Jeff,
I think there have been two "golden ages" of O gauge model railroading - postwar from 1946 to about 1960, and the most recent 25 years with the multitude of O gauge brands including MTH, Lionel, Sunset, K-Line, Weaver, Atlas O, Williams and maybe Menards offering a huge selection of products. Do I think it's ending or in decline - definitely - especially because of the demise of MTH, which I expect will result in fewer items of the kind I buy. These two "golden ages" coincide with the years I have actively pursued model railroading - first in O, then HO, and now O again. I think the outlook is better for HO and N scales. Nonetheless, I think 1:48 model railroading will continue but probably with less innovation and fewer offerings that will interest me. Entry level sets may continue as they are but they don't make a "golden age."
MELGAR
