by Bob Browne
Note: Bob wrote this as a a Letter to the Editor of the Seattle Times in regards to this article in February 22’s paper. –Al Lowe
Nice piece on the closing of American Eagles and North End Train Center. It is unfortunate that we live in times where the sources of much our learning is disappearing, the building of kits and railroads forces us to learn how things come together and how many things we take for granted are the result of technical revolution.
In addition to the electronic age taking away much of our free time and the potential for interacting with other age groups, shops like these are vital to neighborhoods and are not just part of the ‘Mall Scene’ where we see more and more jewelry, fancy clothes, food courts and telephone stores. The disparaged ‘Strip Mall’ is where we find most of our necessary things such as groceries, drug stores, auto supply and even newspaper stands.
For the hobbies, we are doing it to ourselves as more and more of the sources of knowledge and assistance are moving to ‘on-line’ sellers and even these begin to dry up as inventory in shops that are closing is not replaced.
For my own life, it is a scene that will never be replaced. The 70 years I have spent in prowling hobby shops has been most enjoyable and a source of much knowledge. The ‘hands on’ feel of a product and the accessories that are needed to support it are gradually disappearing. Even the newsletter from our model railroad group has moved on-line and has largely disappeared. Thanks.
As a life-long model railroader, a senior, and a former hobby shop owner, I find myself on both sides of this article. It does seem like the old shops are vanishing. I think this is primarily because they are very personal, one owner business and the folks in charge, like myself, have decided to enjoy a retirement and not die behind the counter.
I think that the dissapearance of learning sources and the subsequent lack of skills is overstated. In Tacoma, we have three active clubs, two well-attended monthly clinics, and several informal groups that get together to build/operate private layouts. Additionally, we still have four hobby shops, two with extensive railroading supplies.
That said, in the words of Arlo Guthrie, ” The times,they are a’changin.” More and more supplies are available on line and the selection of what is available is broader than ever. Just pick up the current Walther’s catalog and browse thru it. The problem here is buying on line deprives the modeller of the “hands-on” experience, a knowlegable person to talk over your needs, and a distinctive lack of availablilty of the “little” stuff; detail parts, stripwood, etc.,from the mail order businesses. (Not universally true, but you have to look for it.) Further, you are buying a pig in a poke. If it’s broken or not what you wanted, it must be wrapped up in the original packing, a return authorization obtained, and sent back.
If you bought it at an on-line “auction” (no names, but you know them) GOOD LUCK with that!
Alas, some things are becoming scarce, and I know how Bob feels. For most of my 66 years I prowled the hobby shops in 8 states and four countries. Fond memories, those. But the hobby is not going away, it is changing its paradigm. If one does not fight but embraces the computer age, with all its warts, the knowlege, skills and supplies are there, and more abundant than ever. And the clubs, conventions, clinics, remaining shops, and informal groups of fellow model railroaders can and do supply the help and fellowship we all need.
Thanks, Dale, for what I believe is an accurate and honest assessment of where the hobby is today.
I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s all about trade-offs. We lose the hands-on experience to gain lower prices. We lose the camaraderie of the shop floor to gain the experience of thousands of hobbyists in online forums. We lose the expertise of guys like you but gain access to almost anything at any time.
And wasn’t that Bob Dylan?
in the words of Arlo Guthrie, ” The times, they are a’changin.”
C’mon Dale. You’re old enough to know the difference between Guthrie and Zimmerman.
Or, was this just a “senior moment” ? We all have them.