Are model trains still popular?

Model railroading might not be as popular as it was 50 years ago, but as long as men, young and old, are fascinated with trains, the hobby isn't going anywhere. ... “Our hobby may not be as popular as it was 20 years ago or more, but it is still fairly popular. There are plenty of people who are still really into it.”

How old are model trains?

The history of model trains stretches back nearly 150 years, almost as old as the railroad industry itself. The first models were not constructed to any one scale or standard, as were more like toys without any way to have different trains working together.