Sunday's "For Better or Worse"

[Capt Bob Johnson]

My wife and I were discussing this very idea this past Friday Evening. If Kids are the future of the hobby, how do you get them interested if you don't let them touch?

Yes, my grandkids are allowed to be hands on around here. The 2 older ones (He's 15 and she's 12)have become quite expert at running things when we have open houses, and the 6 year old is a great gofer! Sure, the girls play dolls on the railroad, and the boy will sometimes foul up with his experimentation, but how in the heck are they gonna learn if we don't let them make some mistakes and then show them a better way to do it? The other set of grandkids are also allowed to play with pop pop's trains; and out of the 8 grands I have, the 4 year old is the biggest train fan of all; and he knows which ones he wants on the track at any given time!

I can put a train on and he will run around the layout with it for hours on end, and fight not to go when they have to leave.

That is what will be our future, and I'd surely rather have them playing with my trains than drugs!

[Anonymous]

GRANDPAW is in trouble again , i know the feeling. Ben

[Anonymous]

He's playing with his trains again and he wants them all to himself. Exactly my sentiments.