Joined: 09/08/2008(UTC) Posts: 431 Location: Stockton, CA
|
I think the hobby will survive no matter what. True, as pointed out by all of you, the younger generation seems to be looking elsewhere for activities to occupy their spare time. With our ever-increasing mobile lives, it's getting harder and harder to find the time for father and son, mother and daughter, or whole family activities, which is what railway modeling can be. I've seen the hobby grow quite a bit in the last 40 years and, while technology has made things easier, in terms of the hobby, it's also made things more expensive. Most folks don't have the disposable income this hobby requires and, as one of them, I find myself purchasing older items made before the digital decoders and sound effects came along: Think pre-war Lionel with groaning, open frame motors, the smell of ozone, and the sound of an air whistle in the tender. I don't think Maerklin will ever disappear. However, like Lionel here in the U.S., they may find themselves purchased and re-purchased quite a few times before becoming somewhat of a competitor again. By that time, they may well be Maerklin in name only, but the name will be there. As for Faller and the others, those names may disappear altogether, with the products absorbed into a competitor's lineup bearing a new brand name. (Lionel did much the same when they bought up the remaining Ives product line early on in their history.) I've purchased my nephew, niece and daughter train sets which, while they may outgrow them, they'll always be around for another generation. And with that in mind, we can all hope the hobby will always find new life. In terms of Maerklin, I agree that cheaper starter sets are key... and not just in HO. I was saddened to see the MAXI line disappear a few years ago. Like my pre-war Lionel, it was big, flashy, full of color and METAL!!! If that alone doesn't stir a young one's imagination, I don't know what will. A final thought: Each year, over the Thanksgiving weekend, the California State Railway Museum in Sacramento hosts an event called "Traintime with Santa." One of the highlights -- next to riding a train -- is visiting the number of layouts on display throughout the museum, operated by several local railway model clubs. Kids who may play with computers and X Boxes are suddenly amazed and, yes, interested. I hear more than one parent fielding questions from the kids about how they want one for Christmas... and nothing else! We can only hope they remain interested well past Christmas morning. (BTW: My wife, daughter, and I will finally commence building a new Marklin layout in the spring for all those digital items I purchased while living in Europe.  ) Steve
|