Rusty Traque posted:poniaj posted:
S may not have the extensive offerings of other scales, but that's not just its shortcoming, but its draw. What isn't offered can be either done without, scratch built, or kitbashed.
I'm going to have to disagree with you on the "it's a draw" comment, Jerry.
There's a small faction on the scale side of S that feel scratchbuilding or kitbashing to get what you want should be emphasized to attract more folks to S. I've always thought this is a dead-end proposition.
Unfortunately, many talented individuals are already scratchbuilding and/or kitbashing in G, O, HO and even N already, so doing it in yet another scale is of no real attraction or advantage. I'm constantly amazed at how many of the 3-rail O crowd scratchbuild and kitbash and do an excellent job of it. Add in the availability of "raw material" in O and it's easy to see why.
I've mentioned this before: As far as S is concerned, if it wasn't for the American Models FP7, I wouldn't be in S. Pure and simple. Otherwise, I wouldn't have changed from HO in 1985.
Now, I've done some scratchbuilding, kitbashing and redetailing in my time in various scales. I've also done a lot of painting, required if one is a freelance model railroad empire builder. But those aren't the reasons I'm in the hobby. I happen to have a life long fascination and interest with railroads and that's what sustains my interest in the model railroading hobby.
Much as I hate to admit it, but I think Lionel's FlyerChief locomotives will probably do more to interest folks in S than anything else today. We've already seen a falloff in S interest after SHS went away and MTH delays.
Rusty
I guess I didn't express myself well. My "its draw" comment was sort of personal. It was to pit the lack of availablity vs too much to chose from. In my case, what got me back into S after a foray into N was American Models' GG1. I bought one of their first ones years ago, and it's still running great on my layout. If S had the amount of things that HO does, I'd go broke! So it's the LACK of things that keeps ME in S and from spending way too much money . Agreed that many folks would rather have RTR things, and so would I for the most part. Scratch building and kit bashing isn't going to attract new folks, but RTR will, especially newer, more up to date rolling stock and locomotives.
My original post was to observe that S isn't all that more expensive than the other, more popular scales. Have you seen what HO items are going for? I, along with many other S guys have heard "If I didn't have so much invested in XX scale, I'd be in S". A few years ago at an all gauge show, a fellow called S the "scratch builder's scale". I politely informed him, and SHOWED him what is out there. He changed his mind, and gave the usual "If I didn't..." comment. Even though we both admitted to the small amount out there, what IS out there is a good start for an empire. He also liked the size. Go figure!
I also feel that FC may attract more folks into S. At least my 6 year old grandson loves it!
