This is at least the second response to suggest the interesting idea that S scale may have a niche market for those already in scale model railroading rather than beginners, and that manufacture and marketing should be directed that way. I suspect that is some of the rationale for the full-page of S scale ads in each issue of RMC (which, unlike MRR, does not see its primary role as acclimating beginners to the hobby).
Although I had a Lionel set in pre-teen years, I bought my first HO kit about age thirteen and never looked back from full-scale, spending more than twenty years in HO (with time out for TT and a dry spell during college and early graduate school) before moving to O scale, where I have been for nearly thirty-five years. The past year or so I have been accumulating a reasonable amount of S scale, although as I keep insisting, I have far too much O scale (quite a bit with value-added labor involved) to ever consider parting with it. For me, S scale is a pleasant diversion, like my interests in O scale traction, On2, On3, and British light railway prototype--none of which (except perhaps for traction) share space simultaneously. I see no inconsistency in modeling in both S scale and O scale by turns. It is the high quality of current S scale that makes this worthwhile; if S scale were still mostly AF conversions, I doubt it would appeal to me. It has been observed that there is a considerable migration of modelers from HO to On30, partly as a consequence of an aging model railroad population, partly because it is a useful compromise between the greater mass of O scale and the reality of limited space for many modelers. Bachmann has led the movement almost single-handedly, although there are smaller producers, such as Backwoods Miniatures, as well. By judicious choice of interesting prototypes (I ended up with THREE of the ET&WNC 4-6-0's and the 2-6-6-2 is truly tempting) and being able to take advantage of the economies of PRC production in quantity so that most Bachmann On30 is both sophisticated and affordable, the old controversy of scales between O and HO has assumed a new dimension. Anyone who is a subminiature modeler has different priorities, so the matter doesn't arise, except as some HO narrow gage modelers have used N scale as a convenience. S scale also represents some of that same bridge effect as On30, having more mass than HO but providing more efficient space utilization than O scale, at least for class I type operation, and manufacture in the PRC has made both excellent locomotives and good rolling stock relatively affordable. Whether there is the same market for S it is hard to say, as Bachmann presumably has much deeper pockets than, say, the Thompsons and a much larger distribution system--and is in a position to dictate more firmly with Chinese manufacturers (it probably helps that they have lines in several scales, including the enormous HO and N scale markets, as well). Jace Kahn General Manager Ceres & Canisteo RR Co./Champlain County Traction Co. > To: [email protected] > From: [email protected] > Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:00:50 +0000 > Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} S scale your first choice? > > I started as a Lionel operator, migrated to 2-rail 'O' scale, "blew a fuse" > with necessary compromises over required space in 2006, and I am now happily > recovering with 'S' scale. > Premise of question is a good one. I saw 'S' scale at Jersey City Terminal > in late 1980's early 1990's. Was alittle intimidated by lack of ready-to-run > items and lack of confidence in my model building skills. Alot has improved > in 'S' scale since then. However, situation is still not ideal. For > example, I wish 'S'Scale Loco & Supply was fully stocked (i.e.could use a AM > Pacific detail kit). > Maybe we shouldn't be trying to attract first time hobbyist, but instead > concentrate on those looking for a change? > Dennis H. Bloomfield NJ > > > --- In [email protected]: > > > > In a message dated 8/9/2010 > leerai...@... writes: > > > > (Well, actually I am full size, but my MODELING has never been in any other > > scale.) > > > > The EBT grew??? > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
