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
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
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
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!"
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.
Take Care!
Frank
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
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/
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.
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!
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.