--- In [email protected], "Bill Lane" <bill@...> wrote:
>
> Now that is a question.
>
>
>
> Are more S Scalers better? Do you think so? Why? Do you really want more of
> ME? Go deep down into the great crevasse of your psyche where it is dark and
> scary and come up with an honest answer. Why are more S Scalers better?
Simply because LESS S Scalers (and I'll include the our Flyer buddies, too) is
NOT better.
> I had long been apart of the S promotion machine through the years - either
> mentally or physically - however active or inactive I was at that moment.
> However with the awful economy grinding on for years and our current state
> of flux with our key manufacturers I realized I just can't be a part of the
> thinking that S will ever grow to be a force to be reckoned with.
I've never been under the illusion the S would become as widespread and popular
as the other scales.
BUT...
Growth is good.
Stagnation is bad.
Shrinkage is worse.
S has made some great strides over the past 20 some odd years. And, somehow,
it's all been done WITHOUT a major coprorate manufacture consitantly putting
out a product. And quality products to boot.
The one corporate manufacturer, Lionel, has not been so consistant with
production or quality. They've gotten better the past few years, but AM and
SHS still beats Lionel on overall quality.
>And you know what?
>
>
>
> >>>I am perfectly fine with it all.<<<
>
It's fine you're fine. I still haven't quite found my "happy place."
>
> To think that more is better and will impact more manufacturers getting into
> the S game is not really logical. The critical mass needed to do so is
> nothing short of a miracle. You would have to find/convert THOUSANDS of
> model railroaders spending thousands of dollars a year to make any real
> progress and get the attention of the current quality players in HO to make
> S Scale. You can kid yourself but that is just **not going to happen.**
>
As I said before: Stagnation bad, shrinkage worse.
Less is less in S.
If S retrenches back to the "scratchbuilders scale" mentality, turn off the
lights and lock the door. There's scratchbuilding going on in ALL the scales,
even in 3-rail O, so that's not going to attract anybody to S.
>
> You should concentrate on your own successes by getting the attention of
> people close to you. Getting local people in S to associate with is about
> all you are going to be able to do. If you can gain 1 person a year that
> would be a major success for you. But truthfully that is not going to amount
> to anything that will hit a major marketing study.
>
I try to do my bit when I can, minimal as it is, but currently I have other
things that take priority.
>
> I truly have **always** embraced the smallness of it all that S is. Perhaps
> you should too when you realize that the above is the unspoken truth. I am
> not going all Bert Cuter saying how great it is to have switched scales.
> Nope - I am staying where I am. But happiness could be right where you are.
> If you want to jump into S now great - glad to have you. Find your happy
> place and run with it.
>
I've always likened S to be an "aquired taste."
>
> No one reading this is going to sway Lionel in any direction. I am fine with
> that too.
>
> Thank You,
> Bill Lane
>
Maybe not, but it appears Lionel is at least trying to nudge Flyer into the
21st century and break away from the Gilbert mold to a degree. This should be
encouraged.
Rich G(ajnak)
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