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What Really Keeps People From This Hobby?
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First of all I salute all Grandpas and Grandmas that spend time and share the past with the young ones. <br /> <br />I dont buy the money or space argument. 90% of the hobbies out there take only 500-1000 bucks to really get into and MRR is one of them. <br /> <br />Clubs that set up large modular layouts are at once doing a big service and a little disservice to the hobby. While large layouts are grand and impressive and spark interest in MRR and draw the crowd in, the initial exposure to a large layout leads the newbie into believing that this is "the only way". then the space and cost arguments come into play, then they lose interest because its just too big an endeavour never knowing or seeing what a small layout can do. Much more emphasis on small layouts (2x4 nscale for example) and dioramas is needed to really spark interest to bring new people to MRR esp the young ones. They are more "charming" to young people. I strongly beleive that very well detailed small layouts and dioramas are much better at firing up the "I want to do this too" urge than large layouts. <br /> <br />Look at it from this perspective:These guys set up there modules in a perimeter like a castle or defensive position. They run the trains standing inside the defensive perimeter. Very seldom do I see them invite a spectator or kid to run the trains. This totally reinforces the introverted perception of this hobby. Oh yea, most of the MRRs are freindly and answer questions etc. but this is a subliminal yet significant impression to the perspective MRR. I say get some remotes, get outside the defensive position, stand next to the spectators, and let'em do some switching and point to point ops. Much less intimidating to them. Much more fun for everybody. That way they are forced to look at the train going by the scenery, focus on the operational task, and they have an experience, not just gawking at the whole layout, eyes darting around not knowing what really to look at. You have to give them an experience, not just display. Think of it as First day engineer training. <br /> <br />Elsewhere here is mentioned that maybe an informal club is better than a formal one. Totally disagree with that notion. My experience has shown me that an informal club is much LESS inviting to a newcomer than a formal one. Sloppyness and informality lends the perception of clubbyness, insider, oldtimer etc. It is breaking into a personal circle of freinds and youre the stranger, the newbie. You really have to be a freind of on of the "members" before you join. Waste of time. Formal clubs with charters, schedules, formal rules, patches, gavel banging and so one gives the newbie a sense of "I can belong - if I pay my due, participate, and follow the rules". When they come back for their second meeting BAM! they have a much stronger feeling of being a member. Of course, strong friendship along with the kinship of the hobby we all feel comes right after that. <br /> <br />Formality. Rules. Charters. Organization. THIS IS HOW TO RUN A RAILROAD. And you must agree that operating your layout like a prototype has much more satisfaction than just racing trains around the track. Much bigger sense of accomplishment is created by mere participation in a formal club. Given our current society and basic human nature, a sense of order and displine and belonging would be almost a breath of fresh air to the newbie in contrast to the chaos of everyday life, dont you think? It was for me. <br /> <br />On another note: <br /> <br />I had to laugh at several "think we're bad, just look at the trekkies!" posts in this thread. I know that no insult was intended so dont get defensive :) I dont really go for the costumes or conventions, but yes I know every original series episode by heart argue warp drive thoery etc. The ONLY significant difference I see between MRRs and the Trek kers is Trekkers are more extroverted than MRRs. Thats fine with me as I like the "calmer" crowds anyway. They spend as much time and have as much passion for their hobby as do we. Same percentage of detail freaks too. About the same number of klingons as well LOL. There are many aspects of "Trekdom" than just the costumes! <br /> <br />-LS
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