This is not a "glass half full or half empty" post, rather a reflective memory of what the hobby, or at least how I recall it was in the first decade or so of the century. What spurred this was recent discovery of items made during that time, and how those items, mostly structures and accessories, made by the big companies but also cottage industries can now only be found on the secondary market. I then subsequently thought "those were the days" (not the song by Mary Hopkin, but more the one sung by Archie and Edith Bunker at the beginning of 'All in the Family' 
).
Back in those days, there was a resurgent Lionel, MTH, K-Line, Weaver, and Williams, and they were all producing neat stuff, not just engines and control systems, but also operating and static accessories. K-Line was a contender back then and made some great items - those accessories and SuperStreets are still cool, today. In recent years, our hobby appears dominated by a continual barrage of repeats of motive power and rolling stock.
Don't get me wrong. Today is an exciting time, and I especially like the "thrill of the hunt" finding stuff made back in the glory days. I am building yet another neat layout and having fun in that aspect. And FWIW, like everything else, I subscribe to any thing in life is what we make of it.
Does anyone else recall the era I am referring to with fondness? Maybe I am biased for other reasons (family, friends, etc), and looking at that time period with rose colored glasses.
