Model Railroading > Will COVID change train shows forever?

I had an interesting conversation with a hobby shop owner last week.  He said one company is considering lowering the amount of train shows they attend.  The reason was that a virtual show they showed product during had such a large turnout, the bean counters determined they could save five figures per show in logistics, drayage, hotel, food and other associated costs.  I wonder if the virus will cause some shows to never return in 2021.  One of the largest expenses for a company is show attendance each year.  Imagine if they could save the costs and broadcast from their home offices.  The internet has been mainstream for 25 years now.  Even us old folks know how to use it.

 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/20 12:42 by santafe3751.

No.

SPDRGWfan Wrote:
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> No.

I think once the 60+ crowd dies off, NMRA conventions and train shows may as well.  But you are correct in thinking it won't have an immediate effect.  The shows will go on, with or without the various train companies attending.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/20 13:02 by santafe3751.

Forever is a big word. If a vaccine is developed and widely distributed, things will start to return to normal. Until then I wouldn't want my valuable employee's at risk. Just my two cents.

I mainly go to train shows for the large variety and bargains in used equipment. I look at the new stuff, but rarely buy. Like to see the layouts also. Haven't got COVID-19 but sure am suffering from cabin fever.
Bill Pyper (age 80)
Lacey, WA
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/20 14:00 by wjpyper.

Sorry we over-60s are interfering with your hobby...

Also, there will always be some of us around as folks get older.

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/20 14:41 by MojaveBill.

I go to train shows mainly to socialize, see folks I don’t normally see, talk to vendors, etc

The internet just won’t do that for me.

 Once a vaccine is put In circulation for the gen pop, train shows will be back.

 

A  proven effective vaccine for Covid-19 must be widely available before this Baby Boomer will resume attending conventions in person.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/20 17:00 by chakk.

And if the GenZed crowd keeps group partying, y'all won't be going either. There's a reason they are called Generation Zero.

santafe3751 Wrote:
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> SPDRGWfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > No.
>
> I think once the 60+ crowd dies off, NMRA
> conventions and train shows may as well.  But you
> are correct in thinking it won't have an immediate
> effect.  The shows will go on, with or without
> the various train companies attending.

MojaveBill Wrote:
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> Sorry we over-60s are interfering with your
> hobby...
>
> Also, there will always be some of us around as
> folks get older.

Bill, I'm 52. It wasn't a swipe at age but the last NMRA convention I attended, I was the youngest by far in a group of hundreds. It has me concerned about conventions and such going forward. Especially regional ones.

Posted from Android

It's the 600 pound gorilla in the room:  The VAST majority of model railroaders are old guys, probably all late 60's to over 80.  The number of younger MR enthusiasts is tiny in comparison and does not appear to be growing at anything even close to a sustaining rate. As each older modeler passes on, their stash of equipment hits the market.  In many categories, the used market is currently flooded with used equipment and there is still a TSUNAMI of stuff to come.

Attending train shows to sell used equipment will become less and less profitable, due to falling prices caused by a glut of merchandise, along with skyrocketing costs to attend the shows, which will be visited by fewer and fewer buyers.

Sorry to bring this all up, but this is what is happening in the greater MR market.

Hope you are all doing well,

Allen Drucker

WrongWayMurphy Wrote:
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> I go to train shows mainly to socialize, see folks
> I don’t normally see, talk to vendors, etc
>
> The internet just won’t do that for me.
>
>  Once a vaccine is put In circulation for the gen
> pop, train shows will be back.
>
>  

If there is a vaccine avalible. The good Dr. Fauci was in charge of AIDS and he ain't got a vaccine yet.

Chad Wrote:
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> WrongWayMurphy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I go to train shows mainly to socialize, see
> folks
> > I don’t normally see, talk to vendors, etc
> >
> > The internet just won’t do that for me.
> >
> >  Once a vaccine is put In circulation for the
> gen
> > pop, train shows will be back.
> >
> >  
>
> If there is a vaccine avalible. The good Dr. Fauci
> was in charge of AIDS and he ain't got a vaccine
> yet.

But enough drugs have been produced to improve and lengthen a person with aids life span. Aids and Covid 19 are diffirent.
Let's not make this political.

Posted from Android

I think the hobby will kill itself off before Covid does.   Has anyone checked the price on new models lately?   Rapido Locomotives priced over $300.00   Freight cars in the 45 to 50$ range each.   You have to be a millionaire to stay in the hobby.  

Dave

And here we go with another 48 page thread about how the hobby is dying, things are too expensive, etc....

Yup.  Right.   

sixaxlecentury Wrote:
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> And here we go with another 48 page thread about
> how the hobby is dying, things are too expensive,
> etc....
>
> Yup.  Right.   

The hobby will be fine.  The NMRA, not so much.  It's a bunch of dinosaurs waiting for their asteroid.  

I'm, 35, been modeling since I was 12. Haven't been to a "train show" in 15 years. Don't have any plans to ever attend any more in the future either. I get more than enough model RRing product info and socializing time online and at my local train clubs.

~ Mr. MRL

MrMRL Wrote:
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> I'm, 35, been modeling since I was 12. Haven't
> been to a "train show" in 15 years. Don't have any
> plans to ever attend any more in the future
> either. I get more than enough model RRing product
> info and socializing time online and at my local
> train clubs.
>
> ~ Mr. MRL

Hmm, interesting.  I thought you were much older than 35.  Maybe just mature beyond your years.  Good observation MrMRL

RSD5 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think the hobby will kill itself off before
> Covid does.   Has anyone checked the price on
> new models lately?   Rapido Locomotives priced
> over $300.00   Freight cars in the 45 to 50$
> range each.   You have to be a millionaire to
> stay in the hobby.  
>
> Dave

I guess were all millionares then, seeing how most runs sell out.

Posted from Android

MrMRL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm, 35, been modeling since I was 12. Haven't
> been to a "train show" in 15 years. Don't have any
> plans to ever attend any more in the future
> either. I get more than enough model RRing product
> info and socializing time online and at my local
> train clubs.
>
> ~ Mr. MRL

Trains shows are good to find products sold out in LHS's.
Prototype Modeler events are train show's, so in a way, you do attend a "train show".

Posted from Android