goscrewyourselves
I'm the one
Increased attendances at Train Shows doesn't necessarily equate to there being more interest in the hobby by "new people" coming into the hobby. I think it is a case of more people who are, and have been, in the hobby already having the time to go to these shows now.
There may be 10,000 people in the hobby (as a figure only) and last year 5,000 of them went to a show. This year 6000 of them went. Certainly, there is an increase in show numbers, but not an increase of new people entering the hobby.
As has been said, now a days we are competing with "the current generation mind set", the "millenniums". As Selector said, now people sit on a bus placing orders for things instead of "socializing". It is a "here and NOW" mentality and attitude that seems to have been adopted by the majority of people under 35, the people needed to push, promote and engage in the hobby to ensure it's survival. Model Railroading isn't a "here and now" hobby, it is something that takes time to create and the majority of people of today don't want to wait for anything.
With few exceptions, the people keeping this hobby going and alive are those of us who are already in it.
There may be 10,000 people in the hobby (as a figure only) and last year 5,000 of them went to a show. This year 6000 of them went. Certainly, there is an increase in show numbers, but not an increase of new people entering the hobby.
As has been said, now a days we are competing with "the current generation mind set", the "millenniums". As Selector said, now people sit on a bus placing orders for things instead of "socializing". It is a "here and NOW" mentality and attitude that seems to have been adopted by the majority of people under 35, the people needed to push, promote and engage in the hobby to ensure it's survival. Model Railroading isn't a "here and now" hobby, it is something that takes time to create and the majority of people of today don't want to wait for anything.
With few exceptions, the people keeping this hobby going and alive are those of us who are already in it.
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