Hi everyone. I joined this site because I have very fond memories of my dad building a small model railroad when we were kids - but he gave up on it after we all grew up. Well, he just turned 70 and he’s got some amazing hardware kicking around the basement. I would like to encourage him to get back into this. I was thinking of sending him a “History of Model Railroads” book or photo diary sort of thing for his coffee table, but I would entertain anything you all think will ignite this underlying fire…THANKS!
My first thought is that if you are close enough for a weekly visit ask him if he still has any of his old RR stuff on a visit. Start to “browse” thru the stuff and power up a section of track to test and locos he may still have. If they run (even if kinda rough) try to get an oval thrown together.
If you and he “start” the physical process he may be more inclined to continue on his own at his pace. perhaps a monthly “meet” on a certain saturday or sunday will help give him a goal to shoot for?
A subscription to Model Railroader or one of Kalmachs other model train magazines might be good.
im no expert but maybe if you ask for his “help” on how to best build a car kit and conviniently forget the kit at his place, it might get him bitten… or maybe just plain out go and tell him youd wish you guys could build something together… no need to be all teary eye but usually a trip to lumber shop is always a good start
If Dad is inclined, have him spend a bit of time with us. Weekend Photo Fun threads galore, lots of interesting discussions about this 'n that. Show him the Atlas site with its useful tools and guide, and point out the ones that Kalmbach offers. Buy him Classic Trains (new edition on store shelves this week!) It is a quarterly all about steam and early diesel…he’ll think he’d died and moved on to a hogger’s position on the Pennsy… [8D]
…speaking of which, and not incidentally, has also moved on, along with the NYC…[:(]
Where are You located? You could take him to a Model Railroad show if there is one close by.He may even find a friend to help him get started again,or at least get some ideas or information,Alot has changed with model railroading in the last 20 years…DCC, Better Quality products, More off the shelf stuff to buy ready to run or built up structures ready to put on the layout.And more that I can’t think of at the moment…
Just a few suggestions,Good luck trying to get him back into the hobby
For my 70th Birthday, my wife gave a party and everyone brought HO stuff. I had already shown interest, and I am having more fun than ever before with my trains. The subscription to Model Railroader was a help to me, as were all my old copies from the 40’s
D-O-D, you hadn’t mentioned (and it could affect which magazine or other things you got him) - what scale is his ‘old’ equipment? HO? O? O27? Something else? The scale might also affect how much space he may need to allow (once you get his fires sparked).
A question for your consideration…
Blessings on your endeavor,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Is there another generation coming along? Get Gramp to show them some of his stuff and how it works.
Good luck,
Well, thanks for the recommendations! He has abundle of HO scale stuff and a basement that’s big enough to create a small city (at scale), so I might try the subscription to MR and a “bring something HO” to his next party. Of course, had I thought about this sooner, I could’ve worked something around a HO-HO-HO Christmas theme! [I know, that’s a bad one!] [
]
It’s already been said, but if ANYTHING will get a model railroader excited, it would be seeing a bunch of trains running all around, and the people there all excited. Take him to a Train show somewhere in your area, they are great…for everyone of all ages!
You don’t say where you are located but this is the time of year to visit some of the local clubs and or firehouses that have their layouts open to the public. If you say what part of the county you are from you will probably get some specific suggestions. Many are listed at the Model Railroad Mag site in the trains resources under coming events.
Enjoy your Dad’s interest in trains, I didn’t get back into the hobby until I inherited my Dad’s trains when he died.
Something your dad and I have is our “age” group (though I hate to admit it). If I were he, and my son asked me to help him sort through the old stuff, I’d be thrilled. All the best.
Ditto!!!
I agree. Nothing gets me going more than coming on here and getting ideas and being inspired by the photo’s that are posted.