So What If the Hobby Dies?

[Anonymous]

So many times I have read earnest and concerned threads expressing concern that there are fewer and fewer young people taking up our hobby. They carry it out to the dreaded logical end.....the death of the hobby. Why worry? If you are alive the hobby lives; if you die your part will die. That's life----or maybe that's death. Why are you so concerned? Are you worried that your expensive train collection will end up in your grandkid's sandbox? Is that what's troubling you, Bunky? Well you'll never know about it. If you make it to the afterlife the things we were concerned about here will seem very trivial I'm sure. Every generation has it's own range of interests. What did people do for a hobby before there were electric trains? Well that's probably what they will go back to doing after railroading ceases to be interesting. If people still play classical music by Beethoven, Chopin, Handel et al they will still want the various model trains we like now....just not so many of them. I predict that people will haunt yard sales and estate sales looking for the stuff that we consider the latest and greatest now. I don't think it's a problem, do you? Odd-d

[nblum]

Agree completely. Worry about living right now and the most important stuff. Toy trains as a hobby doesn't qualify in the big picture, IMO, no matter how important it is to any of us personally.

[dougdagrump]

In the great scheme of life toy trains are very insignificant, but to help keep it alive it is important to provide some sort of exposure to the following generations. I came back after being away from it for 45+ years, maybe being an empty nester has something to do with it or maybe not. All's I know is that I really enjoy running my original train, what's left of it, and the new equipment I have added over the last two years.

[Dave Farquhar]

Probably more than anything it's fear of being alone. No one wants to be the only one who enjoys a particular hobby.

I know I've argued pretty passionately here and elsewhere that Lionel isn't taking advantage of its name the way it should. I've gone so far as to compare their advertising to Ives and wonder aloud whether Lionel bought Ives or if it was the other way around. But I don't think 3-rail O gauge will die, no. Never completely.

Look close to home. Standard Gauge isn't dead. You don't see it a lot, but you see it. If I told you that more O gauge stuff has been made so far in this decade as there ever was in Standard Gauge, wouldn't you believe me? (I don't know that for a fact but it wouldn't surprise me if that were the case.)

Looking much further from home, at one of my other hobbies... I was one of the million or so people who bought an Amiga computer in the early 1990s instead of a Macintosh or a PC clone. The company who made it, well, let's just say Lionel's worst ad campaign was probably better than Commodore's best. Commodore imploded in 1994. I gave up, sold out, whatever you want to call it, about a year later and bought a Compaq. But there are still thousands of people who still use those old computers. Supposedly there are still about 10,000 people who actively use Commodore 64s, even though that computer's heyday was 20 years ago and its last gasps for breath were about 15 years ago.

So I'm pretty confident that 10,000 people or more will remain interested in O gauge for the duration of my lifetime. Things might get thin like they did for a while in the 1980s, but if you look at the magazines that were in circulation in the mid 1980s, those few, proud, remaining guys were doing some really neat and creative stuff. (I just bought a big lot of old OGRs off eBay, starting roughly in 1986, and I've been flipping through them.)

I want to see this hobby really succeed, but if the time comes that I'm the last O gauger still standing, it won't kill me. We can be pretty self-sufficient if and when we need to be. Some doldrums would force us to look elsewhere for information and inspiration--other scales, other forms of modeling, metalworking and woodworking, casting, etc.--and that wouldn't necessarily be bad.

[Anonymous]

It's always important to WANT your children to like your interests and thus continue the hobby. But what about those of you I have heard horror stories about that won't allow the children to even turn a throttle on a CAB1 with the voltage set? I'll let David Vergun start that thread. Here's your topic Dave: "How many of you let your kids play with your trains?"

My answer: I DO! Limits? yes, but certainly not hindering ones.

[Bob Keller]

If the hobby dies... 10,000 years from now strange, alien archeologists will probably still be able to put a 2018 on track, power it up from their fusion generator and get it to run. The real question will be where they can find smoke pellets/fluid!

[FJ and G]

Parts of the hobby are in danger of dying as we enter the realm of computer and software updates. Already, Proto1 (MTH) is yesterday's software. Will TMCC and PS-2 or DCS be around 20 years from now? Or, will you need to purchase a whole new system or get stuck.

For example, I owned a computer in 1986 that cost $2k and didn't even have a hard drive. Now, it would be hard to give away such a system.

So, the only danger I see is that 20 years down the road--unless patches or upgrades are available--you will have a tough time with today's circuitry (unless you are a conventional operator).

I see AC being replaced with rechargeable batteries and a lot of microelectronics.

But as far as the hobby (toy trains) dying, I just don't see it happening. Although computer games are popular with kids these days, toy trains offers something that's hands on and exciting in a different way.

Let's look at Odd-d's question from a completely different angle. How many hobbies HAVE died out? Perhaps a few but not that many! Nostalgia, even if you weren't born yet, is important.

For example, I love old cars that were made before I was born. Antique car collecting hasn't died out.

Barbies, GI-Joe, Thor's Army men, Legos, Hot Wheels, Slot cars; all of these are still around and even thriving.

Come to think of it, I can't think of a single hobby that has ever died out.

Dave Vergun

[Anonymous]

has any hobby ever died? ( i know... dave v. just said this)

c'mon folks has there EVER been a hobby that was practiced and is now NOT practiced?!?!? i dont think the hobby has a "problem", i think people that have ego defects say things like "this action by K, L, or M will KILL the hobby" (all present company excluded, of course)[;)]. the numbers are up in hobbies all over the place (if you believe what you can read/see at meets, in magazines, in sales, etc., etc.,) and more hobbies are showing up every day. are we in this hobby to destroy and dominate all other hobbies?? there is space on this planet for all the little hobbies and the big hobbies to co-exist i think.

hobbies dont die, they evolve.

[FJ and G]

One other minor point. The toy train hobby actually did die, circa 1959; percentage-wise.

The PERCENTAGE of American kids who played with toy trains in the 50s was actually much higher than at any time since. Today, there may be a lot of toy train operators but the percentage is just a fraction of what it was during those GOlden Years.

[cnw1995]

The scary thing, Bob, is in 12004, they'll probably be able to put a 248 or postwar Lionel train on the track and it'll crank right up - while they 'll puzzle a while with the circuit boards of their modern brethren. I've watched this similar angst play out for the past twenty years or so in one of my other hobbies - paper-based wargames. No one under 30 is interested in 'em. But interestingly, the Desk Top Publishing phenomenon has allowed designs to be distributed that would've never seen the light 'o day in previous years...so I guess I agree this is all relative...

[Anonymous]

Like others have said, it would be impossible for any hobby to completely die. I certainly do care and am concerned abut this hobby declining. I'm only 17 right now and when I'm middle-aged, I don't want to be all alone in this hobby. We have to remember that this isn't just any hobby, there's something magical and special about it. I couldn't attempt to even begin to explain in words what it really is that makes this hobby so wonderful, but I know that you all know what I mean. We don't want to be alone in having this joy, but want to share it with others. We want future generations to be able to experience the joy that toy trains bring.

[daan]

If the 0-gauge hobby dies, I'll be having a herd of newcomers in Europe willing to accept your "worthless" trains[:D][:D][8D]...

[Anonymous]

If the model railroad hobby dies it will be a loss for the future generations. I am not just concerned about ME but concerned for others so I cannot accept an "I don't care attitude".
Model Trains are an important part of American History. They are an illustration of the story of newly arrived immigrants from Europe developing new inventions and ideas for our youth . These same people went to work making these products and filled the factorys with activity at the turn of the century until the late 1960's. Not caring about model trains is like not caring about the history books. In each old train there is a story to be told; why it was made, why people of the time bought it and they are also the works of the lost American craftsman. If they were not important then why did the Chicago Museaum of Science and Industry spend 3 million dollars on having a layout built. That layout tells a story of the past.
I want my train collection and layout preserved for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. It is important to understand the past if you expect to understand the present and the future.

[Anonymous]

I think the major part is that the toy train hobby has died beacause they don't ADVERTISE!!!![:(!]

Lionel had thier golden years beacause they did advertise. You could hear the commercials everywhere. TV and radio, magazines, department stores, etc...

I'd like to see the day when my future kids can go over to their friends' houses, with trains in hand, and have a good time sitting on the floor fiddling with the ol'throttle.[:D]

[Anonymous]

I'm with AmJack, my kids run whatever they want when they want, and yes there are crashes(hence my name) but down the road I am pretty sure they will be playing with the trains when they have kids. Even if they don't I'm sure whoever buys all my stuff will enjoy it just as much.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jerrylovestrains

I think the major part is that the toy train hobby has died beacause they don't ADVERTISE!!!![:(!]

Lionel had thier golden years beacause they did advertise. You could hear the commercials everywhere. TV and radio, magazines, department stores, etc...

I'd like to see the day when my future kids can go over to their friends' houses, with trains in hand, and have a good time sitting on the floor fiddling with the ol'throttle.[:D]

Whoa Jerry, this hobby ain't dead yet. So answer us this, how did YOU discover this hobby without any advertising??? Remember, there are a lot more people like you out there. What do your friends think of YOUR trains? You represent the future.

Odd-d's right, I don't plan to live to the age of 100, it isn't realistic. I figure I'll be gone by 2050, I'd be 89 then. More likely sooner than that, why worry. Is Joshua Cowen worrying about this hobby? Honestly, I think he stopped worrying a while ago.

Enjoy it. Share it. Forget it.

[:D][^][:0][}:)][;)]

[cwburfle]

I don't think "O" gauge model railroading will completely die for many many years. But as the number of folks interested dwindle, the current manufacturers are likely to stop making new trains. The prices of used and "collectable" trains will drop. So what is the net rsult?.... The remaining collectors will be able to purchase their trains cheaply. And operators will return to canabalizing trains for parts and kitbashing to make those special pieces they desire. Sounds great to me.

[FJ and G]

2030 News Flash...

Lionel, the last toy train maker has banked its steam and yanked the plug, after 130 years of toy train making. A spokesman for the company said that there was no more demand for toy trains, as people no longer have time for fun and toys.

The Smithsonian has agreed to display a small Lionel set in its Museum of Science and Industry, so future generations can see what a toy train looks like.

The closing of the toy train hobby is yet another indicator of the American disease of workaholic-ism; with most people working 12 hours a day, seven days a week. When people get home, they barely have enough energy to turn on their Internet Television.

Folks no longer even have enough time for lovemaking, as evidenced from the dramatically declining birthrate. But the cost of living has gone up so much, so many jobs have been outsourced, that people have been working 2 or 3 jobs just to maintain their 2004 standard of living.

dav

[Anonymous]

Someone asked the question, "Do you know of any hobbies that aren't practiced anymore?" There are lots of things that people used to do that we don't do any more. Take the ancient romans -- they used to go to the Colosium and watch animals & men fight to the death. Attending those spectacles certainly counts as a past time.

I'm sure there are lots of things that people used to do that no one does any more. Just because you can't name them doesn't mean they don't exist.

If the model train hobby dies, and it probably will, it will be when there's no one left who enjoys it. The only people who will mourn it are the ones who made a living off of it, if any of THEM are left.

Tony

[Big_Boy_4005]

Perhaps the answer is that, this hobby will die when the real railroads die. After all isn't that what this hobby is all about????

Then again maybe not!!! Steam is gone, yet it lives on in the hearts and minds of many.[8D]

[FJ and G]

Tony,

Christians being fed to the lions?

Perhaps some "hobbies" need to die. [}:)]

[IRONROOSTER]

With all the new stuff being made in all the scales, I don't see why we're worried. Even S, which almost died has come back strong. Somebody's buying it. I don't think it's all the old crowd from 1971 (the year I joined the hobby) buying all the new stuff. Lionel is going strong, MTH, K-Line, American Models, S Helper, and many more. Atlas which got into O scale back in the 70's and then dropped out is back and making tons of stuff. I go to Greenberg train shows and GMSTS and while there are a lot of us old geezers, there are kids and young adults too. I think the hobby is growing. It's changing in that ready-to-run whether scale or hirail seems to be growing the most. But I think there are still a lot kit builders as well.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Really, where will they get the smoke pellets and fluid from...(the aliens)?

I don't think it will die for a long time.

I have recruited a co-worker . He was into cars but I got him into collecting trains. He has two sons and they are getting into it too. My brother is slowly picking up the hobby too. Look how many heads a steam turbine can turn!!!

[3railguy]

The death of our hobby is something I don't concern myself with nor do I worry about for the simple reasons Oddy pointed out. The hobby is here today, I'm enjoying it today, and that's all I really care about.

We can only pu***rains on kids so far. Beyond that, we are pushing them into something against their will which is not right.

Lionel has and is doing everything they can to perpetuate a kid's market. But, the reality of it all is, this isn't the 1950's anymore. Railroads are not a major transportation system anymore like they were in the 1950's. Nor are railroads considered high tech like they were in the 1950's. Locomotive engineers aren't roll models like they were in the 1950's. Stealth fighter planes and jumbo jets are what excite kids these days. Kids just don't relate to railroads today like they did in the 1950's.

Sure, this hobby is dominated by adults. I see nothing wrong with that. Many of us welcome kids to join us and that is great. However, if kids do not show an interest like we do, so be it.

[Anonymous]

Just in case ..Im going to start buying my coffee in 5 lb cans..saving the cans..I will carefully wrap each piece of train related materials in wax paper.. insert into cans.. put lid on ...bury in back yard....better go grease up the backhoe, the ground is real rocky here...........Tim

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone can predict the future of this hobby with any degree of certainity. If you think about it who in their right mind would have predicted back in 1961 or 1962 the popularity that this hobby would be enjoying in 2004. Virtually no one. At least as far as O Gauge was concerned toy/model trains were at best moribund in the 60's and look at what happened. In any event there is no sense in gnashing our teeth over it. What will happen, will happen. We are here now so run 'em if you've got 'em.