Model Railway Hobby is Dying! GET REAL!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Lots of people are making videos about the death of the model railway hobby, so I thought I'd throw my one into the mix. In this video I'll tell you my thoughts on the state of the model railway hobby and what I think is happening to it.
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Yep, spot on. Still plenty of us regularly gluing our fingers together rather than throwing another 300 quid at a shiny new loco every week.
Ha, I just narrowly avoided gluing all of my fingers together a few weeks ago trying to fix a secondhand toy train. 😂 The dangers of using a cheap and unfamiliar tube of CA glue!
I totally agree with you. I am 75 and 3/4 and I love my (retirement fuelled) model railway hobby. I am concerned that the ultra realistic, and very expensive, models currently flooding the market could be ruining the hobby by making it a bit elitist. Yes, there is the Hornby railroad range but there are a limited range of models, which are a bit basic and not all that cheap. Why does every manufacturer clamber to add “more realism” to their multi hundred pound model rather than produce a good quality product at an affordable price. Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of today’s models but the pricing must be scaring off today’s younger generation potential hobbyists.
If they'd make something than runs for more than a few hours it would be nice. Having a super detailed and very expensive model with a crappy motor and rubbish gears simply means don't buy it. I have locos I built in the 70s still going strong.
Love the reference to 3D printing being the new brass kits.
Model rail when I was buying it in the 00's was packed with tips on making and improving stuff. Good magazine. Half the reason we have a plethora of class 37s or whatever is that the people who couldnt manage or couldn't be bothered learning to do the things shown off in model rail or the like created a market to sell those models to.
Sure doesn't help one bit in promoting the constructive and creative aspects of the hobby that the biggest voices around it on youtube are selling it to a new generation as a collecting hobby not a... modelling hobby.
But shhh we can't talk about them they are sensetive souls while simultaneously being businesses and our best friends all at once depending on their needs not the greater good of the hobby. 😂
Not dying but bigger manufacturers cold do with a rethink.
It's great to have superbly detailed items in HO or OO but they will come at a price which will decrease the amount of potential customers.
In the smaller scales these super details may look good on photographs but people will rarely notice them.
We could also do with more variety in models perhaps instead of just ten different colour schemes.
Personally I rarely buy new since I don't have a need for it but if you're new to the hobby todays prices might even scare people away, particularly in the smaller scales.
Older models are still great to run and you could always replace the motor for a quick upgrade.
3D printing is also a great way to get some cheaper additions to your fleet, takes a bit of work but certainly worth the effort.
Pretty much said it all. Started out with massive box full of 2nd hand Hornby locos and type 4 track in 60s. Then came back into it in early 90s when Hornby started their Super Detailed range with BoB and West Country's, all at affordable prices along with coaches at £15-20 and Bachmann wagons at £7-9 (this was post WW2 kids - honestly :-) And buildings made from card / Airfix as construction was part of the enjoyment. Thankfully picked up all my gear (electronics, scenery, controller and stock) before the world went mental post 2012. My masochistic streak came out and I laid SMP track for the UK outline part of my layout but when I added the Continental tracks, I went straight to Fleischmann (pre-ballasted with their points, motors and even fixing screws all s/h off Ebay DE) as I just wanted smooth running for all my Conti stock. Only thing left I want to try is a brass kit, I can solder wires but it would be superglue for that. Keep it simple and buy the odd RTR loco / coach set but ideally pre-owned MIB/on sale and build the rest yerself. Keep up the videos as they are a good counterpoint to the huge amount of product being released out there (including accessories) then heavily discounted later eg the recent Rails 50% price offer on the Heljan Class 10800 just announced. If they can still make some profit at these levels, hey, here's an idea...just sell it at a more reasonable price to start with!
Ah, I remember building mountains with paper maché...
Also: where's Fanny? We want Fanny!
If you need footage for warley or the key model world shows you can use mine i won’t mind
I said it on my original comment on the first video, this, this is what its about- the 3mm society and modellers are a perfect example of this philosophy
BillyTT120 Which video was this please? as I haven't seen it yet.
Yup . There is lots of super glue everywhere empty glue bottles finger prints on tiny plastic kits and thousands of paint stains all over the brand new carpets .
Tho personally I have only made a couple kits … tho own a resin printer . So I do intend on making rollingstock like open wagons or box vans and the like .
I work with N scale so all I gotta do is paper clips resin printer paint and peco metal wheels . There we go .
Wagons 101 right there
To get the model train equipment I want for my layout, I go to model railway exhibitions. I attend three a year, and model swap meets.
I was talking to the guys at the Bo’ness and Kinneil model railway, and they were showing me locomotives and rolling stock which were built from scratch the same year as the real locomotives (1930s)
Totally spot on l've always built my own stock and scenery from old second hand models, plasticard and cardboard makes yours unique
Some good points. One thing I think is getting out of kelter is the detail, fragility and hence cost of RTR items while other details of layouts, eg buildings, remain comparatively crude.
Yes, I agree with everything you said. I don't particularly like the new stuff on offer - far to flimsy for my layout... And the price??? Ridiculous!!! Most of my locomotives are forty to sixty years old and whats more they run... I wonder how many of the new locos will be running in forty years time? I pay £20 to £50 for a loco (second hand) and at that price am happy to take a razor saw to it and bash it into something else with a bit of plasticard and some paint.
Opening a box and placing what ever rolls out onto your layout is not model making!
Totally agree with everything you said. I used to get all the magazines every month, now I only buy them if there’s actually something worth reading. There are to many reviews of the latest class 31/37/47/56. I for one am fed up with yet another one of these coming out what seems like every other month. 3D printing is getting better all the time and I enjoy converting older models into a different type or sub class, by using this medium. This is the equivalent of the white metal kits of the 60’s/70’s, and enjoy modelling that isn’t going to cost me a fortune. Not everyone has unlimited funds to spend and I don’t like reading comments from cheque book modellers bemoaning and complaining that the latest model is 0.5 mm to long/high/wide, it 00 for god sake a compromise scale to start with.
You nailed it! We made our houses out of thick carboard stock and thinner stock for trim, siding, shingles, you name it. Great video, Jersey Bill
Model Railways is Changing not dying
Interesting video. Wargaming as a hobby has followed a similar trajectory.
I totally agree, Hornby, Bachman and all the others look for the money and I personally would like to see a class 320/321 especially the 321/9 in original WYPTE red livery. I have constantly sent emails to Hornby and Bachmann, but like you they are not interested, which is surprising as the 320/321 have had that many colour schemes, they could produce this nearly as often as a class 47 (Well not quite but I am sure that you know what I mean). Keep up your reviews they are both entertaining ang informative
Well also in the past there had been high detail brass models. But it was niche. But with modern technology it is possible to produce high detail models for still a lot of money but much cheaper as brass.
For me personal taste like that I can get a good steamer with a lot of details for still some money, but not for the price of my liver.
You are bang on. Back to home grown modelling I say. The market saw an oportunity and lured hobbyists into becoming consumers.
The model market is all about supply and demand. People are paying stupid prices now and companies are demanding stupidly outrageous higher and higher prices for their models. Well let the consumer market find its own level - I am convinced that they are overpricing themselves and there will be extinctions here.
I look forward to seeing your scratchbuilt Jock Rail class 385 if only to stop you moaning about it. Go on, have a go and make one. 😂😂😂
The hobby is changing not dying for people don't have the money to spend anymore. The R-T-R manufacturers now basically only cater for the cashed up rivet counting retired lot but the rest of us are getting back to proper railway modelling of making models doing the best we can. 3D printing is really going to bite into the profits of major manufacturers as people will make what they want not what manufacturers want them to have. The secondhand market is booming and people will become wary and only buy what it good value not overpriced models sold by a collector on Ebay.
I have an old Dapol/Hornby 61xx which has some naff detail but there are cottage industries selling beautiful detail parts at cheap prices. All the plastic detail parts on R-T-R new models will all fall off in years to come and get lost whereas brass and white metal detail parts will last for many years to come.
Well said. Something thats most likely contributing to less models being sold is the current cost of living crisis and housing market. With the cost of living becoming higher less spare money is left over to buy models, which is made worse by the flood of model railway related models. With the housing crisis. Due to houses being more expensive young people have less spare room in their houses to start a model railway when they got a home.
State of model railroading is just fine... at its peak actually. People just need to control their expectations a bit, and keep in mind that we all are still just playing with trains, and that's ok.
I visited an exhibition in July and most of the stock running on the layouts were either hand made or older RTR tarted up to the users liking.
You don't need the latest RTR thing out there.
But I will admit to being guilty of buying some all new RTR. Normally only when it's gone past it's sell by date and is in the bargain bins. Or something very specific to my own personal interests (like the SECR).
Addendum - seeing all these reductions in price coming out - notably Rails latest email today, you should create a new chunter video on the ludicrousness of it all, especially in light of them posting the new Bachmann )8 at £179 - what will taht be in a few months - £119? Go for it!
These days I cannot afford to buy new models. A high proportion of my n gauge railway stock is second hand and/or converted. It is surprising what the old Farish coaches can be turned into when the body is shortened and some windows are filled in. They would not please the purists, but I am happy to see my attempts at a GWR K15 40ft passenger brake van or a Clifton Down set running on a layout. If I make a mess of it I've only wasted £10 and learnt something along the way.
Don't aim at children, aim at those in their 40s or 50s to join our hobby. They have some money and the time.
As with any hobby, there are those who like making things and those with a chequebook….or card nowadays.
Personally,I get great satisfaction in getting results from not much outlay.
Bought a ‘used’ Farish class31, latest tooling from a toy fair recently for £75. Installed a Hornby TXS sound decoder,£60. The same thing new from Farish is £250…do the maths
Some will sniff that it’s not a Zimosuperdooper with totally accurate sounds but guess what? I don’t care.
Personally, i agree with the ways the industry has developed is unhealthy and not great but the part of modelling i Like is the running and creating scenes, so I love ready-to-run, I just hate Ready-to-run pricing
Labour going to national model railroads , that will kill it off .
A worthwhile video with great points👍🏼
I see one of Sam’s mates is here commenting too😂
Nail on the head! I still like to make things, and modify things. It used to be the only way to get exactly what was wanted. Who would slap some Humbrol over a 200 quid loco to get the exact model these days?
Model train hobby is going to end up just like Train Enthusiast Bobby Bacala. Look it up.
Let me point out that the Hoddesdon Model and Railway Club is absolutely thriving and has young and older members. Young people join us every month.
Yip I am with you on that just do it yourself 👍
I don’t want to fanny about “modelling”. I’ve got a family, a career, 3 separate hobbies to maintain. I want to order a loco with everything fitted, including pipe work. I want to order similar rolling stock. I don’t want to weather anything, I don’t want to renumber anything (I’ll pay someone to do that).
Model trains aren’t kids and old people anymore. It’s about middle aged plus men with high disposable income but not time rich. Me basically. Last time I painted a loco was 40 years ago. I think I weathered one wagon 3 years ago. Takes too long, I just want it in my hand.
The hobby is not dying. However what would contribute to that is... the rising costs of products (corporate greed) ...and some (not all) the older crowds that are seen as "Gatekeepers" in the hobby. Having been to several train shows the past 5 years, i noticed many an older fella constantly griping about how "kids are ruining things in the hobby". And yet, I witnessed many of those guys actually blocking/crowding around the tables ,keeping kids, teenagers and even young adults from getting to the vendors. Mind you, I'm in my early 50's and when i go to shows, i let the youngsters through to have a good chance at finding something. Heck i even point out stuff if they ask. So just my opinion, but if people are losing interest, it's because of numerous crabby old guys, complaining and standing in the way of progress. AND the rising costs.
My main issue is how expensive model trains are getting, haha
Quite agree re large shows very in your face and lack the personal touch
Fab video that hits the nail on the head. 10/10 to you 🙂
In the show videos where were the young people?
Good point!
I agree.
Are all your old videos showing as new now? Wasn’t this a January 2024 story?
Maybe the best video you've ever made!
A story about Stalin. He did not persecute the church too much as only old women went to church and when they dies so would the church.
Young women became old women, and then started going to church.
So it is for all the 'dying out no youngsters' hobbies; except young people become old people and take up a hobby!
Model Railways, Motorcycing, Preservation societies of all sorts, etc. Today the women do not seem to be going to church either, but taking up these same hobbies! Have fun.
PS. Women based hobbies like sewing, quilting are doing very well and I bet they thought no one would take up sewing too!
I enjoy making buildings and scenery etc. but I have to say I personally have neither the time or inclination to build absolutely everything from scratch and I dare say many others don't either. So I am very grateful to the people who, decades ago, simply bought their locos and rolling stock and ran them for a while then got rid of them. Because without those people I don't think I would be participating in the hobby today as I buy all mine second hand for a fraction of new prices, which I have to say I just could not afford.
Like it or not we do live in an increasingly consumerist society, so to say railway modellers should go back to basics and build everything and stop just buying everything ready made is rather flippant and unrealistic. If we did, then many of the people who currently enjoy the hobby by simply buying everything RTR would not bother with the hobby at all, thus what is already a niche hobby would become even more so and you could probably kiss goodbye to most of the model railway businesses and shows.
I say let those with big wallets & poor manual skills carry on!
If it's a dying hobby how about you stop buying then? It isn't a dying hobby at all, infact its a hobby that is increasing in popularity so what your saying is complete and utter non sense.
Absolutely mate! Well said!
So if I don’t hand lay my track, scratchbuild rolling stock out of brass
It’s not a hobby?
I use moss
I have a 3d printer
I use balsa
I paint
I kitbash
I do the electronics I am capable of
And carpentry
Plastic kits
But I can’t make a locomotive and I can’t hand lay track so I have failed I am using Kato unitrack
What a pile of crap video.
I was a little miffed myself. Sold off my good stuff due to terminal illness. Running a toy in a circle and watching videos is my hobby.
It's like watching fish in an aquarium. Plop n Play we say here in the US. Nothing wrong with it.
Toys are a hobby.
Depending on my mood, I sometimes think these stuffy ones drove me away.
@@rockingtr1 sorry to hear hope you feel good enough to do some of your hobby
Great video and reasoning.