Lets face it the 'Trams' section has had 1 thread in over 3 years, the 'Scale model railway wagons' has had 3 threads in the 2 years. It seems to me nobody reads them so why not just get rid and simply the whole thing ?
I think the real problem is that most threads end up in 'general questions' etc. because people think they will get more replies.
On one forum I use threads are sometimes allowed to remain in the 'general' topic for a day or two, then moved to their rightful place once they have a head of steam. I may start doing that in future.
On another unrelated forum they have a section which is only visible to 'old hands' with more than a thousand posts. You don't even know it exists until you become eligible. It is very useful for discussing forum matters and awkward topics / people, controversial subjects and spats amongst long term members can be held I private without newcomers and casual observers thinking it is an unfriendly environment.