An Update on the State of the Model Train Industry

[minister_for_hardship]

13 hours ago, James Regan said:

Just so we aren't all depressed, Working on the display of various things. Unfortunately, when I upload it appears to be low resolution. 

Better not be anything made in China in there. 

[David Holman]

 The capacity of the Orange Man Baby (as the Daily Star calls the current POTUS), to invade every part of our lives is quite remarkable. The fact that he has now put politics into the former sanctity of our hobby borders on the unforgiveable.

 We must hope that, as with all his other T word shenanigans, it is (mostly) bluff and bluster - what he does as part of 'doing deals'. And focussing attention on himself, of course.

 What never ceases to amaze me is how (particularly in more modern history), regimes built by individuals have prospered, even when basic logic should tell the masses what is proposed is not right. The power of the internet doesn't help either.

Edited Saturday at 06:43 by David Holman

[murphaph]

Trump isn't even trying to hide the actual purpose in his mind of the tariffs. He has stated many times that he intends to eliminate income taxes and to replace them with tariffs, thereby shifting the tax burden from the ultra wealthy to the low and middle income demographic. And his dirt poor supporters lap it up. 

Edited Saturday at 07:47 by murphaph

[DJ Dangerous]

6 hours ago, minister_for_hardship said:

Better not be anything made in China in there. 

What about the cabinets?

Hui Mei sounds like a traditional Irish cabinet maker to me.

4 hours ago, David Holman said:

The power of the internet doesn't help either.

Think you mean the power of stupidity.

[James Regan]

44 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Hui Mei sounds like a traditional Irish cabinet maker to me.

I literally told you it was Chinese. Very observant. A Bright bulb indeed.

This thread is getting too political. It’s easy to throw out red meat to a crowd that already drank the same kool aid. If Trump is stupid it must make you so proud to see your fearless leader Martin groveling at his feet. Fools have underestimated Trump because they don’t like his style and yet he has consistently come out on top. He is no fool. 

[James Regan]

7 hours ago, minister_for_hardship said:

Better not be anything made in China in there. 

I do love the Irish talent for sarcasm. 

[DJ Dangerous]

6 minutes ago, James Regan said:

I literally told you it was Chinese. Very observant. A Bright bulb indeed.

This thread is getting too political. It’s easy to throw out red meat to a crowd that already drank the same kool aid. If Trump is stupid it must make you so proud to see your fearless leader Martin groveling at his feet. Fools have underestimated Trump because they don’t like his style and yet he has consistently come out on top. He is no fool. 

Now now, that’s the opposite of the truth. I forget what that is called. I’m a low watt bulb so your playground tantrum is definitel warranted.

You said the following, while providing no link:

13 hours ago, James Regan said:

 

Started with LFT HUIMEI2Y Glass Display Cabinet on Amazon. I added 12 volt LED track lighting and replaced the shelves with heavier grade 8mm glass from a local glass shop. 

Yet last time, for German manufactured cases, you DID provide a link:

On 27/10/2024 at 1:06 PM, James Regan said:

It’s from a company in Germany and they will ship to the US and elsewhere.

https://www.train-safe.de/en/Our-Products/Acrylic-display-case/Vision/

Selective?

[James Regan]

28 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

I’m a low watt bulb

You said it my friend. I literally told you it was ordered from Amazon. I figure most people on here can find Amazon without a link. The other I provided the link from where it was ordered in Germany. Theres no hiding the ball here. Peace brother! 

[James Regan]

4 hours ago, murphaph said:

And his dirt poor supporters lap it up.

Not sure where you get your information but maybe read a bit more. The Dems get more support from the ‘dirt poor’ as you arrogantly call them. 2024 results by average income group of voters below. Oh and Trump also had 69% support from those ‘Catholics’ - what a bunch of losers they are.
 

2023 total family income:

Under $30,000 (11%)

50%

46%

$30,000-$49,999(16%)

46%

52%

$50,000-$99,999(32%)

46%

52%

$100,000-$199,999(28%)

51%

48%

$200,000 or more(13%)

[DJ Dangerous]

4 minutes ago, James Regan said:

You said it my friend. I literally told you it was ordered from Amazon. I figure most people on here can find Amazon without a link. The other I provided the link from where it was ordered in Germany. Theres no hiding the ball here. Peace brother! 

Can find Amazon without a link?

Or can find one specific Amazon product among thousands, without a link.

Both are very very different things.

Wait, you wouldn’t happen to be trying to belittle me to hide your actions, would you?

Classic misdirection, Archer.

44 minutes ago, James Regan said:

I literally told you it was Chinese. Very observant. A Bright bulb indeed.

Would you mind highlighting that “literal” quote on it being Chinese, please?

[murphaph]

30 minutes ago, James Regan said:

Not sure where you get your information but maybe read a bit more. The Dems get more support from the ‘dirt poor’ as you arrogantly call them. 2024 results by average income group of voters below. Oh and Trump also had 69% support from those ‘Catholics’ - what a bunch of losers they are.
 

 

2023 total family income:

Under $30,000 (11%)

50%

46%

$30,000-$49,999(16%)

46%

52%

$50,000-$99,999(32%)

46%

52%

$100,000-$199,999(28%)

51%

48%

$200,000 or more(13%)

Settle down now James. It wasn't arrogance. It was factual. These people are dirt poor. I was expressing sympathy for them living in trailers that are literally falling to pieces, but still not seeing how they are about to start subsidising the ultra-wealthy by picking up the tariff tab on cheap Chinese made products, so Trump's class can pay no income tax.

[James Regan]

38 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Both are very very different things

Sure, here was me thinking the cabinets were made by Hugh O’Mei down in Cork, rather than some Chinese lad. Thanks for noticing that!

[BosKonay]

Perhaps we might, if possible, return to the topic at hand? Or at least the broad hobby?

As it stands right now if you buy say $400 of models from IRM for delivery to the USA than you will be asked to pay import duties and fees of at least $580 before your models will be released to you. So that $400 loco is now effectively $1000

[DJ Dangerous]

7 hours ago, BosKonay said:

Perhaps we might, if possible, return to the topic at hand? Or at least the broad hobby?

As it stands right now if you buy say $400 of models from IRM for delivery to the USA than you will be asked to pay import duties and fees of at least $580 before your models will be released to you. So that $400 loco is now effectively $1000

Shocking when you lay it out like that!

[James Regan]

9 hours ago, BosKonay said:

As it stands right now if you buy say $400 of models from IRM for delivery to the USA than you will be asked to pay import duties and fees of at least $580 before your models will be released to you. So that $400 loco is now effectively $1000

Thats the 145% tariff for Chinese manufactured models. Guess, i’ll be buying Trix and Roco for a while. Trump is likely to end up giving folks a grace period but I doubt it will be anything but short term. I see Hasbro and Mattel already diversifying production out of China. They see how the winds are blowing.

[James Regan]