When i first introduced our children they loved the small 2 track 4x8 layout even had a pair of and still do today of 2343 F3s that i hand painted there names on each of the shells that were in pour shape.
Took them to some train shows but nowadays they do not go by them as they have busy lives otherwise.
Without a proportion of the younger generation having an interest as we depart what will eventually happen in my opinion does not look good for model trains as sales will eventually decline .