On Thu, 17 May 2007 20:57:44 -0700, Scale S Only wrote
> Hi All --
>
> Unfortunately, I agree with Ed L. Worse than that, I think ALL
> scales are reaching their peak and in 20 years or less model
> railroading will be like the white dwarf star that had only recently
> shown so brightly as a nova. This has a lot to do with my feeling of
> the hobby age demographic. I believe that the current median age
> is well past 50 (as I am) and has risen at about the same rate as I
> have aged. Add 20 and you can see what's next.... From my shop
> experience, I know that there are younger train types out there, but
> they are very few compared to the older batch of us.
>
> The interesting part is that EVERY 2 year old boy is a train nut...
>
> I wish us all and the hobby a lot of luck!
>
> Bill Winans
>
Much agreed. We can all pontificate about how the S scale should be or is
growing. The reality is that the current generation of youth as a whole
have ignored model railroading as a hobby. We are a dying hobby.
I will tell you this. Each time we display the Canadian S Scale Workshop
Modular Layout, we get a few more interested people. This past year we have
actually had two converts from HO. But, the ages are in the late 50's.
Quite right about younger kids being into trains. However, if they stay
with it is the real question. I have four kids in the Model Railroad Club
at school and I believe they are there because they like it but also because
they are the poorest in the school. In other words, they can't afford the
cell phones and the electronic gizmos that all the other kids have. These
are the real competition to our hobby or any hobby for that matter. I
wonder how things are in model airplane world.
John, kudos for getting Jim King involved. I too am a manufacturer but not
even close to John's level of sophistication. However I am directed at a
more specified and smaller market that would not warrant the methodology and
expense of his operation. I look forward to anyone entering the S scale
marketplace. It certainly won't compete with anything that I have to
offer.
cheers,
Andy Malette
www.mlwservices.ca
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