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An Observation on Public Interest

16K views 72 replies 37 participants last post by  Jim Overland  
The live steam hobby in the U.S. tends to focus on the locomotive, ideally pulling a long train around an elevated loop, while the electric modelers usually have a strong interest in scenery. The live steamers in the U.S. are following the lead of the Gauge 1 folks in the U.K. who are strongly influenced by machinists. What is missing is the influence of the U.K. 16mm live steamers who are there quite separate from the Gauge 1 crowd and much more oriented toward scenery. There even the portable 16mm layouts feature detailed scenes, although the main emphasis is on ground-level operation outdoors with living plants, etc. I think that a portable layout with scenery might go a long ways to attracting more attention from the general public and other rail modelers who are not machinists. Also, there is the unfortunate tendency of U.S. live-steamers to be attracted to ever larger and more expensive locomotives. In 16mm the emphasis is on small locomotives hauling short, slow trains, which is more compatible with small scale layouts and also more affordable for a beginner. If people don't like your product that could be a sign that the product needs to be redesigned. My father sold automobiles and he realized that he had to sell the wife on the color and upholstery as well as selling the husband on the engine. We must attract children and wives as well as advanced machinists.
 
In the previous posts I detect an ambivalence or perhaps hopelessness regarding promotion of live steam. Yet many are steaming at public events so they must see something to be gained. The fact is that most marketing efforts have response rates in the low single digit percentages and live steaming has grown tremendously in the last twenty years. We have all benefitted with new suppliers, new friends and this web site. What we want to avoid is the attitude Henry Ford has about his black model T which almost sank his company: "We just build them the way we always have and if you no longer want that then go elsewhere." Let's be openminded about our ways. If you are too old to play on the ground, don't criticize the young boys who aren't - they are the future of the hobby. Invite you wife to put a dollhouse and flowers along the line and your marriage will improve. Read the other forums/fora here and take an interest in figuremaking, buildings, gardening, etc. You'll make new friends and you might even have some fun yourself.