Showing posts with label modular Model Railroads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modular Model Railroads. Show all posts

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Caboose Hobbies To Close September 25

It's official. Sadly, Duane Miller, the owner of Caboose Hobbies, is retiring. The unfortunate reality means that Caboose Hobbies will close, effective September 25, 2016.

The Denver Post published a thoughtful article with 11 photos about the impending closure, citing an aging hobby and the impact on retailers like "the world's largest model train store." There is a tendency for those in the hobby to resist investing in new skills and today's society in general seems to reward participation in sports and activities, which are not typically home-based, the typical location for a model layout. Then there is the limitation of the obvious problem with building model railroad layouts--that once it's complete, builders are forced to find new space or clear out entire sections to keep their interest focused. The idea, I thought, was to finish, but the joy seems to be in the journey.

On the other hand, the adaptation of model railroading to this lifestyle is the modular layout, where clubs like the Pikes Peak "N"gineers and the Colorado Rail Link construct table-top sections that fit together in a large room or exhibit hall, which are a significant draw for Train Shows.

The most important aspect of CH's demise was summed up very concisely by Tracy M. Cook in the article:
Building model trains is not as popular of a hobby as it once was. The 3D art form is time-consuming — and expensive — requiring a commitment on both fronts.
It seems that so very few of us have a balance of both commodities, time and money! Entire industries are born offering others more of one for a modest investment in the opposite (or more likely, a combination of both). We all have at least one of these. It's called a job. The sad part is that so many of us put off that layout because time, money or space just aren't the right amount. Tomorrow is never today, and we always think "sometime soon..." seldom realizing that we are really saying "No" or at least, "Not right now."

Whatever the excuse, time just ran out for the biggest retail modeler in the world, and all the money we have probably won't bring it back.⚒

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

TECO Train Show This Weekend in Colorado Springs

In the better-late-than-never department this week, we have the Pikes Peak region TECO Train Show. According to the press release, the show is three days this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are $5 a person, or $8 for a family.

Here are the full details



3 day September show
  • Friday the 12th evening show 4:30 – 7:30 PM
  • Saturday the 13th 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
  • Sunday the 14th 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 
100 Collector/vendor tables, exhibits, clinics, and 600 linear feet of running trains in 6 operating layouts

Continuing our lecture series, there will be special presentations on
  • Colorado Trains, Yard Limits by Tom Van Wormer
    • Friday at 5:30 PM
    • Saturday at 12:30 PM
    • Sunday at 12:30 PM
  • The Joint Line by Allan Clark
    • Saturday at 11:30 AM
    • Sunday at 11:30 AM
  • The Joint Line by Mel McFarland
    • Saturday at 1:30 PM
    • Sunday at 1:30 PM
TECO Shows are geared to accommodate model railroaders from novice to master modeler and to the general public's enjoyment. This is a great family outing event!

Young people ages 6 to 80 can actually operate a model train

www.tecoshow.org

The TECO show is located at the

Freedom Financial Services Expo Center
3650 N Nevada
Colorado Springs CO 80907

Door prizes held hourly! Come and enjoy a fun afternoon at the train show in a nice comfortable 30,000 square foot hall of train exhibits, layouts, vendors and presentations.



Here's a map to the show
Sounds like a great time! You never know what you'll find at these shows!◊