@@DeathByFishing Yes but in theory how long until all those running DC give up and switch to DCC? I would say if we could see actual sales data numbers the amount of new people buying only DCC and the amount of DC being sold is becoming a bigger gap every year. I am not saying this is good or bad, i am just saying that with clubs running all DCC and more and more DC being let go of in favor of DCC and some of the older population of hobbyists unfortunately leaving us, that the DC runs from the factory will probably dwindle to nothing very soon
@wclaurence Through the grace of god... I ended up with a long time May D&F store display layout From the Long gone store on the 16th street mall in Denver. When you could buy trains there and also places like Montgomery ward and even Sears for awhile too. I Also remember Kaybee toys had lots of stuff at one point. Then It all went "Train store"
You hit the nail on the head Jimmy. I started model railroading with my dad in the late 50's and can recall hearing how model railroading was dying back then and on and off ever since. Fact is it simply continues to change. The cost of everything today is significantly higher than in years past. When first married in '73 my wife and I could buy a weeks worth of groceries for twenty dollars and we ate well. In the early to late seventies I was the finance officer for a club that served alcohol. A twelve ounce domestic draft beer was twenty-five cents. The internet has brought together model railroaders from around the globe. Locomotives, rolling stock and structure kits are light years ahead of anything imagined fifty years ago. DCC and associated items such as JMRI, Arduinos and Raspberry Pi's put enormous capabilities in the hands of anyone with basic skills. I really don't see anything but growth in the hobby. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Dark Magic, from a Keurig, two sugars and a splash of milk! Dave
This video is spot on. The Hobby is alive and well! Lots of innovation and growing excitement with the online community. Plus, so many people rediscovered the hobby during the time at home. Thank you for posting this.
Sitting at my desk with some black rifle coffee! Love the information, been model railroading since the 70's. Always had some sort of layout throughout my life! I've accumulated a massive amount of rolling stock and still buying weekly. This video really hits it, I just paid $47 for a Hopper car, but it is so detailed and looks so good running! Just like you said the prices have gone up with inflation but you are getting a much better product and they run better. Everyone experienced the derailments with the 70's molded cars! The newer rolling stock with steel wheels, good couplers and better construction we experience less derails which really makes the hobby more fun!!
In the 70’s there were about 5 magazines supporting model railroading, with HO and O the focus. As you stated the internet has removed the gatekeepers.
The problem is cost: models building is facing the same problem unless you have a lot of disposable income its very expensive to get started. By the time you factor everything you need to have a decent layout you're talking about a very expensive cash outlay. The hobby is pricing out of existence.
You can always find cost effective ways to model a railroad with out breaking the bank, yard sales thrift shops, eBay, etc, and it dosnt have to be done over night, it can take years, it is a hobby not a race
He literally covers this in the video. It's no more expensive than it ever has been, if you account for inflation and what you're getting for your money.
I don't have alot of disposable cash, if any, but I save up for things I decide I want. took me a few years to grow my roster to what I currently have. It's not pricing itself out of existence, the price is catching up with inflation, as covered in this video.
I've heard this all my life. When I was a kid in the 60's, with my first American Flyer layout, the hobby was dying because of slot cars. In the 80's, it was dying because of being replaced by video games. Now, in the 20's, I think it's better than ever. The internet has boosted this hobby beyond anything I could have possibly imagined in "the good old days".
Jimmy, I feel old I started in trains in the early 70's. And I've been in and out of the hobby. But I always came back. When my first layout was built it was HO, it was 6 by 12. I built 4 steam engines fron mdc. My daughters built and painted all the houses and water tanks etc. There all grown up now. But my grandsons have worked with me on my N scale lauout which I built 24 years ago. It started out as DC and recently about a year ago has been upgraded to DCC with a Sprog-pi3. But my passion is and was building power supplies for my dc and now my DCC++. So I don't think the hobby will ever die. As you say it definitely is changeing for the better. Even in the 70's they had this conversation that Model Railroading is dieing. It's still here just Better.
I agree totally. I started in the 70's too. It's interesting to see how one has enjoyed the hobby differently during different parts of one's life. I finally switched to DCC a couple years ago and really enjoy it.
All the points you make are good and accurate. As someone who has been a model railroader for 65+ years, with a few years of hiatus here and there, I think the state of the hobby is well and actually experiencing growth. In spite of all the COVID restrictions, our Model Railroad Club is doing well and we old folks have embraced Zoom operating sessions and are even sharing more of our own layouts.
I have recently become an active modeller again, and getting back into the hobby has certainly cost me more than I expected, but I also took the decision to go for the latest and greatest in control and locos. I still have a stack of old DC locos, but when I look at them against the latest offerings, there is no real comparison - the later models are just so more detailed, look way better and have far better motors and gearing. When I look back to the 70's when I was last active, and consider the costs, model railways were an expensive hobby even then. I could only afford maybe 1 or 2 boxcars per month, at least until I got into a very good paying job. A lot of my fellow members of a club that I belonged to, and rejoined, often struggled to get pieces they wanted, and it seems to be still that case now. What I am finding in the club is that certainly there are more older members - people who have grown up with the hobby, but we still get younger members. We encourage these younger members to get involved, and I find that they are actually more eager to try new areas of the hobby rather than the older members. That is actually why I believe that the hobby continues for a very long time - there are so many different aspects within the hobby that people can get involved with - a lot more than just running trains, and with the advances in technology, there are even more new aspects popping up.
I think you have to also factor in another factor. For example, If I spend $60.00 to play a round of golf my fun is over in about 5 hours. If I spend that same amount on a building kit my fun can last for a month. The added benefit is that the kit is mine forever and not lost in the woods somewhere 😀
Yes, so true. We have the same debates here in France. People complaining etc, where there has never been as many industrial MRR firms, new models etc. Same blablah here about the cost of the hobby, but people don't seem to understand what inflation and increase in the standard of living mean etc. Quite a bit reassuring to see that it's the same over there. Thanks for the video!
Getting back in the hobby after a 20+ year hiatus. Having fun running all my old gear and looking forward to buying some new equipment too. I really like your channel! A nice positive vibe.
Hobbies have always been expensive; both in money and time. They've always been tied to disposable income and free time, so that part has not changed. But the nice thing about hobbies is that you control how much of each you put into them. And a lack one and a surplus of the other can define how you practice your hobby. I remember a train show I went to as a kid that had a class that taught how to take cheap rolling stock, ($10-15 range at the time), and modify it to make it look more realistic with fishing line weights and weathering techniques so it not only ran better, but looked less cheap. He took what was one of Bachmann's cheapest looking box cars and made it look dang near realistic. This was a case of more free time than disposable income but it shows how creative one can get when needed. :)
You’re correct in that model railroading is not dying. It is becoming more sophisticated in numerous ways. I’m getting back in with my HO scale trains working with my one daughter and granddaughter. I’m watching three other model railroad videos on UA-cam; WNTW What’s Neat This Week, DCC Guy, DJ Riptrack, and MRH which is associated with WNTW. Each offers different avenues of mrr depending on your interest and experience. When I look at my 1960-‘70s locomotives and rolling stock compared to what’s out there now, I’m blown away by the detail and technology differences. And I do find it somewhat intimidating as I didn’t grow up with the technology that’s developed in the past 20 years or so. That’s where the daughter and granddaughter come in.they are the computer, tech savvy ones, I do the grunt work. But to also point out that the hobby’s sophistication along with STEM also open up to the art world with everything from landscape to model making as in buildings and such to actual art with painting graffiti on rolling stock to background scenery. And it helps if you like trains. Also while DC is the old way to run your trains I’ve noticed in some recent videos that it’s being incorporated with DCC technology in some instances. So once this pandemic becomes safe to get together we’ll be getting up to speed on designing our layout. Oh, and one other thing I’ve noticed that there is a lot of materials being built & made in the USA.
Hey Jimmy I agree that the hobby is not dying it’s just most people don’t see the new changes that have come about since they were younger and are amazed what has come across the last few years. I’m one of those people as I’m coming back into the hobby after 20 years
I think the big thing to remember with the Locomotive's is that the motor's and running gears are light years better, that makes up the cost difference alone
Bringing kids into the hobby. My son is 39 now and has picked up 3 of my hobbies - scale model building, photography and astronomy..think he’s going to get back into trains again, so the 4th hobby. I know my 5 year old granddaughter is already interested and the 1 year old grandson will definitely be exposed. Spending time with your kids definitely has benefits! I’m 70, retired and having a ball!
All hobbies are changing and growing in ways completely different from even 10 years ago. The hobby is growing, but in different ways than 10-20 years ago. 2020 ended up being a great year for a lot of hobby manufacturers with people spending more time at home, including the model railroad industry. Model railroading has seen a massive increase in the amount of highly detailed, highly featured locomotives and other products. Those obviously are going to have a bigger profit margin, and with most hobbies, it is the adults that support the hobby since they are the ones spending the most money. The overall quality of products in the hobby has increased, and as 3D printing and other technologies grow more, I think we will see an ever-increasing variety of items available at modest costs, and more print-on-demand items available from manufactures and other hobbyists, like yourself with your Etsy store. I see the same thing with my astronomy hobby. That has really evolved in the last couple of decades and much of the focus and money is now on astrophotography, and there has been a huge increase in the amount of high-end gear now available. At the same time, a lot of people have stepped up and offered items to help fill in the voids left behind as focus shifts by larger manufactures. In a lot of ways, we are in the golden age of model railroading right now. It is remarkable how much more is available now than 20 years ago when I got back in the hobby and how much better connected people are within the hobby. I certainly wouldn't want the hobby to go back to what it was 20 years ago.
Agree. But a piece of advice for younger folks starting out. Plan your purchases carefully. Look at your most expensive MR items and prioritize. I bought most of my really expensive items first (locos, turnouts, rolling stock) and I bought quality years ago. Started out DC now Arduino DCC ++. Your options in the past were to lock yourself into one manufacturer for several hundred dollars for a full ride. Then Arduino based DCC came along. A serious technology breakthrough in small batteries and square wave AC through the tracks is history. Most of the locos I bought are upgradeable to DCC at half to a quarter what they go for now. I can't see the future of model railroading, but I sure can guess the trajectory of prices for model railroading as a hobby in the future.
Every since I was a kid I’ve wanted to do a model layout. I’m working on my first layout now. It’s just a DC setup using Bachman ez track. A simple loop with three sidings for industries and a double turn switch on one curve about a 4x7 layout. Most the stuff going to be kits but I don’t care I’m having fun learning lots and that’s what it’s all about
Totally agree! I was given my original model train in the 70's as a Christmas gift. That original layout was HO, DC, and "primitive" compared to what we have today. (TYCO!!!!) The DCC systems they have now are AMAZING and the details in most of the models are light-years ahead of where they were. Add in the flexibility of being able to use 3D printing to make your own structures and the amount of things available for track plans, plus technology like SCARM, and there is no way you can say it is dying. Changing, yes. Evolving, yes. Advancing? Sure. But not dying. :-) Enjoy the BRC! I think my favorite of theirs is Silencer Smooth. :-) Drinking Caffe Verona from Starbucks today, with half-and-half only! :-)
Tis the Golden age of the hobby. You can buy the best of the best and the there are estate lots and old collections and pieces everywhere. I don't see the hobby dying on the vine anywhere. Must finish coffee now. Channel is getting great.👍🚂🚃🚃🇨🇦
You make a great argument about the cost between when I entered the hobby and what I am seeing today. But you are correct, the details of the models are a lot better today.
The old guys say the same thing in my other hobby of miniature wargaming. I say it’s never been better. More product, more people involved, and 3D printing has set a new path towards the future.
wow, that made me feel old and im not even fifty yet. I've been in Mini wargaming since the it started here in the states. that would be around the mid 80's.
IMO, the quality of what we get at each price point is better than when I was a kid in the 70s or a teen and young adult in the 80s. It is hard to complain, tbh, but I think there is a perceptual difference, esp. for young people today. I think that one of the bigger changes is how we do small railroads. When I was a kid, the 4x8 was the defacto standard, but was difficult to find space for, and to build on. I think it is far more accepted to do small, shelf switching layouts, which were practically unheard of (in the US, at least) when I was young. I remember seeing the Gumstump and Snow Shoe layout, and being blown away byt its compactness and potential, but its operation was not clearly explained, and it was the only one I saw (ok, that and the timesaver, which was, to me, boring). Oh, my coffee... I'm in Europe, and I prefer Lavazza, multiple blends. I forget which one I just finished. ;-)
Your economic analysis is spot on. The hobby is still reasonably price, if anything with the advances in electronics makes it cheaper now than it would have been without those advances. I remember the first CD player that I saw at Tower Records in New York City cost $10,000.00, and now you can buy a CD player for $15.00. A similar thing happened with flat screen televisions. I love the hobby but I really am frustrated with all of the wiring, even with DCC the add-on’s such as signaling, transponders, turnout control, etc all make for a wiring nightmare. I can’t wait until the smart guys invent wireless controls for all of these elements. I am particularly interested in getting good and accurate signals for N scale-I thought BLMA was going to deliver them but Craig sold the business to Atlas and they never developed his original concept, instead they promoted their complex and completely incompatible signal system with those ugly G signals. I don’t drink coffee but I do enjoy the conversation. Keep up the good work.
I agree with the video. I think there is a boom coming when teachers/parents/young people realize how much engineering/math/robotics/building/wiring/etc. is involved in model railroading. Also, for good for bad, the fate of model railroading will track the fate of real trains. But even then, there are historical reenactors from every era. Another point the video glosses over is how moving production from say Irvington, NJ, to overseas has helped keep costs down.
love this perspective, I've been saying this for years. I cringe every time I hear things are too expensive these days. It's way more than just inflation of the dollar, credit and loans have also made things worse but I i digress.... a brand new truck used to cost 3000 bucks, now you can barely buy a new truck for less than 40-50 thousand. As I've been in several clubs as I traveled along the USA in my army journey, I see it's usually a lot of the old-timers that complain the hobby is dying, and the chastize younger people for the things they are into. TheY'Re AlWaYs On TheIr PhOnEs. Now there's so much to do with the hobby on a phone and computer, and all the old-timers are left in the dust with their "cheap blue-box" stuff wondering why "the hobby is dying." It's not dying, your old-fashioned view of it is.
I don't think model railroading is dying, but I'll agree it is changing. I'm still doing mine kinda old-school - DC power with manual turnouts (it's a switching layout, so I'll only ever run one loco anyway) - but I'm entertaining the idea of switching to DCC largely because I'm intrigued by the notion of running sound-equipped locomotives. And one thing I did that isn't so old-school with this layout is, apart from the lumber I used to frame my benchwork and a couple other small odds and ends everything was purchased online. My other hobby is auto racing; my primary participation in that is as a race official. And I keep hearing all the time about how that is dying too - and how expensive it is (that's why I'm an official and not a driver!).
What you missed is the fact that in 1970 a blue box kit sold for $5 and that was 3.12 hours of work at minimum wage. Today that caboose sells for $35 which makes it out to be 4.82 hours of work and minimum wage. So you can say things are keeping up with inflation but they are not. Wages are where the inflation and the real cost problem is.
Have to agree with Tony below, the cost of rolling stock and power units is getting much higher lately and DCC units are off the scale. I’m sticking with DC because of the cost of new units in DCC. Best bet is shopping on eBay and used units that you can upgrade easily. I agree with the coffee concept.
Back in 1970 it was railroading that got me into electronics, Now time to give back and electronics is getting me back into railroading. Now 50 years later I just started a completely Arduino based N-Scale bedroom size layout. Hand built turnouts and hand laid rail w/ basic servo motors for the turnouts makes this layout one of the least expensive layout I have ever built. i.e. Model Railroading is getting MUCH LESS expensive with the help of electronics, and 3D printing.
I hope to see more of the virtual train shows, that was a great feature. Your point on inflation is well taken, we don't actually pay more for many things, it only seems that way these days. Love that Black Rifle Coffee! I think that model railroading is more popular now than it was when I started in 1978. People used to say, "you do what?" Now it's a well known hobby.
When I hear "This hobby is dying", it's usually referring to "Darn kids and their video games". It's like some sections of the older generations can't comprehended that kids are allowed to have other interests at the same time as being in the model railroading hobby.
Just a thought - Are there Boy Scouts today who pursue the Railroading Merit Badge? I think one of the steps involved was showing how to properly lubricate locomotives. If a Boy Scout demonstrated, at the monthly elementary school Cub Scout meeting, how to lubricate an HO DC engine & a Marx or Lionel O gauge engine, maybe those youngsters will dig their Dad's old set from storage & try to get it running again? The badge also required building a layout & now a video camera can document the construction & operation of the layout to show at the scout meeting.
If any of y'all like Japanese railways Kato has a Japanese site with alot of JNR locomotives and rolling stock. It's also cheaper to order direct from Japan.
Thank you for inlighting me on this problem, I myself will share this infro with my model railroading friends, we have a few that think the hobby is dying out, “ONLY “if you “LET IT”!!!! is my response. Again thank you for sharing your thoughts. Good cup of coffee ☕️ is always a good start 😎👍, greetings from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, stay safe. 😎👍👍👍🛤🚂
I don't have the space or time right now for a realistic and prototypical model railroad (what I like doing) so I just have some bachman ez track set up around my room for fun and a virtual model railroad with the high level of realism I desire. Virtual model railroading is pretty cool and I highly suggest checking out stuff like ro-scale and rolling line.
Most ofd the hobbies that i'm involved in (model railroading, plastic kit building, etc.) all think they are dying. And, YES! I love that modeling is on the internet. I started getting into British Model Railways and without the internet, I'd be lost!
I agree with you - model railroading is alive and well. DCC probably saved it. Kids are interested in it. If you have a model railroad, share it with some young people.
Sweet video and yes the hobby is changing and getting better. And I don’t drink coffee but Black Rifle Coffee, hay number “1” and every one will always love these great Heroes and God Bless them. Like your channel because you bring new ideas to the hobby and you give it free just like so many other UA-cam channels. Love Janson Jensen Trains who is a super great teacher and shares his talents like you for free. This hobby is not dying but growing and becoming a better hobby. I know people who hate DCC and sound locomotives. But this like me this is their choice to stay with what you like. I love electronics but have a friend who hates it due to he feels it just causes problems to repair. When we talk about the cost of the Hobbie well it is a Hobbie and hobbies cost money. I do photography, metal detecting, scuba diving, coin collecting, looking to get into hang gliding and this cost more then model railroading. Bottom line it is a great Hobbie that will relax you and bring out your creative skills out of one. Great video great coffee and stay safe!!!
so I'm 42 guess I'm old now because i was just at a local hobby store. Bought a bunch of their HO items and the kid (early 20s i think) was talking about how it is a dead hobby. Well then I'm glad I'm old now!
I live in a railroad town Topeka Ks and do have one train store in this town. and if you find a hobbie store its all RC cars. I have to order all my stuff online. No going get some paint or little senic items that I might of forgot. It my not be dying but its slowing down. Scaletrains buying everything and ordering anything from Athearn is slow as a snall.
I'm primarily a PC enthusiast, I could do all my rail roading on the Computer yet it's just not the same as hands on. When I first got into railroading this year I started with Bachman DC trains, I was hooked. I got an dcc kit with engine, I was hooked. I'm still hooked and I now play with my 4x8 double ring layout. Can anyone tell me a great source to buy from?
Trains are expensive for sure 400 dollars for one sound equipped engine! But the new stuff sure is pretty and runs like a Swiss watch I do find myself complaining with the old I remember when a box car kit was four bucks. But the inflation point is well taken. The nostalgia for our youth perhaps colors how good we have it in the hobby today
My local hobby shop has seen RECORD sales since lock down restrictions were lifted last year. People are stocking up to be home and build. I've seen a lot of new people of all ages coming in to get starter sets. Oh and black rifle holiday blend
Agree, the postwar Lionel/Marx guys may be dying off....but the Hobby isn't...suggest there is a boom ahead as improved passenger rail service slowly returns in the 'real' word.
Great video. I enjoy these kinds of discussions. I really like how you used math to figure in inflation. I still think the model railroading hobby is varied enough that whatever you like and whatever your budget is YOU CAN FIND WHAT YOU WANT TO. And with youtube, eBay, train shows, and mail order available to most of us it's made the hobby even more accessible to newcomers. I don't see the hobby going away any time soon. Also I would enjoy a weekly segment of this coffee and trains. Thanks 👍👍😷
Ok I'm drinking Maxwell house black and not ruining it with sugar and cream! Definitely agree the hobby is not dying. Im 54 and notice many many folks alot younger than me in it! If there's anything good about this pandemic it has driven lots of folks to start a hobby. And model railroading is reaping the benefits.
I'm glad I've re-discovered this hobby. My primary hobby of model aviation is under attack from the federal government and I'm not sure how much longer it'll last.
I don't think it's dying. There's so much great stuff out there. I think it's become way too expensive, but if I enjoy the hobby enough, then I'll find ways to circumvent the expense, for the most part. I use all kinds of raw materials found on the street to make use of when building roads, bridges, fences, industrial piping, high-rise modern buildings, etc. And, I stay with DC and buy old, good-running locomotives. I'm not interested in perfection, or rivet counting. That's where it gets too pricey. Have noticed a strong preference nowadays for modeling the modern era, as opposed to the steam-to-diesel era which held sway for so long. That's good for me because I was doing the modern era back in tbe 80s when there wasn't much available for that era. Now, that stuff is everywhere; double stack containers, jumbo tank cars, contemporary buildings, a wider variety of trees and foilage and modern engines.
I've been in the hobby off n on since 1960. Would like to be involved more, but, I'm still working full time and have limited space. As I'm able, I'll build and add to my railroad as I can, and I will be happy with it. Any and all ""encouragement"" offered will be gladly appreciated and incorporated into my hobby as I'm able to do so as long as it works within the theme of the layout m
This hobby isn't dying. Especially in the US. However when we talk about pricing, for here in Australia, history is starting to repeat it's self from the early 80's, where the Australian outline is way over priced compared to the US outline. We can be paying between 3 to 4 times more for the Australian outline with as much detail as the most detailed model on the market in the US, and when we take a comparison to the wages between the 2 countries, US outline is still cheaper. Especially in my profession, as my pay rate would be the same in the US as it is here in Australia. Eg 1 detailed Australian engine with sound decoder, we are paying over $500 (for some Australians on basic wage that's about 3/4 of their weekly wage). compared to say an brand new Athearn Genesis of similar quality of average $275 (USD$340). So what's happening here now, many are starting to purchase the US outline once again. On my last trip to the US just before COVID hit, going to many local hobby shops, the prices of American outline rolling stock is affordable and much cheaper than what is in out hobby stores. The hobby is still affordable in the US compared to here in Australia. But you are right, this hobby is becoming more for the Adult population. But is it?? We may be just saying that because we are getting older and more picky with with what we want now.
"The hobby is still affordable in the US compared to here in Australia." Several reasons for that: 1) Economy of scale. America is the largest economy in the world and coupled with the largest population that can afford to purchase things (India and China have bigger populations but the vast majority are poor barely scraping by for a living that can't purchase anything on the scale the average American can) 2) Australia has the 14th largest economy but a small population in comparison and a location outside major trade routes. America is at the crossroads of the Atlantic and Pacific trade routes making it a destination as well as throughway for products heading east and west. Our freight railroads make huge profits sending shipping containers in both directions. 3) The other countries that support model railroading (China, Japan, Germany, and the UK) are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th largest economies with the populations to support them and the model train market. Rapido Trains in Canada benefits by geography being right next to America so it has a huge market to tap in to across a large land border.
COVID has played a role in the hobby as well. I think the hobby is getting a solid boost in active hobbists because of the pandemic this past year. I've seen several articles talking about Hornby having record sales and other companies alike. The cost will always deter people from getting into the hobby. If you're looking at the top-of-the-line DCC locos, of course, it'll be expensive. However, there are so many places online and train shows where you can find a great deal on sets and be running in no time. Great video Jimmy!
Funny just last night I was thinking about how we could make this hobby more popular instead of just having train shows and hobby shops where most of the people going there al;ready have an interest in trains we need to get some DCC layouts out where people can see them most people still think they run on DC and have no idea what the possibility's are I think they need to be shown at things community events I had no idea about the advances in the hobby until a few years ago so since then I have been trying to collect equipment and knowledge but I already had an interest from when I was a kid and road the El Capitan from Chicago to LA in the 60s
My dad has been into this hobby for probably 50+ years. The problem here in South Africa is cost, it is insanely expensive, you have to import almost everything, that just drives the cost up more, that + our countries economic state = a hobby for the wealthy here.
At least in the UK its never been in a stronger place. The models are better quality, more choice, more manufacturers and a bigger community to support you.
The news media sometimes trots out that old fallacy about the hobby dying. My club has always had a fair number of junior members. In fact five of our members have gone into the railroad industry or allied professions.
Only reason it seems to be declining is that not enough people are doing it as they are too preoccupied with getting online and moaning about how it's dying.
It's much more popular today than ever with all the new technology now it's so much more easy to control the trains and actual;ly create a really more realistic operation.
High Jimmy tonight I'm drinking a Coke and I didn't add any sugar. I know. Anyway I like your inflation rate explanation 👍. As for dieing, NO. MY Club just had a 22 year old join. He actually came in place of his late father's place. He's a great modeler and just smart. We also have a 15 and 17 year old member along with several under 35. Actually the majority of active members are. So if that doesn't show, well. Later on, Chris
There’s no question that models today are far advanced over most models of 50-60 years ago. That doesn’t alter the fact that they are expensive. Inflation is something of a red herring in my opinion. I say that because most people don’t care what something cost 60 years ago, they care what it costs now. And $300+ diesel units, $50 freight cars and $20 turnouts are a lot of money to most people. Face it, it’s not a cheap hobby. Of course so are a lot of others, but that doesn’t change the fact.
I would chalk so much of this talk up to the inherent pride of humanity, and our inability to deal with our own mortality. That is, if we no longer exist in this earthly dimension, how can anything still exist. Just remember: model railroading began to gain national exposure going back to the great depression era with publications such as Model Railroader, etc. Yes it is an expensive hobby, but it was 30 years ago, and I expect it was before that. But all hobbies are expensive, so that argument is meaningless. The only thing constant is change, so we must embrace it or get swept away into history’s vault of irrelevance.
This hobby is far from dying, anything new that comes out sells out pretty quick whether its presale or not. Are things pricey yes but someone's got the money that things sell out. As for coffee Jacobs coffee is really smooth coffee if your not a fan of bitter coffee. Enjoy better coffee sells it along with others from all over the world.
Even accounting for inflation, the hobby has gotten more expensive as it's gotten more complex, we've gotten better tools, and it's gotten more specialized. It's also harder to keep the supply chain running for whatever projects you're working on due to having to order a lot of stuff online, with even the best stocked hobby shops unable to keep up with the increasing specialization within the hobby.
Please Use STEAM == STEM + ARTS which is what model making is about. The art form in engineering is product design and industrial engineering and design, both are high paying careers and in need.
Good perspectives! Hoping we see Coming soon with all this tech innovation will be atlas/atheatn engines that use a tablet wifi hook up with live video from the engine cab with virtual controls to run the engine/mu/dpu set ups.. more detail more realistic!! Yeah! Amen!!
Ok. I sort of agree with you. But:- First you are right about the internet as I watch your Vlog from across the world in Ireland. But the longevity of this hobby is limited. I started my interest in this hobby as a very young person aged less than 8. I only took up an interest when I retired. As you mentioned. I have tried to instil in my sons an interest. There is no starting point for them. They are not interested in something that just goes round and round, they have computers which are more exciting, they are unable to get interested in making a diorama. Train watching is no longer a hobby - here you can blame the Internet. Trains themselves are not that interesting anymore, less and less of us use them. I think this hobby will dwindle until it eventually fizzes out. That won’t be in our lifetimes. But it won’t be long after. What will the children of the future play with? What will retired people do in the future as a hobby? Who knows. Possibly play with cars until they become uninteresting, but not trains. If the world still exists after cars, it will be a new form of transport that the new generations amuse themselves with. You never know maybe someone might start a new vintage craze and start playing with the old style of transport that was used generations before - trains ;-)
Dont put sugar in coffee ha ha. For me it seems the hobby is getting more intimidating with lots do and dont´s, technical stuff, etc and hard to get started really looking at SoMe wont help either when you look at the layouts etc
oh, I would say that we will know when DC is dead because Kato would have to stop producing DC locos and only make DCC locos. I don't know why , but Kato itself seems to be trying to keep DC as a thing.
The only thing that seems like it's dying is cheaper decent quality and backhmann dosnt count there too expensive but their models arnt worth the price in my opinion
They keep raising prices like they been, as a HOBBY, I truly can’t see it going steady at this rate. Yes it’s a business but a touchy one at that. For MOST people who have some ‘extra’ money to spend are getting much less of the product. Not the quality, QUANTITY. Sorry, I cannot see how it can keep going on this course. The sellers on eBay gouging on shipping cost and the prices a lot of them want! Come on, this isn’t a shortage of food and water we’re talking here. Simply a (past time).👎
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Seems to me it's growing by leaps. I see a lot of younger people getting involved. But DC is dying. Everyone is going DCC.
I would guess that DC could be phased out completely in 5 years if people really pushed for it
@@fritopg285 they aren't going to phase it out because too many people have DC. Also, there's too much profit in the aftermarket for DCC accessories.
I don't think it's dying. I subscribe to more and more model train channels all the time.
@@DeathByFishing Yes but in theory how long until all those running DC give up and switch to DCC? I would say if we could see actual sales data numbers the amount of new people buying only DCC and the amount of DC being sold is becoming a bigger gap every year. I am not saying this is good or bad, i am just saying that with clubs running all DCC and more and more DC being let go of in favor of DCC and some of the older population of hobbyists unfortunately leaving us, that the DC runs from the factory will probably dwindle to nothing very soon
@@TheLocutus70 the hobby isn’t dying, but DC may be a thing of the past sooner rather than later
I am sad to see the brick and mortar model train stores disappear. Especially the ones that had big display layouts to watch.
@wclaurence Through the grace of god... I ended up with a long time May D&F store display layout From the Long gone store on the 16th street mall in Denver. When you could buy trains there and also places like Montgomery ward and even Sears for awhile too. I Also remember Kaybee toys had lots of stuff at one point. Then It all went "Train store"
You hit the nail on the head Jimmy. I started model railroading with my dad in the late 50's and can recall hearing how model railroading was dying back then and on and off ever since. Fact is it simply continues to change. The cost of everything today is significantly higher than in years past. When first married in '73 my wife and I could buy a weeks worth of groceries for twenty dollars and we ate well. In the early to late seventies I was the finance officer for a club that served alcohol. A twelve ounce domestic draft beer was twenty-five cents. The internet has brought together model railroaders from around the globe. Locomotives, rolling stock and structure kits are light years ahead of anything imagined fifty years ago. DCC and associated items such as JMRI, Arduinos and Raspberry Pi's put enormous capabilities in the hands of anyone with basic skills. I really don't see anything but growth in the hobby. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Dark Magic, from a Keurig, two sugars and a splash of milk! Dave
This video is spot on. The Hobby is alive and well! Lots of innovation and growing excitement with the online community. Plus, so many people rediscovered the hobby during the time at home. Thank you for posting this.
Well thanks to the internet, social media, and UA-cam, it has revealed how AWESOME and how ACTIVE this hobby really is!
Yes great to share
Sitting at my desk with some black rifle coffee! Love the information, been model railroading since the 70's. Always had some sort of layout throughout my life! I've accumulated a massive amount of rolling stock and still buying weekly. This video really hits it, I just paid $47 for a Hopper car, but it is so detailed and looks so good running! Just like you said the prices have gone up with inflation but you are getting a much better product and they run better. Everyone experienced the derailments with the 70's molded cars! The newer rolling stock with steel wheels, good couplers and better construction we experience less derails which really makes the hobby more fun!!
In the 70’s there were about 5 magazines supporting model railroading, with HO and O the focus. As you stated the internet has removed the gatekeepers.
I'm about to start my first layout at 42 years old. Been buying some supplies and kits
The problem is cost: models building is facing the same problem unless you have a lot of disposable income its very expensive to get started. By the time you factor everything you need to have a decent layout you're talking about a very expensive cash outlay. The hobby is pricing out of existence.
You can always find cost effective ways to model a railroad with out breaking the bank, yard sales thrift shops, eBay, etc, and it dosnt have to be done over night, it can take years, it is a hobby not a race
He literally covers this in the video. It's no more expensive than it ever has been, if you account for inflation and what you're getting for your money.
I don't have alot of disposable cash, if any, but I save up for things I decide I want. took me a few years to grow my roster to what I currently have. It's not pricing itself out of existence, the price is catching up with inflation, as covered in this video.
ebay is NOT a cost effective solution! @@TriGogglin
I've heard this all my life. When I was a kid in the 60's, with my first American Flyer layout, the hobby was dying because of slot cars. In the 80's, it was dying because of being replaced by video games. Now, in the 20's, I think it's better than ever. The internet has boosted this hobby beyond anything I could have possibly imagined in "the good old days".
Jimmy,
I feel old I started in trains in the early 70's. And I've been in and out of the hobby. But I always came back. When my first layout was built it was HO, it was 6 by 12. I built 4 steam engines fron mdc. My daughters built and painted all the houses and water tanks etc. There all grown up now. But my grandsons have worked with me on my N scale lauout which I built 24 years ago. It started out as DC and recently about a year ago has been upgraded to DCC with a Sprog-pi3. But my passion is and was building power supplies for my dc and now my DCC++. So I don't think the hobby will ever die. As you say it definitely is changeing for the better. Even in the 70's they had this conversation that Model Railroading is dieing. It's still here just Better.
I agree totally. I started in the 70's too. It's interesting to see how one has enjoyed the hobby differently during different parts of one's life. I finally switched to DCC a couple years ago and really enjoy it.
All the points you make are good and accurate.
As someone who has been a model railroader for 65+ years, with a few years of hiatus here and there, I think the state of the hobby is well and actually experiencing growth. In spite of all the COVID restrictions, our Model Railroad Club is doing well and we old folks have embraced Zoom operating sessions and are even sharing more of our own layouts.
I have recently become an active modeller again, and getting back into the hobby has certainly cost me more than I expected, but I also took the decision to go for the latest and greatest in control and locos. I still have a stack of old DC locos, but when I look at them against the latest offerings, there is no real comparison - the later models are just so more detailed, look way better and have far better motors and gearing.
When I look back to the 70's when I was last active, and consider the costs, model railways were an expensive hobby even then. I could only afford maybe 1 or 2 boxcars per month, at least until I got into a very good paying job. A lot of my fellow members of a club that I belonged to, and rejoined, often struggled to get pieces they wanted, and it seems to be still that case now.
What I am finding in the club is that certainly there are more older members - people who have grown up with the hobby, but we still get younger members. We encourage these younger members to get involved, and I find that they are actually more eager to try new areas of the hobby rather than the older members. That is actually why I believe that the hobby continues for a very long time - there are so many different aspects within the hobby that people can get involved with - a lot more than just running trains, and with the advances in technology, there are even more new aspects popping up.
I think you have to also factor in another factor. For example, If I spend $60.00 to play a round of golf my fun is over in about 5 hours. If I spend that same amount on a building kit my fun can last for a month. The added benefit is that the kit is mine forever and not lost in the woods somewhere 😀
Yes, so true. We have the same debates here in France. People complaining etc, where there has never been as many industrial MRR firms, new models etc. Same blablah here about the cost of the hobby, but people don't seem to understand what inflation and increase in the standard of living mean etc. Quite a bit reassuring to see that it's the same over there. Thanks for the video!
Getting back in the hobby after a 20+ year hiatus. Having fun running all my old gear and looking forward to buying some new equipment too. I really like your channel! A nice positive vibe.
Hobbies have always been expensive; both in money and time. They've always been tied to disposable income and free time, so that part has not changed. But the nice thing about hobbies is that you control how much of each you put into them. And a lack one and a surplus of the other can define how you practice your hobby.
I remember a train show I went to as a kid that had a class that taught how to take cheap rolling stock, ($10-15 range at the time), and modify it to make it look more realistic with fishing line weights and weathering techniques so it not only ran better, but looked less cheap. He took what was one of Bachmann's cheapest looking box cars and made it look dang near realistic.
This was a case of more free time than disposable income but it shows how creative one can get when needed. :)
You’re correct in that model railroading is not dying. It is becoming more sophisticated in numerous ways. I’m getting back in with my HO scale trains working with my one daughter and granddaughter. I’m watching three other model railroad videos on UA-cam; WNTW What’s Neat This Week, DCC Guy, DJ Riptrack, and MRH which is associated with WNTW. Each offers different avenues of mrr depending on your interest and experience. When I look at my 1960-‘70s locomotives and rolling stock compared to what’s out there now, I’m blown away by the detail and technology differences. And I do find it somewhat intimidating as I didn’t grow up with the technology that’s developed in the past 20 years or so. That’s where the daughter and granddaughter come in.they are the computer, tech savvy ones, I do the grunt work. But to also point out that the hobby’s sophistication along with STEM also open up to the art world with everything from landscape to model making as in buildings and such to actual art with painting graffiti on rolling stock to background scenery. And it helps if you like trains. Also while DC is the old way to run your trains I’ve noticed in some recent videos that it’s being incorporated with DCC technology in some instances. So once this pandemic becomes safe to get together we’ll be getting up to speed on designing our layout. Oh, and one other thing I’ve noticed that there is a lot of materials being built & made in the USA.
Hey Jimmy I agree that the hobby is not dying it’s just most people don’t see the new changes that have come about since they were younger and are amazed what has come across the last few years. I’m one of those people as I’m coming back into the hobby after 20 years
I think the big thing to remember with the Locomotive's is that the motor's and running gears are light years better, that makes up the cost difference alone
Bringing kids into the hobby. My son is 39 now and has picked up 3 of my hobbies - scale model building, photography and astronomy..think he’s going to get back into trains again, so the 4th hobby. I know my 5 year old granddaughter is already interested and the 1 year old grandson will definitely be exposed. Spending time with your kids definitely has benefits! I’m 70, retired and having a ball!
All hobbies are changing and growing in ways completely different from even 10 years ago. The hobby is growing, but in different ways than 10-20 years ago. 2020 ended up being a great year for a lot of hobby manufacturers with people spending more time at home, including the model railroad industry. Model railroading has seen a massive increase in the amount of highly detailed, highly featured locomotives and other products. Those obviously are going to have a bigger profit margin, and with most hobbies, it is the adults that support the hobby since they are the ones spending the most money. The overall quality of products in the hobby has increased, and as 3D printing and other technologies grow more, I think we will see an ever-increasing variety of items available at modest costs, and more print-on-demand items available from manufactures and other hobbyists, like yourself with your Etsy store. I see the same thing with my astronomy hobby. That has really evolved in the last couple of decades and much of the focus and money is now on astrophotography, and there has been a huge increase in the amount of high-end gear now available. At the same time, a lot of people have stepped up and offered items to help fill in the voids left behind as focus shifts by larger manufactures. In a lot of ways, we are in the golden age of model railroading right now. It is remarkable how much more is available now than 20 years ago when I got back in the hobby and how much better connected people are within the hobby. I certainly wouldn't want the hobby to go back to what it was 20 years ago.
Agree. But a piece of advice for younger folks starting out. Plan your purchases carefully. Look at your most expensive MR items and prioritize. I bought most of my really expensive items first (locos, turnouts, rolling stock) and I bought quality years ago. Started out DC now Arduino DCC ++. Your options in the past were to lock yourself into one manufacturer for several hundred dollars for a full ride. Then Arduino based DCC came along. A serious technology breakthrough in small batteries and square wave AC through the tracks is history. Most of the locos I bought are upgradeable to DCC at half to a quarter what they go for now. I can't see the future of model railroading, but I sure can guess the trajectory of prices for model railroading as a hobby in the future.
Every since I was a kid I’ve wanted to do a model layout. I’m working on my first layout now. It’s just a DC setup using Bachman ez track. A simple loop with three sidings for industries and a double turn switch on one curve about a 4x7 layout. Most the stuff going to be kits but I don’t care I’m having fun learning lots and that’s what it’s all about
Totally agree! I was given my original model train in the 70's as a Christmas gift. That original layout was HO, DC, and "primitive" compared to what we have today. (TYCO!!!!) The DCC systems they have now are AMAZING and the details in most of the models are light-years ahead of where they were. Add in the flexibility of being able to use 3D printing to make your own structures and the amount of things available for track plans, plus technology like SCARM, and there is no way you can say it is dying. Changing, yes. Evolving, yes. Advancing? Sure. But not dying. :-)
Enjoy the BRC! I think my favorite of theirs is Silencer Smooth. :-) Drinking Caffe Verona from Starbucks today, with half-and-half only! :-)
I don't drink coffee but I do enjoy the content of your videos.
Tis the Golden age of the hobby. You can buy the best of the best and the there are estate lots and old collections and pieces everywhere. I don't see the hobby dying on the vine anywhere. Must finish coffee now. Channel is getting great.👍🚂🚃🚃🇨🇦
You make a great argument about the cost between when I entered the hobby and what I am seeing today. But you are correct, the details of the models are a lot better today.
The old guys say the same thing in my other hobby of miniature wargaming. I say it’s never been better. More product, more people involved, and 3D printing has set a new path towards the future.
wow, that made me feel old and im not even fifty yet. I've been in Mini wargaming since the it started here in the states. that would be around the mid 80's.
I’m the same here csx 3026 I’ve been a tabletop gaming person from 1998 and trains some too and combined both
@@bhuddaloyd I just turned 50 😀
IMO, the quality of what we get at each price point is better than when I was a kid in the 70s or a teen and young adult in the 80s. It is hard to complain, tbh, but I think there is a perceptual difference, esp. for young people today.
I think that one of the bigger changes is how we do small railroads. When I was a kid, the 4x8 was the defacto standard, but was difficult to find space for, and to build on. I think it is far more accepted to do small, shelf switching layouts, which were practically unheard of (in the US, at least) when I was young. I remember seeing the Gumstump and Snow Shoe layout, and being blown away byt its compactness and potential, but its operation was not clearly explained, and it was the only one I saw (ok, that and the timesaver, which was, to me, boring).
Oh, my coffee... I'm in Europe, and I prefer Lavazza, multiple blends. I forget which one I just finished. ;-)
Your economic analysis is spot on. The hobby is still reasonably price, if anything with the advances in electronics makes it cheaper now than it would have been without those advances. I remember the first CD player that I saw at Tower Records in New York City cost $10,000.00, and now you can buy a CD player for $15.00. A similar thing happened with flat screen televisions. I love the hobby but I really am frustrated with all of the wiring, even with DCC the add-on’s such as signaling, transponders, turnout control, etc all make for a wiring nightmare. I can’t wait until the smart guys invent wireless controls for all of these elements. I am particularly interested in getting good and accurate signals for N scale-I thought BLMA was going to deliver them but Craig sold the business to Atlas and they never developed his original concept, instead they promoted their complex and completely incompatible signal system with those ugly G signals. I don’t drink coffee but I do enjoy the conversation. Keep up the good work.
I agree with the video. I think there is a boom coming when teachers/parents/young people realize how much engineering/math/robotics/building/wiring/etc. is involved in model railroading.
Also, for good for bad, the fate of model railroading will track the fate of real trains. But even then, there are historical reenactors from every era.
Another point the video glosses over is how moving production from say Irvington, NJ, to overseas has helped keep costs down.
I aggree with You. Our hobby is a complete hobby. It should be taught at school ! Thank you for your videos.
love this perspective, I've been saying this for years. I cringe every time I hear things are too expensive these days. It's way more than just inflation of the dollar, credit and loans have also made things worse but I i digress.... a brand new truck used to cost 3000 bucks, now you can barely buy a new truck for less than 40-50 thousand. As I've been in several clubs as I traveled along the USA in my army journey, I see it's usually a lot of the old-timers that complain the hobby is dying, and the chastize younger people for the things they are into. TheY'Re AlWaYs On TheIr PhOnEs. Now there's so much to do with the hobby on a phone and computer, and all the old-timers are left in the dust with their "cheap blue-box" stuff wondering why "the hobby is dying." It's not dying, your old-fashioned view of it is.
Excellent video. Good to hear somebody who understands what's really going on!!
I don't think model railroading is dying, but I'll agree it is changing. I'm still doing mine kinda old-school - DC power with manual turnouts (it's a switching layout, so I'll only ever run one loco anyway) - but I'm entertaining the idea of switching to DCC largely because I'm intrigued by the notion of running sound-equipped locomotives. And one thing I did that isn't so old-school with this layout is, apart from the lumber I used to frame my benchwork and a couple other small odds and ends everything was purchased online.
My other hobby is auto racing; my primary participation in that is as a race official. And I keep hearing all the time about how that is dying too - and how expensive it is (that's why I'm an official and not a driver!).
What you missed is the fact that in 1970 a blue box kit sold for $5 and that was 3.12 hours of work at minimum wage. Today that caboose sells for $35 which makes it out to be 4.82 hours of work and minimum wage. So you can say things are keeping up with inflation but they are not. Wages are where the inflation and the real cost problem is.
Have to agree with Tony below, the cost of rolling stock and power units is getting much higher lately and DCC units are off the scale. I’m sticking with DC because of the cost of new units in DCC. Best bet is shopping on eBay and used units that you can upgrade easily. I agree with the coffee concept.
Back in 1970 it was railroading that got me into electronics, Now time to give back and electronics is getting me back into railroading. Now 50 years later I just started a completely Arduino based N-Scale bedroom size layout. Hand built turnouts and hand laid rail w/ basic servo motors for the turnouts makes this layout one of the least expensive layout I have ever built. i.e. Model Railroading is getting MUCH LESS expensive with the help of electronics, and 3D printing.
I hope to see more of the virtual train shows, that was a great feature. Your point on inflation is well taken, we don't actually pay more for many things, it only seems that way these days. Love that Black Rifle Coffee! I think that model railroading is more popular now than it was when I started in 1978. People used to say, "you do what?" Now it's a well known hobby.
When I hear "This hobby is dying", it's usually referring to "Darn kids and their video games". It's like some sections of the older generations can't comprehended that kids are allowed to have other interests at the same time as being in the model railroading hobby.
Just a thought - Are there Boy Scouts today who pursue the Railroading Merit Badge? I think one of the steps involved was showing how to properly lubricate locomotives. If a Boy Scout demonstrated, at the monthly elementary school Cub Scout meeting, how to lubricate an HO DC engine & a Marx or Lionel O gauge engine, maybe those youngsters will dig their Dad's old set from storage & try to get it running again? The badge also required building a layout & now a video camera can document the construction & operation of the layout to show at the scout meeting.
It can’t be dying! I pre-ordered my very first locomotives yesterday!!! 😁
If any of y'all like Japanese railways Kato has a Japanese site with alot of JNR locomotives and rolling stock.
It's also cheaper to order direct from Japan.
Thank you for inlighting me on this problem, I myself will share this infro with my model railroading friends, we have a few that think the hobby is dying out, “ONLY “if you “LET IT”!!!! is my response. Again thank you for sharing your thoughts. Good cup of coffee ☕️ is always a good start 😎👍, greetings from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, stay safe. 😎👍👍👍🛤🚂
I don't have the space or time right now for a realistic and prototypical model railroad (what I like doing) so I just have some bachman ez track set up around my room for fun and a virtual model railroad with the high level of realism I desire. Virtual model railroading is pretty cool and I highly suggest checking out stuff like ro-scale and rolling line.
Most ofd the hobbies that i'm involved in (model railroading, plastic kit building, etc.) all think they are dying. And, YES! I love that modeling is on the internet. I started getting into British Model Railways and without the internet, I'd be lost!
I agree with you - model railroading is alive and well. DCC probably saved it. Kids are interested in it. If you have a model railroad, share it with some young people.
Taylor’s of Harrogate (England) Lazy Sunday filter coffee from a cafetiere with oat milk
Sweet video and yes the hobby is changing and getting better. And I don’t drink coffee but Black Rifle Coffee, hay number “1” and every one will always love these great Heroes and God Bless them. Like your channel because you bring new ideas to the hobby and you give it free just like so many other UA-cam channels. Love Janson Jensen Trains who is a super great teacher and shares his talents like you for free. This hobby is not dying but growing and becoming a better hobby. I know people who hate DCC and sound locomotives. But this like me this is their choice to stay with what you like. I love electronics but have a friend who hates it due to he feels it just causes problems to repair. When we talk about the cost of the Hobbie well it is a Hobbie and hobbies cost money. I do photography, metal detecting, scuba diving, coin collecting, looking to get into hang gliding and this cost more then model railroading. Bottom line it is a great Hobbie that will relax you and bring out your creative skills out of one. Great video great coffee and stay safe!!!
so I'm 42 guess I'm old now because i was just at a local hobby store. Bought a bunch of their HO items and the kid (early 20s i think) was talking about how it is a dead hobby. Well then I'm glad I'm old now!
I live in a railroad town Topeka Ks and do have one train store in this town. and if you find a hobbie store its all RC cars. I have to order all my stuff online. No going get some paint or little senic items that I might of forgot. It my not be dying but its slowing down. Scaletrains buying everything and ordering anything from Athearn is slow as a snall.
Great channel enjoy it. I agree it's changing not dying
I'm primarily a PC enthusiast, I could do all my rail roading on the Computer yet it's just not the same as hands on.
When I first got into railroading this year I started with Bachman DC trains, I was hooked.
I got an dcc kit with engine, I was hooked. I'm still hooked and I now play with my 4x8 double ring layout.
Can anyone tell me a great source to buy from?
Trains are expensive for sure 400 dollars for one sound equipped engine! But the new stuff sure is pretty and runs like a Swiss watch I do find myself complaining with the old I remember when a box car kit was four bucks. But the inflation point is well taken. The nostalgia for our youth perhaps colors how good we have it in the hobby today
Yes please do the once a month show. Thank you.
GOD BLESS and have a great day.
My local hobby shop has seen RECORD sales since lock down restrictions were lifted last year. People are stocking up to be home and build. I've seen a lot of new people of all ages coming in to get starter sets. Oh and black rifle holiday blend
Agree, the postwar Lionel/Marx guys may be dying off....but the Hobby isn't...suggest there is a boom ahead as improved passenger rail service slowly returns in the 'real' word.
Great video. I enjoy these kinds of discussions. I really like how you used math to figure in inflation. I still think the model railroading hobby is varied enough that whatever you like and whatever your budget is YOU CAN FIND WHAT YOU WANT TO. And with youtube, eBay, train shows, and mail order available to most of us it's made the hobby even more accessible to newcomers. I don't see the hobby going away any time soon. Also I would enjoy a weekly segment of this coffee and trains. Thanks 👍👍😷
Ok I'm drinking Maxwell house black and not ruining it with sugar and cream! Definitely agree the hobby is not dying. Im 54 and notice many many folks alot younger than me in it! If there's anything good about this pandemic it has driven lots of folks to start a hobby. And model railroading is reaping the benefits.
I'm glad I've re-discovered this hobby. My primary hobby of model aviation is under attack from the federal government and I'm not sure how much longer it'll last.
I don't think it's dying. There's so much great stuff out there. I think it's become way too expensive, but if I enjoy the hobby enough, then I'll find ways to circumvent the expense, for the most part. I use all kinds of raw materials found on the street to make use of when building roads, bridges, fences, industrial piping, high-rise modern buildings, etc. And, I stay with DC and buy old, good-running locomotives. I'm not interested in perfection, or rivet counting. That's where it gets too pricey.
Have noticed a strong preference nowadays for modeling the modern era, as opposed to the steam-to-diesel era which held sway for so long. That's good for me because I was doing the modern era back in tbe 80s when there wasn't much available for that era. Now, that stuff is everywhere; double stack containers, jumbo tank cars, contemporary buildings, a wider variety of trees and foilage and modern engines.
In the seventies I was working for around 2 dollars an hour
wow you must be old lol
I've been in the hobby off n on since 1960. Would like to be involved more, but, I'm still working full time and have limited space. As I'm able, I'll build and add to my railroad as I can, and I will be happy with it. Any and all ""encouragement"" offered will be gladly appreciated and incorporated into my hobby as I'm able to do so as long as it works within the theme of the layout m
No its not dying. Its just getting started. So much better things now than when I was a kid, its freaking great.
This hobby isn't dying. Especially in the US. However when we talk about pricing, for here in Australia, history is starting to repeat it's self from the early 80's, where the Australian outline is way over priced compared to the US outline. We can be paying between 3 to 4 times more for the Australian outline with as much detail as the most detailed model on the market in the US, and when we take a comparison to the wages between the 2 countries, US outline is still cheaper. Especially in my profession, as my pay rate would be the same in the US as it is here in Australia. Eg 1 detailed Australian engine with sound decoder, we are paying over $500 (for some Australians on basic wage that's about 3/4 of their weekly wage). compared to say an brand new Athearn Genesis of similar quality of average $275 (USD$340). So what's happening here now, many are starting to purchase the US outline once again.
On my last trip to the US just before COVID hit, going to many local hobby shops, the prices of American outline rolling stock is affordable and much cheaper than what is in out hobby stores.
The hobby is still affordable in the US compared to here in Australia.
But you are right, this hobby is becoming more for the Adult population. But is it?? We may be just saying that because we are getting older and more picky with with what we want now.
"The hobby is still affordable in the US compared to here in Australia." Several reasons for that:
1) Economy of scale. America is the largest economy in the world and coupled with the largest population that can afford to purchase things (India and China have bigger populations but the vast majority are poor barely scraping by for a living that can't purchase anything on the scale the average American can)
2) Australia has the 14th largest economy but a small population in comparison and a location outside major trade routes. America is at the crossroads of the Atlantic and Pacific trade routes making it a destination as well as throughway for products heading east and west. Our freight railroads make huge profits sending shipping containers in both directions.
3) The other countries that support model railroading (China, Japan, Germany, and the UK) are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th largest economies with the populations to support them and the model train market. Rapido Trains in Canada benefits by geography being right next to America so it has a huge market to tap in to across a large land border.
COVID has played a role in the hobby as well. I think the hobby is getting a solid boost in active hobbists because of the pandemic this past year. I've seen several articles talking about Hornby having record sales and other companies alike.
The cost will always deter people from getting into the hobby. If you're looking at the top-of-the-line DCC locos, of course, it'll be expensive. However, there are so many places online and train shows where you can find a great deal on sets and be running in no time.
Great video Jimmy!
more layouts? bring it on!
Funny just last night I was thinking about how we could make this hobby more popular instead of just having train shows and hobby shops where most of the people going there al;ready have an interest in trains we need to get some DCC layouts out where people can see them most people still think they run on DC and have no idea what the possibility's are I think they need to be shown at things community events I had no idea about the advances in the hobby until a few years ago so since then I have been trying to collect equipment and knowledge but I already had an interest from when I was a kid and road the El Capitan from Chicago to LA in the 60s
My dad has been into this hobby for probably 50+ years. The problem here in South Africa is cost, it is insanely expensive, you have to import almost everything, that just drives the cost up more, that + our countries economic state = a hobby for the wealthy here.
At least in the UK its never been in a stronger place. The models are better quality, more choice, more manufacturers and a bigger community to support you.
The news media sometimes trots out that old fallacy about the hobby dying. My club has always had a fair number of junior members. In fact five of our members have gone into the railroad industry or allied professions.
I've really been enjoying your coffee and trains segments, if you make it to NY, I'll exchange something for some KKDs!!
Only reason it seems to be declining is that not enough people are doing it as they are too preoccupied with getting online and moaning about how it's dying.
It's much more popular today than ever with all the new technology now it's so much more easy to control the trains and actual;ly create a really more realistic operation.
good vid jimmy keep posting updates up
very good video thanks
good show , good old fashion maxwell house
High Jimmy tonight I'm drinking a Coke and I didn't add any sugar. I know. Anyway I like your inflation rate explanation 👍. As for dieing, NO. MY Club just had a 22 year old join. He actually came in place of his late father's place. He's a great modeler and just smart. We also have a 15 and 17 year old member along with several under 35. Actually the majority of active members are. So if that doesn't show, well. Later on, Chris
I’ve heard it’s dying my whole life when in reality it’s much better than the stuff they had when I was a kid
There’s no question that models today are far advanced over most models of 50-60 years ago. That doesn’t alter the fact that they are expensive. Inflation is something of a red herring in my opinion. I say that because most people don’t care what something cost 60 years ago, they care what it costs now. And $300+ diesel units, $50 freight cars and $20 turnouts are a lot of money to most people. Face it, it’s not a cheap hobby. Of course so are a lot of others, but that doesn’t change the fact.
Good insights
I would chalk so much of this talk up to the inherent pride of humanity, and our inability to deal with our own mortality. That is, if we no longer exist in this earthly dimension, how can anything still exist. Just remember: model railroading began to gain national exposure going back to the great depression era with publications such as Model Railroader, etc. Yes it is an expensive hobby, but it was 30 years ago, and I expect it was before that. But all hobbies are expensive, so that argument is meaningless. The only thing constant is change, so we must embrace it or get swept away into history’s vault of irrelevance.
This hobby is far from dying, anything new that comes out sells out pretty quick whether its presale or not. Are things pricey yes but someone's got the money that things sell out. As for coffee Jacobs coffee is really smooth coffee if your not a fan of bitter coffee. Enjoy better coffee sells it along with others from all over the world.
Even accounting for inflation, the hobby has gotten more expensive as it's gotten more complex, we've gotten better tools, and it's gotten more specialized. It's also harder to keep the supply chain running for whatever projects you're working on due to having to order a lot of stuff online, with even the best stocked hobby shops unable to keep up with the increasing specialization within the hobby.
Please Use STEAM == STEM + ARTS which is what model making is about. The art form in engineering is product design and industrial engineering and design, both are high paying careers and in need.
Good perspectives! Hoping we see Coming soon with all this tech innovation will be atlas/atheatn engines that use a tablet wifi hook up with live video from the engine cab with virtual controls to run the engine/mu/dpu set ups.. more detail more realistic!! Yeah! Amen!!
Greetings from Poland
If I join the patron will it give me Access to all of your Arduino sketches
All of my arduino sketches are free to everyone! Let me know if you are having trouble with downloading one
Ok. I sort of agree with you. But:-
First you are right about the internet as I watch your Vlog from across the world in Ireland. But the longevity of this hobby is limited.
I started my interest in this hobby as a very young person aged less than 8. I only took up an interest when I retired. As you mentioned.
I have tried to instil in my sons an interest. There is no starting point for them. They are not interested in something that just goes round and round, they have computers which are more exciting, they are unable to get interested in making a diorama. Train watching is no longer a hobby - here you can blame the Internet. Trains themselves are not that interesting anymore, less and less of us use them. I think this hobby will dwindle until it eventually fizzes out. That won’t be in our lifetimes. But it won’t be long after.
What will the children of the future play with? What will retired people do in the future as a hobby? Who knows. Possibly play with cars until they become uninteresting, but not trains. If the world still exists after cars, it will be a new form of transport that the new generations amuse themselves with. You never know maybe someone might start a new vintage craze and start playing with the old style of transport that was used generations before - trains ;-)
I live in Malta 🇲🇹 and I am building a layout
Dont put sugar in coffee ha ha. For me it seems the hobby is getting more intimidating with lots do and dont´s, technical stuff, etc and hard to get started really looking at SoMe wont help either when you look at the layouts etc
"Model Railroading is going to x-plode and we will be covered in model Railroad goo..." -- Lionel Strang
Base equipment is getting hugely expensive. $50-$70+ for a single tank car ain’t reasonable.
My coffee of choice, maybe for you or Not. Don Francisco's Vanilla Nut.
oh, I would say that we will know when DC is dead because Kato would have to stop producing DC locos and only make DCC locos. I don't know why , but Kato itself seems to be trying to keep DC as a thing.
The only thing that seems like it's dying is cheaper decent quality and backhmann dosnt count there too expensive but their models arnt worth the price in my opinion
i hear you i will never purchase another bachmann total over priced crap
@@redwoodcityintheuknscalera7179 Lionel I could see as a good low price good quality but they need more products for ho scale
They keep raising prices like they been, as a HOBBY, I truly can’t see it going steady at this rate. Yes it’s a business but a touchy one at that. For MOST people who have some ‘extra’ money to spend are getting much less of the product. Not the quality, QUANTITY. Sorry, I cannot see how it can keep going on this course. The sellers on eBay gouging on shipping cost and the prices a lot of them want! Come on, this isn’t a shortage of food and water we’re talking here. Simply a (past time).👎
model railroading. That requires tons of work has died the more fun and easier to do is what we are seeing
I heard that "Top of the Morning Coffee" by Jacksepticeye si pretty great. Why don't you give that a go in the future?