Nothing's Perfect...what advancement would you like to see to the hobby?

[Anonymous]

More models made in the USA. American-made prototype, American made model. Not to mention attention to the modeler and less emphasis on cost.[}:)]

[Anonymous]

2nd to vote!
i voted for more accurate models at less cost.

[Fergmiester]

I don't think advancement is what I would aim for at this time but rather consolidation. It almost appears the hobby is going in too many directions which could leave the majority in the cold.

High prices will kill this hobby for the a lot of people.

[Noah Hofrichter]

I voted for lower cost DCC because that is the one thing that has kept me from installing DCC. I really would like it but it's just to expensive right now. I just hope it's like computers and goes way down in several years

Noah

[AggroJones]

"More accurate models at less cost" and "....more high end steam". Every major diesel has been done in high quality plastic. (Some several times) But there are many popular steamers out there that are yet to be made outside of brass.

My short list....

ATSF 2900 class 4-8-4
UP 9000 class 4-12-2
DM&IR M-4 2-8-8-4
B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4
D&RGW L-131 2-8-8-2
ATSF 3800 class 2-10-2
USRA heavy 2-10-2

[scole100]

I find it interesting that the number one vote is better models at a cheaper cost. That same answer could be the result for any poll on about any subject, more for less. I would like to see innovation. DCC and DDC (digital direct couplers) are great examples. They cost more, but they are WORTH the cost.

[Anonymous]

Back away from the RTR car market! [}:)] We need somebody in the hobby to got back to wood and brass kits, before the artform goes away completely!![:0]

[IRONROOSTER]

I would like to see some plastic steam loco kits in S scale. Hopefully these would be lower cost as well.
Enjoy
Paul

[sparkingbolt]

Ever more variety in vehicles. Credit where due: Big cheers to Classic Metal Works for their new releases this year, at affordable prices even at MSRP. Those International trucks are too cool.

[Anonymous]

A requirement for many decades has been a reliable, easy to install, easy to adjust, affordable, switch machine. Ron Kuykendall, a very well known, multi-layout modeller ,hit it right on the nose quite recently, when he referred to switch machines as the hobby's " trashiest technology ".[:(]

Unfortunately, today's buying public has assured that any such innovation is unlikely...and is guaranteed to sell for more than its' fair value.[xx(]

That comment above on DDC [ DCC actuated couplers],being "worth it", I find rather odd. The only such couplers I am aware of, are basically a tinplate-based mechanism and appearance, only way more flimsy, and only usable on locomotives. Did something change ?[?]
regards
Mike

[Anonymous]

There are DCC couplers available for the standard European coupling - the coupler raises and lowers to uncouple. I guess something similar would be easy enough to implement with knuckle couplers, but I'd be inclined to stick with magnets.

I'd like to see more unusual prototypes modelled, and some existing ranges extended - example: The Walthers bilevels could have a matching cafe car (not sure if this is the right term) made - these appear to have been identical but with a couple of window bays filled in.

I agree about the switch machines. Peco are OK, but either need a hole cutting in your baseboard or a suitable structure to hide it on the surface. The best sytem I've seen so far is Kato, where the machine is built into the roadbed, but these are expensive and I've not used one so can't comment on whether they're any good - judging by my brother's Kato Bullet train I'd guess they're very high quality.

[Anonymous]

Better motors and traction without having to resort to traction tires. I'd like to have my locomotives pull as many cars as the prototypes can pull. That's not just in HO, it's also in N scale as well.

[chutton01]

The same darn thing I've been asking for the last 10 years - where's my Dremel Home Laser Saw, accurate to 10µms (and yes, I am serious about this - clearly for many years there exists the technology to create a safe yet effective hobby laser saw - but I know of none - googling for laser saws brings up a.) Very large systems costings 10,000s or b.) Laser guides for ordinary bladed saws).
OK, those of you who know of < $200.00 hobby laser saws, time to speak up...

Also, from a old post of mine from another board :

QUOTE: ... a web service where you submit decal artwork (made via Photoshop or whatever - decide on a common, defined graphics format) via ftp or upload, to a decal manufacture, choose your options (number/quality/scale, whatever), pay, and a few days later a set of decals arrives at your door.
That's one of the few services I'd accept paying for on the web (along with a service where you can order plans, blueprints, diagrams etc. as needed, at NON-OUTRAGEOUS prices ($1.00-$10.00, depending on number of diagrams and licensing matters))

The above quote (which also had the laser saw stuff attached), came about after it slowly began to dawn on people that the current state of home ink-jet decal printing, well, really leaves a lot to be desired. [:(!]

[trainfan1221]

I`d just like to see a little more variety, especially in nscale. I have no use for a model with a decoder pre-installed, if you don`t use these its an unnecessary expense. More models seem to have these, and they are expensive enough as it is. Lets have a little more variety, especially with modern stuff. After all, by the time we had an SD40-2 in n scale, that is a DECENT one, they were on their way out on the real railroads. We can only rely on a couple of manufacturers, lets hope we get a chance to model what we`d like.

[AntonioFP45]

DCC and DCC /Sound become more affordable. Will likely happen in the next few years. Several manufacturers are currently working on sound.

[Anonymous]

Steam is all well and good, but for the most part (USRA types not included), steam was custom built for the RR who ordered them. Therefore, it goes to reason that a particular engine in "scale" will have to be of interest to enough modelers to offset its' production costs. Diesels are much easier and cheaper to mass produce and easier for a modeler to detail for a specific prototype. Just my two cents!![2c]

I do applaud Atlas for their NECR GP38's in n scale, but wi***hey would paint them or GP40's in a generic Railtex/Railamerica Gray and red scheme!!!

[joseph2]

Here is my strange request : I would like steam locomotives with better smoke units.I know most modelers don't use smoke units,but I always enjoyed the sight and smell of smoke.Perhaps as a add on kit ? Joe G.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Lower cost DCC, since I still have over 50 engines requiring decoders.

Reliable radio control for DCC. Inexpensive plug-n-play signal system.

[Eriediamond]

I'd like to start this repley by saying that some of us older codgers started when crank handles were standard items on automobiles and gerw up without indoor plumbing. We've witnessed the growth and technical advancements in the hobby and for mankind as a whole. Some younger people take these advancements for granted, which is great and what is even greater is that they look to make these advancements even better. I'm at the age now where I would like to be around, say 20 years from now to see what products will be offered. What I'm concerned about more than anything, is the cost the future modelers will have to endure and will the the willingness to pay the higher cost for what we expect and demand put model railroading out of reach for them? Too me, DCC is the biggest advancement I've witnessed so far, but it also has caused the price of a loco to jump to a price almost unattainable to some of us even though we have no intentions of going to DCC, but to purchase a smooth reliable loco we have to buy a "DCC ready" loco at nearly $100 extra for a feature we won't use. What all this boils down to is I would like to see advancement without the high cost with it. Also would like manufactuers to advance their thinking when producing locomotives, that certain era locos operated with cabooses on their trains and offer a caboose in the road names they produce those locomotives in.