Thoughts In Regards To The Sustainability Of Our Hobby...

[Mountain Goat]

The "Big Two". The two main manufacturers in our hobby, Hornby and Bachmann have been such a success over the years and have worked so hard at supplying us with lovely models that they have, wether they intended to or not (And if they did who can blame them? As in their position we would likely do the same!), they have captured between them the monopoly of the loco and rolling stock market in the main scales we prefer modelling in.
Now as the costs incurred in past loans to take over smaller concerns, in which some were snapped up because they had hit the buffers themselves (E.g. Lima who's little empire sadly collapsed when the UK importer collapsed... Which basically happened (To my logic) when modellers kept placing orders and orders from listed catalogue items which in 10 years of doing this myself to try to get hold of ten 82T pallet vans where not one reached my local model shop, and neither could other model shops get them either as the importer concentrated so much on importing limited edition locos (More profits involved) that the big joke was that the catalogue items were as rare as hens false teeth).
So in effect, these big loans need to be paid, so retail prices have risen to the effect that their monopoly is under threat.
We now have some established competition who can take advantage of things by offering potentially more reasonable prices, however, they maybe also trying to invest as much as they can to enlarge their little empires so prices, for now remain high. (The work and investment involved is quite something, and it can take a while before this investment pays for itself).
For the modeller, the more manufacturers out there the better as when we look at things, if one manufacturer finds they can no longer stay afloat, we still have others to take the reins, and this was the major concern to most of us (Even I who due to my desired scale and gauge who needs to kit and scratchbuild or RTR bash, still need to buy the odd budget loco and obtain wheels or chassis to do this). That if Hornby did go bankrupt, we would be left with such a large gap in the market that it would take about a whole decade or more to fill.
It goes to show how we rely on them just being there for the continued success of our hobby. We may not buy their expensive items even if we would love to do so, but we do buy little bits and pieces and the occasional budget loco and/or item of rolling stock which keeps us happy, and keeps the manufacturer going.
I do think personally that our models are quite a bit overpriced as personally I would prefer a less detailed model and for detailing packs to be available so I could at least afford the model and when I had extra money, I could at a later date detail it... And a semi step in this direction has been attempted but I feel there is room for more... But that is my personal oppinion.
The real question is, that with the eye popping high prices, does this prevent new people entering into the hobby if they see a nice budget trainset, but then look before they buy at the other items and think twice. When I worked on the railways as a guard/conductor, I would often find both the parents of children I was talking to, and adults (Work collegues who though they didn't think so at times, but they were actually well paid) say to me "I would really love to take up the hobby but it is just too expensive". And this was back in the days before the prices doubled and doubled again.
So, when I see or hear of £50 or more for a bogie coach, I have to ask who actually buys these things? Even if I had a decent job (And was able to do it), so I was earning a good income, I would see the prices and in my mind I would say "How much? It's plastic!" If it was made in metal I would understand. I may grumble a bit hoping for a discount, but a plastic model? And you see the point. Even though these are exceptionally lovely models, when we put our logical minds to it (And shut off our collecting addiction...Which we may not realize we have.. and deny it to our family but sneek out to order ourselves a lovely model...), then we have to ask ourselves how much longer can the hobby sustain itself?


True, we have always had the odd special super detailed but accordingly high priced model, but these used to be the exception rather then the norm. But when the super detailed high priced models become the norm, and the industry decided to think of the less detailed but budget models as a sideline, it is tempting for them to specialize in the highly detailed models and stop providing the budget lines and the whole area of the hobby available for the budget concious, or the new modeller to enjoy could dissapere, which is a concern.

Thankfully Hornby still provide for this. Bachmanns entry level was in the past aimed at the very young (I have not recently checked their range much since I changed scale. Do they still do them?) Hornby's entry level is thankfully more universal. I feel that this area of the market is vitally important for the hobby to have a future.

[Paul-H]

With the average age of the average railway modeller and railway model collector and given that final salary pensions are being drastically cut and given that those already on those final salary pensions are quite literally dieing out, i can see this time being the golden age with railway modelling as we know it dieing out in the not too distant future.

Prices are already at a level to put off newcomers so it's dieing off current customer base will be all thst is left.

What a sad view to hold, but that's how I see it going.

Perhaps we are our own worsed enemy, with there being so many gauges that are not catered for by the big 3, if there were fewer gauges and everyone bought ready to run models instead of expertly building ghrir own prices would be more realistic, but thats never going to happen is it.

That's if off soap box

Hat coat door

[Bandit Mick]

Many valid points MG and Paul H. Hobbies are certainly 'in' at the moment as people seek a release from work a-day-stresses. However, with nearly every hobby come costs, some hobbies more expensive than others. Yes, you can do lots of railway modelling on the cheap but some costs are always incurred. Yes, young people certainly enter our hobby but will the numbers sustain it long-term? Certainly visitors to shows and exhibitors generally seem more 'mature' to say the least. The hobby still has an image problem too I feel (when I 'came out' at work, one or two people sniggered, but the few who also have creative pastimes merely nodded sagely). Perhaps we are the problem as MG hinted - we expect too much detail and sophistication from our RTR models. Like buying a modern car, we get lots of gadgets and ultimately this is reflected in the price yet how many of them are used? I once had cruise control but only found out when I traded the car in! Lets hope in the future models go a bit more back to basics and this is reflected in the price - but again there lies a problem - young modellers are used to gadgets and may expect them in the models on offer. And so we go around in circles.

[Walkingthedog]

This might sound a bit odd but I enjoy this hobby and if after I croak it all the model railway companies price themselves out of the market and the hobby disappears, I don’t care, it won't affect me. If they fold tomorrow that won’t affect me either, I already have far too much stuff. It’s just a hobby, I’ll go fishing instead

[brian1951]

This might sound a bit odd but I enjoy this hobby and if after I croak it all the model railway companies price themselves out of the market and the hobby disappears, I don’t care, it won't affect me. If they fold tomorrow that won’t affect me either, I already have far too much stuff. It’s just a hobby, I’ll go fishing instead

Have you got a spare rod and reel WTD, i have some hooks ready.

[Walkingthedog]

Certainly have Brian. Got plenty.

[Walkingthedog]

Persactly, nobody has to take up a hobby they can’t afford. Glad I don’t buy passenger coaches though, 72 quid for a Bachmann version, somebody is taking the proverbial.

[Hound Dog]

I spend way more than I should on this hobby, and certainly way more than her indoors knows about, but I work full-time in a very intense role and this is my escape....... I don’t drink ( too much), don’t gamble and I would probably run a mile at the sight of a wild woman, so this is my passion.

Yes, if you want the best models you have to pay for it but there is loads of second hand stuff around that provides entry points - I bought quite a few cheap Lima models which actually still look okay and can be made to look better without too much additional expense......... for sure there are other cheaper hobbies out there, but equally there are a lot that are way more expensive - I have a daughter with a horse and 7.5 ton Horsebox, so I am talking from a position of some experience when it comes to high cost hobbies.

Bottom line is increasing technology and exciting features are the keys to attracting future generations of modellers ( how many converted to DCC after initially saying not for me), who will benchmark against today’s market and not the yesterday that many of us still cling to.

[Eric-B]

Add to the escalating costs the horrible cheap 'throw-away' can motors that are being put into our expensive models.
They have an estimated 'life' of about 100 hours, based on what I've read - and can you get replacements? Can you heck - out of stock -
I've posted before,on other forums, that we should be going to brushless motors. Almost nothing to wear out! Just a drop of oil on the bearings, now and then.
No, they won't work on dc, but as most models are dcc ready, now, a simple converter board from dc to three-phase a/c will fit in the same space.
A DCC brushless board would be no larger than a sound decoder is now, and a sound chip won't make it much larger.
-
How many of us have £200 plus loco's sitting on the shelf, waiting for motors or nearing the end of their predicted life?

[Mountain Goat]

Hound Dog. The opposite for me. I converted to DCC around the year 2000 to 2001 onwards for a few years and later said "This is not for me."
Eric-B. I have not worn a motor out in them as yet but to be totally honest, I have hardly ever run my modern central drive diesels other then a brief test. But the little budget 0-4-0's are supposed to have motors which were said to only last 100 hours (The ones which were from China so had darkened wheels and 3 pole motors with the high top speed). They last a whole lot longer then 100 hours.