O scale (as with any scale) is what each person makes of it. Sick of hearing that old adage. If you buy RTR 2R from Atlas or convert MTH and Lionel you aren't a craftsman. And there is NOTHING wrong with that. Any scale that doesn't have much RTR could be considered a craftsman scale. I've been around many different scales and met many talented modelers. Some of the best I've ever seen scratch build their own steam engines in O scale. But I've also seen that level of talent in HO. Does that make HO "The craftsman scale"? What about 1.5" scale Live steam? Those folks are building REAL steam engines and riding on them. IMHO that is far more deserving of the title than any other. The Point? It is what you make of it and there is no reason to make excuses for how you enjoy the hobby. If you like RTR in O5W than have fun and don't let anyone tell you you're wrong because they don't own the scale anymore than you do. If anything you might spend more on new RTR models than they do which arguably means you are doing more to keep the scale alive and viable.
Just saying...
