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I would have to say that the hobby is in a stable or growing state. Yes it is sad to see that the numbers of publications like model railroading are declining and have been for some time. However, there have been times recently I have wondered of Model Railroader is truely dealing with what is the reality of the hobby. I often read things in Model Railroader and often have to wonder who's crackpot idea that was becasue the statement makes little or no sense as to what is actually going on. As for older members dieing off as the population ages. That is true. But how many of our ranks are of the "Baby Boom" generation? Remember this is one of the largest single generations in American History. Its effects are still being studied and analized in All quarters. It is only natural that what ever our members in this catagory do. Its going to be felt across the Model Railroad spectrum. As for new members, fear not. I know several people my age and younger that are both railfans and model railroaders. While Model Steam engines may one day head the way of their full size conterparts, the hobby in one form or fashion will continue on. Us in our teens and Twenties may not be as numborous as the baby boomers. But we are here and we are modeling. I may be the rarity as I have developed my modeling skills to the point that craftsman kits and cratchbuilding are the only frontiers left for true modeling development at this point in my modeling career. (Thanks to starting at the age of 4 and not looking back since) I may be the caretaker of what will one day be "Dead" skills. Also railraods are beginning to make a comeback. For the last several years I have seen Train-sets boasting bachmann Spectrum locomotives in stores like Wal-mart and Target. Microsoft Train Simulater is available at like locations as well as a very reasonable price. Exposing trains and railroading to a braod public audiance. Massive amounts of money is being spent on Research and development is being spent on new products. Some of which being done through the pages of model railroader. (Remember it was only 9 months since Model Railroader Published its Passenger Train survey that Walthers announced its series of Budd and then Pullman Standard passenger cars) I feel confident that while the number of model railroaders will shrink with the departure of the baby boom generation from the hobby. It will still be here well into the next century.
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