The Future of Model Railroading, what will it be like?

[IVRW]

Well, it seems that we have accomplished putting every kind of modern technology into Model Railroading. If so, where is Model Railroading going to go? First my idea. I think the next big thing thing that is going to be made is going to be holographs. After people like Athearn, Atlas, and etc. try out a few ideas, a new company is going to come up which will product a new kind of holograph device: These devices will be placed overhead, rather than previous attempts of in buildings without backs. Another feature will be that they will all be a connected by a master computer, so that one figure can walk around the entire layout, being projected from one projector, and then "walking" into the "domain" of another holographic projector. A few years later, the same company will produce an even better version that replays life like life. In this version, "people" will be able to board trains, and leave the same trains later. Also, the same will occur with freight, i.e. fruit will be loaded where it has to be loaded, and later, it will be unloaded where it needs to be. And finally, a few years later, the company will produce an interactive version, where the figures talk to the observer. Possibly, a few people will adapt the version so that there will be 3 or 4 person operating crews, 2 or 3 being holographs, and 1 being human. There will be no "physical" paperwork, the engineer / fireman / conductor will take care of the paperwork while you switch cars. Then many years from now, another young forum poster will ask the same question. Now it is time for you all to make guesses and give ideas as to where we will go next.

[jecorbett]

I don't think any type of virtual model railroading will ever replace physical layouts.  I think most modelers want that hands on experience that virtual modeling can't give you. I don't know enough about holograph technology to speak directly to that, but I think computer graphics will continue to progress to the point where a virtual layout will be almost indistinguishable from a video of an actual layout. It might even look more like prototype railroading than model railroading. Even if it reaches that level of sophistication, I think a majority of modelers will still opt for a physical layout.

Virtual modeling does have its advantages. A layout could be built much faster and cheaper in virtual world than in someone's basement. I still don't think that will appeal to the vast majority of modelers.

Onboard power is one advance that many, including me, have predicted will be the next big thing. Others have proposed animation of non-railroading features such as traffic or people movements. There have already been some ventures into these areas but so far I have been unimpressed with the realism. The one exception I would make to that is the Wonderlandz (I think that's I it's spelled) layout in Germany. This might be the proving grounds for this sort of technology and soon it might become practical for home layouts.

[steinjr]

jecorbett

The one exception I would make to that is the Wonderlandz (I think that's I it's spelled) layout in Germany. This might be the proving grounds for this sort of technology and soon it might become practical for home layouts.

 

You probably are trying to refer to "Miniatur Wunderland" (Miniature Wonderland) in Hambug, Germany.

http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/exhibit/technology/

Stein

 

[IVRW]

jecorbett: What I posted only referred to the little people, they will be the only holographic images on the layout. I agree that even in the age of flying trains, people will still opt for a physical railroad.

steinjr: Yes that is the one. I think places like that which have a need for technology, will be the ones to pioneer the Model Railroad Technology Industry.

[MAbruce]

 In a word?  Nanotechnology.

 A modeler will purchase a workforce of nanites, program them to build almost any structure, loco, or rolling stock, and watch it slowly take shape.  The RTR crowd will complain that it takes the joy out of the hobby. 

[MisterBeasley]

Once, I saw an article in a technology magazine titled, "Whatever happened to the atomic-powered car?"

It was about the predictions of "futurists" who envisioned all sorts of things that would appear over the next 20 years or so.  Nuclear energy was going to be "too cheap to meter."  In "2001 - A Space Odyssey," we had a permanent Lunar colony in the 1990s.  Cancer was supposed to have been another disease of the past by this time, too.

In parallel, though, I've grown up from a 7-year-old boy with a Lionel train to a 62-year-old boy with an HO layout.  55 years of model railroading, and, really, not much has changed.  Yes, the engines look and run better, and, inflation adjusted, they're actually cheaper.  The track is nickel-silver and not brass anymore, but otherwise a piece of Atlas sectional track is identical to one a half-century older.

The biggest thing I've seen in all those years is DCC.

The next biggest thing, my young friend, is one that you will also experience as the future of model railroading:  I now have enough money to buy what I want for my trains!

[tomikawaTT]

Mister Beasley, I resemble that!

In the years between Christmas, 1937, when I received my first Lionel 027 tinplate set, and the present, not much happened:

• The third rail and AC power disappeared.
• The models shrunk, but curve radii increased.
• The scale changed again, but the models remained about the same size.
• There was never enough time/money/space to build my dream layout - until we moved into this, our final post-retirement home.

Note that I didn't list DCC.  The only electronics in the layout space is a radio tuned to the local PBS station.

As for those futurists, look at any of the semi-technical magazines from about 1943 to 1945 - all the wonderful things that would be available to everyone once the War was won...

I'm still waiting to see my mass-market flying car.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[richg1998]

We will see what it will be like when we get there.  

Rich

[trainman6446]

I'm waiting for usable onboard battery power in HO. Imagine- no more dirty track, no more confusing reverse loop wiring. Give me an hour or two of run time with a half hour recharge time. life would be grand.

[IVRW]

IDEA: trainman6446: make the roundhouse a charging station, so that the hostler would have very real restrictions of recharging.

[IRONROOSTER]

The next really big change will be manufacture to order.  You take in a picture (or pictures) and a kit or RTR product is produced - Initially very expensive, but eventually affordable for everyone.

The other big change is wireless electricity which will kill the battery producers.

Enjoy

Paul

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 I personally equate model railroading to painting or sculpture, an art form as much as it is a hobby. I don't think you'll be seeing a true artist replace his paint brushes and pallet knives for a digital whatchamacallit or a lazer bean to carve his modeling clay.

We are a group that can blend new technology with old school modeling to make some really cool stuff.

The one thing I would really like to see gained from all this rage in new technology is vehicles that move and who knows maybe little people that walk but no talking thats where I draw the line.