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You might be aware that I’ve been messing around with model trains for the last few months. This has led me to a few train shows and a lot of train stores. I’ve been surprised to see that many hobby shops have marginalized their train sections in favor of RC cars. Also, I’ve heard that one of the great Chicago train shows is moving to Cleveland next year. In other words, interest in the hobby is declining. (Maybe–my evidence is anecdotal, not statistical.)
I’ve been wondering why.
My theory boils down to this: in a world that looks forward to each new whiz-bang techno gizmo, model trains harken back to a less sophisticated, less technical world. In other words, while everyone else is seeking the future now, model train enthusiasts are, by and large, looking toward the past.
What makes me think this?
The idealized state for a model railroad is a completed layout of some location at some point in time, clearly representing the real world as it was. Now, there are quite a few excellent models that spice things up by adding aliens and spaceships to their layouts, using toy trains (Thomas), etc. This is all well and good, but the majority use case is not taking that kind of leap. I do not mean to suggest these realistic models don’t have value and aren’t quite the accomplishment — doing it right is difficult.
Another example, Con-Cor, who creates some beautiful trains, has as their slogan, “Famous Trains From Your Childhood.” For sure they do a nice job on their models, but is that their market? The trains they’re targeting are the romantic passenger beauties of the 40s and 50s. The GM Aerotrain. The Zephyrs. Great stuff for sure, but not exactly the future. I suspect that’s by design–the model railroader population is graying. Significantly.
I’d love to see a different approach. I’d love trains that helped model the near future. Or even the possible present. For example: help me model Chicago with a Shinkansen. Help me create a high-speed freight train, something that would rival the fastest passenger trains. Bring out something like the Unitram system from Kato. Bring out something that uses the awesome technology that trains have perfected — small motors, DCC — and reapply it to vertical travel or space models. The sky truly is the limit.
This might just be a mirror of reality. Trains in the US have certainly been a mixed bag. Take Chicago, for example. The CTA trains are pretty useful (and heavily used), but there’s no easy connection to the Metra, no common station, which alienates a huge body of potential passengers. Take Seattle, where it took forever to get train service from the airport to downtown–crazy. Look at LaGuardia – no train to Manhattan, which is ridiculous. Most Amtrack service just needs to be put out of its misery.
Does any of this mean I won’t continue messing around with trains? Nope. In fact, I have recently acquired three new engines — all Japanese, all present day — and some killer Kato double track.
But I’m not interested in modeling the mid twentieth century, and I don’t think I’m alone.

This is the inside of a Tomix JR E231-500 (as used on the Yamanote line). Where am I going to put the DCC decoder??
Great speed on this BTW. Love it.
