开云体育

We can dither all we want about wobbly bodies, shaking hands, and poor vision. ?What we have in common besides getting really old is that we all understand the scale/hirail/tinplate thing and how to overcome the inconsistencies present in conflicting track and wheel “standards.”

But we on this IO e-list are not the future of S scale — if indeed S (or model railroading in general) HAS a future. ?For a future in S to have even a scant chance, it has to be EASY to get into S WITHOUT having to learn all about the wheel/track/coupler inconsistencies. ?This requires commercially-available flextrack with compatible powered turnouts that is standards-consistent with commercially-available motive power and rolling stock.

Keep in mind that, thanks to NMRA standards, N, HO, and O 2-rail modelers don’t have to worry about any of this. ?But it’s a major turn-off for younger potential newcomers.

Other younger-generation stuff that gets in the way: Endless screen time, and with it the relentless pursuit of instant gratification. ?Build something? ?You’ve got to be kidding!

My personal belief is that the future of model railroading is bleak regardless of what scale we talk about. ?But for S to even have a chance, we need to have NMRA-standard scale track and turnouts or else we are already in purgatory. ?We need to focus on what brings new blood rather than transfusions to replace old blood.