Your right Marty about the sticker price but for Bachmann posting a price of $699 may turn off newer hobbyist just getting into the hobby.
The cost of new trains and the space required to build even a modest layout are deterrents to anybody getting into the hobby.
IMHO, there is no point in worrying about the hobby's future. I think there will always be a relatively small group of people who enjoy "O" gauge trains, be it collecting or operating. The size of that group will shrink and grow, as will the size and number of companies serving the "O" gauge community.
Remember what Alfred E. Neuman said.
