Hey, fellas, lets be careful here. "Dumbing down" would also apply to anyone who uses a tractor to plow his field, or who hires someone else to do it if we follow the logic expressed above. I mean, it was good enough for horses and a beaten plow, wasnt it?
People used to do all their own food preparation. Few of us do that now, or at least, all of it. That makes us 'dumb'? Anybody who doesn't grow and harvest his own food must have dumbed down the eating process we all enjoy. People did that years ago, out of necessity. We can still do it today, either by choice or out of necessity. It merely takes interest and application.
How is, or should, our hobby be any different? Maybe those who buy brass trains, and who don't detail plastic ones, are the dumb ones. Should be all agree that brass guys, like Tom White, are the dummies in the hobby these days? We're all smarter if we buy the cheaper stuff, less complete stuff, and add 'value' to it?
Or should each of us define the 'value' that the hobby offers us in our own terms?
I frankly get tired of these repeated threads trying to split the hobby, and this forum, into two or more camps.
Let's not do this....okay!!!!
-Crandell
[locked]
What I think is rubbing many of the older modelers about all the RTR stuff from China is it almost totaly removes the modeling from model trains. It used to be you as a model railroader had to have some degree of skills, either learned or natural, to build a nice looking model railroader. Most skills I have as well as many others were thru trial and error building models and layouts over the years I have been involved in the hobby. The RTR stuff to many is just playing with trains, the modeling part has been eliminated. For many this is a good thing as they lack the skills and the percieved time to learn them. But to many its more of the "dumbing down" of our society, our inablity to actualy do the modeling our forefathers did before us to achive those beautifull layouts we see in past issues of magazines. Atleast some smaller mom and pop operations are keeping the kit building and actual model building side alive for now. Just look at the prices of Bowser kits on ebay, as soon as it was officaly announced that they wouldnt produce the kits anymore, the prices took off like a rocket. Do I hate certain activities in the hobby, yes. I absolutly had doing scenery work, but once I get started I make good progress and it turns out very nice. I do love building kits, be it buildings or locomotives/rolling stock. Do I but much RTR stuff, no I dont. I do have a few pieces, but the majority of my locomotives and rolling stock is kit from and probaby has been off the market for 10-20 years. The hunt for out of production kits and locomotives is part of the fun and makes it worth what it costs to drive to and get into a show. With the loss of Athearn's Blue Box line up, Accurail is stepping up production of kits and new products. Anybody looking for a Broadway PRR I1sa Decapod with long distance tender, its professionaly weathered with full sound/dcc. Just doesnt fit in with my layout plans and I want to buy another older engine. Keep it fun whatever you choose to do. Cheers Mike
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
jecorbettIt's a world economy and I don't pay too much attention to where things are manufactured. Whoever gives me the best value for my money gets my business. If I have to pay a few bucks more to have a Chinaman do the tasks that aggravate me, specifically assembling tiny little parts onto rolling stock and structures, I am more than happy to do that. It allows me more time to do those things that I do enjoy doing. Those who enjoy putting things together still have that option but it's not for me.
It's a world economy and I don't pay too much attention to where things are manufactured. Whoever gives me the best value for my money gets my business. If I have to pay a few bucks more to have a Chinaman do the tasks that aggravate me, specifically assembling tiny little parts onto rolling stock and structures, I am more than happy to do that. It allows me more time to do those things that I do enjoy doing. Those who enjoy putting things together still have that option but it's not for me.
I totally agree, well put.
Frank
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
I looked at buying HO scale model trains as feeding China. Everything RTR costing ... 20 dollars, 30 dollars for one boxcar or something. You have alot of little detail parts that cost a bit of money.
We have lost the ability to sit down at the work bench for more than 10 minutes. Long enough to unwrap the valued and sought after portapotty scenic item to install onto layout.
Now I have gone into On30. I dont feed China too much. I see many local USA Mom and Pop stores making trees, rolling stock, laser kits etc etc etc etc. Even resin castings on Ebay and such. All made right here at home.
That is where I am putting my money this year in 2010. Right here at home.
RTR or Kit built, it makes not a difference to me; because my time is my own when I am not tied down doing something else.
The industry for me is fed by Yahoo groups, forum posts and other internet findings. I stumbled across TS Trees when looking over Ebay sawdust by the bag while evaluating what I need to do to generate very fine sawdust.
MR Advertising or other news as we used to get them dont really apply anymore and I will tell you why.
Too many times some engine is announced months, weeks or years prior to arrival in the USA (If ever...) and then MR makes a Review or a nice ad for it... too late, all sold out. Go to Ebay if you want to buy something. Sorry, I just got tired of running 6 to 12 months ahead of everyone else trying to keep up with the marketing.
Mom and Pops here I come.
I have been watching a few new companys recently and I have come to the conclusion that making a detailed layout might not be that hard to come by any more. I mean details used to be very rare because every thing had to be hand made in order to obtain realism.
Take for instance these:
BLMA makes all of the really cool stuff that everyone just wants to have. I mean who couldnt resist a portta-poty? Or a billboard. And the detail is remarkable.
T's Custom Trees is really making an appearence with their cheap affordable scenery.
and Exact Rail has some really cool train cars that look better than most brass cars.
Any suggestions?