Much has been discussed on this and other forums about prices and collectorism in this hobby This is a three part question 1) concerning prices 2) Are you a modeller or a collector? 3) What are the trends?
Much is said on this and other forums on the effect of collecterism on the hobby. Here are the results of the poll conducted. Granted these are not scientific polls by any means, but the results seem to indicate that collectorism is not as wide spread as many believe. quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a modeller or collector? I am strictly a collector 0% (0) I am strictly a modeller 53% (18) I collect mostly but model some 0% (0) I model mostly but collect some 47% (16) What direction do you see N scale headed N scale is becoming more of a collectors hobby 9% (3) N scale is becoming more of a modellers hobby 29% (10) N scale is about 50/50 modeller/collector 26% (9) N scale is becoming a rich mans hobby 21% (7) N scale still is a good value family hobby 15% (5) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zero respondents admitted to being a collector, while roughly half the modellers admitted to some collecting. The majority of the respondents say that N is more of a modellers hobby, while a minority indicated it was a collecters hobby. Hmmmm - some food for thought
I'd like to say this was a well structured and well thought of poll. It goes to show that good information can be collected when polls are well done
I disagree. The poll did not take into account the collectors. The very first question indicated that there were 0% collectors voting. So the poll was skewed towards the noncollectors and did not include the collectors' opinions. Maybe no collectors belong to Trainboard or maybe collectors don't vote.
This is great, well structered and good questions. You may be right collectors may not be on this site to vote. They ar probably on the N-scale collectors site, hoping their collection is appreciating. I just can't get my head around buying something and not being able to hold it and watch it run and fully enjoy it. Can you picture CSX, UP, CP, CN, and all other railroads, take delivery of a new loco. Say a new E8/9 in the 50's, and then the president of the railroad says "lets put it away and hope in the year 2002, it will be worth ten times as much". I maybe stretching it but in my little mind, that is not what they were built for. They were made to be enjoyed. Also which locomotives today are held dear? The ones that have a history, that have been around and now rebuild with loving care! Am I making any sense or am I just blowing steam? I have a few M/T's that maybe considered collectors, pepsi and hershey, land o lakes, B&O covered gondola. I still run them, and enjoy them. That's just my opinion, not yours!! Cheers
I agree with you Jerry, I purchase models to do a job on my layout and connot see the attraction of just collecting them (although a lot of folks do). I guess it is mainly to make money later on, or just a "squirrel syndrome" I suppose the collectors cannot understand us operators taking the models out of the boxes and spoiling them by running them
I agree with Alan & Jerry. I buy equipment for the purpose of running. I'm also a cheapskate. So when I see that wonderful looking MT car or Kato loco for a premium price, I just pass it by and look for something else for less. I'm not Bill Gates, so I have to be carefull with the little I have available to spend. But I do think that the market will set the price for things. Whether its collectors or us "runners", too many are willing to pay extra for makers like MT. So MT will charge more than others because they CAN. Sure they have a great product, but I'm sure you would see their prices tumble if everyone stopped buying from them until their prices dropped.
I put the same thread on the Atlas forum also. Boy did I get my tail waxed. Those guys will argue with a fence post, if it was in a train yard! Ha Ha!! http://forum.atlasrr.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4053
I just started a post there about the cost of N-scale. I'm sure to get my tail "waxed" too. I was just tired of all the code 55 bantering.
Well of course they would argure with a fence post being in the middle of a yard. Just what business does a fencepost have in the middle of a yard? !!!!
Its funny, I go to trainboard for helpful, thoughtful train discussion. The Atlas forum is like a car wreck, even though it may be terrible you just can't help looking!
Actually, the Atlas thread is currently well conducted with no visible 'waxing' happening in my mind. Quite civilised when compared with previous topics. Of course, the crusaders (the PC crowd and the no doubt fledgleing post rights group) would be arguing if the post's right had been diminished by being placed in the yard, or by the yard being built around it. Everyone has brought up good points and I too agree that the poll was well set. I see no inference to collectors being excluded by the first question. It merely asks about price point. If anything, it should have been the second question, with the second, first.
Interesting poll. As for the collecting versus modelling stuff. I am a modeller. If I want to buy something as an investment, I will buy stocks. Model railroading is fun!!
I'll have to say this abotu where N scale is headed. N scale is more or a modeler's hobby becuaswe the trains are so small. If you look for a scale that still includes family values, you would be better suited to go with Lionel trains, or HO scale
If we have no collectors here, so be it. I don't collect trains- I buy them to run. The only things I'm collecting currently are gray hairs and pounds/kilograms I'm not against collectors, and if that's what blows their whistle, more power to them. I personally can't see buying something that is perfectly functional and watching it sit in a box, gathering dust. As for the lamebrains at the Atlas forum, I don't go there at all, and based on their past track record (no pun intended) I don't give a rat's fuzzy rear end what they're up to. They sound like the Jerry Springer of lists. I disagree with Pat about N scale not being one with family values. My youngest son is helping me with layout building and operating, and even with the small size he's having a ball- matter of fact, so am I. (Sorry if I sound like a grumpy old fart- I'm not really .)
