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......
,
Dave
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.
Have fun with your trains
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.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
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.
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.
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
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.
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
Yes Walt in this matter i agree with you; as well it does you good, it keeps you bouyed up and also helps you generate enthusiasm within yourself.
I was really disappointed when my grandson Andrew went home after being right into things with me and he hasn't shown any interest since.
His mother is concerned about him and wanted the interest to continue, as he lives in a house full of women with no male influence and i am regarded as a very good influence in this direction.
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