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I think the problem has more to do with cost of living and reduced disposable income. I don't necessarily disagree that the hobby has always been relatively expensive...I remember buying a used car in 1963 for less than a brass Akane articulated would have cost me....( I really wanted that B & O EM-1 though...), but I digress. I don't believe one single word of the US or Cdn governments' endless nonsense about the supposed "cost-of-living-index". The cost goes up beyond what they claim, and always has. They leave out many of the key things which make up our cost of living...especially TAXES. I do remember from 1959-1963, when I made about $1.00 an hour in various jobs, my take home pay for 44 hours a week averaged about $41.50 a week ! Only $2.50 a week was withholding taxes ! So less than 6% was tax. I could buy at least a couple of Athearn $2.00 cars a month then. How about personal transportation ? You could buy a DECENT used automobile , ( made of steel, not plastic), 8 or 10 years old, for $100 to $125 then...so three weeks' clear wage would get you that vehicle. Anyone in a blue collar job buying transportation for 3 weeks pay any more out there ? In short, our incomes have less 'disposable' dollars in terms of percentage of take home pay, and that is why hobbies and pastimes of all kinds are less affordable. regards Mike
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