Model railroad month

[BRAKIE]

rogerhensley

The local hobby shop has done a disappearing act over the past 20 years as people now buy on line, and our kids seem to be more interested in devices than trains.

Roger,That not exactly  true. There are many kids interested in trains.

My oldest grandson hasn't been in a hobby shop or attended a train show in years.. He buys his models on line and saves a ton of money doing so.

Last time I went railfanning there was only three of us old railfans while the other fans was younger including teenagers.

There's a lot of young modelers on you tube as well.

 

[rogerhensley]

Here is a newspaper ad I published in 2017...

 

National Model Railroad Month

When growing up in the 50s, railroads were a part of life. Trains were everywhere. In those days it was hard not to become interested in the hobby of modeling them. Things are different today. The local hobby shop has done a disappearing act over the past 20 years as people now buy on line, and our kids seem to be more interested in devices than trains.  

 

But there is still good reasons for modeling. This is the time to show the public what a great hobby we have. For some people, this is setting up trains around the Christmas tree and hooking up engines, boxcars, and cabooses. And for others with a basement, den or room, indulging in model train “play” is serious business all year round. It is such a huge pastime, that November has been designated National Model Railroad Month.

 

We’re not talking about plastic toys here, but true-to-scale models with lights, whistles, steam, and detailed scenery. There are several model Railroads in and around Anderson, and the Indianapolis and Muncie area is full of them. They come in all sizes from very modest sized layouts to large expansive ones that have taken years to build. The Scenery can be astounding. It’s all possible with model railroading, and it doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby.

 

The Anderson Public Library has a train display open to the public at certain hours, and the Paramount Theater has a display open to the public during it's tree festival, and there are train shows available in November and December.

 

The Madison County Historical Society has a permanent train display featuring several gauges and scales. In addition there is a great 1946 Circus Layout on display. There are photos and memorabilia available for viewing, and all of these things are available during the month of December on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the first three Saturdays as well.  

 

What? You say you aren't interested. Perhaps that's because you haven't been introduced to model railroading. Why not come out and take in some of these activities and bring the kids and grand kids as well!

 

Roger Hensley

[joe323]

It is indeed the MR season.  It usually kicks off for me at the NYSME /METCA swap meet last week in Carlstadt NJ.  Trainworld bombarded my inbox with their kickoff sale on the ninth.  The Greenberg show in Edison is Thanksgiving weekend etc etc.

[maxman]

Well, in the PA., DE., NJ., and MD., region it is, althought we may not call it that:

http://modelrailroadopenhouse.com/

 

[dknelson]

I think it is still a thing; Mike mentioned Trainfest in Milwaukee (and another thread talks about a show in Vancouver) which was Nov 9 and 10.  If you go to Google News and type in "model railroad" and refine the search to most recent, there seems to be lots of model railroad shows and open houses in this month.  I think the link between model trains and Christmas that is often said to have been the creation of Lionel and its advertising makes this "pre-Christmas" season a logical one for train shows.  Pre-Christmas it is and, if you are lucky, also post-yard work season.  As we saw the crowds thin out Sunday afternoon at Trainfest, however, it is also football season.

But it was evident that plenty of toy and scale model trains were being purchased at Trainfest this last weekend.  

Traditionally the editorial in the December or January issue of MR would be a sort of welcome to newcomers because of this association of model trains with Christmas.  

The Wisconsin South Eastern ("WISE) Division of the NMRA that runs Trainfest traditionally tried to follow up Trainfest with "beginner's meets" so that there would be a fairly quick followup for those folks who perhaps are new to model trains as a result of what they bought at Trainfest, or whose interest was raised by attending Trainfest.  But there is so much that a newcomer needs and wants to know that I am not sure a 3 hour meet with clinics can really do much.  Back when I was a beginner the person at the hobby shop counter was a major source of that help.  Now?  Well you can try asking the "voice" at the other end of that 800 number you call to order your trains from I suppose.  Good luck with that.  I imagine at least a few raw beginners find these Forums as well.

Dave Nelson

[BRAKIE]

SeeYou190

For me, every month is Model Railroading month! . -Kevin

Kein, Indeed.. I never knew there was such a thing as  model railroading free month or months simply because I always modeled 12 months a year and still manage to get my summer chores done as well as railfaning..

[riogrande5761]

Ra ra sis boom bah!  GoooOOOO model trains!

[SeeYou190]

There are so many "months" now, that I think these designations have lost all meaning.

.

For me, every month is Model Railroading month!

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-Kevin

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[mbinsewi]

It is for me, because May through November, maybe late October, I'm busy with other outdoor projects, and model railroading is kind of on hold, although I still railfan the trains in my area as much as I can.

I kick off my model railroading season in November, by attending Trainfest in Milwaukee.  

Mike.

[NVSRR]

It model railroad month.  But i havent heard a word about it yet. is it still a thing?