Getting youth active in Model railroading

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
21

While I get your point, it is beyond unrealistic to expect every vender at a train show, or every random modeler at a club or open house to be the “Scout leader, grandfather, mentor” of today’s youth.

Not everybody “loves” children general, or wishes to interact on that level with them.

I love my grandchildren, but to be honest, after raising three kids and three step kids, I’m pretty full up on the kid thing. I’m not the school teacher type, or the Scout leader type - like the elder Dr. Jones said in the movie - “you left just when you started to be interesting”.

I’m in this hobby because I like to sit quitely and build models, not becuase I like large crouds of people - young or old. Oh, I forgot, this hobby is no longer about building models - we just buy them RTR and drop them on KATO track.

Now if a 15 year old wants to sit next to me and learn how to build a Silver Streak wood kit, I might be up for that. I was rather experianced at them by that age.

Sheldon

22

I agree with many of the other posters, many of the younger gen’s have other interests concurrently. They’ll get back to MR-ing eventually. I am 25 and still model off and on. I don’t have a layout, but I go to a show or two every year, and still build structures and freight cars (yes I actually build them, not RTR), all while working full time, and still enjoying other things like traveling and weightlifting. MR-ing is just one piece of a larger puzzle.

23

I have bought a loop of Atlas Tru-Track from ModelTrainstuff, an Athearn Blue Box GP40-2 off Ebay and several freight cars and a Bachmann DC Power Pack at a Train Show. All told I spent about $125.00 on the above and gave this to my 9 year old Grandson who has shown some interest in Model railroading. Next time I see him, I will build an Athearn Blue Box Kit with him, hoping to inspire interest in building models in him.

Beyond doing the above, I don’t know what more we as Model Railroaders can do!

I can assure you that R/C Airplanes is suffering through the same situation as Model Railroading and interest in that hobby is also dwindling.

My opinion is that Modeling in general is struggling and I think all the RTR stuff isn’t helping! For me, the fact that so many of you are willing to cough-up $30.00 for a RTR Freight car, $60.00 for RTR passenger cars and hundreds on RTR locomotives is part and parcel to the current situation! By not having an interest in building these things, you have gutted the hobby of more than 50% of the enjoyment!

You can disagree with my opinion, and so, what else is new? However, I’d request that instead of your espousing your disagreement with me, over my opinions, come up with your own independent opinions on how to create renewed interest in the modeling hobbies!

24

A couple of observations about this topic…

First, when the NMRA convention was in Grand Rapids last summer I went one day and was plesantly surprised to see the number of young families, grandparents with kids, youth and other ‘younger people’ in attendance during that day. I came away pleasantly surprised.

However, the fact remains that kids today are being pulled in so many different directions. I worked with junior/senior high youth for over 20 years and I saw for myself how this is true. It’s not only the gadgets, it’s the schools and parents. I personally know that in my area, if a kid is involved in a major sport, it is almost all consuming. In my area, the parents have allowed the schools to totally take over and make it almost impossilble for, what we used to call, family time. Then you have parents who insist that their kids be involved in soccer, dance lessons, music - and the kid is exhausted. I saw this so many times and, in some instances, we need to let kids be kids and not live vicariously though them. That said, it does affect people entering any hobby because there isn’t time or energy.

Now a word about cost - we have talked about this many times. If anyone out there is a golfer - and I do play - have you priced the latest driver, shirt, bag, set of irons, lessons, not to mention green fees? In northern Michigan, depending on the time of year and course, these fees can be well over $125. If you want the latest and greatest, it is a very expensive sport and when you live in Michigan, the season lasts for about 7 months. So, I know we get concerned about cost, so look at some other activities and we are not alone.

Please don’t think I am ranting, but we need to understand that the world has changed - it’s not late father’s time anymore.

The OP said - ‘we need to do something about this.’ My question is, what are we doing as individuals to

25

LOL

Doggone it, Sheldon, you took the word right out of my mouth.

As I read the initial post, I thought the same thing. Why?

What do I care?

Why should I care?

To me, it is similar to one younger person saying to another that we have to get older guys involved in RC planes, RC cars, X-Box, and WI. Why?

Rich

26

HAROLDA, I could not agree more! Don’t get me started on how stupidly this country has been pushing SPORTS to children, to the detriment of education, which should be the focus of our schools and not sports!

27

this is the thing I am young I am 23 the thing is i had a Model railway when i was 10 built for me by my Grandfather but we moved into a house that was to small for it now i have always been fascinated by trains both real and model but as grew up i got interested in other things like tabletop wargames it was only when my then Girlfriend now Wife to be was looking through my stack of PS2 games and found a Game Called A-train 6 by Artdink after a few hours of that the next weekend we were down at the local model shop looking at trains

28

Chris,

We have had great luck with younger modelers. A few things:

  1. Boys in particular learn by touching/moving–let them do so with models that aren’t fragile.

  2. Having some kids talk/demonstrate to new kids helps a lot. So, we have a core of kids that we help them reach out to other kids. Like arranging birthday parties.

  3. Sound is very helpful to gain interest.

  4. They will get bored with just running trains(just like us). So, have some activities for them to do, like assembling a kit or painting, etc.

  5. As the kids get older they will be able to understand the concepts of operations and so this will help them maintain interest in running trains. Give them a switch list and have them work as teams–they really like it.

Richard

29

Not trying to offend any particular person here…

Every time someone gets a wild hare and starts talking, either directly or through innuendo, about “responsibility to the hobby,” I do one of two things: Laugh at their presumptuousness or walk away without listening at all.

Model Railroad back in the 1980s or 1990s was pretty full of that crap, and I nearly dropped them for good before they dropped that mantra.

This is my hobby. I have no responsbility to it at all. I do it because I enjoy it - period. When I no longer enjoy it (if ever) I’ll abandon it without looking back once. Meanwhile, go stuff your calamitous paranoia about whatever aspect of the hobby you think is in crises somewhere else, OK?

[:o)]

30

If I had to build models, I wouldn’t be in this hobby. A major factor that brought me back is all the cool, RTR, highly detailed, sound-equipped locos and cars that I don’t have to build myself. I just don’t have the time or attention span to complete what I want. And if I can have models of stuff that I handle in real life - so much the better.

Am I a true modeler? Who knows, and who cares.

31

+1

As I have said before, I am grateful that the folks I talked to at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum were excited to get me introduced to this hobby. They took time to answer my questions, including recommending that I start with Kato RTR engines and track. They took me “behind the glass” of the exhibits, showed me their collections and patiently answered my questions. Right behind them has been this community and my local MRR store. Thank goodness there are ambassadors for the hobby or I would still have a bunch of money still sitting in my pocket.

32

whoa hold up there are different opinions on how this hobby went, Space is a big factor we all know this and if someone wants to set up the unitrack, eztrack, whatever and run trains it’s still model railroading. everybodies entitled to their opinions but remember to what’s said there will be a risk of backlash. to each their own.

33

The OP was asking about youth. IMHO, hopefully that’s what we’re posting about vs a general thread on why you’re in or out of the hobby or what you do or don’t like.

Richard

34

I’ve not seen anyone mention or suggest helping out with the local Youth In Model Railroading Division (as I do) nor starting a division in an area where one does not exist, or any youth oriented club. A few years ago my club actually put together a “family membership” option along these lines of thought.

I actually think there are many fewer divisions than there were 10 years go. At that time Walthers almost became a corporate sponsor but they decided to go a different route. Youth organizations have many different problems than a normal MR club, especially when it comes to long time membership and shows. Children can’t just take off on Friday to get the displays set up, and really can’t just take off a couple days in order to get to/from the show in the next town on time.

35

There is a specific thread category on the trains website.

http://cs.trains.com/trc/f/218.aspx

Richard

36

The Reading Society of Model Engineers has had some success with the Explorer Post that they support.

I think that the problem is that so few kids are exposed to model trains. In addition, the environment at schools discourages playing with “toy” trains, and I’ve even heard of instances of bullying because a kid was into model railroading. Model Railroading is constantly viewed as an old man’s hobby, and kids who are into trains as a teenager are viewed like there is something wrong with them.

Case in point. Two TV programs recently (NUMBERS and 2 1/2 Men) had model railroaders and railfans as characters on the show. In NUMBERS, the attitude towards the railfan was along the lines of “don’t you have something better to do with your time than watch trains”, and the model railroader at the railroad museum was 25-ish an protrayed as odd and possibly a little creepy. In 2 1/2 men, the model railroader was a friend of the kid’s father and was a total nut case - but with a very nice layout.

Is it any wonder that not many teenagers aren’t into model railroading?

Anyway, “Keep your stick on the ice.”

Ever try modeling in Duct Tape?

37

I was youth at one time. Had interest, but never the money. Just had to wait a few years… I suspect many of us had similar pasts.

38

Given the skyrocketing childhood obesity rates, getting them running around outside is probably a pretty good idea.

39

I know I’m going to get in trouble here, but shows like 2-1/2 Men are the worst kind of trash on television. They portray the good people as nerds and losers while those of low moral character are glorified as winners.

Real life is generally the reverse. If you are letting or encouraging your child to watch that, you have bigger problems than getting them interested in model trains.

Sheldon

40

Sheldon,

Th