Are model railways more expensive today then 53 years ago?

Well my great clear out continues with an attack on the garage this morning and items listed on eBay. This afternoon saw more action in the Man Cave with more of my oversized magazine collection being ousted! It is sad in one way but creating space can be liberating as well!

Sorting through the magazines does bring about memories and also curiosity. At the moment, following the closure of the UK's largest model railway retailer Hattons and the decision by the Warley Model Railway Club not to hold the country's largest exhibition at the NEC, there is a great deal of debate on YouTube and social media about the future of the model railway hobby and is it going to disappear. One of the common factors raised is the cost of models. With new models sometimes costing upwards of £250 I fully appreciate that not everyone is in a position to buy. However not all models cost so much and I was interested in see this advert on the back of a 1971 issue of the Railway Modeller magazine for the n gauge Farish Pannier locomotive for £5.19.9 in pre-decimal money which is £5.99.

Apparently £5.99 is now in Feb 2024 worth, taking account of inflation, £85.42. Looking at the price for the similar loco today new it has a retail price of £105 but sells for about £95. Not sure if that proves anything but it is an interesting comparison and one to think about.