Model Railroding inflation rate,past 25 years

[Anonymous]

CNJ,

Maybe that's why I forgot about the surveys. It's a shame they stopped doing that. I believe your projections are probably very very close to reality. I'm sure there was some concern about a possible image problem. But on the other hand, if there is a problem how can it be fixed unless you get the facts. I think trying to avoid an image problem may have resulted in one of those self fulfilling prophacies (sp?).

Does anyone know if the manufacturers used the information from the surveys? I would think they would. Increasing income of modelers might indicate higher priced stuff would sell, but increasing average age could show that the hobby is slowly aging and will start shrinking. How do you get "new blood" into this hobby that will stay for the long haul - ie: younger folks that presumably earn less.

This is a cool topic. Who would have thought this would be the direction it took!!

That's what is so cool about this forum!

[Anonymous]

Not to mention factoring in the "inflation of quality" that has happened since 1979! Atlas engine from back then were nice, but not as great as they are now! Look at the GP-40's for example. What an improvement! Even Athearn has made progress too! (SD40-2 in blue box!)
Prices go up, but so does quality in some cases. So is it really costing you any more vs. what you are getting?

[willy6]

Being I started this topic, I would like to add another comment based on the post before this one.I bought a Atlas locomotive (GP-38) at a yard sale for $12.00 and it was in mint shape in the original box and had a MSRP of $79.95. On th box it said "Made in Austria". I contacted Atlas and they said it was built in the middle to late 70's. This is one of the best running locomotives i have.My point? this was 80 dollars back then and a finely crafted machine,the quality was there back then.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willy6

Being I started this topic, I would like to add another comment based on the post before this one.I bought a Atlas locomotive (GP-38) at a yard sale for $12.00 and it was in mint shape in the original box and had a MSRP of $79.95. On th box it said "Made in Austria". I contacted Atlas and they said it was built in the middle to late 70's. This is one of the best running locomotives i have.My point? this was 80 dollars back then and a finely crafted machine,the quality was there back then.

It was actually built by ROCO in Salzburg, who also did the SD-35, SD-24 (high hood only), GP-40 and FP-7 during that time frame. Unfortunately, the frame and fuel tank area left a lot to be desired. OTOH, these were locomotives that hadn't been offered in plastic before. Atlas's current offerings of these locomotives (minus the FP-7) are far superior in detail.

ROCO also did E-7's and E-8/9's for Model Power. These engines were/are also superb runners and will pull the wallpaper off the walls. Like the Atlas models of that era, the Model Power engines suffered from detail errors (especially the number boards on the E-7's). However, they can be vastly improved with some Detail Associates and/or Details West detail parts.

Andre