@New Haven Joe posted:However, one small show in what appears to be an OS2R rich area of the country is not an indication of the popularity of this hobby segment.
The real measure is the number of new layouts that are being built and how many people are buying new product.
One never really knows just how many layouts are being built given that 2 rail O scalers tend to fly well under the radar on their activities and all too frequently we only find out about a layout in an obituary. But it still got built. Also, layout building tends to be a multi-year, frequently multi-decade adventure for many and that actually limits the numbers of modelers that enter into that pursuit. Many never do. And, those cannot be counted out as being not popular as they are also buying products against that time in the future wherein they arrive at the intersection of time, opportunity, and sufficient resources.
As for new products, the litany of poor quality inaccurate O scale products extends beyond what the mortal coil can begin to assemble. Produce good quality, accurate O scale products minus the pandering and compromises to the non-scale market; start there and see what develops. Until that takes place, expect the rejection of recycled rubbish of which we are under no obligation to support.
