2009 British Model Railway Poll - Demographics - Discuss!

It is nice to know that I am normal in some respects then!

Peter A

"Sailor" wrote

Lucky you!

My main interests, in order of priority, although my 4mm scale interest is waning:

BR almost throughout its existence (mid-50s to Privatisation) in OO-scale - both steam & diesel. Slant towards BR(ScR) with some significant LMR & NER influence.

BR steam/transition (mid-50s to mid-60s) in O-scale - steam & diesel.

Small USA On3 layout - good fun with digital sound.

I also have a modest collection of post-1990 Marklin HO, most of which has never seen the light of day, but it came my way at the right time at the right price.

Oh, I'm 61, so fit in with the 40-69 majority group - if nothing else! LOL

John.

Is it just me, or is this 17.6% overly catered for with new RTR releases?

I think I know why manufactureres do it, the variety and frequent change of liveries allows them to refresh their catalogues with little extra tooling costs.

MBQ

I thought you were a lot younger than that. Must be all that salt air!

"Man at B&Q" responded to

with:-

I wonder whether this 17.6% isn't also the most susceptible group to economic recession? They tend to be younger, have young families and big(ish) mortgages.

It's also interesting that Bachmann haven't gone down this route to the same extent as Hornby and ViTrains.

I also suspect that it costs an awful lot less to tool up for a new diesel or electric model than a steam loco.

John.

And a lot less to manufacture as well, as they don't have so many fiddly pipes and bits to attach. When I look at the latest models I feel sorry for the Chinese people who have to spend all day sticking all the little bits on!

Fred X

Does it say who they polled? I guess people modelling the Listowel & Ballybunion in S scale wouldn't be reading a Hornby collector magazine(?), while a survey on an e-mail list might find everyone models

Similar question, were those polled only modellers or modellers and collectors. Plus how many purchased products from multiple eras or regions - even if less volume in their secondary preference.

My preference is LMS around 1930's but have purchased much of RTR LMS in early BR as well.

CHeers, Simon

Cheers, Simon

But are you applying your own situation in considering theirs. They may have a chioce between back breaking work in the paddy fields for a pittance vs assembly in reasonably pleasant conditions where they can chatter away whilst assembling components - ladies can do that you know. They can multitask quite easily - never finish any of the tasks mind.

cheers, Simon

"simon" wrote

The poll was widely announced on the net - not sure whether it was publicised on here or not.

John.

"Keith Patrick" wrote

LOL - my lady friend says the same! ;-)

John.

Seems we HO modellers are a significant group! Pre-grouping doesn't show very highly though. ;-)

=A0

With modern trends, I feel sorry for the modeller who receives a large bag of little bits with their new purchase, half of which become "ping- fuckits" whilst trying to fit them :-)

MBQ

Adding up the eras given leaves 11% unaccounted for. I expect many are narrow-gauge rather than pre-grouping, however.

Tim

You need to hire yourself a Chinese lady. And someone to fit the little bits... :)

Fred X

The 11% are those who model the railways of the future. Now there's an era that manufacturer's have neglected over the years. :)

Fred X

Odd: GWR and LMS seem to be significantly better represented in RTR, yet this is saying that NE is the most popular post-grouping region.

Guy

.. and SR (well, South Western division of..) is probably the only area you could put together a reasonably representitive collection of stock for most of that period (T9 + N + M7 get closer than any other combination around for any region to being representitive: NE - well, it's hopeless without at least an R and a C1, neither of which appears to be anywhere on any horizon..)

With modern trends, I feel sorry for the modeller who receives a large bag of little bits with their new purchase, half of which become "ping- fuckits" whilst trying to fit them :-)

MBQ

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That ones easily solved. Buy 2 lots of everything then as youre about to start scatter one set around the floor. Sometimes that appeases the god of the carpet so nothing goes ping and on other occasions you can find the scattered bit when looking for the pinged one (think she gets distracted whilst hiding the new bit). Have been looking for a tiny brass step for 3 days now. Have found 4 Romford wheel nuts, 17 washers, an assortment of small screws and a book by Iain rice that couldnt find the other day. Should find the brass bit tomorrow as made replacement bit out of scrap fret.

Cheers, Simon