Is Model Railways a Dying Hobby- discussion

[@rockguitarist931]

Personally, I think part of the problem is the price of RTR engines and cars. When I was a wee lad, there was a ton of variety in what model railroading offered. You could get a shake-the-box kit, dummy engines, completed models, you name it! Now everything HAS to have DCC and sound, no one makes dummy units anymore, and the days of cheap rolling stock to build up your fleet are long gone. I'd say the interest is still there but manufacturers need to realize they might be alienating some hobbyists with their prices.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

That’s a really good point. There’s lots of features that I think are novelties on models (me & my mate did a podcast on it once) and they do just push up prices. A modellers range would be nice- unpainted for you to add the bits you want on!

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

My take on the hobby is it's evolving. It is going from Grandad with his massive Hornby Railway in the basement and it's the grandkid with a few smaller Hornby Railways. Over here, I find people appreciate smaller layouts since their notion is that you need a spare room/basement and in reality, you can do a lot in a small space. It just forces creativity!

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Fantastic idea- might be a video in that extoing the virtues of micro layout modelling!

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Fantastic idea- might be a video in that extoing the virtues of micro layout modelling!

[@jamfjord]

Completely agree, the hobby is not dying. I first got into railway modelling in the 80s and I clearly remember worrying because I'd heard various old hands declare that the hobby was dying back then. It's the only hobby I can think of whose participants seem obsessed with declaring its imminent demise. And yet... still not dead. In fact, probably more buoyant than I've ever seen it. New RTR models for almost everything, sizable online communities, KZbin channels and social media accounts with thousands of followers, even the largest exhibitions seem to be packed. The hobby is fine. PS excellent b-roll, especially clips of the Ribble Steam Railway 🙂 - and thank you for volunteering at one of my favourite heritage railways, I'm looking forward to being able to visit again sometime soon and it's reassuring to inow that people like you are keeping it going for everyone to enjoy. Many thanks! So when will RSR be hosting a model railway show like all the others seem to be doing then? 😉😁

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

People were neysayers? In this hobby- never. lol I do find it fascinating that it has been a historic thing with the hobby though -thank you! It’s a great team and it’s nice to been somewhere where people share an intrest. I’ll pass your comment on next time I’m in! Regarding a mode railway exhibition- keep an eye on the socials (@ribblesteam)!

[@paulcherrytrains3339]

I don't think the hobby is dying but it is evolving. I agree that online is taking a bigger role. I have been into the hobby on and off since the early 1990s. It's great to see the hobby shared on KZbin. Cheers Paul.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

I agree. Online is gonna make the hobby better

[@johnwhelan2663]

Interesting, I model in the computer simulator Trainz world and the models are free to download. Some downloads have been over 1,000,000 so what does that mean to the physical model railway world?

[@isekaiexpress9450]

Lack of haptic feedback. You'd love the weight of the locomotive in your hands. The joy of inspection any little detail on the loco. "Whoa, they even added this wee detail!" The subtle rattling of wheels over the rails. The smell of grease and ozone. The "now look at this cute wee thing pulling the carriages" feeling from above.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Oooooo if not thought about it like that!

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

I like your thinking!

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

I was into railway modelling as a kid, then had a ~20 year gap before restarting in N/2mm a few years back. Current experience is it's hard to get hold of RTR stock. like, where are the blue or blue/grey DMUs, where's the blue/grey Mk2 coaches, Farish? And what is sold - I suspect the cost is rising faster than inflation I'd very much like to see a future where etched brass + resin prints allow a semi-skilled kitbasher to produce consistent and reasonable models of broadly any prototype. like, 3D printed jigs and formers to exactly shape a Mk2 coach tumblehome

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

That’s a fantastic shout- love the story too. The cottage industry is a big draw for the hobby I think!

[@AdiPullen]

Morning Oliver I hope you are well The hobby wont die. It just newspaper doing it for clicks. Or money. But ok hattons and Warley have stopped but they still big players in hobby mike Ashley has put money in hornby. Thanks for the nod. Honest piece here Keep safe ARP

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Completely agree. Especially the Daily Mail. Pure scum anyway. Completely agree with you! Added a little more than me just ranting lol Hope your well!

[@lukenoble3319]

Also loving the b-roll, that pacer looks proper fun

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Thanks! It was!

[@spongatejunction]

Model Railways is simply going through some changes and evolving

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Couldn’t agree more! Boiled my video down into a sentence!

[@lukenoble3319]

I think the hobby is absolutely thriving online, which essentially acts as one massive model club. Arguably the hobby is never been as accessible too, like you say so many niches are readily available on social media and forums. Seeing model shops close and decline in some cases is because of so many other factors completely unrelated to railway modelling (high rents, online vs in person buyers, role of manufacturers to name a few).

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

I agree! And let’s face it the uk is mad expensive at the moment and it’s though for places to keep the lights on courtesy of the last few governments. Like you say factors beyond model railways and its interest.

[@Taladar2003]

I think looking at it from the outside what is likely dying is the specialized model railroad supply industry. With modern manufacturing methods like 3D printing and modern computer based design methods available to basically anyone who wants them at home I think things will become more customized and less off-the-shelf based than they were a few decades ago. There is probably a higher barrier to entry, not that it is harder to get into it but that people who used to do model railroading just for their kids at home will likely have their kids playing computer railroading games now instead. But I think in many ways it can not really die today considering even a single individual could build their model railroad with just general stuff like motors and 3D printers they buy that are not specific to the hobby.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

I agree. 3D printing has been a mega thing for the hobby. And a wel on edition. I also agree it will never die

[@uncinarynin]

I hear this for more than 30 years and I'm still in the business and doing well. I'm confident I can continue at least until retirement. (Freelance 3D CAD and inscription designer for a number of small to mid-size model companies)

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Oooo I bet that’s a fascinating! True though 3D printing has helped the hobby so much

[@Hybris51129]

I don't think the hobby is dying but it is just slow to change in the first place. I haven't done much with model railroading in 15-20 years but I am in a position to get back in and I have found that Engines and rolling stock are very hit or miss to find online and if you do find it the cost is excessively high. I have honestly scaled back my plans to the bare minimum because it seems like there is no good way still to locate for example a HO scale Schwerer Gustav a German railgun or if I needed to replace my UP Big Boy for some reason I might find several brands or types in stock or a bunch of links that all end being sold out. I can see for someone who is completely new how hard it can be to find your niche in the hobby and feed it enough that you stick with it.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

I agree. I think a big pull in the uk is that we have a number of different preserved lines (I tried to show it in the B roll with the industrial tanks, narrow gauge and ex mainline stuff) which acts as a catalyst for lots of people. I model insutrial lines because it’s cheaper and smaller lol!

[@Hybris51129]

@@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011 I am focusing on doing a simple Christmas tree setup for just that same reason. I want to have my HO Big Boy pulling a Christmas themed train that then has as large of a rail gun as I can find that I can then cover with Santa and his Elves to complete the set. Anything more complex I am avoiding because it seems all to realistic that I will be able to buy half of what I need and then spend years hunting for key pieces to even start.

[@albratgaming2348]

The hobby goes into decline as the prices increase. When the cost of a Carriage is what a locomotive used to cost... Then I understand people stopping buying. I mean I bought a carriage in 1980's and I paid between £5 and £15 for the carriage. in the 90's it was around £17.50 and in the early 2000's it was about £20. I was looking at a Standard Mk2 Carriage for £65 in 2013. I used to get a steam locomotive for that price. That is when my dad told me about how the hobby went into decline between 1950 and 1970.. Prices did the same kind of thing.. So people stopped buying.. prices dropped and people returned to the hobby. So pretty much like the economy.. Model Railways have up and down trending and I think its heading for a decline at the moment. Due to pricing. This is partly the reason some companies are dropping from the scene. The overhead on purchasing a model to sit on a shelf.. its money they have to spend to wait for someone to buy the model.. but as prices get higher.. overheads become assets and not revenue / profits... So eventually the company folds with millions in assets and nothing in revenue.. I believe that is what happened at Hattons.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

I agree prices can be off putting- especially with how expensive it is to just live in the UK right now- but there’s bargains to be found. You just have to weight Love your point about your dad. Shows that this is just part of the hobby!

[@raymondleggs5508]

You might have to go outside of british outline and OO to find decently priced but high quality models.

[@TracyTsVideos]

The hobby is pricing it’s self out of existence. I’ve been in the hobby for about 34 years including my own retail store for about 10 years. Things are just too expensive now. Not only can I not justify a $300 engine, that is half of my monthly home mortgage. Detail went up, prices drastically jumped, and quality went down. It is cheaper to buy and restore antique oil lamps and lanterns. When I can buy Victorian era things for less than model trains… I’m out.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

It’s getting like that across here. But we are lucky to have a decent number of local shops (in some places) that may help to balance that out. How did you find running a shop?

[@raymondleggs5508]

Companies like Piko, Walthers, and Evemodel have filled the need for decent locos under $100. Evemodel Released an unlettered French loco in blue and in red variations for only $89.99 that could pass for a Generic British or European loco that is from old Mehano-Jouef tooling. They also Re-released 3 small Ex model power US locos. Rivet counters will balk but at the end of the day it's a toy train.

[@nikdog419]

I had been of the opinion that it was dying, at least in the US. But thinking about it, I think it's more the store front is dying. Everything is transitioning to Online and Trade Show. The Pandemic did not help either. Basically I either have to order it online, or I have to drive an hour to the nearest shop; who might have it, otherwise dealer order.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

I think the same is true in the uk. Some shops are going strong but there’s been a shift towards online for community and buying. I suppose having a shop in the same city/county in the UK means it’ll be closer than the equivalent stateside

[@jamesattwood8480]

The second hand market is doing well.

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

It is! And there’s bargains to be found!

[@MrTrainman96]

I don't think it's dying at all. It's just moving away from in-person model clubs and paper magazines to online groups and KZbin videos. Modeling online also allows me to talk with non railroad modelers about the hobby where it overlaps like painting, terrain, etc

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Brilliant innit! We can pool skills!

[@Spudstered]

considering im a 14 y/o that just got into it, i doubt it

[@heaptoncollierymodelrailwa6011]

Hahaha good point….