Seems to me the statements being made confirm 2 rail scale is not popular - the definition of POPULAR Google Search is (of cultural activities or products) intended for or suited to the taste, understanding, or means of the general public rather than specialists or intellectuals. OR 1 : of or relating to the general public ยท 2 : suitable to the majority
As stated above: a full sold out show and packed venue usually equates to popular by most assessments. 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. This clearly does not support the definition of popular.
I was at a small show recently when there was a single 2RS switching layout. The guy at the layout was oblivious to the people around him and would barely answer questions about what he was doing, ... I know all 2RS people are not like that but he did nothing to promote 2RS - I had to think - if you don't want to talk to people, why did you bother bringing the layout to the show? I would guess this guy was under 50, certainly not in the retiree bunch.
So back to the original question of increasing popularity?? getting to the general public today means social media - and lots of it to attract a whole lot of eyes. People who want to sit in their train caves and be left alone are not the type to lead a popularity charge. I would argue until a critical mass of 2RSers step out and lead a vigorous and consistent popularity charge, 2RS will just keep creaking along - at best.
