We have likes and dislikes - logically we should now consider what we would change, if anything, about the strange hobby of ours?
MountainMan Wrote:We have likes and dislikes - logically we should now consider what we would change, if anything, about the strange hobby of ours?
1) cheaper
2) have several decent hobby shops in every city
Kevin kind of says it all I think !
nachoman Wrote:MountainMan Wrote:We have likes and dislikes - logically we should now consider what we would change, if anything, about the strange hobby of ours?
1) cheaper
2) have several decent hobby shops in every city
1. Yes!
2. Or at least one.
How about greater reliability on the lower end of the scale? Cheaper locomotives don't last very long, but they should. The place to cut costs is not the motor.
How about gearing the hobby more and more to the DYIer's, not the machinists and electronics specialists, but the ordinary guys who happen to like the hobby?
How about offering the "unlettered" version so that we can just letter our own? Although they are claimed to be available, I rarely can find anything unlettered, even in the Caboose.
How about switches and vital track components that can decide their own polarity and power routing? We're not all electricians.
Other than expense, and /or convenience though, When we consider the diversity of knowledge, talent, interests, environment, likes, and dislikes.......and all the rest, world wide, there's not a thing I'd seek to change.
However minor the change, it would end up alienating some one, or some group. That alienation would then result in the loss of that person's, or that group's input of knowledge, skill, vision, in short, all that the rest of us could learn from that person, or that group.
I'm not just referring to the "learning of how to do things", but also the lessons of how "not to do things". To see the true picture of our hobby, we need all the colors, all the brush strokes, and all the tear outs, and rebuilds.
Perhaps, even the expense, and/or convenience also need not be changed. Adversity, really only leads us to find new ways, new ideas, new skills. Altogether not really a bad thing.
MountainMan Wrote:How about greater reliability on the lower end of the scale? Cheaper locomotives don't last very long, but they should. The place to cut costs is not the motor.
How about gearing the hobby more and more to the DYIer's, not the machinists and electronics specialists, but the ordinary guys who happen to like the hobby?
How about offering the "unlettered" version so that we can just letter our own? Although they are claimed to be available, I rarely can find anything unlettered, even in the Caboose.
How about switches and vital track components that can decide their own polarity and power routing? We're not all electricians.
That's my take too!!!! and I'm good with electronics too! But having a LOT more un lettered cars and engines would be a great thing!!!
I would like the manufacturers to include a decal sheet with multiple numbers with each piece of rolling stock, so that I can easily renumber a fleet without needing to find the undecorated version and then hope to find the correct decals to make specific models.
Russ Bellinis Wrote:I would like the manufacturers to include a decal sheet with multiple numbers with each piece of rolling stock, so that I can easily renumber a fleet without needing to find the undecorated version and then hope to find the correct decals to make specific models.
Age, may have made me a bit delusional, but I seem to recall that one manufacturer actually did that.....it didn't last.
I've mentioned that idea to several of the manufacturers, at the various shows, and NMRA National conventions. Their greatest concern is the effect of the extra cost, combined with the fact that the "majority", buy "preassembled", and don't seem to be interested in buying cars that have to have anything added.
I still have a string of five Accurail reefers, that need to have the numbers removed, and new ones added.
Could it possibly be that the reason the "majority" prefer to by "pre assembled" could be due, in part, to the manufacturers withdrawing "kits" from the market ? Seems to my geriatric mind, rolling stock "used to be" in the majority as either/or kit/RTR in all but "toy/set" trains (RTR) or "craftsman" kit-only. Kits seemingly by maker's choice, are more & more scarce, though variety and accuracy is much increased - any road, different road #s, weathered or not...and you may have to disassemble (at your peril) RTR equipment - or structure (!) to modify it for your purpose. To me, it's a tad discouraging - especially on my limited hobby budget. Bring back KITS !!! - I would even spend some $ for plans to aid in scratching. End of 'nother rant. Bob C.
Sumpter250 Wrote:Other than expense, and /or convenience though, When we consider the diversity of knowledge, talent, interests, environment, likes, and dislikes.......and all the rest, world wide, there's not a thing I'd seek to change.
However minor the change, it would end up alienating some one, or some group. That alienation would then result in the loss of that person's, or that group's input of knowledge, skill, vision, in short, all that the rest of us could learn from that person, or that group.
I'm not just referring to the "learning of how to do things", but also the lessons of how "not to do things". To see the true picture of our hobby, we need all the colors, all the brush strokes, and all the tear outs, and rebuilds.
Perhaps, even the expense, and/or convenience also need not be changed. Adversity, really only leads us to find new ways, new ideas, new skills. Altogether not really a bad thing.
On the other side of that coin, the current set-up probably alienates some as well, depriving the hobby of the same things.
When one door closes, another one opens, right?
I hate limited runs even though I understand why they do it.
Working in retail gave me some perspective on markets. The markup on kits were such that, if a part or two were missing or broken, the resulting replacement. postage and such would quickly eat up any profit. In 1970, 90% of model train supplies and equipment were made in the USA. Now, that number is around 10%. The market has spoken and those accurate paint jobs and details that reflect how the Onion Specific RR 484 Gribnack looked on Sept. 3 1956 at 2:46 pm came at a price. With manufacturing primarily overseas now, R-T-R became the way to go because substantial markups would cover any warranty work with "factory refurbishing" quickly covering any potential losses.
Fortunately for me, my hobby clock got stuck at my junior year in high school around July 1976 and those $400 DCC/sound equipped Onion Specific RR 484 Gribnacks have made my hobby desires cheap castoffs that can be bought by the box load at yardsales and train shows for peanuts. Long live open frame motors and transistor throttles...change is good.
Limited runs, the different manufacturers always seem to hit the market at the same time and one cannot afford every thing you want. When you do have the money the rest are all sold out and there are none to be found. Also having to put mega deposits down and have to wait two or three years for them to be maid.
MountainMan Wrote:On the other side of that coin, the current set-up probably alienates some as well, depriving the hobby of the same things. When one door closes, another one opens, right?
Every coin has at least, two sides.........and we always hope the one we
called is the one that comes up !
