Large Scale Central

where is Largescale headed?

General Discussion
#61

Lorna, I agree with what you are saying about many of those who are retired. And many of the younger crowd are like you say too. But some of these “kids” are making insane amounts of money, and they just might spend some on large scale trains. I did say might.

But I always have to go back to the articles I read when I was a teenager, saying that model railroading as a hobby was dying off. The old times are dying off, and the teenagers are not getting into the hobby. Sound familiar? The folks that were teenagers then, those folks who “were not getting into the hobby”, are now 30 somethings and 40 somethings. And I see a lot of 30 and 40 somethings at train shows, with bags and boxes, scurrying to their cars with their treasures.

I am firmly in the camp of “plant the seed in the young folks while they are young”. Some will come back to the hobby, many will not come back to the hobby. But those who do, they are the future of the hobby, the unseen future, because first they have to establish a career, possibly a family, and then when they are ready, they will come back. I did, and many on another site I frequent, are new to the hobby, but my age or older.

#62

The ‘Pennsylvania Arizona’ (PAZ) is/has been observed by everyone passing in the alley and since I built the outback around the pines – more so. Have noticed a glance from the younger generation and as I said before in forum posts, I try to say hello and try to get a comeback; “what do you think?” Sparking the response has been successful in vandal deterrent.

Young and old - definitely turn their heads to observe, some more so driving by – now an “Ace” I have is to introduce the MTH iPad control – we have had it in R/C trucks (Traxxas) for sometime and hopefully sparks an interest in our hobby.

#63

Wherever it goes I’ll be there. Thanks to all of the friends I’ve made here so far and new ones yet to come.

#64

Bruce Chandler said:

Wherever it goes I’ll be there. Thanks to all of the friends I’ve made here so far and new ones yet to come.

I agree!

#65

David Russell said:

Topic: where is Largescale headed?

I don’t know but where ever it goes I’m gonna follow it.

Edit : cause page 4 reverberates page 3 and because I can …the edit feature is pretty neat have you guys noticed it yet?

#66

I’m not worried, I have plenty of trains, surely at least one will still be running when I reach the end of the line.

#67

Jerry Barnes said:

I’m not worried, I have plenty of trains, surely at least one will still be running when I reach the end of the line.

It sure will Jerry! , as long as you keep fixing that frame ! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

#68

I just got more at auction. I now oaf-fish-shally have way too much stuff, and plenty to keep me busy for the rest of my natural life. Its just repair parts and detail parts I will need now, and with 3D printers becoming more accessible, those parts should be becoming easier to get.

#69

I think that we will not see an expansion of Large Scale until the younger generations decide to put down roots. My 21 year old has ZERO interest in owning a home. She desires the ability to pick up and go. That lifestyle does not mesh with a hobby that requires a backyard. She also saw me give up a career opportunity since I could not sell my home without losing over 100 large…

Remember that the younger set also like unique things. Not everyone has trains in the back yard. Especially creative types who would tell a story with their designs.

Just my opinion…

#70

Win joy said:
Remember that the younger set also like unique things. Not everyone has trains in the back yard. Especially creative types who would tell a story with their designs. Just my opinion…

EXACTLY!

#71

Some of the reasons given regarding space are why I have done my microlayouts. Better to have something small to mess around with than nothing at all.

#72

Vic Smith said:

Some of the reasons given regarding space are why I have done my microlayouts. Better to have something small to mess around with than nothing at all.

Lack of space indoors - every room was needed in my home frequently when family came for holidays etc. - was the reason I went outdoors. I collected HO/OO fpr years but was never able to build a layout. I did not want to use the attic. The plus side of garden railroading, as far as I am concerned, is that it is less sedentary than small scale indoor layouts.

Large scale has taken a nose dive in the UK as well as the USA. I don’t believe price is the reason it just seems that since the demise of Aristo there has been far less publicity given to the hobby. This coupled with the four page adverts in Garden Railways magazine which went when those companies who had large ads closed their shops.

#73

I think Vic said back at the start of this thread that as long as “Live Steam” exists, large scale trains will exist.

I can understand this statement. 20 years ago, we moved from HO in the basement to Garden Railroading in

the backyard and slowly watched it go back in to the basement, besides being outside. Through all this, we

started exploring “Operations”’ instead of just watching models run in circles. As we explored “Live Steam” we

saw examples back in 2001 of “live steam” running in circles at Diamond Head. Through this 2 decades of the

greater than 6 decades we’ve been traveling through this hobby our interests have evolved and now I’m back to

“operating” on different railroads of all scales. Time and money

have also changed, as we can now devote more of both to our entertainment and endeavors. Thank you, LORD.

Live Steam, seems to be embracing “Operations” more as it also seems to be spreading in the smaller scales.

So, is the hobby getting smaller? Is there a division, that is more directly impacting the “Collector”, away from the

“Modeler”, away from the "Operator, away from the “Machinists”? Does the Internet, allow us to specialize in to the

part of the hobby, we like and is it still the same hobby? 60 years ago, I was given a magazine and laid on my

grandparents bed and dreamed of model trains and running them. We just attended a Garden Railroad Club event,

this last weekend, and by this afternoon we will be riding on our rail bus around very big circles and many choices of circles

that are still just circles, because we end back where we started. And right now, I’m discussing this on a “Forum” with

Friends all over the World.

Where is Large Scale headed? I don’t know, but its part of a fun Hobby and whether you read about it on a “Forum”, read about

it in a magazine, laying on a bed, or read about it in a magazine you access on a computer. And then the question comes to

mind, “Large Scale” compared to what?