What is happening to our hobby?

[robert3985]

I really don't know much about it, but I don't spend much money on model railroading nowadays. 

However, that doesn't mean I don't have several thousand cars and a couple of hundred engines...it means that I rarely buy new, I horse-trade a lot, and I buy only what I'll be running on my layout, or what I'll be selling (at a profit) online.

Relegating myself to only purchasing N-scale engines and cars that ran prototypically on the UP between Ogden and Green River from 1947 through 1956 did three good things for me. (1) I made a LOT of money selling off my excess brass engines that were too early and too modern and were other roads than UP, SP, D&RGW & WP (most of which had radically increased in value), selling off my plastic engines that didn't "fit", and also ALL of my cars that had build dates later than December 31, 1956 or were too modern.  Took me about two and a half years to do it (on eBay & attending shows with my table), but netted me enough to get my DCC setup, materials for building my home version of my modular/sectional layout, and get most of the engines and cabooses I needed for both passenger and freight trains running in Weber/Echo Canyons in that time period (UP) and the SP interchanging at the Ogden Yard. (2) It stopped me from buying many new products that I "liked" but which I won't run in my layout's era/location, such as Scale Trains GTEL Turbines...which I love, but ran starting in 1958, and would be shelf queens.  (3) It caused me to spend more time superdetailing, weathering, kit-bashing and 3D printing instead of collecting engines and cars.

Being very particular and not spending any money on cars/engines that don't "fit" in my era/location, also allows me to save my pennies & dimes whenever I learn there are engines and/or cars that will be released that I think I "need" to flesh out what would be appropriate for my era/location, such as Scale Trains Standard Turbines, BLI Big Boys, and their upcoming UP Late Challengers...which I save up for, or horse-trade for.  Since my "normal" model railroad monetary output is limited to mainly consumables (decals, paint, solvents & thinners, resins, IPA, brass & plastic materials) with a bit for couplers, metal wheelsets and detail parts...and many months I spend exactly ZERO on my hobby, I can put away a bit for buying several engines or cars at a time when they finally come on the market...even with engine costs being several hundred dollars each if I have a quarter or two...or three to save up.

Scenery costs are virtually zero, and I bought all of my PCB tie material decades ago along with my Rail Craft Code55 flex and my Rail Craft Code40 & Code55 rails for laying track & making my turnouts.  I buy electrical connectors & wire online at prices that are often below wholesale, and much of my scenic groundcover base is simply graded dirt that I dig at prototype locations up Weber and Echo Canyons...which only cost me gas to go get.

Sooooo....I'm not feeling the bite.  In fact, I really like the fact that many N-scale modelers are willing to pay for superdetailed/kitbashed/weathered models that manufacturers don't provide or have stopped making...such as Centralia Car Shops UP CA3/CA4 cabooses...which has driven their prices up dramatically...especially ones that have been "improved" (I provide the improvements and charge for it.)

One of the main reasons I got into N-scale in the first place way back in the late 1970's was the fact (at the time) that I would have to scratchbuild many of the models I wanted.  The skills I learned as a kid and as a teenager building plastic models and building wooden ship models as well as model railroading helped greatly with my N-scale modeling.  However, acquiring those modeling skills is much more rare 40+ years later when building plastic models or wooden ship models is becoming an increasingly rare pass-time. Many grownups nowadays did not develop their model-building skills starting when they were kids, but spent their spare time with their fingers manipulating phones or game controllers instead of cutting, bending, filing, sanding, painting plastic & wooden models....and many of them are now willing to pay for RTR or custom-built models of trains they don't have the skills (or attitude) to build for themselves.

When driving to my home in my cherry 1994 Honda Accord, I am astounded at the Ferraris, Maseratis, Porsches, Mercedes, Audis and other exotic/ultra-expensive cars & trucks I see that are going home further up the hill.  This indicates to me that there are a lot of people making MUCH more money than I do, and maybe some of those people also like model trains....and have plenty of money to expend on the hobby that would be impossible for me to do.  I know of one fellow who likes N-scale, but spends his big bucks on G-scale brass, even though he doesn't have enough room in his luxury home to build a circle of track to run them on.  Doesn't bother him a bit to pay $5,000+ for an engine or a few passenger cars...then put them on shelves in his "hobby room".  I will admit that I'm impressed with what I've seen of his collection, but...for me, I get much more enjoyment from involving my fingers and brain doing my superdetailing and scratchbuilding then running what engines and cars I have, rather than merely buying a collection that sits on shelves.  Yes, I understand there's "pride of ownership", but for me, I prefer to be proud of owning models that I've modified or built myself.

One of the solutions to the increasing cost problem is to join a modular club, plan a few trains that you want to run at the shows...maybe coordinating what you want to run with other club members so you're not running the same trains...and then buy the engines and cars for that train or trains...superdetail the engines to get them "right", then do the same with the cars.  Build a module or two you can easily transport to the shows, but that you can also plug into your home layout...detail the Hell out of them...and quit worrying about buying every new engine and/or car that comes out.  Specialize, plan, paint & detail your models, build a module or two, build a modest layout, learn to make your turnouts on the bench...superdetail your track & scenery so your superdetailed engines & cars will look their best running on/through it...and you can get a LOT of enjoyment out of the hobby and cut your purchase costs drastically at the same time.

Hell, if you get good at it, you can actually make a bit of money custom painting, detailing, making custom turnouts and keeping an eye out for models that are a good buy, and can be sold again at a profit and proper marketing.

On the other hand, if you like collecting and dislike actually working on your models, then you're gonna have to pay for it.

N-scale product availability today as compared to when I got into it in the 1970's and 80's? Today is N-scale NIRVANA...with a few odd exceptions.

So, I don't have a clue as to where the hobby is going...but, I still enjoy it immensely and I don't feel deprived at all.  I enjoy the challenge of it and working on my projects for myself and customers nearly every day...and getting together with my model railroad friends on a regular basis to shoot the sh!t, show what we've done, offer advice, receive advice and re-charge our batteries.

Times they are good!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[tehachapifan]

I can't help but notice the contrast between this thread and another where people are falling over themselves to buy $250 rivet counter locomotives. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=56798.0;topicseen

I likely won’t be getting one.

[Scottl]

I likely won’t be getting one.

Ironically, I saw the CN Dash 9-44 model, investigated, and preordered a DC unit, lol.  SD40's are way too old for me but I expect a Scale Trains rendition would be an excellent model.  I can see why people would want them.

[Rivet Miscounter]

people are falling over themselves to buy $250 rivet counter locomotives. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=56798.0;topicseen

Fair point, hopefully with a tinge of tongue-in-cheek, but either way....

When I saw the announcement, I thought of this thread.

I'm one of likely a small subset of modelers that could legitimately use the ex-MILW patch-leasers.  Depending on what day you ask me, I'm modeling "BN in Spring of 1989" and those rolled out of Livingston Rebuild in June of that year by most accounts...close enough for me, as I'd probably say I'd add a "plus or minus a year" to my chosen era.  I'm debating about the BN 3-window SD60M's, which arrived in very late 1989, as an example of how much I'm trying to stick to the early '89 thing.

The other thing is....I really LOVE the blue/white EMD leasing locos.  So much so that including one was a major decision point when deciding upon my era.  Given that the only commercially available one was a 25-year-old Kato, it sort of helped ease the pain of removing it from the equation.  (the blue/white locos were a late 1991 construct.)

So this opens up a big can of worms.   Do I push the era forward?  Do I roll with the ex-MILW loco? (I do like it too)

The SD40-2 is easily one of my all-time favorites.  BN SD40-2's in 1989 were probably 40% of consists, at least in my locale.  I have four of the six BN's on order from ScaleTrains.com, and wish I could buy the other two.   Being able to buy a pretty-well museum quality (I know, I sort of hate that term too but...hyperbole...work with me) loco is sort of an irreplaceable opportunity, in my mind.  I know the Conrail guys feel the same.   Even taking another SD40-2 and adding the details and lighting effects and sound to an "old school" (Kato) model would cost as much as the Scaletrains.com models.  (probably more for the Conrails)   I am sort of fortunate in that I wasn't in N when these were announced, so it wasn't a question of having too many locos or displacing current models.   These were literally the first locos I pre-ordered once I made the decision to move back to N.

So, pretty good case study in what we're talking about here.  I have decided NOT to buy either of the lease units.    Despite my love for the blue/white units, it's just too much of a stretch era-wise.  And while I think having that MILW unit would be cool and would serve to set my era even further,  it's something I can sit out, given the cost.   Likely in 2003, I buy both.   I'm not really upset by this....it's just a compromise that I make so that I can get the BN's with sound, and learn to live with a smaller roster.   I bet I still have fun.   I've also managed to procure a decent number of knuckle-equipped older freight cars in the $8-10 range.   While I'm trying to subscribe to "quality over quantity", some things sort of fell into my lap and I took advantage.   So no falling over myself to pay $25 for older tooling that I was able to find for less.  (admittedly I  did pay a pretty penny for the Athearn Thrall coal gons, which burns me to no end since those were in Walthers catalogs in the 1980's for 1/5th of the price.)

So yes I was falling over myself for the BN's, but I'm not doing that for every single new shiny object like I might have before.  To get the amazing ScaleTrains models, it's a good tradeoff, IMHO.

[tehachapifan]

Ironically, I saw the CN Dash 9-44 model, investigated, and preordered a DC unit, lol.  SD40's are way too old for me but I expect a Scale Trains rendition would be an excellent model.  I can see why people would want them.

Don’t get me wrong…I would love to get one or more. Scaletrains makes great stuff and I do have a couple of dash-9’s that I love and did my own sound installs in, but I just can't justify buying too many locos at those kind of prices.

[wes_sutton]

I can't help but notice the contrast between this thread and another where people are falling over themselves to buy $250 rivet counter locomotives. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=56798.0;topicseen

You mean a bunch of dudes who can't come to grips with the failure of capitalism to provide them with trains at slave labor prices anymore, contrasting with another bunch of dudes who have accepted things are beyond their control and have just decided to sit back and enjoy life

[Scottl]

You mean a bunch of dudes who can't come to grips with the failure of capitalism to provide them with trains at slave labor prices anymore, contrasting with another bunch of dudes who have accepted things are beyond their control and have just decided to sit back and enjoy life

FTW

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You mean a bunch of dudes who can't come to grips with the failure of capitalism to provide them with trains at slave labor prices anymore, contrasting with another bunch of dudes who have accepted things are beyond their control and have just decided to sit back and enjoy life

My man!

Exactly.

I know this hobby is getting more expensive, it's one of the reasons I keep looking for ways to make my income outpace inflation. We all make our choices though.

[lock4244]

Damn, trains expensive.

[Rivet Miscounter]

Damn, trains expensive.

Ha, this literally made me spit coffee.   

Nice summary.   

[robert3985]

Damn, trains expensive.

I can easily think of quite a few common "hobbies" that are far more expensive.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Jbub]

I can easily think of quite a few common "hobbies" that are far more expensive.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

Having done the pilot thing, I agree. I was going through my not so small, but not huge collection of engines, I couldn't help but think of the several thousands of dollars just sitting in a box. But that pales to the cost of flying, that box of engines around the same cost of 15 or so flight hours in a high performance (201 or greater HP) aircraft.