Why isn't O Scale 2-Rail more popular with model railroaders?

[ScaleCraft]

I refuse to get swallowed in those phone ideologies. I love actual paper maps. Even topographical.
So, 2-rail can be a tad more complex, wiring-wise.
Why don't we attract?
Add to that the myth of pizza cutter wheels.
And the enemaray stupidity of interchangeability...drop 17/64ths that WAS interchangeable, then allow and embrace proto 48.....and give up interchangeability.
And the hobby is irrevocably split.....and I ain't interested.

[up148]

They are many facets to the model train hobby and we all have our favorite areas. Generational differences show up (2R, 3R, RTR, building, etc.) and that is present in most non-train hobbies too. So, there is plenty of room for all of use and you can always learned from sharing information and likes.

I think (not sure) that most model railroader got bit by the bug early in their life.......I did at 4-5 years old. We always had a train running around the Christmas tree growing up and I took over the responsibility of setting it up once I was old enough. I think a lot of us share some similarity to that.

It's been stated many times in many places that people tend to migrate to things they remember from their youth for entertainment. Model trains was declining in remembrances all the way back into the 70's as it just wasn't mainstream any longer like in the 50's and 60's.

[gregj410]

I refuse to get swallowed in those phone ideologies

Refusing it because it may swallow you up would be wise. Refusing it to refuse it would be….well? It’s kind of like complaining about using Shutterfly to host your photos because you refuse to learn how to do it on a smart phone.

I have a friend, also named Dave who also refuses the ‘phone ideology’
I explained that this will be how your kids and grandkids share photos with you and there are good things that you may miss out on by not embracing the technology. It’s not all bad you know. He still grumbles that his son sets his GPS to tell him how to get home from college. Long gone are maps or the need for them, like it or not it’s reality

[bob turner]

I am different. I really do not care if more folks are converted to O Scale, or Wiccanism, or Piper Cubs, or even 1965 Mustang Convertibles.

I have never understood on a personal level why it is necessary to convert other folks to align with our likes/dislikes/beliefs, or even sports teams (politics are different; what other people believe really does affect me).

That said, I really do not get why a hobbyist would go to great lengths to achieve absolute realism, then ignore the hideous track. But I do not have to understand - it is what they like that counts, not my understanding of it.

This doorstop mania is a case in point. I really enjoy collecting these bronze age relics, even though they cannot hold a candle to, say, a Lionel scale PA or FT. I really do not need more folks to appreciate this small facet - all it does is drive prices up. Doesn't help me, I ain't sellin'.

[up148]

A primary reason (IMHO) to want more people to join the hobby is to keep it alive and bring in new ideas, experiences, technology, products, etc. into the mix. It's sorta a "Catch 22". Technology has changed this hobby and for me personally, it makes it easier and more fun to enjoy it. Can it still be accomplished with mid 20th Century technology....obliviously it can, because it did. But, the tools and models we have today are pretty amazing.

Some guys like old cars (substitute any word for cars), some guys like new cars, some guys like autocross, some guys like NASCAR, some guys like drag racing, etc. As long as they enjoy some facet of it, that's the important part.

[SWrailroader]

Bob,
Well said. Sometimes I can be very opinionated. Your perspective reminds me to check that times.
Rob