Ever wonder why the size of the live steam hobby is shrinking every year? Recruitment (people entering the hobby) appears to be far exceeded by attrition (people leaving as a result of aging demographics).
Why aren't new hobbyists entering in large numbers? Here's my reading:
1. How many of today's youngsters today are learning the basic machine shop skills needed to build live steam locomotives?
2. How many potential hobbyists are willing to wait the time necessary --- measured in years --- before they can enjoy their venture into the hobby by actually running a live steam locomotive?
3. How many of today's youngsters have the space or are willing to channel their discretionary dollars into a hobby that requires so much time, skill, money, and patience.
4. How popular would (say) NASCAR be if fans had to build their own cars and race them in their backyard? Maybe that's an unfair comparison, but it does make one think.
5. How many newsstands carry "Live Steam" or "Grand Scales Quarterly" magazine, two of the leading magazines that might publicize the hobby, if they could reach the right audience? We are preaching to the already converted; instead we need to attract the interest of the average reader.
6. Because locomotives are manufactured one at a time, they cost substantial amounts of money to acquire. Henry Ford figured out the advantages of assembly line economics almost 100 years ago. Commercial live steam locomotive builders still seem unable to take advantage of the concept. Their argument, I'm sure, is that the consumer market isn't there to justify mass production. Which came first?
In future web logs, I'll cover some of the other problems
a. spreading the word
b. convincing prospective hobbyists to become involved, and
c. alternative ways to enjoy the benefits and achieve the necessary momentum.
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