Finding Scale vs. Hi-rail discussion interesting. Apparently everyone agrees more than disagrees, and even the disagreements are cordial!
S has alot to offer, but as some alluded to, product selection is fragmented and many are unaware of what's currently available (although it's getting easier now-a-days with a computers & websites). Of particular interest is how to "grow" the numbers in the Scale. Also lack of a clear standard to work towards in the future. I believe "S" can get more converts from both "O" & "HO" (i.e. 3- railers looking to go scale, and aging HO'ers having difficulty seeing & working on their models). Also believe neophytes with little to no modelling experience (i.e. aging Baby Boomer looking for a hobby) offers some "growth" potential. It's a Catch 22 situation, yet unlike: "Field of Dreams", where 'if you build it & they will come'. Alot of suggestions take money $$$. Ask SHS or AM! Unless you win the Mega-million and start a charitable "S" Foundation, you have to look at the bottom-line. Pressuring Lionel & K-line to offer smaller pizza-cutter sized wheel flanges, which can run on code .125 would not cost us anything. What caused alot of growth in "O" Gauge 3-rail was custom gargraves- type trackage (i.e. RTR curved turnouts, three ways for yards, etc...) Even though its still "high rail". Even the American Flyer crowd would start looking at Scale length passenger cars if they had RTR 36" radius curved turnouts, and HO'ers would want 3-ways, etc... I believe most neophytes don't take the plunge in S (and go to HO or 3-rail instead) because lack of variety of RTR track including low profile switch motors (not just #5 Left & Rights). And yes, I realize many will end up trashing their cheap integral switch motors later, it's almost a necessary evil to attract them in the first place. As far as AC E-units, conventional DC & DCC; I'll leave that to the electronic experts. Although I heard rumor they're working on a DCC receiver that can work on both convential DC & DCC (i.e. automatically sense type of voltage / signal and respond appropriately without additional wiring, switches, etc...). Also, although most of us are not interested in "starter sets", perhaps we could get AM and SHS to send one of their starter sets to the NASG table at various shows for display & consignment sale (at end of event) or arrange UPS pick-up if it doesn't sell? Perhaps some of us could buy some to give to: our kids, nieces or nephews, or grandchildren for Christmas! Best regards, Dennis Hultay Bloomfield NJ To REPLY to the list, use REPLY ALL; to reply to the sender, use REPLY. For those of you on DIGEST mode, all REPLY messages go to the list (remember to edit the SUBJECT of your message). Change message settings, use our CALENDAR or LINKS, 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/
