Have you ever got someone started

[BNSFNUT]

Have you ever introduced someone to the model railroading and had them continue in the hobby?
Over the years I have shown many peaple what the hobby is about and have had a few get hooked and start building a model railroad. I have helped a few new peaple get started on a layout. The last one I helped get started now has an layout 5 times biger than mine. (I will get him for that [:)])
If all of us could get just one new modeler started this hobby would grow at a fast rate.
I do not pu***he hobby on anyone but, if they show any interest in trains I try to get them started.

[pbjwilson]

When I was about 15 yrs old I had an N scale layout in the basement. Some kids down the street who were about 3-4 years younger than I were always asking to see my trains. I'd run my trains for them now and then.

30 years later...

Just last summer I ran into one of them. He now has a collection of some 3,000 pieces of N gauge rolling stock and engines. Blew my mind. He even built custom drawers in his basement to hold his collection.

He even stated that it was me that spurred his interest in N gauge and modelrailroading. A great feel good moment to say the least.

[Anonymous]

My brother showed lots of enthusiasm and interest in trains when he was younger and I'd like to think I encouraged his fascination. Even when I walked away from the hobby for a spell he marched on...and N scale became his passion. He's developed lots of skills over the years, even with his interests in model car kits and other collectibles. I'm proud of him.

[Jetrock]

Well, this past Christmas I brought an out-of-town nephew a trainset as a Christmas gift. We're going to visit next month, and I was told that my nephew wanted to pass along a message, "BRING MORE TRACK!!"

So maybe I've started a new model railroader...apparently his dad is getting in on the act as well, and if a li'l trainset can bring a father and son closer together, I feel pretty good about that particular gift...

[smcgill]

I introduced one of my neighbors to lionel! He has several engines and cars,etc. I have sinced moved (trains are in boxes) but I go over there to play with his!![:D]

[Anonymous]

i got my friend started last summer, we use to play with my ho set until i moved 6 years ago, then last summer when i was visiting he got started in N.

[MAbruce]

I have not directly introduced anyone (besides family), but I've corresponded with several via these forums. So I'm just not sure, and can only hope that I have had some impact.

[AntonioFP45]

My wife's cousin is an ex-Vietnam vet in his early 50s. When I first met him in the late 80s, he was a toy train enthusiast with a large 5x11 layout. He ran mostly Tycos and Lifelikes and was content with "running trains in a circle"

We started talking, I showed him books and magazines and explained the basics (EMD, GE, Alco--what a GP and SD, E and F units, fallen flags,mergers, etc)

After purchasing his first Athearn (a BN F45) and was amazed at looking at a locomotive with a driveshaft, he became hooked!

Today, his loco fleet consists of Atlas, Athearn Genesis units, and "rebuilt" Athearn Blue Box units. Freight cars are a mix but mostly Athearns and Roundhouse. He recently purchased two Spectrum Amtrak F40ph units to run with his Amfleet (Amcan!) and Superliner fleet. Is building a new layout with DCC. Theme: Modern railroading on the BNSF with Amtrak passenger service.



[:)][8)][tup]

[Eriediamond]

Yes, my doctor was intoduced to this hobby by me a couple of years back when he anylized my insanity was brought on by model railroading. He now has a great interest in model railroading, not for modeling, but as a big source of income. [sigh][(-D][(-D]

[bcammack]

Slid my son-in-law an N scale LL GP38-2 and caboose (both CSX as he's a Conductor with 'em) about a year ago, then passed along a piece of rolling stock or two leading up to this Christmas when I dropped Unitrack K-1/K-2 sets and a RailPower 1300 powerpack on him. Now he's talking about building a side-shed on the new garage for his eventual layout.

Last year I picked up an assortment of the Maisto diecast stuff from WalMart and sent it to my five year old grandson. He loved it. Picked up a nice LL HO double-diesel BNSF trainset with EZ Track at Tuesday Mornings for $50 and sent it to him for Christmas. I figured heck, he's only five, but it's practically disposable just to expose him to model railroading. Wrong! Dad reports that there is now a 4x8 sheet of plywood with green indoor/outdoor carpet on it that is the layout's permanent home and Jaime is building structures for it. At least now when I got to a GATS, I can buy bargains for somebody! :)

[vsmith]

Give me a break, i dont even know anyone around me whos doing what I do.

[Jetrock]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Give me a break, i dont even know anyone around me whos doing what I do.

So, in other words, you haven't converted anybody...YET. That doesn't mean you never will...