I was quite active and involved in model RR'ing a few years back. I assembled a fairly large collection of HO scale cars and engines. Needs changed, finances required some re-directing, and I sold off about 50% of the items, and basically lost touch with the hobby for the past several years - almost entirely.
Finally, I am able to return to the hobby. No purchases yet, but plans are under way. Forgotten, sometimes lost, model train websites have been relocated and re-bookmarked. To this point, I am trying to determine how things have changed.
Kato use to have a number of diesels to choose from on their website. At the moment, they look very thin on offerings. Yes? No?
BLI had several ATSF steam engines and several sweet diesels [switchers, etc.] on their website years back. I cannot seem to find much available; their website seems thin, and the Cab Forward plus a couple of other steam engines seems to be the bulk of their offerings. Yes? No?
I then find out that Proto 2000 is absorbed by Walthers, yet most of the P2K items on the Walthers site are sold out. What's with the Proto
2000 line-up and its future?
The Atlas website use to have tons of rolling stock in HO scale. We owned a lot. I can't find many of the tankers, etc. Have they reduced their inventory?
It's early since my return. My perusing might be falling short and my observations may be wrong, but it *seems* like the hobby is either in declince or manufacturers have really cut back on their offerings. Yet, DCC appears strong. The recent train show attendance has been strong.
Am I way off? Is the model RR industry/hobby strong? Or, should I panic?
Kadee and Intermountain seem to be moving along as usual.
Thoughts???
:Matt