Older Deep Purple. Probably the finest Coverdale/Hughes duet

I'm also interested, hence engaging in the thread  That doesn't mean blithely saying "yes, I agree", to it all, and my beliefs are just that, I don't have evidence, no, aside from my sample size of ~200 at my childrens' school in an affluent village in the SE, which is far from representative.

I take anything I see on YouTube with a pinch of salt, hence my opening comment being that I'd actually looked at one of the reports he is interpreting (because that's what it is, obviously such reports don't/can't make outright claims), and that I don't think the conclusions are necesasrily what he's saying.

Could more be done to bring more younger people into the hobby? Maybe. I applaud your dogged determination to attempt to do so. Would making things cheaper discourage adoption? No, of course not. So to that end of course there's opportunity. Again though, if prices fell (say by 20%) would it yield a meaningful uptake in the hobby from new entrants? I do not beleive so.

I have never seen an account from anyone, of any age, who has decided to get into model railways and then said "oh actually it's too expensive, I'm out". Perhaps those people do the very initial research, say "how much!?" and go no further, but I'm dubious.

Concerns about 'the hobby aging' and a 'lack of younger entrants' are as old as the hobby itself. I'm personally not too worried either way, perhaps that's myopic or selfish. I want the hobby to thrive, but I don't particularly care whether that's children or octagenarians, indeed if the market is cannibalised to bring cheaper, lower detail models to attract 'new participants' then I'm actively against it. I realise that isn't quite what you're saying, but it's not hard to see that happening.

Thanks folks. That means it would fit with a few cm spare 

Quote from: woodbury22uk on Yesterday at 08:08:12 PM

Quote from: njee20 on Yesterday at 07:56:16 PMYep, I remember mine being 2.5m, but never needed to know to the mm. How accurate do you need? There's a bit of slip in the couplings/bogies, so it shortens a bit when pushed.

And being Kato you can push 19 cars even round curves and at suicidal speeds without derailment!

My ex would push me round the bend at each opportunity

Quote from: njee20 on Yesterday at 05:32:59 PMI fundamentally do not believe that price is the barrier to entry.

This isn't a cool hobby.

With the greatest respect, unless you are privy to the data that was used to draw the observations made in the report that this thread is discussing, I don't think you can make a substantial argument for either of those beliefs. Young people are returning to traditional hobbies including models railways, and while it's never going to be as popular as gaming and such, there is emerging demand according to that report, and that demand appears to sometimes extend beyond what is currently available. Meaning that there is opportunity for manufacturers to carve out new market segments to serve. That's what the report induces from the data. The exact nature of this demand is not detailed and makes for interesting discussion.

The focus on low cost control and DCC attracting younger buyers would indicate strongly that lower prices are a draw - but just cutting prices alone would not be enough to drive continued growth in this segment. There's also suggestion that the younger market connects with model railways in different ways to previous generations, perhaps due to different constraints of time, space and hobby budgets. So a manufacturer looking to increase revenue from that direction would need to consider that.

So while it isn't explicit that price is a barrier, there's strong evidence that more affordable products are attractive to this market, which implies that they are more price sensitive than established segments, but still willing to spend.

Ultimately it's up to you if you choose to dismiss the findings of the report based on your own beliefs. I'm just presenting them because I find them interesting.

I can see why that appeals to Martin and Tim, but I'll stick with the ELP one, thanks
In the meantime I came across this heartwrencher - end credit music from the film "3000 years of longing"

Quote from: Moonglum on Yesterday at 08:52:29 PMWell, some recent interesting musical posts. Sweet surprised me once when they walked into the pub I was having a quiet drink with Miss Moonglum - sorry not really my thing @kusojiji .

Ningen Isu - hmmm not bad... @EtchedPixels .

Yes, Yes agreed @Newportnobby , but post TfTO "Relayer was pretty good as was "90125" @port perran .

Not sure about Ashen Ringlets (not unpleasant though) ditto Mint Julip @ntpntpntp .

Came across this the other day, didn't know the original but I rather like this...

Some other interesting covers available...

Tim

That is right up there for me Tim @Moonglum .
Very, very nice indeedy.

Well, some recent interesting musical posts. Sweet surprised me once when they walked into the pub I was having a quiet drink with Miss Moonglum - sorry not really my thing @kusojiji .

Ningen Isu - hmmm not bad... @EtchedPixels .

Yes, Yes agreed @Newportnobby , but post TfTO "Relayer" was pretty good as was "90125" @port perran .

Not sure about Ashen Ringlets (not unpleasant though) ditto Mint Julip @ntpntpntp .

Came across this the other day, didn't know the original but I rather like this...


Some other interesting covers available...

Tim







 

Yep! Astonishing performance!

Quote from: njee20 on Yesterday at 07:56:16 PMYep, I remember mine being 2.5m, but never needed to know to the mm. How accurate do you need? There's a bit of slip in the couplings/bogies, so it shortens a bit when pushed.

And being Kato you can push 19 cars even round curves and at suicidal speeds without derailment!