The local hobby shop has been downsizing their model railroading items to the point there is hardly anything in stock. Where a few years ago the were two rows of model railroading equipment there is now about 1/4 of a row.
Last Saturday there was a blow out sale of most of the remaining items so I stopped by and checked out what items they had that I might want. There was nothing that interested me.
However, I certainly learned where the youth of today are spending their money.
They are heavy into RC Cars, Trucks, and Airplanes.
I had not really paid much attention to the RC models, years ago I had built a number of balsa planes and attached the old 049 Cox engines and fitted the planes out with a control line.
Well those days of building with balsa for the most part are long gone.
You can however buy rc planes that are framed with wood and completely assembled. All from China of course, but these planes have wingspans around 50" and your choice of gas, nitro or electric.
Then again there is another choice, extruded foam. These planes are electric powered and range in wingspans from about 20" to 54".
In talking to a couple of young men, they have been flying rc planes for about three years now. They also have rc cars and trucks as well.
There are two buildings in town that cater to indoor flying and of course rc cars. The planes for indoor flying are significantly smaller and slower than the rc planes flown outdoors.
The hobbyshop's previous owners were heavily involved with model railroading but they are now gone. The new owners tell me that they sell significantly more rc items and parts. Revenues have increased signicantly since they became more involved with the RC market.
There is competion from on line stores but the cost of S&H is now so high that at least for now they can meet most prices of the larger stores with a web presence.
Looking at prices between what a model railroad layout would cost and assembling a roster of RC cars and planes I think the RC hobbiest spend far less in comparison to model railroad hobbiests.
I even picked up a trainer RC airplane to give it a try, still remember building those balsa planes and flying them with the control lines. There are still rc planes with control lines but radio control is now the norm.
Looking forward to the weekend and giving rc flying a try.
Don7,
I will have to agree with You about Model Railroading vs R/C to a certain degree, but I won't get into that. R/C modeling does have it's advantages of being able to be outside where Your friends are, which a lot of kids like to compete, hill jumping and stuff, that you can't do with trains inside. At one time in the 50's, I had tried the airplane thing and It became a little frustrating to watch, what had taken some time to build, only to watch it crash and destroy itself in seconds. LOL.
I have built quite a few R/C car's and trucks for my own son's over the year's, gas and battery and my younger son, He is 36, His 7yr son, my grandson, asked me just last week, if I would rebuild His 1/10 scale R/C truck that the body on it broke apart. Long story short, My son don't have the patience to work in small scale, only the 1:1 stuff....so Gramps is the go to guy. Any way He choose the Grave Digger monster truck body to put on His chassis, so I thought I would share a couple of pic's with You. Started out with a Clear Lexan body that had to be cut out, filed and test fitted with chassis and added body supports, then painted on the inside and vinyl decals added to the outside. Didn't come out too bad.....I know He will be a happy camper tonight when He gets it.
Oh yeah! He has a HO model layout in His basement, that My son and I are working on for Him and His brother....but that is winter stuff.
Take Care!
Frank
Btw: Thought I would mention...those vinyl decals are Not pre-cut, You have to cut them out from a full sheet, add's more to the fun!
We, the modeling public, seem to be blissfully unaware of; or, simply don’t care that we are a dying fraternity.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
don7They are heavy into RC Cars, Trucks, and Airplanes.
besides the cost of a locomotive, we need to add a $20+ decoder. While a decent RC transmitter is $400+, the receiver and servos in a plane are ~$100. And there's still the cost of the plane and repairs.
RC airplanes aren't that cheap and you see the same threads on their forums lamenting the fact that RC is too expensive for kids.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
What isn't expensive.....for kid's or adults???
You could also say the exact same thing about the 40's when I was growing up. How many people had a radio or TV, let alone a automobile. The things we are talking about...are not must have's to live. Now that's another story.
I will agree there are many youths in R/C namely racing or time competition on a 4 wheeler off road course that goes over rocks,through sand pits,over small half buried logs, man made hills etc...I attended one of these meets and was quite impress.The competitors was in all age groups.
I had no idea R/C enthusiast had competition meets like that.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Two thoughts:
1. What does this have to do with model railroading?
2. It's been discussed so often that it may now be worthy of a Sticky.
Time to move on.
Rich
Alton Junction
Just from a teenager's perspective, this is what I have seen:
If one were to look, entry-level rc airplanes are closer to $90-$100. For a kid that sounds like a lot, but then looking at model R.R.-ing it is much more expensive. There are more things to buy. I spent $90 on just my layout benchwork, and I still have to buy track, rolling stock, locomotives (Big $$$ there), and scenery.
While spending less money on RC, I can enjoy it immediately. I could litterally take my entry-level plane/truck out of the box and use it right away. How many model RRers can say they can do that with a layout? Truth is, no one would want to model RRs if they couldn't run a real layout, as accuracy is the big attractor (At least for me) And building one of those takes time and skill. People don't have the patience to do that anymore.
RC simply costs less, is easier to use, and can be enjoyed almost as soon as it is bought. Not to mention it is so heavily advertised and promoted through the LHS.
I still have not finnished my layout, and am running trains on bachmann e-z track. Only the light at the end of the tunnel has kept me from selling it all, and getting into a hobby that yields more immediate (And more cost-effective) results.
To effect, the only thing keeping me in the hobby is seeing all of the wonderful layouts that users here have accomplished, and knowing that if I stick with it, and put in both the time and money, I could do it to.
-S. Connor
NP2626We, the modeling public, seem to be blissfully unaware of; or, simply don’t care that we are a dying fraternity.
Well, Mark, we're all dying. It's when you get to dead that things get to be a problem. Who is going to finish that stack of kits? Who is going to make that last bit of Plywood Pacific grow scenery? It's the amount of fun we have until we get there that counts.
Rich, et al
I know of at least one way it directly applies to model railroading. The tiny little FPV copters that Mark mentioned have been drawing my eye. Typical kid stuff attarcting me, fly around the 'hood (within 100 meters), etc, plus the $250/unit all inclusive price is pretty sweet for a turnkey deal. It's right at the edge of something I'd like to do with it, fly indoors around the layout.
With the HD video systems they fly with out of the box, it would let you take pics and video you could otherwise not get to in many cases.
Then since they are getting automated flying figured out, think of having it follow your train through the terrain. I don't do the online video sites like MRVP, but have any of them started shooting layout visits that are copter enabled yet? It won't be long...
Heck maybe the hobby just needs FPV as an option on new locos, just like DCC/sound is now offered? "Do you want that with or without video. sir?" I know, I know, it's been done, but I think there's a whole new thing going on because of the size reduction in the technology. And being able to flip between a cab view, an overhead view or the old human eyeball view would be kinda neat.
Shortly after that, FPV on the loco sides shrinks to where you just put a chip with the camera mounted on it in the cab. Then there will be a big move in the hobby toward real glass windshields to clear up that distortion from plastic window inserts.
Sure, there's model railroading involved. Have another cup of and it'll come to you...and they do, because they mostly all return to you. Just don't try that drunk at 3am in DC with the address set wrong
Fortunately, with rail technology, that sort of misstep generally doesn't happen.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
S. ConnorTruth is, no one would want to model RRs if they couldn't run a real layout, as accuracy is the big attractor (At least for me) And building one of those takes time and skill. People don't have the patience to do that anymore.
S.
Not everyone builds layouts. Some people are mostly collectors and nothing wromng with that. Some folks just build models for a lot of reasons. Many who do may have an arrangement at a club or with friends. There has been a trend in the hobby over the last half-centruy in the US against the club type layout, but times are changing and who knows, maybe it'll make a comeback?
You're right about people not being patient. The whole instant gratification thing mostly doesn't apply to model railroading and much that seems to, like RTR, can be, err, controversial.
S. ConnorTo effect, the only thing keeping me in the hobby is seeing all of the wonderful layouts that users here have accomplished, and knowing that if I stick with it, and put in both the time and money, I could do it to.
And you will. You've got this pretty much figured out, but then the dullest knives in the drawer usually aren't model railroaders. Patience is a virtue and all that. It's a skill that also applies to the big things in life, which makes me always think it's a mark of character, whether you aspire to the personal layout or not.
I phones are the leading hobby with todays youth
Jim
mlehmanYou're right about people not being patient. The whole instant gratification thing mostly doesn't apply to model railroading
This is happening throughout American society. Part of our "fast food culture". If people cannot enjoy it right away, they move on. Even my wife who sees the immense enjoyment I get out of working on my layout made the comment to me the other day, "I get why somebody would have one to mess around with, but I just don't get why you would ever build one. Why not just buy one ready to go?" *Sigh*
Mike
Love it! Two thumbs up on that cartoon.
Around here that might be the leading Senior Citizen hobby.
As far as R/C in model railroad form we have seen that--well in a sense-called wireless throttles.
In the 1950's and 1960's I was told model railroading, like the full-sized passenger train, was dying. Today things have changed, and today's kids have a lot more options. Very often, a serious interest in a hobby is awakened later in life. It's been said that model railroaders tend to be older guys. That's also true of flying RC planes. It's impossible to predict how many of today's youngsters will turn to model railroading in the future. For now, I'm content to enjoy my hobby, share it with those who are interested, and not worry too much about the hobby's future. If the people of the future fail to grasp the fun and challenge of building something and seeing it run, then that's their loss. I feel sorry for them. However, I suspect there will always be some who recognize the value of these active, creative hobbies, even if they are in the minority. Face it: We've always been a minority.
Tom
I started building a small N-scale layout 2 months ago, but got derailed by this. RC helicopters are not a hobby, they are an addiction.
ed_nRC helicopters are not a hobby, they are an addiction.
Most Hobby's are! And it is no wonder, kids of today sort of migrate away from Model Railroading.....there is so much more out there, for instant fun!
Mike Leman,
Mike let us know when You install the mini-cam in one of those R/C helicopters and follow Your train around on Your layout.....now that would be interesting to see...just have to watch out for the power lines, (low hanging LED's).
While spending less money on RC, I can enjoy it immediately. I could litterally take my entry-level plane/truck out of the box and use it right away... RC simply costs less, is easier to use, and can be enjoyed almost as soon as it is bought
While spending less money on RC, I can enjoy it immediately. I could litterally take my entry-level plane/truck out of the box and use it right away...
RC simply costs less, is easier to use, and can be enjoyed almost as soon as it is bought
To use an analogy, if RC planes were like model railroading, you would have to model an entire airport, rather than just the planes.
ed_n While spending less money on RC, I can enjoy it immediately. I could litterally take my entry-level plane/truck out of the box and use it right away... RC simply costs less, is easier to use, and can be enjoyed almost as soon as it is bought To use an analogy, if RC planes were like model railroading, you would have to model an entire airport, rather than just the planes.
Or Model a Aircraft carrier....with a couple of R/C WWII ''Hellcat'' dive bombers......I believe that has been done already.
NP2626 The youth are not getting involved in R/C airplanes any more than they are doing model railroading! The situation with R/C Airplanes is exactly the same as it is for model railroading as these hobbies are filled with people over 50 year old. They certainly might be involved in R/C multi-copters (Drones) with cameras (First Person Video). But, they are not doing the traditional R/C airplanes. R/C is my other modeling hobby, that I am involved with and the national organization is aware of and attempting to do all it can to promote to the youth with very little interest being shown by them. I think all hobbies where something is built as the hobby, are in jeopardy! We, the modeling public, seem to be blissfully unaware of; or, simply don’t care that we are a dying fraternity.
For a hobby that has been "on its last legs" since slot cars 50 years ago, model railroading seems to be pretty vital. Except for the doom and gloom on forums, of course.
RT
I saw plenty of adults in the RC section of my (now recently closed) LHS, Greenfield News & Hobby. I did see a few kids there though, more than in the train section. I hardly saw anybody of any age in the plastic auto/boat/airplane/military section. When I was a boy that is where the action was (we also had plastic kit dinosauers and the "Rat Fink" models from Ed Roth - remember those?).
If some kid prefers RC cars, planes or copters over trains I don't feel sad about that at all. They have a hobby that has its own challenges and it gets them involved and doing things - those are all good things. And it is evident that it is a hobby that can carry over into adulthood. Maybe they'll discover trains later. The adult men I know who have no hobby whatever, not even gardening -- and then go nuts in retirement -- those are sad cases.
Dave Nelson
don7Looking at prices between what a model railroad layout would cost and assembling a roster of RC cars and planes I think the RC hobbiest spend far less in comparison to model railroad hobbiests.
On the foam toys maybe, however serious modelers put a lot in to the hobby. I still have all my R/C airplanes down in the crawlspace. When I flew (years ago) I would spend way more on driving to and from the flying club than I spend on trains. I just need to walk in to the train room when ever the spirit moves me to do some modeling.
I have a lot of balsa and bass wood in the crawlspace I need to go get for use on the layout. I use to design and build my own planes and flying combat was my favourite past time. You would tie a long streamer behind your plane and try and chew off the other guys with your propeller. I have flown one of these self piloting foam monsters that fly right out of the box. I got no satisfaction what so ever.
Having the satisfaction of being responsible for something you spent hours building is rewarding. There is reward from risk and fewer people are willing to take risk anymore. How dull.
I never crashed one of my planes, ever. But if I had that was the cost of doing business. I have broken bones pursuing activities that I love, I was right back at it when healed. Instant gratification is short lived gratification.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Just like DCC is having an impact on the model railroad hobby; electric fly is changing RC. You can argue the merits of both, endlessly....
Once upon a time I flew control-line stunt, trying to learn the "pattern." I completely re-kitted 7 planes. I gave it up after the best finished & best flying plane I ever built was destroyed when I hit my own wake turbulence on a calm day. Plus I never really was able to overcome dizziness completely.
At least something you build in model railroading can last a lifetime.
Just like DCC is having an impact on the model railroad hobby; electric fly is changing RC.
IMO brushless motors & LiPo batteries are a complete revolution, along with 2.4 ghz spread spectrum radios.
ed_nOnce upon a time I flew control-line stunt,
I started with the Lil Wizard, then had a Stuntman, Lil Satan and a few others. I then moved on to a larger size that had a .19 engine and the lines were 150' cables. Did lots of Combat line control stuff. Still have a box full of Cox .049s
Moved on to R/C as soon as I got my drivers license. Scratch built a glider from plans of a real one and it flew great. Then on to power and R/C combat. Got my tail chewed off twice but never crashed. Lots of good old R/C stuff on You-tube if you need a fix from the old days.
I think people who have hobbies can spread around the time and what they like to do. I have flown R/C airplanes and tinker with an R/C jeep and I love my trains and I also brew beer. I don't devote all my time to any one of the hobbies. R/C stuff is for some excitement, beer brewing is for drinking and being creative and trains are for relaxing.
Frank,
I'm pretty sure with the state of my budget someone else will beat me to it. But I will take pics if I ever do, just to prove I did.
zstripe Mike Leman, Mike let us know when You install the mini-cam in one of those R/C helicopters and follow Your train around on Your layout.....now that would be interesting to see...just have to watch out for the power lines, (low hanging LED's). Take Care! Frank
You're right those LED light strips are a lot like powerlines. Then there's all those other aircraft hanging around the layout. It'll be a regular obstacle course.
RT Trains For a hobby that has been "on its last legs" since slot cars 50 years ago, model railroading seems to be pretty vital. Except for the doom and gloom on forums, of course. RT
gregc While a decent RC transmitter is $400+,
Are you shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue? I got my 5-channel, 2.4GHz Spektrum radio for $100. You can get a 6-channel for $140, and an 8-channel for $250.
I built my first plane out of $2 worth of foamboard from Dollar Tree, four $5 servos, about twenty cents worth of tissue paper to cover the wing, and a $12 motor. The battery and receiver can be used on other planes so I don't include the cost of those. So for less than the cost of a single locomotive, I can fly a plane.
Steve S