Do we have an(y) obligation to look beyond ourselves and/or our immediate friends, to support and bolster the GR hobby [indoor or outdoors, operating or running], for the future young [Engineers], by participating in Clubs, Public displays, Tours, Shows, dedicated Forums, and possibly purchasing magazines dedicated to our under-rated hobby?
Financial situation not-withstanding:
JimC.
I feel no personal obligation other than to have fun. I don’t actively recruit people into the hobby but I won’t snub my nose at someone who has questions and a genuine curiosity. I buy GR because I like it’s content. I frequent three separate Garden train websites because I am able to accumulate knowledge from them, as well as make good on-line friends.
Mark
I’m usually in the “indoor trains” part of the forums, but let me add my generalized opinion:
I feel an obligation to help keep the hobby going for as long as trains are around (maybe longer, I see models of sailing ships, and they went out well over 100 years ago). The hobby may be shrinking somewhat, but the technological advances make these years the golden years. And there’s always that little kid who see’s a train and wants a trainset…Which may or may not lead to a life long hobby, but often times does…
[2c],
Dave
Most clubs I’ve ever tried to associate with were full of buttholes and morons. So, my answer is no.
Instead of “Obligation” maybe I could have said “Would it be a good idea…” or “Should we…” etc.
JimC.
Maybe I am off key here but,
Every time you buy a train (etc.) from a true store, yes
Every time you pay for a script of a magazine, yes
Every time you show your RR to adults and kids alike, yes
And every time you find a person that thinks he/she likes it ask them to help you BUT give something in turn. Like that old Bman set you have that still runs or something like a old caboose and a section of track to make them a display.
Books are another way to enjoy both.
It is a circle of money changing hands, wealth of knowing shared and then people get the G Scale bug. Massive circle![2c]
Is it a good idea - I say yes. Participation is a two way street and allows knowledge of our unique hobby to flow both ways. Because of my schedule I am seldom able to participate in my local groups activities but when able I try to attend. Because we have a shared interest there is a bond (they do not look at me as if I am crazy to spend a lot of dollars to put toys in the yard). Several of the local members have repeatedly gone out of their way to help me and point me in directions to avoid big mistakes. Without their help and support I could have easily reached a point where I would be tempted to throw in the towel as it is I’m afraid I’m hooked for life.
I was at a train show pulling back issues of the Gazette out of a box when I got into a conversation with a couple about narrow gauge, when they asked what scale I modeled they stated that they were thinking about LS, I answered as many questions as I could and they left later with a Bachmann set and plans to get some brass track and give it a whirl. I seriously doubt that series of events would have occured at a local mall display.
[:D]
I am in agreement with many on this but i have joined an oldies club called “Probus”, which is the retirees arm of “Rotary” and they do not do anything for anyone except themselves and that why i joined it. I have done my bit for others; now i am looking after myself and my wife; at 70 years of age i am entitled.
So no i do not feel obligated to educate people about this pasttime, not at all.
I also agree with Robert about many club memebers.
Rgds Ian
I don’t even care about kids unless they are my grandchildren, let the little buggers look after themselves
Reluctantly I have to agree with Ian. I am only obligated when I spend money, I will freely share knowledge when a question comes up, but no, I don’t feel any special need to promote or “evangelize” my GRR hobby. I view my hobby as something that is 100% for and about me, the other 99% of my life is given over to other people’s problems, so I also feel that I am entitled to selfishness in my hobby. Ditto on club experience.
I fully support the ones who do go out and publicly promote the hobby, kudos to them! I just dont’ have any special feelings that it has to be me.
My wife asked me awhile back, “are you in this for a business or as a hobby?”. I work enough. It is a hobby for me. The projects I take on, I do because I want to. If I buy product, it is because it meets a need or just because I want to. If you are in this as a business, there are differences.
The other time I have heard “obligation” used was in reference to participation in club events. My response is, if what you are doing isn’t working, change what you are doing or how you are doing it. I don’t buy the “obligation” word. “Creativity” is a better word.
CDise
Thanks to all of you for the well thought out responses to the topic. I had no preconceived right or wrong answers for your answers.
Up until this point, I tried to be very careful not to express my own opinion on this topic. I tried to be especially careful in the wording of the question. I didn’t want to skew the answers. I also posted similiar questions on three other forums [just to get a greater variety of answers, ONLY!] to see if there was a significant difference in the types of responses.
My own opinion is → We have no obligation! However, I believe it is a good thing if we do choose to share our hobby with others, and [our] community. Without naming names, there have been several of you that have really been “encouragers” to me in developing the HedgeApple RioGram RR. I believe there is something special about trains, model trains, and especially Garden RRs,and I wouldn’t want that to just “fade away into the sunset.” The comparasons between interpersonal interactions within different scales [Z,N,HO,S,O,&G] in some threads, were particularily enlightening to me.
Again, thanks for all the great replies.
JimC.
I don’t feel an obligation to “Spread the Gospel”! But, on the other hand, I belong to a local club for the social aspect and the opportunity to pick other’s minds about problems and ideas; that in turn opens you to the obligation to let them pick your brain if they so desire! Isn’t that how this forum works?
It’s a hobby ! It’s supposed to be fun ! I ain’t gonna worry what somebody else thinks of me or my way of doing things !
And yes, Ian and TJ are correct about a multitude of those who do join the clubs; however, There are those whom I respect and enjoy being around, the rest I just act politely and dismiss in my mind!
It is a complicated subject, and one that detracts from the fun; so stuff it!
Here, here; Bob I am not a do gooder but if you want to be, well good luck to you.
What i feel about this forum is very similar; it is a place where you can pick up some very good ideas from someone you don’t really know and in the normal space of life you would never be really likely to meet. And conversly you can wrap your little mind around someone elses problems and this is good for a retired person like me, it helps a lot to keep the grey matter working.
I find people who add stuff and it is obvious they have no idea of what they are talking about or the same person patronising you quite annoying. This is quite diffeent to the new person who is seeking help; because if you are looking for guidance this is a very good place to come for it.
Not so good for no nothings and patronisers though.
Rgds Ian
BTW, the idea for this thread came from a discussion with some WAGRS club members recently about "obligation, duty, or desire to “share the hobby.”
Jim Carter
I do feel a personal obligation to do all that I can to promote the hobby, and support newbies. They are the future of this wonderful hobby, with out them it would surly die off.
Good for you, Eric! You have the enthusiasm to do the job it seems. I don’t have the time or motivation with all that I have to do on a day to day basis. My hobby time is scarce, so when I get some of it I spend it all on me.
I would like to jump on the no way bandwagon, for years as a HO modeler I was shuned because I didn’t have a perminate layout ( in the USAF ,20 yrs ). I have found that If YOU CAN’T run your trains at home then most clubs only like your dues. I Will soon be moving to Reno Nv. there is no club in the area. I have A, yes only one, friend in the area we have known each other for about 9 years. He freely admits that he wants to pick what brains I have left. We have been working on the new DNRR (indoor) and his, to be named, (outdoor), I do admit it is nice to have someone to share Idieas with, but will I ever try to promote this hobby I don’t think so[banghead]
Any time your talking “G” scale your promoting it. When some one picks your brain and you suggest some thing it leaves a seed in there brain promotion done.
I love trains and I love model trains. I think this is a wonderful hobby for the right kind of person. However, not everyone has the imagination to fully “get into” this train stuff. So widely promoting the hobby probably won’t do too many people much good.
I think a better idea is to watch for someone, young or old, who loves trains, likes to build, is interested in operation, has a good imagination, and is enthusiastic to learn more about the hobby. Take that person and become a mentor. Not because it’s “good for the hobby” but because it’s about sharing something you love with someone who can appreciate it as much as you do.
Promoting the hobby benefits the manufacturers, retailers, third party and after-market parts suppliers, magazine publishers, writers, and others who stand to profit from an expanding hobby much more than any one of us. Except of course, that as the hobby grows there will probably be a greater variety of products at more reasonable prices available to us all.
Walt