying in forums and more that the hobby is evolving! It's cool to have been in the hobby like 10 years ago with my dad, and for me to see where its going. I showed my dad a new engine I have, and the sound and the way the lights worked with DCC and he was blown away. Something really cool was to see his eyes light up again. Exciting times ahead, no way near dieing. It's just moving down a different path! And people want to be able to make anything and everything they can to make their layout truly come to life!
First time viewer and subscriber. Really enjoyed the video. Ill make sure to check out your store.
"THEY" can screw off!
Nah, I don’t think so!
i think you are doing lots of things right. The way you use youtube to talk about you shop and this hobby will help you and your customers. I have found only a handful of other shops, with nice youtubematerial, that do what you do. Now one reason to why a lot of model rr shops are closing down is that the owners are old and want to sell their enterprise. They have biiiiig stocks, Things they have had in stock for some time, paid for and want their money back. This might be a hard for a buyer to get financing for. So the shop has to sell out and close down. But a small shop that also is present on the net, family owned, is very flexible and have a future, Yes i think this hobby is not dying, it is getting bigger and is including lots of sub hobbies. Having the opportunity to visit a local shop is worth a great deal , you can ask all your questions to the shopowner and buy that train at the same time. Interesting and positiv video ! thanks !
Congrats keep up the good work
PREACH! You nailed so much about the leadership portion. I am about to be 32 and have a small traveling layout as well as my larger layout that stays home. While neither are really big (my home layout is 2'x8') I have had to self teach alot, even when I was a club member of a "learning club".
The best 'competitive advantage' for you would be becoming very knowledgeable and offering explanations and advice to customers, both online and in person.
🤠👍🚂
Hi Corey and Victoria, i have been into model trains since i was about three or four when my dad had a small N scale layout set up for christmas. I am still into the hobby even now after about 30 years. Model trains will only die out when pretty much no one wants to do it any more, so i agree with you about it not dying anytime soon. Keep up the great work and I will come visit your train shop when it opens since i am so close to you in PA.
hello Cory & Victoria it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool Thanks Cory & Victoria Friends Randy
think this is one of the best videos you guys have done.
You guys are for one in the best location for trains in general, Pennsylvania. You all have the Strasburg Railroad and Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, the Everett Railroad next to Altoona and the Railroaders Museum as well as the trainspotters mecca Horseshoe Curve, the North Central Railway in New Freedom, East Broad Top Narrow Gauge Railroad, the Reading & Northern Iron Horse Rambles, and tons more scenic railroads that I haven't mentioned scattered all over Pennsylvania.
Then you have one of the largest bi-annual train shows, the TCA Show in York and dozens of smaller ones happening throughout the year. One thing for sure is you couldn't pick a better state when it comes to railroad popularity, history, availability, and model railroading in general.
We are definitely blessed to be in PA! So much train history here!
TY
Oh boy another "hobby dying" Video. There has been over a dozen last 2 weeks. Maybe triggered by a few stores closing again.
Now as far as dying depends on your timeline. Go back 10-15 years, no. Go back 40-50 years, big time yes. Before the early 90's you could get trains in local stores. There were tons of hobby shops and even toy stores that carried trains. And the selection of brands was huge. Now most brands have gone or have merged with someone else.
Now I have seen some stores close and one thing they all seamed to have in common. all new gear. The ones still here, they have used gear, large amount of used gear. One local store is 95% used. One reason is that new gear although nice is got some high prices. Plus selection is limited, all this limited run crap. Never knew blue box to be limited run. (blue box shut down about 2007, so sad)
The one thing that helps the hobby has been train shows. They are kinda like a Hugh candy store, yummy.
Now one thing I have noticed is the growth of helpfulness of new youtubers. They keep getting new ones and some are getting recognized by others.
Like to say that one thing I find so stupid is with all the ways we can document things (like cellphone cameras) we still are not getting the few info on items. Look at a new line up of locos and what do you find? artist renders, not real pictures. Good thing is people buy and video their gear, sad thing though by time it's posted it i sold out