Original Post
"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.
Post your non-O scale stuff here!
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Thanks for sharing.
Steve
An excellent turn of events, in a dark time!
@Landsteiner posted:
Behind a paywall, but I did post it elsewhere—and sent a copy to OGR Publisher Alan Arnold.
I made this comment in the article's comments section:
A wonderful article, but I wish you had devoted even one paragraph to the model train business in the USA. This has been disrupted by the impending closure of MTH Trains, whose owner, Mike Wolf, is retiring.
This disruption, plus the effect of the pandemic on such things as organized train shows and gatherings, have been extensively covered by two publications: O-Gauge Railroading, and Classic Toy Trains, the first of which has a strong on-line presence.
I buy and collect "O" Gauge—that is, 1:43—streamlined steam locomotive models, which I display, but don't run, in my 1 BR NYC apartment.
What is unsaid in the article is that model train enthusiasts are generally older, and the industry is faced with an impending implosion as enthusiasts die off.
There is also the fact that children who might have become lifetime train fans have so much more choices today. Video games and other more recent inventions are all competing for their attention.
I saw that article. If things are going well for Marklin during this time, I suspect the same would be true for Lionel. The photos in the article I found very interesting, as I think most would, in that they show some of the processes involved in actual model train production.
(1) One thing you're neglecting in your analysis is that the VAST majority of model railroaders in this county operate HO trains. O gauge is a small minority. To most people into model trains in this country, what has happened to MTH is of no consequence, and of little interest. Because this is an O gauge forum, for people into O gauge, they concentrate on that and wrongly perceive that what happens in the O gauge world has wide ramifications in the entire world of model railroading. It doesn't.
(2) Whatever public events/get-togethers involving model trains that occur in Europe would have suffered from the same issues as a result of the pandemic as here in the States, perhaps worse. Despite that, Marklin's business is booming. In any case, the effect of people being confined to their homes for greater periods of time during the pandemic has had a positive effect on the hobby that far exceeds whatever negatives may have resulted from lack of train shows.
(3) As far as the doomsday predictions for the hobby, there are widely differing views on that, as any of the readers of the many periodic threads on the subject that have appeared on the Forum can attest. The factors you mention have all been given again and again. Your rational reflects the most negative of views, and there are many who don't share it. I doubt many writers would think it appropriate to taint the tone of an upbeat story about the rise in popularity of Marklin trains, with doomsday predictions. As for sending a message to others in the hobby, or to those who may be considering getting into it, beating a doomsday drum about the future of the hobby either verbally, or worse, by publishing it, is the opposite of what those in the hobby should be doing.
(4) Newspaper coverage about the predicted declining fortunes of the model railroading hobby has been done before. (See WSJ article of Feb. 10, 2018.) Yet, in the O gauge world, Lionel has continued to announce record sales each year.
Your opinions are respected, but personally I'm glad they did not find a place in the NYT Marklin article.
Marklin also owns and produces the iconic LGB brand.
My local O gauge train store reports booking pandemic sales. He sells all O gauge.
I agree 1000% with breezinup’s post above. We’ve been hearing these doomsday predictions for 30 years. Model train hobbyists’ average age skews towards the older, just as it has for decades. I recall a survey from the mid ‘80s saying the average Lionel buyer was around 55.
Fewer kids play with trains today, but on the flip side the hobby does a better job of attracting people at middle age. If the passing of those who played with these trains as kids was the sole driver of demand, I could name my price for a Standard Gauge set instead of it still costing as much as a new couch.
The reason people get into this hobby may change, but the bottom line is that they still do.
The article mentioned that Marklin found overseas production to be problematic, so they brought most of it back to Germany and Hungary, except for some electrical/electronic components. Maybe there's a lesson here...
@breezinup posted:(1) One thing you're neglecting in your analysis is that the VAST majority of model railroaders in this county operate HO trains. O gauge is a small minority. To most people into model trains in this country, what has happened to MTH is of no consequence, and of little interest. Because this is an O gauge forum, for people into O gauge, they concentrate on that and wrongly perceive that what happens in the O gauge world has wide ramifications in the entire world of model railroading. It doesn't.
(2) Whatever public events/get-togethers involving model trains that occur in Europe would have suffered from the same issues as a result of the pandemic as here in the States, perhaps worse. Despite that, Marklin's business is booming. In any case, the effect of people being confined to their homes for greater periods of time during the pandemic has had a positive effect on the hobby that far exceeds whatever negatives may have resulted from lack of train shows.
(3) As far as the doomsday predictions for the hobby, there are widely differing views on that, as any of the readers of the many periodic threads on the subject that have appeared on the Forum can attest. The factors you mention have all been given again and again. Your rational reflects the most negative of views, and there are many who don't share it. I doubt many writers would think it appropriate to taint the tone of an upbeat story about the rise in popularity of Marklin trains, with doomsday predictions. As for sending a message to others in the hobby, or to those who may be considering getting into it, beating a doomsday drum about the future of the hobby either verbally, or worse, by publishing it, is the opposite of what those in the hobby should be doing.
(4) Newspaper coverage about the predicted declining fortunes of the model railroading hobby has been done before. (See WSJ article of Feb. 10, 2018.) Yet, in the O gauge world, Lionel has continued to announce record sales each year.
Your opinions are respected, but personally I'm glad they did not find a place in the NYT Marklin article.
You first point is often truer than those of us in O scale want to admit. Correct me if I'm wrong, but for modelers by scale in this country the numbers I recall reading are:
75% HO, 15% N, 5% O, and 5% everything else (G, S, Z, etc.)
I think it's great that an iconic brand like Märklin is seeing a boost in sales - there have been precious few silver linings to the dark cloud of this pandemic. I have long admired Märklin's engineering, quality, and the range of their HO product line, their full catenary system being one example. I feel the health of Märklin is a kind of bellweather for the hobby worldwide.
@Mallard4468 posted:The article mentioned that Marklin found overseas production to be problematic, so they brought most of it back to Germany and Hungary, except for some electrical/electronic components. Maybe there's a lesson here...
The one problem I know Marklin contended with and so has O gauge (as witnessed by the occasion posts) is the problem with zincpest. Marklin used China for a while, I wish I could remember the exact time frame, but it seems like it was 5 years or less. Folks on the Marklin forums didn't like the move from the start, mostly because of being purists but then the zincpest problems started showing up. I'm glad they moved production back to Germany and Hungary. Prices did rise a little with that move, but, IMO, the increase wasn't that bad. My son has worked with Chinese manufacturers and he has told me you have to watch them and insist they do things agreed upon in contracts. They will try anyway they can to cut costs. I'm not being bias or racist or anything, just repeating what I've been told.
Steve
@breezinup posted:Your opinions are respected, but personally I'm glad they did not find a place in the NYT Marklin article.
Well, my comment IS in the article, in the comments section. Not visible in the print edition, of course.
My daughter pointed me to this article this morning. I found it very interesting and refreshing. I would think anyone interested in the hobby or industry would enjoy it. I'd certainly encourage people to read it.
As for those who still insist the hobby is dying or only for old people, you simply are not paying attention to what is happening in the market. Just my opinion and you are certainly welcome to yours.
GOOD NEWS! :-)
@Andrew-Porter posted:Well, my comment IS in the article, in the comments section. Not visible in the print edition, of course.
Turns out the article is in today, Monday's print edition. Still on the NYT website, with all the comments—now about 185.
