Of course it's dying. Who can afford to be involved these days. Manufacturers are pricing themselves out of business. Look at the price of passenger cars and other rolling stock. Ridiculous!
I just said three cars cost a hundred bucks. I mean two twenty car trains is easily 1400 dollars of course depending on make and model. Got a beautiful yard sitting there with no cars in means train business is good. Just not good for the pocket. I have two yard engines and four class A engines and enough track to build (KATO Unitrack) two tables but the cars would kill me. Not to mention the scenery.
I am in my mid 40s and I have been going to York since I was about 10. People have been complaining about "the hobby is dying and York isn't like how it use to be" for at least 30 years at this point.
Magnificent catches of the model trains coming by and pass, I like it 5 stars. Thumbs up. Keep up the perfect work, my friend, I just liked and subscribed your channel, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.
Great video of the show, thanks. I think that the problem with the hobby right now is…….PRICE…..prices for rolling stock and engines have nearly doubled in 5 years…..ridiculous. Kills the aspirations of younger modelers.
All hobbies are expensive unfortunately. The price of everything the past 5 years has sky rocketed. I have heard it’s happening in other hobbies as well not just trains. But yea I agree it’s very expensive. There’s ways around it if you’re on a budget you can still have fun with it.
I was there all three days and saw much of the very same items you highlighted in this video. I might have even seen you (I was sporting a hoodie with a large Amtrak logo), or at least something/one with your channel logo 😁 26:55 I picked up one of the Santa Fe blue-bonnet SD35's seen in the background of Train Loft's booth. I thought they were really neat when MTH posted notice of their pre-order status, but didn't pull the trigger then. Saw them in-person Friday, and hearing that: -- Thirty of these were originally commissioned, exclusive to this dealer. --They all sold out. --By request, the order was then increased to 40 units, of which the pieces on-hand represented some of the extras. Seeing as this was a _'now or never'_ situation and by then had only bought one freight car despite coming "loaded for bear", near the end of the day, I was fully intending to get both road numbers 4002 and 4006...but found they had accidentally brought only the 4006. So I bought one of those there, and ordered the 4002 Monday. As of this comment UPS says it's now headed from Secaucus, NJ to my local hub 🚛 ---- As for the hobby dying? I've been hearing _that_ since before the turn of the century. I love when folks use the absolute top-of-the-line pieces as proof it's being priced out of the reach of 'regular folk'. Nobody in their right mind starts _any_ hobby in the top end of the field. A _very_ significant chunk of my collection is secondhand, old-stock or otherwise discounted stuff, and I'm at the point where adding anything to my collection is like playing _Tetris_ . Oftentimes manufacturer's biggest competition is their past products still on the market. Also historically, model trains were _always_ expensive...some figures suggest a top-tier Lionel set was always about two weeks' gross pay for the typical middle-class worker. All the finished-looking layouts you see on TH-cam (and magazines) took years, often _decades_ to reach the state you see them in, and naturally the time spent saving for and amassing equipment _before_ a layout started construction doesn't even register on observers' radar.
I simply can't afford the newer "stuff", so I stick with the older less expensive rolling stock. Locomotives with all the new "bells and whistles" going for $1500 to $2000 and more are simply out of range for the average collector but there are plenty of older conventional runners in good condition for one tenth the price. Williams for example was always out of my price range but now it's affordable. The hobby is not dying it's only changing. Thanks for you video, I was there and had a great time.
This is very true. It’s def not cheap. And young people can still get into the hobby with entry level sets and even older tmcc and conventional engines. It can be done on a budget
This video, along with others I watched, have shocked me. I have not been to York TCA or any other shows since 2000. I used to set up at the Holiday Inn parking lot as well as in the halls at the TCA show. Every available space was taken at the parking lot show and it was always wall to wall people in the halls during that event. To me, it appears that the hobby is all but dead. It was nice to see John Brady on your video. I bought many post war trains from him before he had his own store. He was always fair with his prices. Thanks for sharing the video!
I've been in the hobby since 2000 and based upon show attendance I might agree with you. However since 2000 the Internet has become a much larger alternative market for model trains than shows. TH-cam reviews of new and old train products, layouts, shops and shows provide a informative alternative to in-person visits for hobbyist. Yes I miss visiting and meeting friends and subscribers but not all of us can make it to York. We have also benefitted from the greatest technological improvements and features since 2000. MTH and Lionel have made command control of engines and layouts better and added lots of details. So no, I think the hobby is far from dead.
Based on all the train shows I have attended in New England over the last year and a half, I would say the hobby is far from dying. The Amherst Show in Springfield, MA set an attendance record in January. Every hobby is expensive if you choose to just buy shiny, latest and greatest, new in the box items. One can get into the hobby relatively inexpensively by buying used/pre-owned items at train shows, ebay, etc. If you don't have the space, join a local club and make new friends.
Nick, thanks for a great video. Looks like you had a great time in York. We used to have Large Scale shows there till 2018. It's a great venu and I miss going there. Lots of regional vendors and Manufacturers. Thanks again,
Thank you for the nice comments. We luckily still have a few nice shows in the Pittsburgh area. But York is huge. So many trains it makes your head spin lol
Well done! I believe it's like the "Antique's Road Show", or the Stock market. Some seasons are more busy than others. I must visit York in the future. There is some beautiful locomotives and rolling stock. The buildings are amazing as well.. As always, thanks again Nick for all you do... 🙏😊
I have been going to the YORK TCA fair since 1980. I was new and was able to talk to Lou Redman one of the original members. He saw me looking at 3 passenger trains, which I bought from him. I didn't know who he was until I saw his name badge. Very pleasant and comical gentleman. He told me that things had really changed . So now, things have changed since then. Prices were very much higher then. You couldn't buy a Lionel standard gauge blue comet for less than $10,000.00. There were several sets at the show and I sure wanted one. But they were too high for my pocketbook. And then came EBAY and the internet. What was thought to be very rare was not so rare at all. Then MTH moved in. Some liked Mike and some were angry that he started reproducing Lionels trains. With that he brought in new technology. I met him and he was a very interesting entrepreneur. I missed this year but plan to go in April.
That’s great story! Yes you’re right internet sales haven’t helped when it comes to York, that is a little before my time when I got back into the hobby but I can totally see why trains available online could hurt the so called value of these items. That’s actually one thing I wouldn’t mind having is an mth tin plate set with newer electronics. Hope to go in April also. Say hi if you see me there!
Very true i wish i had a train store in my town i have a hobby lobby but its just ho and n sets and a small bit of scenery things but i have been twice to the nashville tn lionel store and made a video of it back in feb this year 👍
Cool! A great overview. There was a lot of nice stuff there, this year. Plenty of accessories and buildings and the bridges were just plain incredible. There was a total lack of AMT passenger cars, which I collect, unfortunately. On Saturday, one of the vendors put some out, but I had already spent my limit. He wanted me to name a price, but he wouldn't have liked what I would have offered for them. The best thing about the show for me, other than hanging out with Ray and the rest of the 3Rails/4Dads crew, was that I got a bunch of new subscribers to my channel. As far as the hobby goes, it sure ain't dying. There was a lot of young people there and they were pretty enthusiastic. They are the future and the hobby needs to make sure that they stay interested. Offering some inexpensive, entry level sets that have more than just a circle of track and some chincy trains, would be the best. Either way, a fine overview, for sure and an excellent video, as always.
Yes the hobby and all "collectible" hobbies are dying. My millenials have no desire to keep my model train and fire collectibles (I was a 32 yr career FF) and they can't change a light switch much less lay track, put together buildings or cars, fix engines, I broke my hip last year and had to move in with them and I have a 4x4' Christmas Tree layout I've put up for 45 years (S scale) that even her old friends were happy to see when they would come over for the holidays, but her excuse is "not enough room" though for years I was able to make room for it and the buildings, repair broke wiring, lights, buildings and rolling stock in October. One year my daughter even gifted me an S Scale Oscar Meyer locomotive seen on our now defunct S Scale club modular layout which she convinced the modeler to make for ME. (I had just had MRSA in my ankle and was wheelchair bound at the event and believe he kind of knew me from my days in the local Tidewater Div NMRA, and did it for her, for me.We used to have 10 train shops in our 2 million population area reaching from Williamsburg to Moyock, now there is just one, and it caters to Lionel, but has a good seleciton of other scales as well. His only competition went out of business a couple years ago when it's 85 YO proprietor passed away. I cut my teeth on inexpensive "Blue Box" Athearn kits and learned how to put them together, make them run better, replace motors, wheels and gears and enjoyed the satisfaction of the build or repair. I had a 4 x 20 ft layout in my 2nd floor specially built in 1992 train room, but when medical issues stopped me from using stairs, I had to dismantle the layout, it's all boxed up in the shed and medical issues have stopped me from enjoying adding too and improving it as I had planned for decades. My "model railroad" experience now is limited to going to shows and conventions, but the seminars often don't interest me as I used flashing Christmas lights to create emergency vehicle and burning building efffects and building lights, and grain of rice bulbs for hidden lighting, and wiring bulbs in series to lower their intensity and extend their life. I haven't found DCC and $300 locomotives and all their LED effects exciting, or the complicated police cars and fire trucks that have great lighting effects I could never create in the 90s. I bought some of the Menards HO buildings and have them lit up on my entertainment center to enjoy their lighting effects and put a track and street scene in front of them hoping some miracle will occur one day and I'll be able to again climb the stairs, crawl under a layout, and frame up modules to again have trains to run somewhere as if I can do that I can live on my own again and not not worry about there not being room for my model railroad, as there won't be room for a bed or dresser in that bedroom as I got used to sleeping in a recliner in the living room and don't need no stinkin bed and dressers etc. in a special room wasted on sleep. The hobby is enjoying a "bump" right now as manufacturers like Scale Trains have taken advantage of us older hobbyists who have the $$$ in retirement and time, but not the eye sight or dexterity to "model" anymore. But I am not seeing millenials who love to bring our grandchildren to the train shows and club layouts, and I see the glow on their faces as a "Big Boy" smokes and whistles its way past them, but their are no longer the men out there who have the skills or desire to do construction, electrical, paint, or learn other skills required not only to build a layout but maintain one. I've been saddened to see landmarks like Roadside America, the BSME and now Entertrainment Jct (and other local clubs including my local S Scale modular group) close and get dismantled as the owners retire and no one wants a building with a layout inside it. Model train layouts are in deed works of art, some as inspiring as the Mona Lisa or Starry Night, which no one would even suggest be destroyed if their building were to be sold or the collection broken up. But we are seeing more and more model train museums, layouts, shows and conventions failing financially as members pass away and admission fees aren't enough to keep the bills paid.
An awesome model train show, Nick! You bought really great model train cars and buildings for your model train layout. Being that you're a model train enthusiast, I bet that you're like kid in candy store when you go to the shows. I wish you the best, Nick. As always, Alan.
Nick at 4:40 that looks very close to my B&O 4-6-2 and mine does have TMCC on it and that one should also but you have to check the box i got mine from mr.brady’s train outlet about a year ago and thanks for showing us the train show as always hopefully one day i can visit one if they bring it close to alabama
I remember going to Pittsburgh area train shows in the late 80's and 90's with my dad. I'd say the biggest difference between then and now, is that Lionel and American Flyer aren't the only players in the game anymore. Also, I remember him picking up a Chessie System set with grain hoppers and caboose for around $350-400. Most Locos go for more than that now. But that's also a difference of 30 years.
I really enjoyed seeing all the trains. Thanks for providing the vendors details as well. I will be buying from them in the future. Great show and I loved every minute of this video.
People also try to use York as a barometer of "the hobby" where York, while it has some of everything is 60% post war Lionel, and is mostly targeted more at the collector than the operator. I would hazard that more of the under 50 folks in the hobby are more into layouts and operating, and less a collector. So the allure of York would be less so where most of what they buy and use is new, or recently new, items and not tracking down every 6464 box car variation.
Haven't been to York since the 80's. Does anyone still sell parts there? Use to be a great place to get parts to keep them running and to build one or two.
I can't answer this question directly. I've been back into the O-gauge hobby for 4 years and I have a few observations. 1. It is an older white male hobby. No surprise. My generation was the one that got into trains back in the 40s and 50s and that love for the hobby has stayed with us. Unfortunately, age and death are catching up. There are fewer and fewer of these generations around. 2. It is not cheap to get started. The price of many engines is outrageous. If you have money, this is no issue. But for someone with limited or fixed income, it is. I think Lionel has taken advantage of MTH departing full scale manufacturing to push prices up. Once again, the rich don't care. The rest of us get screwed. 3. There will always be a market for trains. I think supply is more than keeping up with demand given the changing demographics of the hobby, but I feel that the total number of O-gauge enthusiasts is indeed shrinking and it will be interesting to see how the hobby fares over the next 10 years.
I want to go one year, just wish I could find someone I could hitch a ride with and pay for gas. On a side note I've heard there was a issue there this last show involving security and a seller/vendor.
From what I see the prices on Pre-War tinplate are definately dropping on the lesser condition articles, those that are in like-new condition are still bringing top dollar. Same with the Post-Wars. So if you want to get into Pre-and Post-War articles now's the time, prices are getting VERY reasonable.
Maybe the question of “Is the hobby dying” wouldn’t be brought up every frickin’ year if prices were not so ridiculously high (I’m looking at you Lionel LLC).
I don't think the hobby is dying, if it was it would have died years ago. The only thing that IS dying is the audience of people willing to pay the outrageous prices people want for things. The hobby is simply being made unaffordable by insane people thinking their things are worth fortunes. If you want the hobby to live, you need to give up on trying to sell things for thousands on the resale market. Another thing that will never help is eBay. The auction scene and resale scene in general is crazy. Too many older retired people with nothing better to do with thier money artificially skyrocketing the prices of items that shouldn't be going for anywhere close to what they do. People want to get into the hobby, but are simply turned away by the prices. Its not affordable, and I can only hope it will be someday.
As far as what might be inside not much but the main difference is the Orange Hall is where the major professional dealers are to be found and is open to everyone including the general public. The Silver, Blue, and other color halls are restricted to TCA members only.
"Is the hobby dying?" Not from what I see. Certainly this isn't 1954 when everyone just HAD to have a train set but the hobby's found it's niche and that niche is pretty solid. Not bad when you consider all the competition for recreational dollars out there.
It’s dying… but it can be a pretty wide distance between “dying” and “dead”, so it’s probably nothing to fear for a while. I am a life long collector of American comic books, which are also dying. You would not think it, but the decline of the comic industry has a lot of similarities to model trains… and the companies involved have adapted similar tactics to delay the inevitable. I am not worried about either hobby ending over the next 20 years or so, but the decline will continue (and anything beyond 20 years will require some luck).
Train hobby isn't dying. The cost to get into a train show is ridiculous though. At one time, it was a few bucks to get into a show, now it can be as much as $12 per person.
HO, G, and N Gauge are making inroads into the York show from what I saw. To be sure the classic sizes like O, S, and Standard Gauge still predominate but the others are making their presense known, and that's a GOOD thing in my opinion. As time goes by I'm sure we'll see more HO, N, and G.
The hobby is dying because no one can afford a house and three train cars in n scale are a hundred dollars. Imagine wanting three trains running 20 cars and cars for a yard. That easily three grand. Scenery and all for a small layout, which is what I building 4x8, was killing me but I live in an apartment. I still have everything but the cars.
Any hobby exists because people have money to blow on it. After four years of massive inflation, people don't have as much money to throw around. If and when the economy ramps back up, train shows will get busier again.
This should not be called a train show !! It's a 3-rail LIONEL marketing barn !! I can not believe adults STILL go for this stuff with the very wrong looking track, giant couplers, and way deep flanges ! Yeah, many loco and car shells are to scale today. But the 3 rail thing is just so ridiculous already already., leave alone the great space you need if you DO want some modicum of scale mileage, and the cost now; most of it twice or three times what HO and N scale costs... I know why 3 rail is desirable, wiring-wise; no return loop problems, AC and all..But with today's digital devices which handle that and a hundred other activities, I just can't understand and never will, this side of the hobby which really is toy trains to me... And, too bad if you don't like my honesty..I doesn't give a choo choo's shoot !!
Of course it's dying. Who can afford to be involved these days. Manufacturers are pricing themselves out of business. Look at the price of passenger cars and other rolling stock. Ridiculous!
Go buy some cheese to go with your whine
I’m just trying to get into the hobby. Not sure how much I can afford to invest, financially…. The prices are…steep. 😕
I just said three cars cost a hundred bucks. I mean two twenty car trains is easily 1400 dollars of course depending on make and model. Got a beautiful yard sitting there with no cars in means train business is good. Just not good for the pocket. I have two yard engines and four class A engines and enough track to build (KATO Unitrack) two tables but the cars would kill me. Not to mention the scenery.
It’s called inflation. Everything is more expensive
Buy What You Can If it’s Worth It Get it! as Long as You Get something That’s All That Matters.
Hey buddy thanks for all the publicity and it was great hanging with you!
Any time brother! I look forward to York also to hang out with you and Brian. Fun time that goes too fast!
I am in my mid 40s and I have been going to York since I was about 10.
People have been complaining about "the hobby is dying and York isn't like how it use to be" for at least 30 years at this point.
It’s a well known fact attendance is down but they claimed an increase in the spring for the first time in a while. Maybe these videos help 🤷🏻♂️
Magnificent catches of the model trains coming by and pass, I like it 5 stars.
Thumbs up.
Keep up the perfect work, my friend, I just liked and subscribed your channel, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.
Great seeing you again at the show Nick. Can't say the hobby is dying. It's still clinging on. For how long? Well.....
Great video of the show, thanks. I think that the problem with the hobby right now is…….PRICE…..prices for rolling stock and engines have nearly doubled in 5 years…..ridiculous. Kills the aspirations of younger modelers.
All hobbies are expensive unfortunately. The price of everything the past 5 years has sky rocketed. I have heard it’s happening in other hobbies as well not just trains. But yea I agree it’s very expensive. There’s ways around it if you’re on a budget you can still have fun with it.
I used to collect model trains - now I collect money. It is my hobby and it's easier.
You are definitely further ahead.
I was there all three days and saw much of the very same items you highlighted in this video. I might have even seen you (I was sporting a hoodie with a large Amtrak logo), or at least something/one with your channel logo 😁
26:55 I picked up one of the Santa Fe blue-bonnet SD35's seen in the background of Train Loft's booth. I thought they were really neat when MTH posted notice of their pre-order status, but didn't pull the trigger then. Saw them in-person Friday, and hearing that:
-- Thirty of these were originally commissioned, exclusive to this dealer.
--They all sold out.
--By request, the order was then increased to 40 units, of which the pieces on-hand represented some of the extras.
Seeing as this was a _'now or never'_ situation and by then had only bought one freight car despite coming "loaded for bear", near the end of the day, I was fully intending to get both road numbers 4002 and 4006...but found they had accidentally brought only the 4006. So I bought one of those there, and ordered the 4002 Monday. As of this comment UPS says it's now headed from Secaucus, NJ to my local hub 🚛
----
As for the hobby dying? I've been hearing _that_ since before the turn of the century. I love when folks use the absolute top-of-the-line pieces as proof it's being priced out of the reach of 'regular folk'. Nobody in their right mind starts _any_ hobby in the top end of the field. A _very_ significant chunk of my collection is secondhand, old-stock or otherwise discounted stuff, and I'm at the point where adding anything to my collection is like playing _Tetris_ . Oftentimes manufacturer's biggest competition is their past products still on the market.
Also historically, model trains were _always_ expensive...some figures suggest a top-tier Lionel set was always about two weeks' gross pay for the typical middle-class worker. All the finished-looking layouts you see on TH-cam (and magazines) took years, often _decades_ to reach the state you see them in, and naturally the time spent saving for and amassing equipment _before_ a layout started construction doesn't even register on observers' radar.
I simply can't afford the newer "stuff", so I stick with the older less expensive rolling stock. Locomotives with all the new "bells and whistles" going for $1500 to $2000 and more are simply out of range for the average collector but there are plenty of older conventional runners in good condition for one tenth the price. Williams for example was always out of my price range but now it's affordable. The hobby is not dying it's only changing. Thanks for you video, I was there and had a great time.
This is very true. It’s def not cheap. And young people can still get into the hobby with entry level sets and even older tmcc and conventional engines. It can be done on a budget
Great video Nick! I'm sorry I wasn't able to meet you this time around but soon will. Keep up the good work!
No worries Al! I hope to hang out soon and do train things! Thanks! Nick-
Thanks for the shout out brother! Hopefully I make it back to York with all the BS going on…
PS hope you enjoy your early Xmas gift!
Thanks again bro! Happy to hang out and help out my brotato lol 😂
This video, along with others I watched, have shocked me. I have not been to York TCA or any other shows since 2000. I used to set up at the Holiday Inn parking lot as well as in the halls at the TCA show. Every available space was taken at the parking lot show and it was always wall to wall people in the halls during that event. To me, it appears that the hobby is all but dead. It was nice to see John Brady on your video. I bought many post war trains from him before he had his own store. He was always fair with his prices. Thanks for sharing the video!
I've been in the hobby since 2000 and based upon show attendance I might agree with you. However since 2000 the Internet has become a much larger alternative market for model trains than shows. TH-cam reviews of new and old train products, layouts, shops and shows provide a informative alternative to in-person visits for hobbyist. Yes I miss visiting and meeting friends and subscribers but not all of us can make it to York. We have also benefitted from the greatest technological improvements and features since 2000. MTH and Lionel have made command control of engines and layouts better and added lots of details. So no, I think the hobby is far from dead.
Based on all the train shows I have attended in New England over the last year and a half, I would say the hobby is far from dying. The Amherst Show in Springfield, MA set an attendance record in January. Every hobby is expensive if you choose to just buy shiny, latest and greatest, new in the box items. One can get into the hobby relatively inexpensively by buying used/pre-owned items at train shows, ebay, etc. If you don't have the space, join a local club and make new friends.
Nick, thanks for a great video. Looks like you had a great time in York. We used to have Large Scale shows there till 2018. It's a great venu and I miss going there. Lots of regional vendors and Manufacturers. Thanks again,
Thank you for the nice comments. We luckily still have a few nice shows in the Pittsburgh area. But York is huge. So many trains it makes your head spin lol
Well done! I believe it's like the "Antique's Road Show", or the Stock market. Some seasons are more busy than others. I must visit York in the future. There is some beautiful locomotives and rolling stock. The buildings are amazing as well.. As always, thanks again Nick for all you do... 🙏😊
I’m glad you enjoyed the video! I do love going to York. The unique stuff I really like to collect. Things you can’t go on eBay later and buy.
@@PghTrainFanatic Agreed 💯 I've never seen anything this attractive on ebay. 😏
Flintstones goes great with Lionel dinosaur gas station. Thanks for the video!
Absolutely!!
I have been going to the YORK TCA fair since 1980. I was new and was able to talk to Lou Redman one of the original members. He saw me looking at 3 passenger trains, which I bought from him. I didn't know who he was until I saw his name badge. Very pleasant and comical gentleman. He told me that things had really changed . So now, things have changed since then. Prices were very much higher then. You couldn't buy a Lionel standard gauge blue comet for less than $10,000.00. There were several sets at the show and I sure wanted one. But they were too high for my pocketbook. And then came EBAY and the internet. What was thought to be very rare was not so rare at all. Then MTH moved in. Some liked Mike and some were angry that he started reproducing Lionels trains. With that he brought in new technology. I met him and he was a very interesting entrepreneur. I missed this year but plan to go in April.
That’s great story! Yes you’re right internet sales haven’t helped when it comes to York, that is a little before my time when I got back into the hobby but I can totally see why trains available online could hurt the so called value of these items. That’s actually one thing I wouldn’t mind having is an mth tin plate set with newer electronics. Hope to go in April also. Say hi if you see me there!
The key keeping the hobby is for ever city and the town is to have a hobby shop.
Very true i wish i had a train store in my town i have a hobby lobby but its just ho and n sets and a small bit of scenery things but i have been twice to the nashville tn lionel store and made a video of it back in feb this year 👍
Cool! A great overview. There was a lot of nice stuff there, this year. Plenty of accessories and buildings and the bridges were just plain incredible. There was a total lack of AMT passenger cars, which I collect, unfortunately. On Saturday, one of the vendors put some out, but I had already spent my limit. He wanted me to name a price, but he wouldn't have liked what I would have offered for them. The best thing about the show for me, other than hanging out with Ray and the rest of the 3Rails/4Dads crew, was that I got a bunch of new subscribers to my channel. As far as the hobby goes, it sure ain't dying. There was a lot of young people there and they were pretty enthusiastic. They are the future and the hobby needs to make sure that they stay interested. Offering some inexpensive, entry level sets that have more than just a circle of track and some chincy trains, would be the best. Either way, a fine overview, for sure and an excellent video, as always.
Yes the hobby and all "collectible" hobbies are dying. My millenials have no desire to keep my model train and fire collectibles (I was a 32 yr career FF) and they can't change a light switch much less lay track, put together buildings or cars, fix engines, I broke my hip last year and had to move in with them and I have a 4x4' Christmas Tree layout I've put up for 45 years (S scale) that even her old friends were happy to see when they would come over for the holidays, but her excuse is "not enough room" though for years I was able to make room for it and the buildings, repair broke wiring, lights, buildings and rolling stock in October. One year my daughter even gifted me an S Scale Oscar Meyer locomotive seen on our now defunct S Scale club modular layout which she convinced the modeler to make for ME. (I had just had MRSA in my ankle and was wheelchair bound at the event and believe he kind of knew me from my days in the local Tidewater Div NMRA, and did it for her, for me.We used to have 10 train shops in our 2 million population area reaching from Williamsburg to Moyock, now there is just one, and it caters to Lionel, but has a good seleciton of other scales as well. His only competition went out of business a couple years ago when it's 85 YO proprietor passed away. I cut my teeth on inexpensive "Blue Box" Athearn kits and learned how to put them together, make them run better, replace motors, wheels and gears and enjoyed the satisfaction of the build or repair. I had a 4 x 20 ft layout in my 2nd floor specially built in 1992 train room, but when medical issues stopped me from using stairs, I had to dismantle the layout, it's all boxed up in the shed and medical issues have stopped me from enjoying adding too and improving it as I had planned for decades. My "model railroad" experience now is limited to going to shows and conventions, but the seminars often don't interest me as I used flashing Christmas lights to create emergency vehicle and burning building efffects and building lights, and grain of rice bulbs for hidden lighting, and wiring bulbs in series to lower their intensity and extend their life. I haven't found DCC and $300 locomotives and all their LED effects exciting, or the complicated police cars and fire trucks that have great lighting effects I could never create in the 90s. I bought some of the Menards HO buildings and have them lit up on my entertainment center to enjoy their lighting effects and put a track and street scene in front of them hoping some miracle will occur one day and I'll be able to again climb the stairs, crawl under a layout, and frame up modules to again have trains to run somewhere as if I can do that I can live on my own again and not not worry about there not being room for my model railroad, as there won't be room for a bed or dresser in that bedroom as I got used to sleeping in a recliner in the living room and don't need no stinkin bed and dressers etc. in a special room wasted on sleep. The hobby is enjoying a "bump" right now as manufacturers like Scale Trains have taken advantage of us older hobbyists who have the $$$ in retirement and time, but not the eye sight or dexterity to "model" anymore. But I am not seeing millenials who love to bring our grandchildren to the train shows and club layouts, and I see the glow on their faces as a "Big Boy" smokes and whistles its way past them, but their are no longer the men out there who have the skills or desire to do construction, electrical, paint, or learn other skills required not only to build a layout but maintain one. I've been saddened to see landmarks like Roadside America, the BSME and now Entertrainment Jct (and other local clubs including my local S Scale modular group) close and get dismantled as the owners retire and no one wants a building with a layout inside it. Model train layouts are in deed works of art, some as inspiring as the Mona Lisa or Starry Night, which no one would even suggest be destroyed if their building were to be sold or the collection broken up. But we are seeing more and more model train museums, layouts, shows and conventions failing financially as members pass away and admission fees aren't enough to keep the bills paid.
Fascist train? That isn’t the Trump one!! That’s real news. Great and descriptive video. Thanks for posting!
Cool video! thanks for sharing... Great show! One of these days I'll make it out!
You should, it’s a great show! People say the spring show isn’t as good but honestly I don’t see much difference. Just a little busier in fall
Great Job! Love seeing everything. Nice haul too.
Those Engines I would Get in Ho And N Scale.yeah Buddy!
An awesome model train show, Nick! You bought really great model train cars and buildings for your model train layout. Being that you're a model train enthusiast, I bet that you're like kid in candy store when you go to the shows. I wish you the best, Nick. As always, Alan.
Nick at 4:40 that looks very close to my B&O 4-6-2 and mine does have TMCC on it and that one should also but you have to check the box i got mine from mr.brady’s train outlet about a year ago and thanks for showing us the train show as always hopefully one day i can visit one if they bring it close to alabama
Very enjoyable film...thank you ! 👍
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!
I remember going to Pittsburgh area train shows in the late 80's and 90's with my dad. I'd say the biggest difference between then and now, is that Lionel and American Flyer aren't the only players in the game anymore. Also, I remember him picking up a Chessie System set with grain hoppers and caboose for around $350-400. Most Locos go for more than that now. But that's also a difference of 30 years.
OUTSTANDING video and overview of the show! Thank You for a GREAT video and narration 🔥👍🙏💪❤️🇺🇸
Nice, thank you for showing my booth!
Fascinating hobby. Super creative.
great video
Really enjoyed this nice, relaxed tour! Thank-you!
I appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it!
It was nice running into you at the show. Hope to see you next year
I really enjoyed seeing all the trains. Thanks for providing the vendors details as well. I will be buying from them in the future. Great show and I loved every minute of this video.
I wish I would have been able to make it to York but luckily I think I’m able to make it to the Greenberg show in November
Awesome! I think I’m going to the Greenberg show on Sunday the 3rd in Monroeville
Love your videos nick
Thank you!! Appreciate you!
Man that was amazing. Thank You for sharing.
People ask that question every year. No. The hobby is not dying
People also try to use York as a barometer of "the hobby" where York, while it has some of everything is 60% post war Lionel, and is mostly targeted more at the collector than the operator. I would hazard that more of the under 50 folks in the hobby are more into layouts and operating, and less a collector. So the allure of York would be less so where most of what they buy and use is new, or recently new, items and not tracking down every 6464 box car variation.
Prices need to come down!
Haven't been to York since the 80's. Does anyone still sell parts there? Use to be a great place to get parts to keep them running and to build one or two.
Awesome tour of york Nick!!!!!
Another great vid Nick !
I can't answer this question directly. I've been back into the O-gauge hobby for 4 years and I have a few observations.
1. It is an older white male hobby. No surprise. My generation was the one that got into trains back in the 40s and 50s and that love for the hobby has stayed with us. Unfortunately, age and death are catching up. There are fewer and fewer of these generations around.
2. It is not cheap to get started. The price of many engines is outrageous. If you have money, this is no issue. But for someone with limited or fixed income, it is. I think Lionel has taken advantage of MTH departing full scale manufacturing to push prices up. Once again, the rich don't care. The rest of us get screwed.
3. There will always be a market for trains. I think supply is more than keeping up with demand given the changing demographics of the hobby, but I feel that the total number of O-gauge enthusiasts is indeed shrinking and it will be interesting to see how the hobby fares over the next 10 years.
Great haul!!
I really want to get out to York at some point. Definitely seems like there’s a lot of great stuff
Great video Nick!
When Goin to a Train Show If You can Stay Till Closing And Stay As Many Days You can.
Nice video bro , sadly this is a hobby for millionaires. I was looking the price for the bridges, holy cow ,$1200 , damm.
I want to go one year, just wish I could find someone I could hitch a ride with and pay for gas. On a side note I've heard there was a issue there this last show involving security and a seller/vendor.
I saw you Thursday, I think the demand for old tinplate is way down
From what I see the prices on Pre-War tinplate are definately dropping on the lesser condition articles, those that are in like-new condition are still bringing top dollar. Same with the Post-Wars.
So if you want to get into Pre-and Post-War articles now's the time, prices are getting VERY reasonable.
Maybe the question of “Is the hobby dying” wouldn’t be brought up every frickin’ year if prices were not so ridiculously high (I’m looking at you Lionel LLC).
Rose colored glasses.
Not dying, changing.
I love the Trump Train! Thanks for Sharing, Nick!
I don't think the hobby is dying, if it was it would have died years ago. The only thing that IS dying is the audience of people willing to pay the outrageous prices people want for things. The hobby is simply being made unaffordable by insane people thinking their things are worth fortunes. If you want the hobby to live, you need to give up on trying to sell things for thousands on the resale market. Another thing that will never help is eBay. The auction scene and resale scene in general is crazy. Too many older retired people with nothing better to do with thier money artificially skyrocketing the prices of items that shouldn't be going for anywhere close to what they do. People want to get into the hobby, but are simply turned away by the prices. Its not affordable, and I can only hope it will be someday.
What’s the difference between the silver orange and blue Hall?
As far as what might be inside not much but the main difference is the Orange Hall is where the major professional dealers are to be found and is open to everyone including the general public. The Silver, Blue, and other color halls are restricted to TCA members only.
"Is the hobby dying?" Not from what I see. Certainly this isn't 1954 when everyone just HAD to have a train set but the hobby's found it's niche and that niche is pretty solid. Not bad when you consider all the competition for recreational dollars out there.
It’s dying… but it can be a pretty wide distance between “dying” and “dead”, so it’s probably nothing to fear for a while.
I am a life long collector of American comic books, which are also dying. You would not think it, but the decline of the comic industry has a lot of similarities to model trains… and the companies involved have adapted similar tactics to delay the inevitable.
I am not worried about either hobby ending over the next 20 years or so, but the decline will continue (and anything beyond 20 years will require some luck).
Train hobby isn't dying. The cost to get into a train show is ridiculous though. At one time, it was a few bucks to get into a show, now it can be as much as $12 per person.
Still cheaper than going to the movies or a ball game!
NEED HO SCALE PRODUCTS, AND GARDEN RAILROAD PRODUCTS
HO, G, and N Gauge are making inroads into the York show from what I saw. To be sure the classic sizes like O, S, and Standard Gauge still predominate but the others are making their presense known, and that's a GOOD thing in my opinion. As time goes by I'm sure we'll see more HO, N, and G.
The hobby is dying because no one can afford a house and three train cars in n scale are a hundred dollars. Imagine wanting three trains running 20 cars and cars for a yard. That easily three grand. Scenery and all for a small layout, which is what I building 4x8, was killing me but I live in an apartment. I still have everything but the cars.
And no love for coasterdynamix!
Any hobby exists because people have money to blow on it. After four years of massive inflation, people don't have as much money to throw around. If and when the economy ramps back up, train shows will get busier again.
Any g scale there?
Some but now tons. This event is heavily O scale. I’d say second most would be standard gauge and S gauge.
Quite a bit, really.
your the guy makingflat building i got 2 from you
N HO ????? Lots of us don't have room for O27.
The model train hobby will not die as long as older people are introducing younger people to the and teaching them the skills nescary to survive.😮😮😮😮
By The Looks Of It This Looks Only to Be O Scale Only I See.
Vote Trump
Yep, except for the extremely wealthy.
This should not be called a train show !! It's a 3-rail LIONEL marketing barn !! I can not believe adults STILL go for this stuff with the very wrong looking track, giant couplers, and way deep flanges ! Yeah, many loco and car shells are to scale today. But the 3 rail thing is just so ridiculous already already., leave alone the great space you need if you DO want some modicum of scale mileage, and the cost now; most of it twice or three times what HO and N scale costs...
I know why 3 rail is desirable, wiring-wise; no return loop problems, AC and all..But with today's digital devices which handle that and a hundred other activities, I just can't understand and never will, this side of the hobby which really is toy trains to me...
And, too bad if you don't like my honesty..I doesn't give a choo choo's shoot !!
The trump train was one of the worst part of the orange hall - the dude kept playing it over and over - it was like he was brainwashed.
Too much STUFF which is clutter. Too big of an area needed to create a layout. And TOO MUCH MONEY. Trains are better to do on a computer simulator.
Great video