Happy New Year 2024

Happy New Year everyone!

As I write this short post on January 16th, 2024, I am wondering about the future of model railroading as a hobby. A local hobby shop that I once visited somewhat regularly has closed. Purchased by Hatton’s, which also is now closing. The media stating the aging of modelers and not as much interest by younger modelers. I would, out of curiosity like to see the demographics of model railroaders before I truly believe that idea.

Now granted, much has changed over the past few decades. The advent of virtual model railroading, something my son enjoys, the cost of model trains, the area available for a model railroad. Prototype inspiration. The list of things seems to go on and on. Certainly there are some potential modelers who do not take up the model railroad hobby. Why? Some thoughts.

Is it the current prototypes? Certainly with fewer railroads in service these days there isn’t as much to catch the attention of the new modeler. The lack of passenger traffic, the lack of opportunities to watch freight trains switching. Modern shortline switch on more of a as needed basis. Sometimes they switch businesses at night to avoid automobile traffic etc.. However, I see videos on social media by railfans of prototype trains, perhaps not much switching as mainline running, but one can watch a video if one doesn’t have access to a local prototype. The amounts not of printed literature on railroads in the 20th Century is huge. It seems almost every North American class one railroad has at least one book published covering the railroad.

Is it the cost of model trains. The introductory scales in the hobby, N and HO scales, are more costly for the entry level modeler. Narrow gauge, in any scale, is extremely expensive for the new modeler, as well as lacking a lot of ready to run/ operate items as the new modeler learns skills. This can truly be an issue for the new modeler reading the “mainstream model railroad media” who sees the large basement filling modeler with multiple diesel units much like the prototype railroad and think I can’t afford all of that! The cost of a production run for models, regardless of scale or gauge, has greatly increased which certainly has driven up the cost to the introductory modeler.

Is it the physical space requirement? Many people probably see a Model Railroader or Railroad Model Craftsman magazine in their local Walmart, grocery store, etc. magazine rack. On picking up a magazine, one sees people with very large model railroads filling basements, spare rooms, or even parts of buildings. I’m not sure many new modelers have that kind of space to devote to a model railroad. Some prospective new modelers may be required to move for work, school, etc and not want to build something they perceive as being a costly throw away item.

Is it limited exposure to the hobby in social media? Perhaps, but there are modelers who use platforms such as Facebook or YouTube as an avenue to discuss their modeling. For example, Jeff Kramer, who is modeling the Mann’s Creek Railway in On3, has a Facebook page. He shows how he uses 3-D printing to create his engines, freight cars, and some building materials. Boomer Diorama, on YouTube, has many very good educational videos on scratchbuilding, painting, scenery, and design as he builds his HO shelf layout, “River Road”. These are just two of many modelers using social media, so I do not think limited exposure is an issue.

I would like to hear what others think. Personally, my thought is that the model railroad hobby has much to offer. One can learn to research, draw sketches of an idea all the way up to creating plans in CAD, learn some basic woodworking, soldering, electronics, animation, painting with brushes or an airbrush, 3-D printing, scratchbuilding, photography. Certainly other hobby’s can offer the same experiences, but model railroading allows one to operate an engine, switch a car, travel back in time if one wishes. The end result can move!

“Happy New Year 2024”, by H. Mathews 1/24