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New Poll - Your Age & Type of Control You Use

Mark BoyceMark BoyceOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
AmeenTrainGuy posted:

Dan, 

I just set up a google form, anyone who would like to take the "survey" can go ahead and do it at this link:

https://goo.gl/forms/CboF0q8ZvWBoI4zL2

After maybe a day or two we can release the results (don't worry names are completely private) and delete the "survey."

BTW: It even includes those of us who are in other scales!

Ameen,  I just used the form you set up.  Thank you!  Very easy to use folks!

Apples55Apples55OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
MELGAR posted:

I tabulated posts 1 through 80. There are 73 responses. 19 posters (26.0%) are conventional users. 38 posters (52.1%) are command control users and 16 posters (21.9%) use both conventional and command control. The average age of conventional users is 48.7 years. The average age of command control users is 57.7 years. The average age of those using conventional and command control is 55.3 years.

MELGAR

That's interesting, MELGAR. Great work. Your analysis backs up what I was noticing in the replies... the "younger" crowd around here seems to still like conventional. I can think of two interesting follow up questions:

  1. do you run conventional due to nostalgia, cost of getting into command control, or other
  2. do you purchase modern engines to run only in conventional 
RickORickOOGR Forum Member
MELGAR posted:

I tabulated posts 1 through 80. There are 73 responses. 19 posters (26.0%) are conventional users. 38 posters (52.1%) are command control users and 16 posters (21.9%) use both conventional and command control. The average age of conventional users is 48.7 years. The average age of command control users is 57.7 years. The average age of those using conventional and command control is 55.3 years.

MELGAR

I'm really suprised ( maybe I shouldn't be) by the lack of sub 50 posters overall so far. Looks like most are 60+

J JD2035RROGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Apples55 posted:
MELGAR posted:

I tabulated posts 1 through 80. There are 73 responses. 19 posters (26.0%) are conventional users. 38 posters (52.1%) are command control users and 16 posters (21.9%) use both conventional and command control. The average age of conventional users is 48.7 years. The average age of command control users is 57.7 years. The average age of those using conventional and command control is 55.3 years.

MELGAR

That's interesting, MELGAR. Great work. Your analysis backs up what I was noticing in the replies... the "younger" crowd around here seems to still like conventional. I can think of two interesting follow up questions:

  1. do you run conventional due to nostalgia, cost of getting into command control, or other
  2. do you purchase modern engines to run only in conventional 

Being one of the younger guys (31) that have responded as conventional only, here are my reasons:

1. Cost/Availability - You can get some great deals on some fantastic conventional engines, they are all over ebay/craigslist.  You just have to look.  Legacy/DCS look like fantastic systems, but when it is 300+$$$ just to get the system, then $600-$1500/$2000 for equipment that utilize all of the features, it is a non-starter with many financial priorities ahead of the hobby.

2. Easy to fix/maintain, and quite satisfying to bring an old engine/accessory back to life.  No boards to fry.  Can be used to teach basic mechanical and electrical principles.

3. You must actively regulate engine speed, hand on the throttle - for me, this is more fun.  No cruise control here - need to give it more juice going up the hill, and you had better take it easy coming down the hill into deadman's curve   Active engagement.

4. Generally speaking, the postwar conventional options are rugged, tough toys

5. Simplicity of track wiring, no signal issues

 

J JD2035RROGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
JD2035RR posted:
Apples55 posted:
MELGAR posted:

I tabulated posts 1 through 80. There are 73 responses. 19 posters (26.0%) are conventional users. 38 posters (52.1%) are command control users and 16 posters (21.9%) use both conventional and command control. The average age of conventional users is 48.7 years. The average age of command control users is 57.7 years. The average age of those using conventional and command control is 55.3 years.

MELGAR

That's interesting, MELGAR. Great work. Your analysis backs up what I was noticing in the replies... the "younger" crowd around here seems to still like conventional. I can think of two interesting follow up questions:

  1. do you run conventional due to nostalgia, cost of getting into command control, or other
  2. do you purchase modern engines to run only in conventional 

Being one of the younger guys (31) that have responded as conventional only, here are my reasons:

1. Cost/Availability - You can get some great deals on some fantastic conventional engines, they are all over ebay/craigslist.  You just have to look.  Legacy/DCS look like fantastic systems, but when it is 300+$$$ just to get the system, then $600-$1500/$2000 for equipment that utilize all of the features, it is a non-starter with many financial priorities ahead of the hobby.

2. Easy to fix/maintain, and quite satisfying to bring an old engine/accessory back to life.  No boards to fry.  Can be used to teach basic mechanical and electrical principles.

3. You must actively regulate engine speed, hand on the throttle - for me, this is more fun.  No cruise control here - need to give it more juice going up the hill, and you had better take it easy coming down the hill into deadman's curve   Active engagement.

4. Generally speaking, the postwar conventional options are rugged, tough toys

5. Simplicity of track wiring, no signal issues

 

6. Oh yeah - another reason - in my house, we like to run them fast anyway

GlofkinatorGlofkinatorOGR Forum Member

As another young-ish guy (34) running only conventional, I'm a data analyst. I stare at screens all day long. I'm literally looking at a computer monitor or TV screen for 8 - 12 hours a day. When I want to relax, I don't want to be looking at other screens or digital readouts. O gauge started for me entirely as a nostalgia thing when I inherited my grandfather's post war steam engine. I got bit immediately and I'm planning my first permanent layout now. While I see some absolutely beautiful new trains and totally understand the appeal of independent train and feature control, I don't want to mess with computers or mobile devices in my layout at all. I identify with trains that I can run, take apart, clean, care for, and pass on to my kids. That's why I love the conventional (primarily post-war) engines.

This isn't to try to persuade anyone of my point of view, just share it as so many seem to be interested in seeing where the hobby is and where it is going.

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