If I were entering the hobby right now, I would face a relatively limited number of models available to buy new. At least this is the impression I get from my experience mainly in N scale (North American). Manufacturers now release a few models every year in limited quantities to ensure, I'm assuming, they aren't faced with a large amount of stock that they can't sell. So, using Rapido (North America as an example) virtually all the stock they've released in the last few years becomes sold out quite quickly. If I'm a newbie and am keen on developing a model railway of Canadian Pacific passenger for example, I would not be able to find the locomotives and coaches that I need, but would have to resort to the likes of EBay to buy used items often at well inflated prices if I can even find them. There is an unmet demand that makes life for the newbie more difficult unless they are not fussy about what equipment they are running.

I agree with Nick that having a detailed model line and a cruder line would further complicate the lives of manufacturers by reducing the volumes of each. I think Kato manufactures models that to me have an optimal level of detail being less detailed than what is currently generally offered by other manufacturers. By not having large amounts of piping, fine details and grab irons added on, Kato models are more robust, presumably a bit cheaper to manufacture, but they still look good. Of course, the Kato innards work very well and this is of paramount importance.

By the way, does anyone out there know where I can get my hands on a Rapido skyline dome car in VIA Rail livery? I've been hunting for one for the last 6 months.

Webbo

Quote from: Newportnobby on May 01, 2026, 09:35:55 PM

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on May 01, 2026, 06:44:12 PM

Quote from: Newportnobby on May 01, 2026, 06:25:46 PM

Quote from: Moonglum on May 01, 2026, 05:46:40 PMOK, let's remind ourselves of Huggy Bear...
Mick, I don't think you meant Miami Vice!

Tim

I stand corrected. I remembered it was Starkers & Crutch but it came out wrongly as 'Crocketts Theme' was playing at the time

So much wrong!   

Let's just hope it was a minor aberration

Yeah, but just don't give up on us baby!

I got the ad for the spin to win the last time they offered it, went to the site and did not see the wheel at all. I asked rails if it was just for UK folks only, but they said that it was for all folks. I didn't even bother this time.

I had a very quick look at one of the reports he cites (https://marketintelo.com/report/model-railroading-market). Apparently it does include the UK, grouped in with "EU". Makes sense - we're not really doing our own thing, we're a huge market, among the biggest in Europe.

I'm not sure about the report myself. Not that I don't agree we'll see growth, it just seems a bit 'well... yeah'. I'm not sure the growth is attributable to the things they suggest either myself.

Couldn't care less about modular standards, indeed I generally really dislike modular layouts, but if they work for the builders then great.

I think we need to be careful what we wish for re: low detail 'entry level' models. The market isn't big enough for two ranges. I don't believe that price is a barrier to entry for young people in any meaningful sense, and I don't want models being 'dumbed down' to suit a market I'm not convinced really exists. What's the evidence for unmet demand?

Quote from: Newportnobby on May 01, 2026, 09:35:55 PM

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on May 01, 2026, 06:44:12 PM

Quote from: Newportnobby on May 01, 2026, 06:25:46 PM

Quote from: Moonglum on May 01, 2026, 05:46:40 PMOK, let's remind ourselves of Huggy Bear...
Mick, I don't think you meant Miami Vice!

Tim

I stand corrected. I remembered it was Starkers & Crutch but it came out wrongly as 'Crocketts Theme' was playing at the time

So much wrong!   

Let's just hope it was a minor aberration

Starsky & Hutch.

Just a little thing. My childhood torn asunder.    

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on May 01, 2026, 06:44:12 PM

Quote from: Newportnobby on May 01, 2026, 06:25:46 PM

Quote from: Moonglum on May 01, 2026, 05:46:40 PMOK, let's remind ourselves of Huggy Bear...
Mick, I don't think you meant Miami Vice!

Tim

I stand corrected. I remembered it was Starkers & Crutch but it came out wrongly as 'Crocketts Theme' was playing at the time

So much wrong!   

Let's just hope it was a minor aberration

Quote from: Chris Morris on May 01, 2026, 05:15:01 PMBased on what some retailers have said, TT:120 is damaging N gauge sales in the UK.

"Some" being the important word - usually said without reference to the shop(s) in question, or from a shop that isn't known for n gauge.

Quote from: Newportnobby on May 01, 2026, 06:25:46 PM

Quote from: Moonglum on May 01, 2026, 05:46:40 PMOK, let's remind ourselves of Huggy Bear...
Mick, I don't think you meant Miami Vice!

Tim

I stand corrected. I remembered it was Starkers & Crutch but it came out wrongly as 'Crocketts Theme' was playing at the time

So much wrong!    

Quote from: Moonglum on May 01, 2026, 05:46:40 PMOK, let's remind ourselves of Huggy Bear...
Mick, I don't think you meant Miami Vice!

Tim

I stand corrected. I remembered it was Starkers & Crutch but it came out wrongly as 'Crocketts Theme' was playing at the time

OK, let's remind ourselves of Huggy Bear...


Composed by Tom Scott, Tom Scott and the LA Express were Joni Mitchell's backing band around her "Court and Spark" era. Mick, I don't think you meant Miami Vice!

Tim