Mike Wolf's (fuzzy) vision of the model railroad hobby

And in the 1950's people were probably saying how the everything had to be electric and kids didn't want wooden toys anymore.  Just a funny observation.  Technology certainly changes things, and they have certainly made our trains better, or at least more interesting.

An interesting note to all this, Lego's continue to sale.  My son spends more time with is Lego's building his own creations.  The problem with the trains I see with kids is they re more complicated to deal with for them than other things.  If there was a way around this, I think more would be involved at younger ages.

There is a lesson to be learned from Thomas Wooden Train sets that are still extremely popular.  They are expensive to buy, but basic enough for kids to make their own world with and have fun.  Kids still do like hands on experiences.  They like to build things and make the move.

computers don't help either and video gaming either-less money too and less space needed.

Wow, lots of words. Can't read them all (I have a WBB 4-6-0 upgrade/bash calling my

name in the RR building), and I'm sure that all this is said somewhere above, and this thread is probably close to done, but (whew!):

I'm 65 years old, and I have a s**tpile of trains. There is absolutely nothing that will

ever get me to buy like I used to. I have the money - though I must remember that these items were bought over a period of 25 years - and I have a couple of things in the air, but mostly I upgrade what I've got, if that. There are some things that I would buy in a 

heartbeat, but none of them are Legacy-upgraded-re-issues, nor the repetitive

offerings, and are apparently not going to happen.

If the next hurricane takes all my collection/inventory, you had better believe that some of it would be replaced, but most of it (nice as it is), no. There would be no big re-

placement spree; there would be a modest one.

The market has fallen partly just because of guys like me: appetite satisfied,

some particulars missed, but when I look at all this stuff I've got, it sometimes actually makes me uncomfortable, not happy. Too much. I'm no Puritan (couldn't be; I'm a

Southerner), but my Calvinist Presbyterian upbringing whispers: "excessive!".

Or something like all that. Mike Wolf: Thank You for encouraging everybody, and 

waking up the Old and Stale. 

I would think if you took a poll here that statistically most railroad hobbyists in O gauge started from their parents handing down an old set.

Today, kids are exposed to to trains either by parents or by some of the excellent model railroad clubs and public displays out there that share the hobby especially around holidays.

Good point mentioned earlier about Thomas the Tank sets.  Kids still enjoy trains, even in a world where railroading has become so much less prominent of an industry.  So moving kids from Thomas "layouts" of track and engines to an O gauge set is not impossible.

I'm not sure if the market has really fallen all that much--at least not yet--but if/when that does happen, it will, at least in part, be the result of folks like you and me having had our appetites largely satisfied over the past 18 or so years.  Like you, I have an embarrassingly large inventory of trains already, and even I have to admit that my "collection" has grown to ridiculous proportions.

Sunday's sermon 2 weeks ago was the 'dart-in-the-heart' for me...and apparently a bunch of us.  (Ref. Matt 6:19-21)

Heard it before.  The message received.

My Metholutherpentacost (It's the same Bible, folks!) background leaves me feeling the same.  The pile must be winnowed...and it will... very soon.

Nonetheless, God has been good to us.  We've been blessed. And the tithe+ has not been compromised in the process. 

Most of what's needed lately, anyway, is Sculptamold, sheets of builders foam, foliage materials, and the like.  And lots of patience.....and continued good health!

Uh, no...  I'm a first generation model railroader. 

Actually, our first trainset was bought (from Goldblatt's) for my 4 year older brother when he was around five.  His interest faded before becoming a teenager and he is not a model railroader today.

It wasn't until we moved to the suburbs a decade later that I able to have "the layout" up year round.

Rusty

My father had no sympathy whatever for my childhood interest in toy trains.  I'm sure he had even less sympathy and understanding when I bought my first three rail O gauge train several decades later.  So much for that theory.....

quote:

Joe,

TV took the starch out of a lot of things in our society.  And the TCA article cited some data and a study to back up its statement.  Do you have any?

Well... he said "phooey"... doesn't that count?

Regarding "The Demise/Imminent Death and Apocalyptic Collapse of Model Railroading": 

Haven't a clue as to why others may not be as active, but in my case the internet and laziness has interfered with my involvement... with a big helping of burnout  thrown in for good measure.

Mike's Decisions On Running His Own Business:

Seems to me Mikey has done alright: From a cottage industry to a definite mover and shaker in the industry with his own factory in China/etc.  Plus, he definitely married UP.

Seems the lad has it together, IMHO. (For whatever that's worth.)

End of input.

Carry on Gents!

 Andre

John Menard goes to the same Train Store I do, Bill fixes his trains when he breaks them..

I'm in that group too, Allan.  But I'll probably always see something I'd like to add, just maybe not at the same rate as I have in the past.  With eight Grandchildren who love the trains, the family tradition will continue!    

I think Mike Wolf as well as Lionel ( whoever the CEO happens to be) has a smaller say in the popularity of trains than most can appreciate or recognise. You can only do so much with a product that simply goes around in a small circle, versus what is available to kids now. We don't decide what kids want and neither does Wolf or Lionel. Railroads are no longer the huge slice of daily life they once were. Its just the way it is. As far as generation X passing on a tradition, I suspect this is a growing minority. Of course I dont stay up at night worrying about it, and don't particularly care whats popular and whats not.

I feel most of us are loade with more trains than I wanted and needed-look at every one thinning their collections on the buy/sell forum-we had it good between 2000=2012

look at the size of mth and lionel catalogs-over 170 pages.

there was a report on tv that 70 percent of the people are living paycheck to paycheck-everything is going up but wages-gas-grocerys-gas and electric-etc.

I feel most of us have what we wanted in this hobby and unless something we were looking for comes up for sale we do not buy-so much money and room for all the boxes to store.

just my thoughts on the condition of the hobby now-

quote:

You can only do so much with a product that simply goes around in a small circle, versus what is available to kids now.

Quite true. No matter how big the layout, in the end the trains are just going around in circles. I guess that is why I am more a collector than an operator.

For me, and I believe for many others (regardless of what they call themselves) the fun is in the planning, building, repairing, hunting, and so on.
When we involve our children in our hobby, I don't think building the layout for them and just letting them run trains is going to foster an interest in trains. I think the kids need to be involved the whole way, doing all the things I listed before.

Mine were.

This year I bought two engines that were made late 1970's to early 1980's. Still in the box and not run ever. Got them both for around $100.00 each, great bargain for me and very happy with the purchases. I can't afford hundred's for an engine or truly justify it, nor can I control the future and or the fate of the hobby. All I know is that I have enough to keep me satisfied and to pass onto my son if he chooses to keep them. But I would truly miss it if Lionel or MTH would fold within my lifetime.

>>> I would truly miss it if Lionel or MTH would fold within my lifetime.<<

There are enough trains in the aftermarket to satisfy ten lifetimes.

Joe

"But I would truly miss it if Lionel or MTH would fold within my lifetime."

I understand and share your feelings to a large extent, but it's best to remember that nothing lasts forever.  The Roman Empire, The British Empire, The American Ascendancy, and AC Gilbert's wonderful toy company included.  I console myself that as long as I and those I care about have good health, a roof over our heads, and enough to eat, everything else in life is gravy.  Peace out, man .

Ya but sometimes you cant beat opening a new unused fresh from the factory box up.

quote:

Ya but sometimes you cant beat opening a new unused fresh from the factory box up.

There are plenty of new, old stock modern era trains that would fill the bill.
There are still even some postwar trains around that are new, and unused, sitting in their factory boxes.

Simple equation of supply and demand. As Joe stated way, way, way more trains available than folks to buy them. When the supply exceeds the demand, watch out.

In many cases, I cannot tell old from new and with enough effort to find bargains, there are many to be had. An example is a Polar Express engine I got for $50.00. Replaced the pilot and it's good to go,a good puller and a nice engine. I think sometimes it's how we define "good enough." Also, I think it's a matter of tinkering, which some avoid like the plague. I think the comments on supply and demand are apt ( the supply of used train stuff is more than ample) and this factor simply reinforce my early comment on tradition, ( read diminishing nostalgia in generation X) and even manufacturers choices or opinions run second place to factors that are controlled by nobody in particular. Quite a few of us won't be around anyway to either be concerned or carry on any sort of tradition. Why worry about it? Fuzzy logic or not.

Although this thread has drifted off track a little there is one thing I've been wondering about:

Is all this talk about getting trains into the Big Box stores really concerned about the growth of the hobby, or just some folks looking to buy more trains at a lower price?

Rusty

How have you been doing Neil?  Well, I hope.

On that note, I saw my first Christmas ad of this year already....last night...on the Home Shopping Network.

Someone changed the channel from "Big Bang Theory" to HSN, while I was away from the couch.

That may be the earliest in the season, I have seen Christmas ads...which previously was October for me.

"Is all this talk about getting trains into the Big Box stores really concerned about the growth of the hobby, or just some folks looking to buy more trains at a lower price?"

I'm sure it varies from individual to individual but I suspect most of us like the idea as a memory of the time when toy trains were more mainstream and seen in non-specialty retail establishments.  Some may like the idea of going into a retailer and getting a good deal after Christmas .  I don't have strong feelings about this but I can see why people want their experience of toy trains not to be restricted completely to hobby shops.  Many folks are concerned about the future of the hobby and exposure of families through mainstream retailing.  I kind of like seeing trains in all public locales because almost everyone finds it entertaining, myself included.

Speaking of varying markets..Does Bachman still do the Home Shopping Network at Christmas?

Hi Andre, if Mike married up as you say then I say it's been a wonderful thing for him, his inlaws and a good part of my collection.

Electroliner, pretty sure I saw Bachmann on a shopping network last holiday season. 

gg1man,  I know you read the information (accurate from those who know) on how Mike met his great wife. 

It is good of you to try to correct the misinformation, but at the same time if there are people who are classless / tasteless enough to bring up a topic like that on a public forum -- how he met his wife is absolutely no one else's business -- they won't be dissuaded by facts. 

Hi Marty, to be honest with you I never met the lady nor did I ever discuss Mike's private life with anyone. The only thing that I could remember being said about her was from Lou and he said she was a doll.

Knowing Mike she must be A-#-1.

Just for the record... my statement that I made in my post:

quote:

Plus, he definitely married UP.

That's a term around here indicating a fella's spouse is better looking by a long stretch than the feller!

In otherwords, it's a COMPLIMENT to the COUPLE at the (humorous) expense of the husband. That is, simply meant as a good natured jest.

I haven't a clue where he met her, don't care, not interested. I was just being complimentary is all.

Have fun!

Andre

The phrase is also commonly used to indicate humorously that a man has married a woman smarter, richer, better educated or generally of a higher caliber than he. I personally thought that you were referring to the Union Pacific.

Hey Andre, I for one never took what you said in any other way other then Mike married a girl that was better then him.  Married-up being a term, I might add used between my buddies when we belly-up to the bar. Or could they of only meant me?

Is this the Gloom and Doom thread?  Was it Mark Twain who said something about the reports of his death being greatly exaggerated? I am in in my late 40's. I hope MTH, Lionel,Weaver, Atlas etc.. continue to roll onward into the future..

Call me "PollyAnna"!

Time to put this thread to a gentle sleep, I believe.