Where do modellers get their info? Here's my list:
S scale sources: 1) Other S scalers: Internet and in-person, 2) Yahoogroups, 3) NASG Dispatch, 4) Modeling Guide, 5) Manufacturers General Info: 1) Yahoogroups, 2) Model Railroader, 3) Mainline Modeller, 4) Historical societies 5) and believe it or not, that rare local hobby store - "Grandad's". I have found in the last few years that between the historical societies and their internet chat groups, and the special interest internet groups (handlaidtrack, layoutconstruction, layoutdesign, airbrush, etc) I have been able to "meet", help and be helped by modellers well above my "game". Resources have come pouring forth. I have found this "word of mouth" effective at developing the ways I am building my layout. Many of these sources are HO guys who've got their layouts built....Hey, can't they do it in a week or two? Yet this same effective modeling tool is less successful in S scale where the battle for every sale almost requires coding discussions so as not to hurt anyone's prospects when discussing "detailing" projects. Funny thing is that some of the places I've spent my S scale dollars have been due to posting here on this list...."Hey what I really wish for was....X" and then someone emails "I've just cast that..." or whatever, and I and maybe a few others buy a bunch. In case anyone's reading, I really wish there were more after-market kits like the HO guys have in plastic for fashioning all variations of RS-3's. Fact is, I have a vast inventory of BTS parts but now have to use 'em, and fashion the rest: a coupler pocket, a Phase 1b vent, and some realistic tanks, battery boxes etc. that I'll have to fashion in plastic. Unless someone somewhere has these...hint, hint, hint... That said my fear is that these lists separate into hobbies of their own....a direction layout design and decal software seem headed. Same with casting, etching, and laser cutting. My intended hobby is building and operating a layout. I'm trying, but I'm not there yet. Trying to avoid the "collecting" hobby...but it is hard. So where would I advertise for word of mouth? Shows, internet, clubs, etc. Hard work. But if you know your product, sell good stuff, and like people, things will eventually go well. What finally got me back into a hobby store? Went to "Grandad's Trains and Hobbies" in Springfield Va. where he closes his store only 5 days a year....and was open on Sunday after Christmas and New Years! so I could get some paint to run through my new airbrush. He Runs clinics, etc. etc. and it takes him 2 cash registers and 4 guys to keep the line moving on weekends. He stocks all scales, every obscure brand of paint, screws, ballast, etc. - all the stuff...not just the high margin stuff....and that's why he's not only in business but thriving. Where do his guys go on vacation? Cass! What a store! Guys have fun there, meet there, come in together to buy things, even do research in his back-issue magazine "library" there. Never seen any place like it. So is that good "word of mouth" or what? He's earned my business...and anyone in S scale probably has as well....as I see they work just about as hard. Paul Dolkos once said that the best way to succeed in modeling prototypes today was to look for an historical society full of active modellers. They're out there and thriving. Same holds for S scale. And as this baby boom gets into middle age - hobbies are booming. Fortunately in S scale I see lots of helping hands. This earns a lot of loyalty even if it doesn't snag the occassional interloper who'd really rather be a 3-rail-O-scale-kind-of-guy-anyway. Finally, the number of active S scalers ? I say well north of the 25 to 30 number quoted by manufacturers...call it 26 or 31! No actually, I'd say that number may be right for any given single product, but that the 25-30 modellers interested may well be a rotating group in terms of names. Maybe we've got 20 NYC freaks and 20 Pennsy freaks - but the rest of us seem to come in 2's and 3's. The more limiting factor is the need to have folks who not only buy but actually use the product on a layout so that they can get word of mouth, photos, etc. Can't blame them there...and can't wait to have join the parade. May take me a while longer yet, but hope to "fit" in soon.... but for now, my definition of soon runs a little soft. The traditional sort of patience necessary to endure S scale's special "charms" may work against us as we become more successful at being able to fulfill our dreams. And if I'm ever going to get anywhere in terms of my dream of running something on the layout, I've got to get off this darn machine! So I am outta heyah! Regards, Skip The poll results are in....... To REPLY to the list, use REPLY ALL, to reply to the sender, use REPLY. I do NOT know if this works on all e-mail software, but it works on some of the most common ones. For those of you on DIGEST mode, all REPLY messages go to the list. Change your membership, change your message settings, use our CALENDAR, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
