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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 1, 2016 6:20:27 GMT -8
Back in the late 1980's, or early 1990's (the late), Stew Marshall, was featured in an interview about his (new-at-the-time), Winter Park, Florida hobby shop "THE TRAIN DEPOT" - in Model Railroader Magazine. Stew mentioned (Not quoting here, but to the best of my recollection), that he would include a copy of MRR magazine, to every newcomer in the hobby, when they purchased for his shop, but that would be like advertising for all the wholesaler's in the business. He also stated, that the wholesaler's take the cream, and offer nothing else to the hobbyist, other than discounted prices. Furthermore, IIRC, he mentioned that the wholesaler's would ruin the hobby. Stew sold everything at MSRP (which he had every right to do!), and his shop was well-stocked with item's and detail pieces. Stew bought the former "DEWITT'S" Hobby Shop, & then relocated in a new store, a few blocks away. Stew's former HO model railroad, was a late 50's, early 60's pike (featured in a few publications) It was known as: (The) "South Troy, English & Wickliffe" Railroad. A fictitious moniker for his initials: "S.T.E.W" When I moved to central Florida (Clermont) in 1979, I drove the 30+ miles into Orlando, to buy from: "COLONIAL PHOTO AND HOBBY..DEWITT'S...THE TRAIN DEPOT.. and BKW TRAINS. (Big Kids World) In the late 80's - HOBBY BOX opened in Orlando, & in the nearby town, of Eustis, FL. They didn't last long. KAYBEE TOYS, & LIONEL PLAY WORLD were around then, but their train offering's were extremely limited. HOBBY LOBBY - is a farce, when it comes to trains! Howard Zane, opened several Hobby Shops, that failed, and what that man doesn't know about sales, and marketing etc. (not to mention his expertise in HO model Railroading - ain't worth knowin'!!!  Have you read his book: "My Life With Model Trains"? It is absolutely stunning in pics & info. (large hardbound book), w/289 pgs. and hundred's of color pics of his expanded (2,850 sq. ft./22 scale miles), of Appalachian railroading. An inspiration in the hobby, equal-to, and/or rivaling, and arguably on a par (or better), than George Sellios' Franklin And South Manchester HO masterpiece. (George was an inspiration for Howard)  A "must-have" book! ISBN: 0-9779834-0-4 Also a decent read, is Howard's paperback book: "A Nice Jewish Boy From Jersey" ISBN: 978-0-9779834-1-4 "Life is not a Dress Rehearsal" 353 pgs. At any rate...how can anyone support their local Hobby Shop these days, in their hometown (or nearby), when there are so few in existence???!!! (Sadly) -"Mom & Pop...have left-the-building!"  "Now Main Street's whitewashed windows...and vacant stores...Seems like there ain't nobody wants to come down here no more..."  SONG HERE>>>> |
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Post by jonklein611 on Sept 1, 2016 6:27:44 GMT -8
... HOBBY LOBBY - is a farce, when it comes to trains! ... That was a huge disappointment the first time I saw that store. "Oh man! Giant hobby shop!" *walk in* "Aw man...." |
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Post by riogrande on Sept 1, 2016 6:50:11 GMT -8
I think I've only walked into one Hobby Lobby and like so many other hobby shops, it had very little of interest for the serious model railroader and what there was as at or near full MRSP. As for HZ, yeah, my wife who is from England, is not impressed with how he puts his name all over everything on his tables - bigger than any other information on the labels; talented modeler probably, but she kicks off whenever we go to the train show and see his huge table of expensive brass or see his book; she is turned of by people who shamelessly promote themselves. I just tell her, welcome to America!
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Post by kenjrtw on Sept 1, 2016 8:23:07 GMT -8
Well, first off sorry if anyone was offended with our email. Unfortunately, we have heard of a lot of model train stores going out of business this year. This was not a shot at one store in general. This email was also sent out another time even BEFORE last weeks announcements. If you do a little digging you can find a bunch of other stores that closed or will be closing their doors. It's not fun when you hear of customers getting the short end of the stick on certain situations. There are many stores out there who do require a deposit for a preorder. We also stated the reasons why people should feel comfortable doing business with us. When certain stores (big or small) close, people tend to question the state of the hobby. We were trying to reassure our patrons the reasons why they should feel comfortable pre ordering from us. Going forward we will only state the reasons why you should preorder from us.
Also sorry if we offended anyone with a typo.
Ken Jr.
TrainWorld
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Post by riogrande on Sept 1, 2016 9:50:38 GMT -8
CN5094 - TW, Yes, for sure - many of the hobby shop closings have been noted on various forums such as Atlas Rescue, Train Orders, Model Railroader magazine, and MRH online magazine forums. It is good news that you are continuing to keep the store running through generations unlike so many others. Reassurance is a good thing in these shifting times. I do try to remind myself and others that commerce in general is changing as more business changes from traditional brick and mortar stores to online so even as we do lose shops in seemingly large numbers, the reach of existing online shops extends to us through the internet and helps to fill the voids. Thanks!
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Post by canrailfan on Sept 1, 2016 11:13:54 GMT -8
David, if you are right, it sounds like the distributors are choking off their outlet for products which is ultimately slow suicide? Not if the distributor also sets up a web store and sells direct to the end user at MSRP. I don't think the major distributors see that LHSs are a necessary part of the supply chain any longer. Walthers in particular continuously has sales on many products that LHSs have paid MSRP less 30% to bring into their stores. Now the LHSs have to either match Walthers sale price and make even less money or see their customer order it direct from Walthers. This is certainly a dis-incentive for LHSs to carry much in stock on the floor. Most LHSs I go to now have much less in stock than they did several years ago. Many will order items on request with a reasonable turnaround time but if you order on a slow week they may not be able to meet the distributor's minimum order amount and have to hold your order until they can. It's no wonder many LHS owners are leaving the business. |
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 1, 2016 12:33:41 GMT -8
Thanks Ken Jr./TRAINWORLD..."Or, What...HEH???!!!" |
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Post by dharris on Sept 1, 2016 13:35:09 GMT -8
Yes many train stores have closed.
Many of the new players like Exactrail, Moloco, Scaletrains, and Tangent also sell directly.
Athearn has cut its discount and introduced MAP and is also it's own distributor.
But it is part of a larger trend to online.
Wal Mart is investing billions to boost its online business and is cutting back on new stores and expansions for example. Even food buying and meal preparation is growing online.
If you have a good local train store, enjoy it.
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 2, 2016 3:32:47 GMT -8
riogrande wrote: "I think I've only walked into one Hobby Lobby and like so many other hobby shops, it had very little of interest for the serious model railroader and what there was as at or near full MRSP. As for HZ, yeah, my wife who is from England, is not impressed with how he puts his name all over everything on his tables - bigger than any other information on the labels; talented modeler probably, but she kicks off whenever we go to the train show and see his huge table of expensive brass or see his book; she is turned of by people who shamelessly promote themselves. I just tell her, welcome to America!" I look at it this way: Howard Zane is running a business. He is a dedicated follower of the Hobby of Trains! (Not a Kinks song): [sic] "Dedicated Follower Of Fashion!" Just as General Motors promotes their Chevrolets...FoMoCo - their F-150 pick-up trucks...& Fiat/Chrysler - their Ram trucks, and the "HEMI"...it makes for good business sense. Personally, I have the greatest respect for the man. I met him (and his wife Sandy), & his crew once @ a Train Show in Orlando, at the Fair Grounds, around 2005. IIRC. Howard has "been there" "done that" - and knows the hobby, both inside, & out. He speaks honestly, unabashedly, and authentically. He's had a career in Aviation, Professional-Pilot, Airport Owner, Industrial design, Interior design, Display design, Commercial & Fine Art, Pro Model making, Retail Hobby sales, & public event promotion. Did I mention that he plays a claw banjo, in a group The Southern Cow Tippers? IMHO, I find him, one of the most unforgettable people, I have ever met, in my years on this planet! In regards to Brass Trains, I think you'll agree that most are quite expensive, & collector pieces. Both he and Dan Glasure, are definitive experts in that part of the hobby (as well as others). If he's thought of by others, as being pompous, conceited, or worse "full-of-himself"...here's a man, who has had several marriages end in divorce, failures, etc. Been in the U.S. Army, etc. & has risen above it all. I say "S-A-L-U-T-E!" to him, & a handful of others who deem our limited time here on Earth, and proclaim: "Life Is Not A Dress Rehearsal" Sincerely, (and) Thanks for your time, & consideration, Jim. Cheers! AL P.S. Howard Zane, most assuredly, doesn't require my endorsement, nor approval, but plain, and simply, he has my respect...  |
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Post by jonklein611 on Sept 2, 2016 3:42:33 GMT -8
riogrande wrote: "I think I've only walked into one Hobby Lobby and like so many other hobby shops, it had very little of interest for the serious model railroader and what there was as at or near full MRSP. As for HZ, yeah, my wife who is from England, is not impressed with how he puts his name all over everything on his tables - bigger than any other information on the labels; talented modeler probably, but she kicks off whenever we go to the train show and see his huge table of expensive brass or see his book; she is turned of by people who shamelessly promote themselves. I just tell her, welcome to America!" I look at it this way: Howard Zane is running a business. He is a dedicated follower of the Hobby of Trains! (Not a Kinks song): [sic] "Dedicated Follower Of Fashion!" Just as General Motors promotes their Chevrolets...FoMoCo - their F-150 pick-up trucks...& Fiat/Chrysler - their Ram trucks, and the "HEMI"...it makes for good business sense. Personally, I have the greatest respect for the man. I met him (and his wife Sandy), & his crew once @ a Train Show in Orlando, at the Fair Grounds, around 2005. IIRC. Howard has "been there" "done that" - and knows the hobby, both inside, & out. He speaks honestly, unabashedly, and authentically. He's had a career in Aviation, Professional-Pilot, Airport Owner, Industrial design, Interior design, Display design, Commercial & Fine Art, Pro Model making, Retail Hobby sales, & public event promotion. Did I mention that he plays a claw banjo, in a group The Southern Cow Tippers? IMHO, I find him, one of the most unforgettable people, I have ever met, in my years on this planet! In regards to Brass Trains, I think you'll agree that most are quite expensive, & collector pieces. Both he and Dan Glasure, are definitive experts in that part of the hobby (as well as others). If he's thought of by others, as being pompous, conceited, or worse "full-of-himself"...here's a man, who has had several marriages end in divorce, failures, etc. Been in the U.S. Army, etc. & has risen above it all. I say "S-A-L-U-T-E!" to him, & a handful of others who deem our limited time here on Earth, and proclaim: "Life Is Not A Dress Rehearsal" Sincerely, (and) Thanks for your time, & consideration, Jim. Cheers! AL P.S. Howard Zane, most assuredly, doesn't require my endorsement, nor approval, but plain, and simply, he has my respect... FYI, at least in my area, Hobby Lobby is a craft store with zero model train stuff. |
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 2, 2016 3:52:08 GMT -8
jonklein611 wrote: "FYI, at least in my area, Hobby Lobby is a craft store with zero model train stuff." How is your comment relevant (that included my text), to "riogrande"...? Hmmm...sorry, but it's not.  But...No Worries...I'll give 'ya a "Mulligan!"  (HAH!) |
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Post by riogrande on Sept 2, 2016 3:53:24 GMT -8
Al, the comments I was sharing were a reflection of my wifes reaction. Would you like me to hand here my phone so she can read your reply?
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 2, 2016 4:02:36 GMT -8
Jim: I fully understand that. I meant no disrespect, and I was just trying to make a point, sir. No...actually: Sever-"AL" points. No worries! P.S. I would gladly even accept a phone call, from either of you, but my mother said: "N-E-V-E-R to give-out the number!" Take care, AL |
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Post by jonklein611 on Sept 2, 2016 4:18:13 GMT -8
jonklein611 wrote: "FYI, at least in my area, Hobby Lobby is a craft store with zero model train stuff." How is your comment relevant (that included my text), to "riogrande"...? Hmmm...sorry, but it's not. But...No Worries...I'll give 'ya a "Mulligan!" (HAH!) Whooops, didn't see you quoted rio. Used to seeing the quote boxes. |
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Post by llxlocomotives on Sept 2, 2016 4:52:48 GMT -8
Here on the Nrthwest side of Indy, the HL had some low end toy trains. Their focus is not on what the male population (not exclusively) would consider hobbies. Crafts, Sewing. Knitting and. The rest is indeed a form of a hobby. At the end of the day, it may also be more lucrative.
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Post by riogrande on Sept 2, 2016 10:01:01 GMT -8
Jim: I fully understand that. I meant no disrespect, and I was just trying to make a point, sir. No...actually: Sever-"AL" points. No worries! P.S. I would gladly even accept a phone call, from either of you, but my mother said: "N-E-V-E-R to give-out the number!" Take care, AL Good advise! My wife grew up very poor in northern England so she tends to not have much patience for those who come across publicly to her as well-to-do "me monsters"; she's a fireplug! Every time we go to the Timonium show she's like "there he is, there he is! where are the groupies! She comes from the land of the stiff upper lip. |
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 2, 2016 10:32:29 GMT -8
 Jim: "Bloody-well good, I say!" I was in Portsmouth, England - back in 1969 (NATO Cruise) aboard the (former) aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62). Our Light Attack Bomber Squadron (VA-64) Douglas A-4C Sky Hawks, were attached to "CVW7" (Carrier Air Wing 7), and found the people there, both very friendly, and proper. Sadly the employment rate was poor, and may well have worsened, up-to the present. I visited London, & Piccadilly via train... Cheerio!...till next time.  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 16:13:56 GMT -8
ll-in-all, the Model Railroading Hobby, (sadly), is suffering... Mail order wholesale is off too. As Petula Clark sang: It's a: "Sign-Of-The-Times." It's Simple Economics 101. Prices are increasing (even discounted items), and sales are steadily on the decline. Hopefully there will remain enough outlets, that continue their operations, because without them, they're going to be missed... HUGELY!  Yet there are more new (and better, value-wise) model RR items available every week. More items are available now than ever before. Just as it was last week, month, year, decade... I'm not seeing how "more stuff for sale now" fits into the "sales are declining" model. How to explain the "success" of Tangent, Rapido, Athearn, Exactrail, Bowser, Scale Trains (TBD), etc? Can't they see they should have failed long ago? If only they spent more time reading model railroad forums and less time making and selling models, surely they would recognize the hopeless situation and and shut down asap? The "End is Near" has been proclaimed by modelers loudly & frequently (pretty much every day) since at least the 1960s. Over 50 years of woe. Right now, somewhere, a modeler mourns the eminent demise of The Hobby As We Knew It. Many a forum archive are scattered with dark prophecies of suffering and want. To-date, all such forecasts have come to naught...  Milwaukee MMR interns, circa 1963 Why is it different this time? Sure, local hobby shops are in decline (as are many olde-tyme specialty shoppes, like video rental and blacksmithing), but the hobby is fine. There has never been a better time to be a modeler. Today in Covina, CA I drove by a soon-to-open hobby shop today that will specialize in "G" scale items. There is an existing general purpose hobby shop within two blocks. Anecdotal, sure, but it's better than another tattoo parlor or boba shop. |
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 2, 2016 22:21:28 GMT -8
Touche'! 'omaharoad.' (I never said it's ending, nor the end is near). Is the popularity of the Model Railroading Hobby fading? Yes! Are model "TRAINS" (in general), a part-of-the-past to many? Yep! Is a "train set" a Wish-List item for kids these days? (Not on your life!) Railroads are still around, in the real 1:1 world. & will be long-after I'm gone, as they are still a necessity, in spite of the Trucking Industry. Let's face-it...not every business had a RR siding, behind their building, even in Trains Golden Age. Most assuredly (and sadly to us Train Guys), there are numerous, and way-too-many Fallen Flags, that won't be returning. Economics, profit/loss & Bean Counter's, the meek that run corporate America, are the enemy to trains. Atlas Model RR Co's. Asian factories were shut-down, for labor issues and their track, was a rare commodity. Irv Athearn experienced legal woes, by hiring non-U.S. citizen's. and when he sadly passed, his family didn't want the hassle, of continuing his life's work. So the employees took over Athearn. Then it was sold to Horizon Hobbies. (ask any dealer, and/or hobby shop owner), how difficult they were to deal with! Walther's bought-out Life-Like Trains, in Baltimore MD. - and their entire inventory in so many semi-trailers. Sad to see them go. I'm not a big fan of Walther's - but if they ever close, it won't be pleasant! *&^%$#@!  Awhile back. I read (in MRR magazine, IIRC), that the hobby of Model Railroading has always survived, even during economic woes. I attribute that to anyone who couldn't afford such luxuries as dining-out, buying a new car, sending a teenager to college, living in high cotton, etc. The fact that in lean times, a person always had their trains, layout, kits, or the like, to fall-back on, that cost them basically nothing. Kits were available, & there was still much fanfare, where trains were concerned. Over the last fifty-plus years, there was a completely different "look" to the hobby. Is it Doom & Gloom? Certainly NOT - to the diehards, & hobbyist's that love-'em. I can't deny, that there are great offerings - in the hobby, monthly. I also can't deny, the prices are very high...what hasn't gone-up in price? There are cheap ways to enjoy our hobby...and there are expensive ways as well. That has remained a constant, since the beginning. Brass Hats are fading too, as are the grumpy old Hobby Shop owners. I equate that to the Old-School old timers that scoffed at the muscle cars, of the 60's, and pined for their Model T's & Model A's. Hot Rodder's loved them, but chopped, louvered, channeled, death traps with big engines, and brakes were an after-thought, and slammed Rat Rods are the ticket now, as those high $$$ Rods, sportin' billet aluminum, & stainless of the 90's were out-of-reach for most of us. The Investor's ruined the hobby, back in the late 80's & the 90's - driving-up prices, with "Matching Number's", etc. and the like. Again...both sides of the coin, clashing... "The times they are a changing" Anyone who refuses to admit that, is either in denial, or is blind to reality, or isn't up on current events. "Game-Over?" No... not sooner...later! TT (Table Top) scale died, and then had a brief (read VERY brief), resurgence. S-scale- often thought-of as the ideal Model RR'g size, is still great, but still there ain't much availability out there. O scale was King, but we all know the space issues, & requirements, (and cost), of 1:48 scale. N scale is popular still, Z scale a novelty act... G-scale is another story, and me, myself, & I (and most of the hobby), still prefer HO scale. Too bad the forefather's of the hobby, didn't use a total of 24 Volts of car batteries, rather than 12 volts. Then not even mud-on-the-rails - would affect our trains runnin'! It's still a great hobby, loved by those, that dig trains...Bless the beast's and the children too! Thank-goodness for pioneers that shaped the hobby, in it's infancy. Lynn Wescott, John Allen, Irvin R. Athearn.CA. Athearn, Inc. Pioneer Mfr. of HO popularly priced plastic train equipment. Mfr O gauge freight car kits. Joshua Lionel Cowen. NJ. Founder Lionel Mfg. Co., and later Lionel Corporation, makers of Lionel trains. Alfred C. Gilbert. A. C. Gilbert Co. Mfr. of Erector sets, later American Flyer trains. First president TMA. George Hook CA. Central Valley Model Works, Mfr. trucks, craftsman type freight car kits. Treasurer of MRIA. Albert C. Kalmbach in WI. Founder Kalmbach Publishing Co., Publ. Model Railroader. Charter member NMRA. Charles A. Penn, NJ. Publisher Railroad Model Craftsman, Toy Trains, published first hobby trade mag., Active in early industry trade groups, HIAA. Stephen Schaffan. NJ. Founder Atlas Tool Co., creator of Atlas HO sectional Snap Track, plastic HO structures. George Stock. PA. George Stock Models. Model Retailer; Custom Loco Builder. Pioneer HO scale 1930s. John Tyler. NJ. Co-founder Mantua Metal Products Co., helped popularize HO scale. P.S. (The name Mantua is correctly pronounced "Man-Chew-ah!") Gordon Varney. IL. Varney Scale Models. Mfr. of HO popular loco and car kits 1936. Made O gauge loco kit in 1946. William K. Walthers. WI. Model RR Mfr., est 1932. NMRA Charter member. Active in HIAA, MRR mfr. groups. and...Carmen Webster Kelly. NY. Model Railroad Equipment Corp. Model retailer. Promoted model railroading on TV. Active in trade associations. (To name a few) "AMEN!"  I cherished Christmas-time memories from the 1950's and 1960's (still do), and even the Sears catalogs, had many train sets advertised. I sent-away for Lionel's free catalogs, when I was in Jr. High (although "playing-with-trains"), was considered square by 90% of the kids I knew in school. I moved to south Florida, in 1957, & bought Lionel trains from classmates that wouldn't be "caught-dead" - even talking about their former love of trains. I had a paper route, & added to my brother's "hand-me-down", pre-war Lionel freight set, with the pin couplers. That old 027 gauge, 2-6-2 Prairie, (#1666), was in active service again on a 3-1/2 foot x 6' piece of plywood, on the floor, in our Florida room, for a week - just prior to Christmas, & shortly afterward, the whole thing, was wrapped-up, and put-away, until the next year. (I still have the loco, & whistle tender.) I bought used Lionel so I could have a separate consist to run the newer knuckle-type couplers, and so it went... I don't have a Doomsday approach to the HO scale hobby, or toy-trains, and I still firmly believe that "HO...Is-The-Way-To-Go!" (there's a can-of worms, can opener for the N scaler's!) Regardless of my opinion (read: the one I'm stuck with), I still feel the Train Hobby, will always have a dedicated following. and their dedicated followers. THAT'S-GREAT! For the most-part, there are many, (no TOO many), that think our hobby is stupid, dull, boring, & the like. I still correct "anyone" that said my pike looks cute (women), and have heard all-too-many times: "...so what do you do with this thing?" "Play choo-choo!" - I always tell them. "MAN!!!...how much money did all this stuff cost?" is another comment, I frequently have heard too. Another classic: "This reminds me of that movie Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, when Richard Dreyfus had that train layout in his living room, and shoveled all that dirt into it!" I have often heard: "How many trains can you run at once?" "ONE!", I "AL"-ways reply. "Is that as fast as it goes?"  Once more, I just have a gut feeling, that the new generation, can't be bothered with trains, as a cheap "Botchmann" train set, and a circle of track, does nothing for anyone, as it probably will not run for long, on the carpeting. Atlas tried selling a decent loco, & a few cars, that faired-far better than any cheap Life-Like train set. How well did it sell? I have no idea. Kids today, have an "Instant Gratification" Mode - that surely doesn't equate with Trains. I would laugh-out-loud, when I first caught a glimpse, of all the 1:24 & 1:25 scale model cars, already built, in the box, at Walmart! At the former Orange Blossom Hobby Shop, on N.W. 36 Street in N.W. Miami (circa 1965), one of the guys working there proclaimed to me: "The slot car hobby of 1:32 scale - will take-over model trains!" They had a 10-12 year run. (they are still popular in other countries), but not so-much here in the U.S.A. (Yes, I got back into them) - feverishly, eight years ago, but when it's just one person, it's boring running one car. And...I'm well-aware of digital slots, and they mirror DCC, as the track must be very clean, for them to function properly. I prefer analog (of course). I entertained the thought of ripping-out all my Atlas N/S track, from my 12' x 24' layout, to replace it with the more authentic Code 83, Never happened! I entertained going to DCC.... but opted instead for the Atlas Sound Controller 2.0 & the 6.0 instead. Works for me! I'm presently on the "Cutting-Edge" of D.C. Technology!!! I like buttons, & knobs that go "click"...and I spent many years in the automotive hobby, both buying, & selling. I built two drag cars, for E.T. Bracket Racing...and yaddi-yadda-Um-Gwadda-Kick-Booty-Blah-blah-blah, etc. I just feel the Model Railroading Hobby, is slowly fading, and regardless of my thought's, I still say when someone question's "A-N-Y" hobby I'm engaged in (and please note) - that this was, & still is typically my HO Scale Model Railroading endeavor's (repeat-as-follows) "For those that don't understand, no explanation will do...and for those that do understand...no explanation is necessary!" Peace Brother...I gotta' get-me a dawg, quick (Tow-Away Zone), before I hit-the lake! Happy Railroading! AL  |
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 2, 2016 22:52:32 GMT -8
"Say-it-ain't so!!!" (sniff...) ~Mom And Pop Don't Work Here No More~ SONG-HERE>>>> (Thx TH) |
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Post by Brakie on Sept 3, 2016 8:50:33 GMT -8
Al,When I was a teenager and a member of the Columbus(Oh) HO club there was five of us teenagers and everybody else was between the ages of 30 and 70. Today I am 68 and the last club I visited every member was younger then me and there was no Grey or white beards to be seen..In fact after many years of struggling with the older heads the younger members finally got their DCC.
If you check the model railroad videos on you tube you will pleasantly surprised to hear a lot of younger voices..
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2016 9:48:21 GMT -8
FYI, at least in my area, Hobby Lobby is a craft store with zero model train stuff. The ones I've been to stock usable "craft" paints, a few airbrushes & parts, some scenery material like lichen, ground foam, tree kits plus tools, casting supplies, foamcore, etc. Big stores. |
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Post by grahamline on Sept 3, 2016 10:33:18 GMT -8
If you attend RPM meets or hang out at some of the livelier web sites, the hobby-is-dying mantra is patently false. Most of the authors over at MRHmag.com appear to be in their 30s and 40s, except for the rotating columnists. Have an op session this afternoon with some new friends ranging in age from 25 to 70.
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Sept 3, 2016 10:48:17 GMT -8
Larry/Brakie: I concur with everything you said. I recall your informative posts form the former A.M.R.R. Forum, and know your involvement with HO scale, as well as the 1:1 real thing, IIRC. Yes, indeed their are the young bloods, in the hobby now, in spite of those grumpy old "Brass Hats!" With all due respect to both, the Brass Hats knew the hobby, much better than any tender-foot new comers, but it was the B.H.'s way - or the highway. If you think about it... it seems to be the case with most everything, and/or anything that one is the novice in - doesn't it? Remember too Larry, many of us gray beards, have gone to that Big Roundhouse in-the-sky, so that accounts for at least some of their dwindling numbers... I recall too, as a kid, going to MACYS Dept. Store, in NYC, NY - and being awe-struck at the Lionel trains running on display...WOW! Now that was Heaven, to a seven year old! I visited several Model RR clubs, in Miami, Florida in 1964, & 1965, and marveled at their layouts. (I was employed by Crane Cams at the time, & had won the Florida State Championship, N.H.R.A. C/S in a '65 Satellite, 383/4-speed at Master's Field in Miami, FL (October/1965) Had a beautiful G/F, whom I married in 1966)... I still dug trains!!! Many strict rules applied at these clubs, and if there was an occasional derailment, it had to be dealt with on a 1:87 basis (read): An operating Athearn 200 Ton Bucyrus Erie wrecking crane! NO "0-5-0" hands, unless absolutely required. That's cool too! There was an old Pullman car, that the CFRR put a siding in, just for an HO Model RR club, here in Mount Dora, FL. I visited it once, when I moved here, in 1987. There was the beginning of a layout inside, and the members would argue about the hand-laid track, & hand-built switches, etc. ad-nauseoum. "Would you care to join OUR club?" - they asked. "NO, thank-you...I'm beginning a layout at my home." "HAH!" was their reply..."That's why we're here!" The club failed miserably, because of all the bickering. I suggested a round-robin group, where members could visit other club members layouts, to help in their area of expertise..."NO-WAY!" So, I became a Lone Wolf, and built my layout, that I have still to this day. I have a few friends, that like the hobby, & it was always a treat to let their kids, "run-the-trains" on my pike. Albeit, I didn't let them use my MTH VGN Triplex, or a BLI N&W Y6b, on the head-end! I think the majority of "The Millenium" generation of today, doesn't know a steam locomotive, from a wonton, and could care less! "How do they start one, if somebody loses the keys...push-it with another train?" It's smart-phones, video games, & that instant grats, that is their bag. Yes, Computers, & smart phones have entered the hobby, but not here in my world. I gladly try to share my limited knowledge of trains, to the younger hobbyists. Most aren't interested in my $0.02 - no matter how graciously I apply it. Remember the creedo: "Don't trust anyone over 30???!!!" Nice that many on this forum, are willing to share their expertise, & methods to the rest of us. There are some extremely talented, & knowledgeable people here. Kudo's to yourself, & others, that pass-on their experience! "HATS-OFF TO LARRY" (Del Shannon, ca. 1961) Best regards, AL  |
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Post by bnsftcdiv on Sept 7, 2016 12:04:52 GMT -8
FYI, at least in my area, Hobby Lobby is a craft store with zero model train stuff. The ones I've been to stock usable "craft" paints, a few airbrushes & parts, some scenery material like lichen, ground foam, tree kits plus tools, casting supplies, foamcore, etc. Big stores. Sometimes you have to look beyond the front door. Hobby Lobby-is the place I buy most of the finishing goods I use. Glues (Proweld, a variety of ACC, canopy glue), sanding tools and paint(Some Vallejo,Lots of testors, and acrylics) . Always a downloadable coupon for 40% off( single item usually). And, if you look in the art supplies, and some of the crafting stuff, you may even find that they carry stuff for scratch building you may not have thought of. Carry balsa and basswood, some metal and plastic shapes and sheet goods. Interesting LED light strings for buildings. Art supplies(like pastels) for weathering. Airbrush parts when I drop them on the floor. Not really a train store with cars,locos, etc so if thats what you want, pass. But, its close by and has what I need when I need it at a better price than a long closed hobby shop who didn't stock glues he didn't like. Dave Burman modeling the modern Twin Cities |
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A "must-have" book! ISBN: 0-9779834-0-4 Also a decent read, is Howard's paperback book: "A Nice Jewish Boy From Jersey" ISBN: 978-0-9779834-1-4 "Life is not a Dress Rehearsal" 353 pgs.
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