P & S Hobbies York shop to close, Scarborough shop to carry on.

PhilP said:
Just think about that statement, for a minute..
Then add up the capital you would have to tie-up, in holding that amount of stock.
Rent, rates, energy, insurance, staff costs...

The numbers soon get very frightening.

Then add in limited production runs, and it becomes a nightmare.

PhilP.
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That's where the manufacturers are shafting the hobby. The manufacturers will be the reason for the death of G Scale. I admit, I'm lucky and fortunate to be able to purchase the odd LGB T3 or whatever. But where's the little Schoma or Field Locomotive for a few hundred quid without DCC to ignite interest, and be stackable in a shop? DCC when I started was a choice. I started with cheap 4 wheelers, no DCC, and I gradually converted them. That option that I did has been taken away by LGB....

For reference I started purchasing those cheap models when I was 22. They no longer exist.
 
duncan1_9_8_4 said:
That's where the manufacturers are shafting the hobby. The manufacturers will be the reason for the death of G Scale. I admit, I'm lucky and fortunate to be able to purchase the odd LGB T3 or whatever. But where's the little Schoma or Field Locomotive for a few hundred quid without DCC to ignite interest, and be stackable in a shop? DCC when I started was a choice. I started with cheap 4 wheelers, no DCC, and I gradually converted them. That option that I did has been taken away by LGB....

For reference I started purchasing those cheap models when I was 22. They no longer exist.
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I'm with Duncan here. Like most I have limited disposable income and a variety of interests not just Garden Railways ( Please don't think too badly of me). I would never consider paying several thousand pound for a Locomotive and, as I run Analogue, a lot of its features would be redundant. Several hundred pounds for a 2nd hand one is still a considered purchase.Over the years I have upgraded the railway,.railclamps and metal wheels on the rolling stock, but I'm now at the stage at looking at the cost of things and wondering how if I can take this hobby any further. More Chinese knock off rolling stock would help. You don't feel as bad if you bodge a job on a £30 odd pound purchase. More choice of starter sets. I thought the Piko battery operated remote controls would be a step forward but at the prices they are charging now I think not.
 
brokenwing said:
I'm with Duncan here. Like most I have limited disposable income and a variety of interests not just Garden Railways ( Please don't think too badly of me). I would never consider paying several thousand pound for a Locomotive and, as I run Analogue, a lot of its features would be redundant. Several hundred pounds for a 2nd hand one is still a considered purchase.Over the years I have upgraded the railway,.railclamps and metal wheels on the rolling stock, but I'm now at the stage at looking at the cost of things and wondering how if I can take this hobby any further. More Chinese knock off rolling stock would help. You don't feel as bad if you bodge a job on a £30 odd pound purchase. More choice of starter sets. I thought the Piko battery operated remote controls would be a step forward but at the prices they are charging now I think not.
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All hobbies can be ludicrously expensive if you let them be. Enjoy the equipment you have, and as you've been doing, add and improve things slowly.
 
brokenwing said:
I'm with Duncan here. Like most I have limited disposable income and a variety of interests not just Garden Railways ( Please don't think too badly of me). I would never consider paying several thousand pound for a Locomotive and, as I run Analogue, a lot of its features would be redundant. Several hundred pounds for a 2nd hand one is still a considered purchase.Over the years I have upgraded the railway,.railclamps and metal wheels on the rolling stock, but I'm now at the stage at looking at the cost of things and wondering how if I can take this hobby any further. More Chinese knock off rolling stock would help. You don't feel as bad if you bodge a job on a £30 odd pound purchase. More choice of starter sets. I thought the Piko battery operated remote controls would be a step forward but at the prices they are charging now I think not.
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There are many kits that come with complete chassis and wheels at affordable prices, cost is as you say a big worry but with a bit of sideways thinking can be reduced. Second hand LGB can be had at relatively affordable prices if you are prepared to look at older offerings, even GRS can have some good valued items.
 
duncan1_9_8_4 said:
Worrying times for the hobby. We need to get the younger end interested again. LGB and Piko need to take note about the age demographic. I'm 40, and I consider myself young for this hobby. A lack of shops selling the stuff will not help the hobby grow.
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Sorry to be late on this, but when I interviewed SinisaStanisic from LGB for the September 2024 issue of Garden Rail, he made the point that the company is looking hard at the younger market. You can see the (relatively) bargain starter sets and things like the Lego-topped wagon as a way to introduce play value. Not sure what more they can really do beyond that, a certain amount requires the hobby to help itself.
 
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