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Post by ptc on Dec 28, 2020 15:57:23 GMT
What a year it has been. We have all had to make adjustments. Going to local brick and mortar train ships if they are nearby, not practical this past year. But, considering all things, it has not been all gloom and doom for the year.
I think most of us were surprised that Mike Wolf threw in the towel and called it quits as of May, 2021. But in reality, most of us have more than enough trains to fill our layouts and train shelves. There is plenty of product out there if you look, and new, we still have Lionel and 3rd Rail. Competition is always good, but the market will adjust as it always has. I for one am not worried about the new or used train inventory.
In terms of accessories and support equipment for our layouts, we have never had it so good. There is so much innovative new product available, any layout can be significantly improved.
Then there is the social aspects of our hobby. The OGF has brought new life to the O-Gauge forum community. We have chartered a new course through innovation, a commitment to caring for one another, and a desire to always improve on our mission to spread the joy of O-Gauge model railroading. This has all been made possible through the generosity of our members unlike any other train forum, to fund our operations without relying on advertisers who also control content.
How to I rate where we are at considering it is nearing the end of 2020, pretty good considering all things. What's your take?
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Post by stoshu on Dec 28, 2020 17:16:57 GMT
Things should only get better... On the good side I think a lot of people spent a lot more time on the layout. On the bad side a friend of mine called Ross custom Switches and was told minimum of 3 weeks on any switch. Our public display was cut down to almost nothing and the crowds were a bout half.
On the good side, people were asking where the candy dump cars that I made were. ( I made up some prewar dump cars that would dump candy canes anywhere on the layout. ) It made me feel good that after a year people remembered.
Next I retire in 6 months and start another phase in my life...
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Post by chipset35 on Dec 28, 2020 17:21:34 GMT
Mike Wolf never released a LIRR C-420 high nose in World Fair colors. He should not retire until he does so. I was forced to overpay for a Lionel non-powered one, and have a shell waiting for a motor and chassis... All out of desperation lol! Mike please before you leave!
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Post by ptc on Dec 28, 2020 18:27:57 GMT
"Mike Wolf never released a LIRR C-420 high nose in World Fair colors.
He should not retire until he does so.
I was forced to overpay for a Lionel non-powered one, and have a shell waiting for a motor and chassis...
All out of desperation lol!
Mike please before you leave!"Not going to happen, Vince.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2020 18:31:24 GMT
I wasn't, for years I've known Mike wanted out. MTH has been for sale for years. I heard another rumor there's a group of five people negotiating to purchase MTH. Just rumors, I have no facts in the matter but if true, it wouldn't surprise me. As this whole retirement thing is just a marketing ploy by Mike to get people off their ass and purchase the darn thing.
Back to the state of the hobby.
Lionel is in full cut everything to the bone mode. From not moving forward with better details in their product (in some cases cutting detail) to lack of customer service being a real issue. QC getting better? or is it impossible to be that bad for so long just by the law of averages things just get better without trying?
Menards, not a fan but they have carved themself a nice corner of the market.
AtlasO, same old, same old
3rdrail. Love those F3, they really got it with the diesels. Sell out every run.
So I see things pretty much staying the same. MTH will survive, that's my prediction for 2021
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Post by Yellowstone Special on Dec 28, 2020 18:43:54 GMT
What's my take on the state of the hobby at the end of 2020? Well, being a realist and at the risk of offending the non-realists on this forum, I'm going to state that yes, it's OK considering the kind of year we've had. But I don't think it's in as good of shape as it was a year ago.
Again, I think O scale (but not HO and N scales) continues to slowly shrink. The retirement of Mike Wolf and the exit of MTH trains from the market is going to affect the state of the hobby. And with Lionel's continued quality control issues, product availability issues, and shipping delays, these factors also affect the hobby negatively.
Yes, people like us help to sustain it. But as we move along, the o scale market share seems to continue shrinking, even though little by little.
I wish it were otherwise. But that's my "take" on it.
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Post by Adam on Dec 28, 2020 18:48:58 GMT
Hmm, this question pops up once in a while.
I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter much to me. I see enough people on the forum, on YouTube (several regular idea producers are quite young now!!) and other places having fun with this hobby that it feels like things are just fine. I also have had no trouble finding items I am interested in, though I suspect I am less picky than those who have been involved in the hobby for much longer.
If MTH leaves a void, which I suspect it will, eventually someone will see that and fill it. It is well understood that they left their mark and showed that Lionel can be challenged. Opportunity is there.
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Post by ptc on Dec 28, 2020 18:57:53 GMT
"Next I retire in 6 months and start another phase in my life..."
Bruce, it is a wonderful time for you to look forward to, you have worked hard to get here. Just stay busy (mind and body).
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Post by ptc on Dec 28, 2020 19:12:04 GMT
"Hmm, this question pops up once in a while.
I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter much to me. I see enough people on the forum, on YouTube (several regular idea producers are quite young now!!). Having fun with this hobby around that it feels like things are just fine. I also have had no trouble finding items I am interested in, though I suspect I am less picky than those who have been involved in the hobby for much longer.
If MTH leaves a void, which I suspect it will, eventually someone will see that and fill it. It is well understood that they left their mark and showed that Lionel can be challenged. Opportunity is there."
This is a wonderful way to look at it, and I agree wholeheartedly. It matters not to me about any shrinkage of our hobby, as long as there is enough that our hobby has to offer to hold my interest, I am good. Never been a "half empty" kind of guy. Who needs that outlook other than folks who like to take Rolaids regularly.
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Post by Yellowstone Special on Dec 28, 2020 19:14:53 GMT
Well, here we go again. Just being realistic. And by the way Brian, I've never taken Rolaids in my life. 😉
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Post by anjdevil2 on Dec 28, 2020 19:50:39 GMT
Technology has made the hobby better than ever - some would say worse - but bringing realism to model trains is as attractive to the younger generation and surprises those just getting back into the hobby.
With Menards entering the rolling stock and tubular track "wars", their price points make it VERY attractive to expanding one's roster
With isolation, this brings hobbies back indoors - and with internet buying and delivery right to your front door, we may see a slight uptick in people getting into or back into the hobby. If you're gonna be stuck inside - model trains is the way to go.
Accessories are key - even in JLC's days - to expanding an empire. Mike's accessories are second to none - It would be a shame if they disappear....and MOST are competitively priced. I own the Mel's Drive in and the Operating Fire House and they are flat out amazing....
I have been to my LHS - a couple of times - and it was crowed both times. Stores that can hang with the internet and on line buying will survive and prosper. Those that cannot change will go away. Trainworld is a great example with a fantastic internet presence and Zoom meetings so we can get our train fix.
Outlook - I believe this is the dawn of a new era in model railroading - there will be many that may pan my statements, but that's my outlook.
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Post by ptc on Dec 28, 2020 19:59:34 GMT
"Well, here we go again. Just being realistic. And by the way Brian, I've never taken Rolaids in my life."No issue Vern, everyone has a different take and this thread is a good way to get the general sentiment of members as how they see our hobby. The point I was making about hobby shrinkage, my guess for most of us is who gives a hoot so long as it has little impact on how we see or enjoy the hobby. As for the antacids, I have had to take a daily prescription grade for a long time thanks to Aleve and an all expense stay in the hospital for four days. Nothing to do with trains however.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2020 21:16:21 GMT
"“'It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future'” is attributed to a baseball-playing philosopher, Yogi Berra, followed by “… never make predictions – especially about the future” by Samuel Goldwyn"
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Post by ptc on Dec 28, 2020 21:34:37 GMT
"“'It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future'” is attributed to a baseball-playing philosopher, Yogi Berra, followed by “… never make predictions – especially about the future” by Samuel Goldwyn"
Sage advice, Neil.
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Post by stoshu on Dec 28, 2020 22:28:12 GMT
I have been to my LHS - a couple of times - and it was crowed both times. Stores that can hang with the internet and on line buying will survive and prosper. Those that cannot change will go away. Trainworld is a great example with a fantastic internet presence and Zoom meetings so we can get our train fix.
Train world is a real credit to the hobby. They have been my go to LHS...
Bruce...
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