Actually, a portion of my railroad video library is still in VHS format. I have several functioning VHS players and my tapes play fine. I believe I've had just one railroad tape fail since I started acquiring them and doing my own taping during the late 80s....not a bad record. I should add I also have many railroad programs in DVD format; however, most railroad programs tend to be in DVD-R format which can cause compatibility headaches. A player with a high capacity for error correction is a must. One of the railroad video producers I know recommended a Pioneer machine to me. Of the many, many railroad DVDs I've played in that machine, I think there's only been one program it wouldn't play and that was due to the disc being heavily scratched. I do enjoy a good railroad video.
Oh yeah, I still have that TM Great Layout Series boxed set in VHS format!
Bob