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I was away from the Hobby for a time while I drove cargo around the USA. When I left, the Athearn engines were made to run. Have a pair of em that still runs after all these years. Then a few years back I walked into a train show and saw stacks and stacks of Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0's and Erie Built F units. and realized I wasnt in Kansas anymore. The items had the price tags too. When Broadway first put out the 4-6-4 that shouted to the whole store without being shy or "cheaply" made I knew that it to me was going to be expensive. 300-? 400-? 500-? I quit looking after the Lionel Challenger stomped into the model scene at 700-+ Walked next into a O gauge store seeking old time prices (30- for ready to run 3 rail?) and fainted at the really big to scale equiptment and motive power costing way more than what I used to see. Once I got over the sticker shock and carefully planned my very small roster among giants who have hundreds if not thousands of peices in thier collections I aimed for quality. It took me a few months at times to save up on a limited budget. Ebay also helps as well. You can still get trainsets, track (They cost more today than they did before with no change in workmanship) and shake in the box kits we all know and love. That is great for the entry level. But I am thinking that the Hobby may end up costing so high it may only be afforded by the wealthy. The children today are into computer systems costing thousands of dollars with associated games that are worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars as well.. do they even look at a good engine such as Broadway Limited? I dont think so. We are in the land of plenty which is slowly being put under the tight fisted grip of factories seeking to squeak the last screaming dollar out of the retail markets which themselves appear to be seeking the most profitable ways to make a dollar. I think Model Railroading will survive. It will get pretty expensive for those who have moved beyond the trainset with eyes filled with the siren call of sound and DCC. In the background of any trainshow is the rumble of lego trainsets and Thomas the Tank Engine that serve to attract young kids who themselves probably are going to sit down and type into this forum complaining about the expense of the hobby 20 years from now. Anything in life worth doing costs money. The best things usually pay back in form of lower heart attacks, staying off the streets and away from the drugs and gangs being able to learn and master new ways of thinkiing (DCC programming etc) and building layouts with a variety of arts that otherwise may be lost to time. The very best form of payback is when others are inspired by your work and feel that they too can do it. Enjoy the hobby, pay the bills and enjoy life as much as you can. It is too short to be having panic attacks over that 4 figure price sticker.
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