Where do you see the toy train market going (in terms of number of people involved, types of people, prices, frequency of trading, online vs in person interaction.....). Are certain forums for talking about and/or trading toy trains rising (or dropping) in popularity? How do you think the market for the hobby will look 10 years from now?
I'd love to hear your point of view!
We have this discussion nearly every October at York.I wasn't able to attend this past April, but I think it was October 2008 we commented on how many people attended. Then last April there were even more. It appears the hobby has a lot of younger people involved (there had to be at least 30 kids in the kiddie area when I was there last April). Also, there has been a lot of 'action' at the LTS when I've been there, and now that he has moved into a larger building, with more convenient parking I would expecty business to increase as well.
I can think of many reasons why the future should be bright. Choice, relative entry-level affordability, and a hobby that can inject tradition and quality time into the family mix.
At no time has choice been greater if you spread that to include everything from used pre-war to the present. If you take the ala carte or set prices from 1950 and compare them to the present, factoring in inflation, getting into the hobby takes no more than the price of a lower end PC or a reasonably priced/featured digital camera. My own kids may not share my passion for the trains, but it is the one thing they can enjoy with their children, my grandkids, over at my place.....if I can get them to lose the Blackberry and turn off the TV.
Virtually no one can resist the draw and the entertainment value of that Christmas layout around the tree, not even my wife. Folks in their 70s and 80s can reminisce about the power of steam while I can stoke the power of the imagination, counting the passing 105 car freight train with my granddaughter while stuck at the at-grade crossing. "What do you think is in all of those cars? Where do you think they are taking all of that stuff?"
The key to me is making time for a hobby that on some levels can be shared, can be educational, and can blunt the impact of information and the communication and connectivity overload. My kids complain about stress and yet take no respite from some of the self-inflicted things that cause it. They complain about not having enough time in their lives while they browse, text, and post non-stop every waking moment.
If a train hobby can bring a modicum of education on one level and respite from the crush of the daily responsibilities on another, maybe the light bulb will go off. Quality interpersonal time spent together without allowing the interruptions of the outside world.
When I see the photos posted on this forum of kids and grownups and trains, that is what I am talking about. So the answer to the future of the toy train business may lie in the same innocent smiles and fascination the children display watching them operate way back when and now.
Jack.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
When you see lionel trains once again ... as it was last christmas in department stores and people buying them .... it's a good sign . For a long while they were not available in most and now they ARE ! Some folks griped about wal mart and many discount stores selling them afraid the impact would hurt hobby stores ... but that's the shot in the arm train collecting needs .... it's the way it was in the past during my youth and I'm glad to see it . Millions more of starter sets now are in homes and that's the way the hobby expands . Once folks own a set and want to expand ... there's only one place local they can get addons which most do ... THE TRAIN HOBBY STORES / SHOPS .... so they'll benefit also .
Timboy.....thanks. I overthink everything.
Ole Timer.....I like the service at my local train store.
A couple of Christmas seasons ago I was waiting my turn to pick up an engine that was in for a couple of things and found myself standing next to a woman who couldn't decide which "starter" set to buy her little boy for Christmas. Polar Express was one of her choices.
I couldn't help myself when she asked me what I would buy if the decision were mine. "Well, my wife would choose as you did with the Polar Express because she is interested in the traditional train around the tree, especially with the appearance of the Lionel Fastrac and the nostalgia of a steam engine. And I would choose the same set as you did because the movie has quickly become a "must see" classic mainstay tradition in homes with families.....plus the set offers expandability should your son or husband run off in that direction."
I felt like a missionary converting someone to my religion!
Jack
I believe we should be thanking Thomas and Brio for introducing children to trains. My wife who teaches kindergarten has a Brio type train in her room. It is the favorite toy.
In Central Ohio the Garden Railroad Society has a yearly open house. Again, this exposure seems to have increased interest. Our Easton Town Center's (a shopping mall) full time outdoor trains draws kids and adults. The February train show at the fair grounds with the trains running on the floor has become a much better draw for children than the traditional highly detailed HO modular layouts.
Jack.....My 30 year old daughter has the complete Lionel Polar Express. It is displayed once a year around the tree. It has become part of the family tradition.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
RockIsland52
Good reply. Just enough of this and that for a nice balanced well spoken, intelligent reply.
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