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[quote user="mlehman"]DoughlessI never understand why what the future of the model railroading hobby will be is important. I only got invovled when I thought people were overreacting to an article, but who cares what one person's opinion of the future is?[/quote] Because manufacturers may actually listen to the people with the microphone... [quote user="mlehman"]But the future belongs to those who will be around for it. [/quote] Yeah and at the ripe old age of 29, I plan to be around for a lot of it.  I do not believe that a battery powered train is a superior product.  And it will not be, untill you have the flexibility to run as long as you want.  Provide a battery powered train that will run consistantly for 4-8hrs pulling 40-60 cars at scale speeds, with DCC and sound---that people other than the person running it can hear, because there are these things called train shows, and children like hearing train sounds.  Oh and it has to be ready to repeat that feat the next morning.  Oh and how exactly do I recharge my locomotives, bring them back to my hotel room?  Because leaving them plugged in unattended for 12hrs doesnt seem like a good plan.  And the other 30 people in the club need to charge their locomotives too.  And Im sure all of them will show up with a fully charged locomotive at the start of the day.  Im invisoning the local fire marshal shutting down the show because of the daisy chained powerstrip nightmare that he will order unplugged.  -> No trains running. No thanks, I'll keep my old inefficient electrical wiring which is so difficult to understand. I agree with his stance on smartphone throttles.  I agree on the 3D printing front, at least the individual modeler.  See end of post. Color placement section assumes modeling modern day.  I dont have color glossy 8x10s with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back expaining what each one was.....  <--thats for you guys who have been around for a minute. I'm lucky to find so many black and white photographs of my prototype. Real game changers have been and still are: 1. The internet, and photo hosting websites that have been linked here and elsewhere.  That is an invaluable learning resource, and reference for research.  2. 3D printing, not for the individual, but for scenic details.  There are small businesses using sites (maybe site) like Shapeway to bring an array of scenic detail parts not made by detail part manufacturers.  These are affordable, and some will do custom parts and add them to their store.  These items are made to order, no inventory anywhere, other than the bulk base material.
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