Looks like google predicts the end of model trains

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Contrary to popular beliefs its not the cost-just check out the cost of video games,RPG dragons,gnomes,elves,monsters,knights etc etc.

I disagree. True, an Xbox costs about as much as a high end locomotive, but thats it. once you have it, you have "your layout". Few games cost more than $60, but most locomotives cost WELL over that price. Sure you can scrounge up some deals, but that depends on A.) how much you trust Ebay and B.) if there are any hobby shops or other places selling the stuff cheap.

I've met the enemy and it is us.

How many clubs has regular visitor nights or public open houses? Very few these days.

How many clubs keep a low profile as a "secrete society" and visitation/membership is by invitation only?

Theres 5 HO clubs in the area and only 2 has open visitation and membership,two are by invitation only and one is so low keyed most don't even know it exist.

How many "lone wolves" keep their hobby hush,hush?

IF the hobby fades out in the coming years we have nobody to blame but us..

I agree with this. there is very little support out there for model trains. My guess is that the overwelming majority of model railroaders are of the "lone wolf" type, since every once in a rare while, I'll hear about a huge layout in some guy's basement in the middle of nowhere, that nobody even had a clue the guy was building. some popular exposure to the hobby would probably help.

However..

There is hope.

The amount of model railroad videos on you tube opens the hobby up to unknown tens of thousands.

Every year during the county fair we have several kids to come in with their locomotive-some are high dollar Genesis and Atlas with DCC/Sound and ask if they can run their engines..We do allow such during the fair.

Every year we have several 8-10 year old boys that is highly interested in the hobby and according to mom or dad they boys have a layout usually the standard 4x8 plywood central.

A number of adults say they have a 4x8' table layout they work on during the winter as a "past time".One even showed pictures of his 1' x2' dioramas he hope to use on a layout after he retires.

We have Thomas and Chuggington as ambassadors for the hobby.

So,in all this gloom and doom talk there is hope.

Perhaps, but the hobby shops i go to paint a differnet picture, that its usually these kids 20-30 years later who are picking up the hobby. I wonder if there has ever been any legitimate research on the topic.