Younger people have always had other hobby choices, be it Scalextric or Subbuteo, it is nothing new.

It has always been the case that most younger people have less to spend on their model railway hobby than those older more established modellers, and that is nothing new either.

I can recall when I started out in N as a teenager that the little money I had was carefully spent on various things to add to my layout, some very small and inexpensive but chosen with thought and still contributed importantly to it. Peco wagons were something I could more often afford, being at pocket money prices as they still are today relatively speaking.

Locos however were something that for the most part waited for birthdays and Christmas, unlike today I never had that many and each and every one was therefore treasured. A Bank of England inflation calculator will confirm that relatively speaking, especially taking into account the amazing quality of modern models, they are in real terms not that much more expensive today than they were back in those early days of N.


Roy

The last thing we need is another thread denouncing the death of the hobby due to a lack of younger participants! Cyril Freezer wrote about that in the 1960s.

Toy trains just aren't cool. They've not been a hobby of choice for children for 50 years, and I genuinely don't believe that price is the barrier. My son is 9, we live in an affluent part of the country. Many of his friends have games consoles, many have other expensive hobbies; the latest football kits, expensive bikes, whatever. None have trains. Halving the price of models would not see a huge influx of modellers. I'm not sure there's a single other railway modeller in his primary school of ~200 children.

Quote from: Newportnobby on June 09, 2026, 09:46:10 PMSadly, the ages of the folk who have the stock and run shows/exhibit at them means a decline in the numbers of layouts appearing. Take James Street as an ideal example - age has caught up with those who set it up/run it/break it down  
The best show in the NW i.e. Wigan show ceased because the club members admitted they were too old to face doing it any more.
There's no denying model railways are generally run and manned by the elder statesmen of the hobby, and their numbers are decreasing due to age/health

Quote from: njee20 on June 09, 2026, 11:33:00 PMBut younger people are getting older all of the time to take their place!

But here's the thing - younger people are choosing other hobbies.

There being no model or model railway shops on most high streets, I often pop in to Games Workshops (found in most large towns) to pick up paints, brushes, glues etc. In Shrewsbury on Saturday morning, their shop had over a dozen young modellers assembling and painting trolls, goblins and whatnots, all available at pocket money prices.

New N gauge models seem now to be produced to exquisite standards in small batches for demanding, deep pocketed elder statesmen. eBay is the principal source for pocket-money priced railway models. Let's hope that youngsters are still allowed to buy online, or they'll be locked out of our hobby...

Mike

Quote from: Foxhound on Yesterday at 08:40:25 AMI think that there's a degree of silly expectation on eBay from some sellers about the value of things, and I also think people need to realise that if it ain't boxed, you can shave a fair amount off the price.

I have gone from someone who hardly ever used eBay to someone who uses it a fair bit. I'm now only buying second-hand locomotives - my last new one was when Union Mills was closing down. Apart from the occasional Peco wagon, rolling stock is all second-hand as well. I find eBay to be a very good source of what I'm looking for - mostly ProperlyPoole Graham Farish and Minitrix models.

I agree completely with @Foxhound . I'm a Non-Collector and a train set player, so boxes aren't important to me. Finding space to store them is something of a menace as well. With regard to price, I'm happy to pay what I think is a fair price and never make so-called 'cheeky' bids or offers as I consider that to be disrespectful. If the price being asked for, or being bid up to, is too high - in my opinion - I won't normally buy.




[Three lovely old Minitrix wagons - the 'Sutton Manor' one was made in the Wrecsham factory - purchased for a reasonable price from eBay. All were stripped down and given a thorough clean, including de-rusting and polishing the steel weight. ProperlyPoole Graham Farish SuperShiny wheelsets have been fitted. These 'roll' better than the Minitrix plastic wheels and give the colourful wagons the agreeably 'train-setty' look I hope to achieve. Hours 'N' hours of enjoyment for a modest sum. And no boxes to clutter the house!]


I think there is another thing to be considered. This is a hobby in which I participate for pleasure. It's sometimes difficult to put a price on pleasure. I had been looking for Union Mills 'D11/2' 'Scotch Director' 4-4-0 No. 2680 Lucy Ashton for several years.

One came up on eBay - I bid and was successful. But I paid more than it cost new - probably on par if inflation over the intervening years is taken into account. I am absolutely delighted with the locomotive.* George Mortimer Pullman's famous saying comes to mind - "The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten." I hope I'll still be enjoying the locomotive once I've forgotten how much she cost. So, sometimes, it might be worth paying a bit more for something that will give pleasure.

In conclusion, I consider eBay to be a valuable resource and one that makes my participation in our wonderful hobby more enjoyable.

* Lucy Ashton was the tragic heroine of Sir Walter Scott's Bride of Lammermoor - a novel set not far from here, between the Forth and the Tweed, so the locomotive is of local, historical and literary interest. Well worth an extra fistful of pounds.

'N' Gauge is Such Fun!

With all best wishes.

John 

Quote from: kusojiji on June 08, 2026, 06:24:32 AMHaha, at least the wife didn't leave with the dog this time...

My ex tried that, and the dog demolished her mother's kitchen in protest. I got the dog back the next day.....

Quote from: eddief83 on June 09, 2026, 02:03:21 PM

Quote from: Ben A on June 08, 2026, 06:49:53 PMThe deadline for pre-ordering these models is the end of August, and we will be posting an update and more images, on our website shortly.

Hi Ben

The progress poster at DEMU says the pullman deadline is July, which is correct? I need to get the funds together for at lease one rake of pullmans so wondering how long I have

Mike replied to this question on farcebook as 31 July

Indeed! 

Quote from: Bealman on Yesterday at 09:58:18 AMThanks, John. The bridge was built by the same firm, but when I've returned to England, I'm reminded just how much bigger it is!

Yep Dorman Long

Thanks, John. The bridge was built by the same firm, but when I've returned to England, I'm reminded just how much bigger it is!

Quote from: Graham on Yesterday at 04:55:25 AMsometimes when I see a picture like this, I yearn for my trips to Sydney, then I kick myself and thank retirement that I don't have to be there almost every week.

Isn't retirement absolutely fabulous?

I know exactly what you mean, as I sometimes experience the same thing in the context of London. I used to go there a lot on business, almost always by train. Inevitably having to leave the house at stupid o'clock and not returning until late in the evening. But I enjoyed it.

However, I'm now six years older and have SuperSilly mobility problems so I tell myself that was then and this is now. And then go and play with my electric train set instead!

With all good wishes.

John

PS Splendid photograph - reminds me of Newcastle and Gateshead!