Re-posting because yahoo doesn't like parenthesis.....
I have said this before, but I will say it again.
Recruiting more to S-Scale isn't as hard as we (the group) thinks it is. But it
will require CHANGE from the Status Quo.
1/64th is the LARGEST & most popular scale in die-cast collecting. More & more
die-cast collectors, Farm, Construction, Truck etc., are building dioramas &
layouts. Many want trains, but either don't know about S-scale for the
following reasons, or settle with HO, because it's close-enough and cheaper.
S is one of the oldest of the modern model RR scales, dating pre-WWII in the
USA and about 100 years old in the united Kingdom & Europe, but it isn't well
known to hobbyists due to lack of advertising, more-so Cross advertising.
CONFUSION is also HUGE for S-scale. we have: (no offense meant here, but this
is perception, also this is not a scale vs. hi-rail vs. Am. Flyer debate, and
it is fact)
1) American Flyer aka toy
2) Hi-Rail aka more detailed toy
3) scale aka models
4) AC current what's AC?
5) DC current what's DC? (sadly modern days, most people are not skilled in
basic electricity anymore).
6) Sn3 (also other narrow gauges) aka Colorado Mining (Rio Grande).
other scales have: Z, N, HO, O (also Lionel 3-rail O-27) simply standard gauge
or narrow gauge.
This makes HO, N & Z look simple & uncomplicated. when looking at S Scale
people get confused, because they are unfamiliar with the options & what the
differences are. Also they see S locomotives or rolling stock at a train show,
and inevitably, they want scale or hi-rail & the model on the table is the
opposite. Sure most can be switched around, but the cost of doing this, is
about the same as buying a models in one of the other scales.
I feel we need to change the Marketing perception of S-scale (scale) trains to
1:64th Trains. S-gauge with so many varieties confuses many, trust me. Those of
us that collect other things in the scale, call it 1/64th, NOT S. S is ONLY for
Model RR's, which many don't realize or make the connection.
In this modern world, the propaganda of governments & Education institutions
like us to believe that we are now smarter than previous generations, But this
isn't necessarily true. We may have more access to information & tools, but
it's quick access, to in many ways we are dumbed down, and expect simpler
things, pre-made (aka ready to run), easily available with out confusion. This
is both good & bad, but as long as this confusion continues, our scale will
remain as it has, with ups & downs, but probably more downs as the boomer
generation ages, and goes to run their model RR's in the sky.
I also touched on PRICE POINT, Price point will become ever more important.
Industry & manufactures cry that everything costs so much, they have to raise
prices, outsource, make over seas, etc. The problem with this is, Americans &
peoples from most of the rest of the modern industrial world, have far less
spendable income than the previous Generations since WWII. At 37, I'm in the
FIRST generation in the USA that will earn LESS than my parents & grandparents
Generations, and have a cost of living much higher. This IS and HAS BEEN the
TREND, and our society is finally recognizing it. If we are to keep people in
the hobby (expanding & adding to their inventory/collection) or going to add
people, the Price point must be affordable, and comparable for competition with
other scales.
The Third component to success is AVAILABILITY. Our scale is a Buy it when you
can scale, this goes for all segments. While any collecting is this way, we
need to change it, from collecting to modeling. Say we get someone interested
in starting or switching to S-Scale, but the road name he wants isn't
available, or isn't available with any remotely accurate locomotives or rolling
stock. Take for example, Northern Pacific, Great Northern, Soo Line, Milwaukee
Road (which happened to be the lines I'm interested in), While there have been
some nice offerings, there are currently very few available, where-as in other
scales there is an abundance. Very few hobby shops carry scale trains, a few
more carry hi-rail or Flyer. When you search the internet, you come up with the
variety & confusion previously mentioned.
To recap, I feel if we lessen or eliminate the CONFUSION, improve PRICE POINT &
AVAILABILITY, we can add to the interest in S-Scale or as I advocate 1/64th
Model Railroading. If we don't make some changes, most likely nothing will
change, and we will follow the trends as they have been happening. We need
variety, both RTR models, and high Quality Kits such as the Former Pacific Rail
Shops, however, a kit such as a PRS is not worth that same price as an American
Models or S-Helper Service RTR car. We also need more available components for
Scratch building, after all, S is The Modelers Scale. When companies like M2
Machines can make a very high detailed 1/64th truck with semi trailer, i.e.
1950's Ford, Chevy & Dodge (where they have to buy licensing) with variety of
trailers, Box Van, Flat bed, Auto Rack etc., and sell at a RETAIL price of
$15.99, the same can be done for 1/64th scale Model railroad rolling stock. Low
price points can drastically increase sales, Industrial history has proven this.
I truly hope to see our Scale continue & grow,
Martin (Yonson)
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