Are model trains still around? Making a case for laid back casual fun

I was recently out at a town event with some of my model train stuff set up for display and having a discussion with an acquaintance where I was asked are model trains still around, aren't they dying out? My responses were quick, yes to the first and no to the second but then I started to really think about the questions and why they were being asked.

After further thought I do still firmly believe that model trains are still around. I am not sure though just how strong the hobby is. I can tell you the attendance for the annual train show in West Springfield put on by the Amherst Railway Society is always high and the show has grown significantly over the years. But as I think about that I recognize that this is a 2 day event where people come out, look around, watch the trains, and go home. No real long-term engagement with little outreach for new enthusiasts beyond sign up to be a member with this group, donate for this cause and every other business marketing technique that the recipients are adept at deflecting and dodging.

After a couple of weeks of pondering why the questions were being asked I do see the point, it is a hobby that does not seem to be gaining significant new numbers year after year. I believe there are quite a few reasons for this that become barriers to entry once we graduate from the wooden trains. The ones we play with on the specially made tables as young kids where we happily use our imagination when we set up the track and run the trains around.

What are the entry barriers? It is the same as with most things, time, money and knowledge. How much does this cost me? Making a great lay out is going to take me forever. I have no idea where to begin. Just exactly what do I need to do first? When am I going to put all this stuff together and run the trains? I don't have enough room, where do I put this stuff when I am not using it or where does my layout go?

I do believe that people should not just walk away at this point, the hobby helps foster and grow many life skills such as imagination, creativity, patience, perseverance and many others. It also helps teach a few practical skills like basic wiring, crafts and wood working. And when collaborating on the lay out with a parent, sibling or significant other it helps with collaboration or team work skills as well as the bonding and creation of some long lasting memories.

Overcoming the entry barriers:

Electric toy trains do cost a little bit of money but it does not have to all be spent at once. It is not worth spending a lot of money in the beginning when you are not really sure what you want in the end anyway or what the difference is between DC and DCC and whether those sounds coming from the locomotive are realistic or not. My recommendation is to just get the basic train set with locomotive, cars, track and power pack to begin with which would begin around $75.00 to $90.00.

Time is also a major factor in today's world. There is never enough time to do everything needed, let alone other things. As with the money though, take it in smaller pieces. It does not have to be finished quickly or finished at all to begin running trains. Many enthusiasts never really finish their layout as there is always at least a tweak or an upgrade that needs to be made somewhere. The recommendation I have here is to simply get the set out of the box and attached to a movable platform where you can begin to run the trains and a way to put it away when you are not using it. Then begin figuring out what else you want to add for a bit more realism. Getting to that realism should be done when you have the time to spend on it and the money to get what you want. There is no need for an artificial timeline, just have fun.

The most daunting barrier is the knowledge barrier, but it is an artificial barrier that is put on oneself. When folks are at the train show looking at the layouts, they look neat and hard to do. The truth is they can take a long time and involve many different things but it should not be overwhelming. Start simple and gradually work your way in the direction you want to go at your pace and with your skills. Remember, these are toys and toys are meant to be fun. It is your train set and your imagination and in the end you only need to please yourself and any collaborators you may have. If you catch the bug you will continue to play with trains your whole life, I have been off and on for over 45 years.