Saturday Evening Post Article

My first reaction to the article was total shock. I thought the Saturday Evening Post had long gone out of business!

It was a positive, well-written and researched article. The claim from the President of the NMRA,  that the organization would grow from 16,000 to 150,000 over the next 8 years, was just looney tunes.

I, too, was surprised SEP was reincarnated... Uh,, l knew it had been, some time ago,but thought it died again.  My handy magazine store, unfortunately. has followed a lot of hobby shops into the sunset, but l'd like to try to track down that issue.

Pretty good article with several varied out looks on the hobby. I wonder what the NMRA president smokes in his pipe?

Gunny

https://www.saturdayeveningpos...roading-gains-steam/

Nice article! It was interesting to see that I started when I was 38 and here I am almost 60. Much of the information and statistics were spot on but yeah, I have to quibble with an over 10 X increase NMRA master railroaders; there is an opportunity, though, for a better acquisition model.

I totally have to change my bio. It is so much different now. It’s 20 x 14!

It was my pleasure to be contacted by the magazine for this article. Anytime we can get free publicity for our hobby is a great thing.

SAL GAMBINO/PRESIDENT/LCCA

As expensive as this hobby has become it will not grow by 16000 let alone 150,000.

He must have his pipe packed with something I want no part of.

I think some people equate the reduction of the LHS with the demise of the hobby. Really it’s just a shift in buying habits to online.

Why would our hobby be any different than the local mall?

The hobby could well have an increase in younger participants and we may not see it if everyone is buying online.

That growth number is most likely HO, N, Z, etc. If you add all the scales together, I can see an uptick in activity in the program, but I suspect not in the numbers he foresees.

@feet posted:

As expensive as this hobby has become ...

All hobbies have become increasingly expensive as time has gone on, because of runaway inflation certainly, but also because prices go up year after year regardless.

And don't tell me that the emergence of scale locomotives and rolling stock have priced the average hobbyist out of the market.  The traditional stuff is still there.

Finally, have you looked at the classic car hobby lately?  Now that is expensive.

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

All hobbies have become increasingly expensive as time has gone on, because of runaway inflation certainly, but also because prices go up year after year regardless.

And don't tell me that the emergence of scale locomotives and rolling stock have priced the average hobbyist out of the market.  The traditional stuff is still there.

Finally, have you looked at the classic car hobby lately?  Now that is expensive.

Mike

Here's how I look at it. My income has not kept up with inflation and most other peoples hasn't either.

I got rid of my classic car years ago due to the expense of restoring it.  As far as traditional stuff I like it but I'm into the scale locomotives and rolling stock which I have thousands invested in. What's stopping me from building a layout is the price of switch's. Looking back I should have stayed in H O  or bought the switch's years ago. My bad. As far as the classic Buick I owned the fellow I sold it to never finished it. I ran across it a while back, it's siting in a wooded area rotting away. Not trying to be mean Mike but a lot of us have been priced out of a wonderful hobby.

Granted it's only anecdotal evidence consistent with observations in the SEP article, but many of the buyers as I dispose of my Lionel collection through an online online estate sale have been young adult males in their 20's and 30's.

I have watched this thread for the past few days and decided that I have to comment.  I have been told that NMRA President Gordy Robinson's comments on increasing NMRA membership from 16,000 to 150,000 in 8 years are based primarily upon growth projections in the European market.  Whether those have been accurately reported or are realistic, I can't really say.

What I will say is that I (and many members) feel that the most value of the NMRA comes at the Division level.  Further, I will say that here in the Mid-Central Region Division 2 (Keystone), we have a gem.  We have a great bunch of guys and gals who like getting together and sharing their interest in model railroading through clinics, contests, and events.  Most years (in April) we sponsor a Model Railroading Jamboree; a day of instructional sessions, food, vendors, member sales, and contests.  The division has more than our share of 3-railers (including me), and we are always looking for a few more members.  We meet 10 months out of the year with changing meeting venues.  There is always something new to see and learn about.

If you live in the greater Pittsburgh area, please check us out at:  https://www.keystonedivision.org/

Visitors are always welcome.  Our next meeting is Sunday, January 15 at 2:00 PM at the Marshall Township Municipal Building.  The program will be on air-brushing.  Feel free to e-mail with questions.  I hope to see you there.

George Pandelios

Assistant Superintendent, Keystone Division

@G3750 posted:

I have watched this thread for the past few days and decided that I have to comment.  I have been told that NMRA President Gordy Robinson's comments on increasing NMRA membership from 16,000 to 150,000 in 8 years are based primarily upon growth projections in the European market.  Whether those have been accurately reported or are realistic, I can't really say.

George Pandelios

Assistant Superintendent, Keystone Division

I believe George has interpreted Gordy's quoted comment accurately, and that Gordy is primarily projecting things for the European market (in particular) where the hobby does appear to be gaining support at a greater rate than in the U.S. I think the 150,000 projection may be overly optimistic, to say the least, but we can all only hope that it comes close to fruition.

I am a Life Member of the NMRA (a standing no longer offered), and have enjoyed many years of benefits by virtue of my with the organization, particularly in those years when I have been able to attend the NMRA National Conventions.