Train Shows - the hobby in decline?

[@LindseyTate13]

The only one I actually enjoy in this area is the GBTS

[@chrisdaniell2990]

Is that the Platelayers Society? I haven't been to that show... I don't model UK railways

[@LindseyTate13]

@@chrisdaniell2990 yeah. It’s actually really good but if you hate UK railways then it’s probably not for you.

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

Sounds like my local train show. Pretty normal prices. Better deals on eBay. This hobby isn't dying. Trying to get the younger folks involved in MRing . That has always been the drive.

[@NatersTrains]

I've lost track of how times I've heard people say "the hobby is dying ". If that's the case, why are the manufacturers coming out with new stuff every year. And why would new companies spring up in a "dying" hobby. Maybe it's just the local small shows are going away. But there larger venues still thriving. And online stores are still doing good business. Also the hobbyist average age hasn't changed in the last 30 years at least. So tell me what is dying? Please

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

@@NatersTrains That was a typo. Isn't dying. Agreed. In regards to the younger folks in our hobby. Nothing has changed with prices. You have to get it while you can. If you can't afford it. Scratch build it. If can't do either. Ain't getting anything. That hasn't changed in forty years,lol. It's not dying by a long shot.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

True, manufacturers are pumping out new product month after month. They then jump for joy when they sell through and sell enough to make a 'profit'... and with the prices the way they are, they only need to sell "x" number of items whereas before they needed to sell "x squared" to break even. They'll then tell you the hobby is doing great. Well from their perspective, it is. The hobby slams the door on 'lower income' folks with limited purchasing power. The hobby is dying for them when they can't piece together a layout in a reasonable amount of time due to limited disposable income.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

I've been in the hobby for almost 40 years myself. It has been slowly dying. Gone are the days of buying a train set, gone are the days of being able to walk up any toy aisle in any store to find a train, gone are the days of visiting your local hobby shop. We've lost a number of hobby shops in the Greater Toronto Area over the years and children are not kitbashing, kit building, or setting up 4x8 tabletops. The hobby has plenty of choice, for those who can afford, find and access it. It's a strong niche market.

[@ModelingSteelinHO]

@@chrisdaniell2990 Fren,dunno about disposal income. Do know about waiting for a certain freight car. Example: Otter Valley Railway HO Drill Pipe Bulkhead Flat Car. Like many modelers. I find life getting in the way of fun,in regards to MRing. Throw in the utter destruction of the Federal Reserve US Corporation Petro Dollar. Inflation, unemployment,poverty increases. You get the idea. Still MRers are a resilient bunch. Find deals wherever we can or waiting. When I started this hobby. Nothing more than Athearn, Roundhouse kits. Trains have come and gone throughout the years. Still manage to collect whenever financial able. A freight car here or there. It hasn't been easy for anybody. I fully understand your frustration. The hobby isn't dying though. Merely yet another transition. The harden modelers make it through the tough times. Are you a member of a train club ? Might be worthwhile to join if available. Members are always swapping/haggling/selling items. I don't have a train club in my area but do my own thing (turns out modeling steel industry). There is no one interested locally or on KZbin. That's fine. Use to doing my own thing anyway. Do get frustrated or discouraged. Remember Model Railroading is an escape from real life. It's supposed to be fun. Our own little piece of the world where we call all the shots. Have a great day Fren.

[@wculshaw1576]

Otter Valley is my train show.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

Otter Valley has screwed up my orders on 3 separate occasions. I won't shop there. If you have a problem, you're into paying for a return shipping label and a lot of back and forth emails. I shop at "The Scuderia46" - he matches Otter and is more local to me

[@cryptic698]

I'm in the same area, do you think there's any hope for some improvement? Sounds like there was quite a bit of shows we've lost. 2 new shows just debuted this passed September which is promising, but I heard Owen sound was struggling to get vendors. Events like the Mississauga flea market aren't terrible in my opinion, shows some hope for modeler focused events. I really do see what you mean for shows, but I don't think the hobby in general is dying.

[@cryptic698]

I do wish we had bigger shows, now it mostly comprises of small shows scattered throughout southern Ontario which is disappointing when you only attend a couple. Though, I've gotten some good deals at the vendor only events which are focus at modelers, good deals from people getting out of the hobby and stuff like that.

[@chrisdaniell2990]

I went to the Breslau show (not worth it) and I went to the Kawartha Lakes show (not worth it). Organizers are asking between $5-$7 to get in, and these "shows" are the size of a postage stamp. There's no hope for train shows, prices are squeezing organizers and vendors alike and customers have no choice but to buy less - everyone loses, and greed kills the show (that's why there are no train shows in Toronto)

[@detroitdieselseries5071]

How many vendors were there? I didn’t attend for personal reasons today

[@chrisdaniell2990]

If you ever attended Kitchener before, it was like being in a time machine.. same vendors, same stock, higher prices.

[@detroitdieselseries5071]

@@chrisdaniell2990as for the Scuderia 46. Aren’t they open to the public, if so did you see their opening hours?

[@KingTrump2024]

Nothing beat Brampton

[@chrisdaniell2990]

Brampton was just okay. The smell of the animals was a little overwhelming; the venue wasn't the best.

[@KingTrump2024]

@@chrisdaniell2990 And all this time, I thought that was some of the attendees 😂

[@KingTrump2024]

Post Covid, yes .