2006 predictions and we haven't seen Halloween yet... This one's for you Space Mouse!

[decoy706]

Horizon & Walthers and only 1 other will survive in HO- coupling sounds to be the hot new item for the guys that like that stuff-Somebody will finally make a Canadian full body (Draper Taper) in plastic - Model Railroader Magizine will get more articles on using detail parts to improve an engines looks and show how to do it in pictures ( I need the help)

[DavidBriel]

I predict more southeastern US HO freight cars such as the ACL H-1 Wood Chip Hopper, the NC&StL GB-12 Gondola, the WofA 40' 12 Panel Steel Side Gondola and Tropicana Reefers in the current white scheme.

I predict more HO vehicles such as US prototype transit buses used by MARTA and WASHINGTON METRO and a US prototype glass transport truck used by glass companies such as AFG

[jcgisel]

I predict there will finally be a maker of HO surfliner cars and that you will be able to buy a complete 4X8 layout that is ready to run, operator not included.

[trainboyH16-44]

A Kato rerelease of the SD40-2...
What I want: A Kato rerelease of the SD40-2 with CP details so I don't have to.
An Atlas rerelease of the H16-44 in CP colours and styles
And a BLI 2-6-6-4 for christmas, well, that's not really this year...$500?! AAAAA
Matthew

[Nieuweboer]

I don't dare to predict all the new models thatb will be introduced next year, because I don't have the faintest clue. But I'm so bold as to predict that model railroading will stay with us and probably grow now that people will be looking for their recreation and relaxation more and more at home because fuel prices will stay high and discourage outings. Moreover man will always want to be master of the universe even if it is his own small RR universe.
My wish list contains only one item: an affordable sound system for a DC operated layout that can be installed in any kind of locomotive, if necessary in a dummy where there in space galore.
Hans

[Anonymous]

We already have $1000 locos though - take a look at some of the LGB large scale stuff...

I agree on the MTH K4 - I suspect they'll never make it across the Atlantic but will be seen in retailers "closeout" adverts at vastly reduced sums like the Lionel Challenger and Turbine. Cheap sound units will become very popular (one store that advertises in the model press over here has the £50 Soundtrax units listed already - I'm tempted but would want to know more about them before ordering). Around January we'll get a bunch of new members here wanting to know how to turn their new train sets into a layout - they'll be warmly welcomed and some will become regulars.

[SpaceMouse]

I'm still trying to figure out why this topic is for me.

I am, however, enjoying it immensely.

[CNJ831]

How about these more seriously considered 2006 prognostications? The best retail price (eBay,hobby shops, whatever) for Walthers' LifeLike locomotives will be a minimum of 25% higher than they could be bought for during the summer of 2005. Toward the end of the year we will see the first $900-$1,000 (MSRP) plastic locomotive offered. Another well known manufacturer will be bought up by a major wholesaler, while modelers will be shocked to see one of the longtime companies drop out of the model railroad market altogether. Subscriptions to all the model railroad magazines will continue to decline and one of the best known second-level magazines will close its doors for good. Model railroad shows will take a hit from the continuing high price of gasoline. MTH's K-4 in HO will be a failure but they will offer one further HO locomotive before withdrawing from that market for good.

CNJ831

[mustanggt]

I predict there will be several much needed models introduced in N scale ( Hoping for Kato amfleets)......Atlas will expand the HO and N trainman lines.....................I WILL buy a 87-93 Mustang in the spring......................I will also graduate High school[:D]

[Anonymous]

I predict that Spacemouse will have a billboard on his layout that reads as follows:

Doc Tim's Immodium - "Good fer what ails ye!"

[Pruitt]

I predict that a lot of inane and useless threads will continue to appear on Trains.com's forums.

[pedromorgan]

I think hornby will announce a live steam HO loco (probably a pacific) in the Rivarossi range (THAT IS A SERIOUS PREDICTION!). they already have the chassis in the uk range and they have expressed a desire to do it.
If this does not happen next year then i think it will definatly happen in 2007. the R&D costs must have been fantastic, they will want to recoup their cash.

Rivarossi will make a huge comeback over the next 5 years.
i hope hornby fill the obvious nichie between the budget stuff and the brass that the bachmann spectrum range is doing (just not very enthusiastically). i was looking at brass over the weekend and it is fantastic but i simply cant afford it.

Peter

[Anonymous]

Welcome back from the Artic Fergster, or was this an offshore posting?
Will

[Anonymous]

There will be a prediction of a late 2007/early 2008 delivery of Tsunami. Bose will enter the HO sound equiped market with a much needed Pennsy K-4 with their usual very authentic sound reproduction and cost 4 payments of only $1000. This new improved sound system will drive the cost of all other sound systems to an all time low.
These predictions have been chalked up on the water tower!
Will

[twhite]

I predict that BLI will release a model of the Missabe Road M-3/4 2-8-8-4 with the Elesco feedwater heater and accurately recorded sound chips for both the 'chuff' and the steamboat whistle. I further predict that the locomotive will haul 200 freight cars at a crawl, and BLI will run the first issue as a 2-for-1 sale.

I further predict that the entire stock of these locomotives will be bought up by Aggro and yours truly.
Tom [:P][:P]

[dgwinup]

I predict this hobby is going to continue to be expensive for first issue cars and locomotives.

I predict that people will continue to pay first issue prices because they always want to be the first to own a 'whatever' and because they can!

I predict that many hobbyists will continue to make eBay their primary source of modeling supplies and equipment because they can't afford first issues.

I predict that hobbyists will spend more money on eBay than at local hobby shops.
I predict that I will actually have a track plan for my "Dream Layout".

I predict that more or new manufacturers will produce affordable N scale steam locomotives. (More of a dream than a prediction!)

I predict that 2006 will have 365 days in it, at least 2/7ths of which will be weekends!

I predict that I will procrastinate on completing most of my honey-do list.

I predict that that the hobby of model railroading will shrink before it grows.

I predict that every member of this forum will get a surprise for Christmas. (Don't know if good or bad, just a surprise!) (Imagine my surprise when I opened that Kato box big enough for a UP 4-8-8-4, only to find a 5" wide tie with a bad picture of a docksider on it!)

I predict that model railroading will continue to be fun.

I predict that if you have read this far, you really need to consider better ways to spend your time.

Darrell, Nostradamus-ly quiet...for now

[Anonymous]

Attention people who are saying "I hope the price for sound will go down".

It Has! Soundtraxx recently slashed prices and you can now get a soundtraxx decoder, steam or diesel, with sound and motor control for $45! This is no junk decoder either, It has all the bells and whistles (so to speak). Check out www.soundtraxx.com if you havent got the details already

[bikerraypa]

I predict that in 2006, I will continue kitbashing and molding and fiddle-farting around with N-scale steam locomotives while the manufacturers continue to not produce Pennsy H10's in anything other than brass.

[MisterBeasley]

DIGITRAX will capture a significant market share for sound. Those downloadable sound files will have everyone running down to the rail line to make their own recordings, only to realize that you can't record on an IPOD or a CD player. Someone will dust off his old casette machine and get the ball rolling.

And maybe manufacturers will start designing locomotives with room for speakers in them.

[selector]

Decoders for Z-scale, another HO K-4, Hornby will sell plastic live-steamers for $100, BLI will announce that it is closing its doors, and MTH will buy out General Motors.

[JohnT14808]

While cheaper sound would be nice, I'd like to see some manufacturer come out with a DCC equipped engine ( steam or diesel) that doesn't require 9 volts to start up. What a drag that your electircal bill will go up with your gasoline bill if you run a lot of todays' newer engines on your layout.

[TrainFreak409]

More turbines!!!!!![:D] Heh heh, dream on, dream on...


Umm...cheaper sound in HO and N scale, specifically N scale.

[SpaceMouse]

I think Darth is on the right track Atlas came out with their econo line in the $50 range and Bachman undercut them in the $30 range with DCC. When people get value at low price, other companies must follow suit. The cheaper sound is also a trend. It has been inflated all along. Call them decoders if you want, but they are computer chips that can be mass produced in Taiwan for a lot less.

[UP Deano]

is this thread about predictions, or wishes?[%-)] i WISH sound for engines would go down[:D], however i hate to say it , but i doubt it[:(]. i hope i am wrong, but i swear i read somewhere that the new tsunami is going to be$$$$$$. its supposed to be the best out there, but you will pay. perhaps i am in the dark, but i havent herd of ANY sound that is going to be cheap in the next year. OK, i have a prdiction(really a big hope), i predict someone is going to jump in and prove me wrong. PLEASE someone make my prediction come true! i would love to get good cheep sound for my engines.[;)]

[Darth Santa Fe]

Are we just making things up here? I guess I might as well say something if that's what we're doing.

Tyco will be re-entering the Model Railroad market with a new line of HO trains with quality that blows Atlas, Kato, P2K and Spectrum out of the water with both steam and diesel, with all the popular types of engines and some not yet made in HO trains...at an affordable price of less than $60 for all their products.[:D][:D][:D]

I guess I can always dream.[:)]

[Anonymous]

Cheap sound. Advances in DCC technology and maybe I will finish my layout.

[douginut]

Mine? Still fewer teens and younger folks will take up the hobby...
BUT!
More in their thirties and older will begin to enjoy Model Railroading as a low cost alternative to hareing all over at $3.00+ per gallon to do other fun things.

Doug, in Utah

[howmus]

I think someone will beat SpaceMouse to the punch and produce a sub-woofer speaker system that can be mounted under the layout to be used with the tiny little itsy bittsy speakers that we try to hide in the tenders of itsy bittsy HO and N steam locos and they will actually start to sound almost like what a Steam Locomotive more or less sounded like!!!! [:D] [:D] [:D]

Maybe?

[Javern]

Walthers will buy out another model train company