[:D]Getting kids involved

[Anonymous]

MAN, what is the world coming to?[sigh]

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lotus098

So you are convinced any kids are out to destory your layout

Nope, Not worried about that..

QUOTE: , why not invite a kid in, I would if I knew them fairly well?

I do, IF they are escorted by somebody (an adult) I know. But otherwise, No.

QUOTE:

Or are you hinting at being accused of illeagle activity?[xx(]

BINGO!!!! I AM NOT opening myself up to that sort of chance. There are Too many A$$holes out there with lawyers on the speed dial. You can thank your local ambulance chaser litigation lawer and social worker for that attitude.

Now when my Grandnephews are old enough (currently 2 -1/2 and 2) and can actually see the layout while standing on a step, they will be more than welcome.. Thier own trains are ready go and each will have a UT1 to control them. Uncle Jeff (that's me) will play dispatcher and switchman, throwing switches and controlling the master throttle to make sure crashes don't occur.. When my Grandniece (due in about a week or two) is old enough, she will have Her own train, just as my nephew had His own train (led by a Mantua 2-8-2) before he lost interest to video games and television.. He even had his own layout, that I helped him build, showing him how to lay track, solder feeders, build scenery, assemble buildings, the whole shot.. The biggest thrill he got was when I handed Him the soldering iron and coached him through soldering his own wires. Handed Him the hammer and showed him how to nail the tracks without hitting the rails. Put together a toolbox of His own tools that he could use on His layout.

To answer the other question or comment, No I would not open my home to one of those tours.. If My not opening up to strangers in my home signals the end of the hobby, so be it... People have been predicting the end since the hobby started. Just like everything else, it goes through high and low points. It isn't a hobby that is going to appeal to everyone even if it Is the 'worlds greatest hobby' (which I do believe).. If Anything kills this hobby, it's going to be either A, Sticker shock or B, the pi$$ poor quality of the toy store train sets. Both of which will go much further to killing interest than anything else..

Jeff

[twcenterprises]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman

QUOTE: Originally posted by lesterperry



I don't understand your point. The child had to be brought by his grandfather as he can't drive yet. As far as damage goes it is hard to damage something on my R.R. by running trains. Now with a hammer you could.

Forget about the kid driving, that's side stepping the question... Let me make it a little closer.. What if he lived next door?? Would you invite or let him over, unescorted?? My answer to that question, is no way in He11. I don't think the point is very difficult to understand. Damage can occur just by grabbing things, which kids ( and adults) are known to do.

Jeff

I have to disagree with your point. OK, I admit it, I have some prized rolling stock just as you probably do, so when I let the guests visit, i simply park the high dollar stuff out of sight (staging yard), and put the el cheapo Athearn and Roundhouse stuff out. So what if the cheap stuff gets handled or crashed? That's why I use it, and I simply put it back on the track and keep going. When the guests are gone, park the cheapies on the sidelines and roll out the good stuff again. Simple as that, and for shows, you can use whatever cheap stuff you find at the LHS or train show. Most kids like to see those brightly colored boxcars anyway. They won't know or care how prototypical it is. Just my [2c]. OK time to get off the [soapbox]

Brad

[railroadyoshi]

Scott, that is a good point. I think if you slowly introduced more prtotypical stuff, they'd catch on. Also, I think kids will slowly change over time. Now I operate all prototypical equipment, but i still have a Thomas the Tank Engine at my bedside

[TrainFreak409]

I've been thinking recently about this similar subject.

What came to mind was wooden trains. The majority of wooden trains are either Thomas the Tank Engine, or Brio. Both very colorful, and attractive to a child. But, there are also companies that make wooden trains based off of prototypes, such as a Geep. But...does that really attract kids into the rail enthusiast group? They look just like rolling rectangles. They have prototypical paint jobs, like UP, BNSF, CSX, NS, and so on, but does their shape encourage play? Thomas and Brio has interesting shapes for the most part...but rectangles on wheels? I'm not sure if that does any good...

Just a thought running through my head right now.

[lesterperry]

QUOTE: And to answer Your question Lotus, I DO NOT let anyone into my house that I don't know. Period. I don't care What thier motivation for wanting to come in is.

I am not disagreeing with you or picking on you. But you obviously wouldn't take part in an open house scheduale. I do take part in it and promote it. This child came to my layout last year and wished to return. I don't live in a neighborhood where an eleven year old kid could just walk up and ask me. My comment was directed to those who wi***o get more people involved in the hobby which is healthy for the hobby. I try to get people involved because i enjoy it and wi***o share the fun. I am not trying to promote it in order to expand the hobby. I have all I need for my railroad, if ipurchase nothing else I would be OK. Not to say I won't buy anything else. I enjoy seeing the look on a kids face when he is running a long train on a large layout. To each his own, but 20 years from now when there is no more model railroad stuff who do we blame? Last comment from me on this.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Oklahoma Train Nut

Hmmmm...many of these points are very interesting. Would ya'll like the opnion of a kid? Well, here it is: I think that encouragement from older memebers of the hobby is crucial. I still remember when the guys at Wistle Stop Trains (Oklahoma City) repaired a broken coupler free of charge...because of that and other small favors, I go there often, even though i know where I could get stuff alot cheaper. And for a kid that has no set allowance and who's lawnmowing buisness is always in the red [:D], that can be a sacrifice. I hate it when older guys treat me like I know nothing because I am younger...Then I ask them some complex question about operation is Western Oklahoma in 1957.....Or comment on how that SD70 is pulling pullman sleepers...While I don't have a layout, I do give little kids, including my little brothers, the throttle of my trains, under supervision. I do get a little worried about stuff getting broken, but I have never had any bad experince, and seeing their faces light up is always worth while. I have some friends who have inherited a small layout from their dad, and have asked me to help them fix it up and get it into running condition, buit other than that, i have seen little interest in this hobby, besides Thomas the Tankengine (who is very cool, by the way), amongst younger people. One turn off to teens, I think, is price...I have not bought new Model railroad equipment in about a year, due to the fact that whenver I do get a little money (rarley more than $40), I have somthing else to pay for. Even if I did not go on retreats or mission trips with my church yputh group ( which my parents have me pay half for), It would do little good with today's model railroading prices. While some of this canot be helped, I am sure that manufactures could produce low dollar equipment...sure it may not be the best, and it may be without sound, but as long as it runs decently smooth and looks good, I could care less. I was amazed when I saw that it is possible to but Bachmann E-Z command for only $60 (I plan on asking for that and a bunch of E-Z track for Christmas) And though "This is one step to making the hobby more teen friendly. I think, however, that this industry only grow more teen friendly, if teens can prove themselves a profitable market, which they won't unless stuff is easier and more affordable....so here we have it: the Model railroad industry, slowly killing itself.

i agree totally, what you said is why i dont join a club. i might join after my own layout is finished and i know more about operating. but untill then i'm on my own.
also agree with the price thing. i wish i could buy more, but i dont have enough money. like i really need a loco. but i need a bunch of books. which are expensive. so it takes me time to save up. ( luckily i got 3 holiday cupons for $10 off at hobbytown, and i usually only buy books there anyway)

[Anonymous]

Well said Fred!

[fwright]

In answer to rolleiman and others - yes, you should invite in the kid who gathered up the courage to ask you - a total stranger - to see/operate your trains because he/she heard you had some really cool train stuff. Are there some risks with doing this? Absolutely, in today's litigous, risk-averse, and wary society. But the risks don't change the fact that it is the right thing to do.

A benefit to bringing the kid in, besides introducing him/her to the hobby, is the role modeling you are doing. If the unescorted, strange kid asked to see the layout, chances are the kid - for whatever reason - does not have a good parental relationship - or the parent would have become involved. So at the moment of asking - like it or not - you are a role model of how an adult behaves and reacts to and in the presence of kids.

As other have said in the thread, until you have a better relationship with the kid, you probably won't want to expose him/her to your most expensive or valuable equipment. At the same time, please remember this is a hobby, aka toys for boys who never grew up! Very few of us depend upon our trains for our survival so if it gets damaged or destroyed it is not the end of the world. And it doesn't go with you when you die, either.

A short true story. I am currently EBaying the best of my father's model railroad equipment because he does not expect to recover his eyesight or health enough to resume the hobby. He is keeping some of his key tools in the hope that he will have enough recovery to take up a limited amount of N scale in his new home. Keeping that spark of hope alive is important to my father, my mother, and I. As I sort through the trains, I am saddened by how much has never been opened or run or built - he never got a medium size layout (13 x 16ft) complete enough to operate it. Then I see a piece that was a Christmas gift or that he built or displayed, and I'm gladdened again. Most of all, I treasure the memories of sharing model railroading with my Dad. He taught me many new skills, and I learned a great deal, both about modeling and about character, because he taught himself from the ground up in the hobby. And finally, I am honored that he trusts me to properly dispose of his equiment. My kids and I are carefully picking out a few pieces to become family heirlooms - pieces that will remind of us of Grandpa. I'm encouraging the kids (11 and 9) to each pick an Athearn BB or Roundhouse to build in memory of him.

Lessons from my story - you can't take it with you, and you never know until much later how much of an impact you have on kids, even in just a few brief moments.

yours in training
Fred Wright

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lotus098

I still don't get your point either! What are you getting at, that kids shouldn't beinvited to run trains, or that nobody should, I am lost.

WHAT is so difficult about it??? The question was and still IS, Would you invite, an Unescorted, under age 18, person, into your home for the sole purpose of exposing him/her to model railroading?

It's fine dandy and great that you are all exposing your OWN kids to the hobby, but what about the kids who do Not have that parental (or grandparent or uncle or aunt) exposure??

And to answer Your question Lotus, I DO NOT let anyone into my house that I don't know. Period. I don't care What thier motivation for wanting to come in is.

So you are convinced any kids are out to destory your layout, why not invite a kid in, I would if I knew them fairly well? Or are you hinting at being accused of illeagle activity?[xx(]

[joeyegarner]

Well what I think is. Just make it available for them and some will get it and some just wont!! I have raised 2 boys one is now 22 and the other 19, the oldest just didn't go very far with the whole idea of trains or modeling of any kind, while the youngest is buying his first P2K just last week. Now for a little more news on the subject, my 2and 1/2 year old nephew just loves Uncle Joey's trains.

[Anonymous]

I thikt MRR clubs should be more open to teenagers many of you don't know how many clubs require your parent to be a member to join! the only clubs I have been welcome at & have liked are in San diego.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lotus098

I still don't get your point either! What are you getting at, that kids shouldn't beinvited to run trains, or that nobody should, I am lost.

WHAT is so difficult about it??? The question was and still IS, Would you invite, an Unescorted, under age 18, person, into your home for the sole purpose of exposing him/her to model railroading?

It's fine dandy and great that you are all exposing your OWN kids to the hobby, but what about the kids who do Not have that parental (or grandparent or uncle or aunt) exposure??

And to answer Your question Lotus, I DO NOT let anyone into my house that I don't know. Period. I don't care What thier motivation for wanting to come in is.

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm...many of these points are very interesting. Would ya'll like the opnion of a kid? Well, here it is: I think that encouragement from older memebers of the hobby is crucial. I still remember when the guys at Wistle Stop Trains (Oklahoma City) repaired a broken coupler free of charge...because of that and other small favors, I go there often, even though i know where I could get stuff alot cheaper. And for a kid that has no set allowance and who's lawnmowing buisness is always in the red [:D], that can be a sacrifice. I hate it when older guys treat me like I know nothing because I am younger...Then I ask them some complex question about operation is Western Oklahoma in 1957.....Or comment on how that SD70 is pulling pullman sleepers...While I don't have a layout, I do give little kids, including my little brothers, the throttle of my trains, under supervision. I do get a little worried about stuff getting broken, but I have never had any bad experince, and seeing their faces light up is always worth while. I have some friends who have inherited a small layout from their dad, and have asked me to help them fix it up and get it into running condition, buit other than that, i have seen little interest in this hobby, besides Thomas the Tankengine (who is very cool, by the way), amongst younger people. One turn off to teens, I think, is price...I have not bought new Model railroad equipment in about a year, due to the fact that whenver I do get a little money (rarley more than $40), I have somthing else to pay for. Even if I did not go on retreats or mission trips with my church yputh group ( which my parents have me pay half for), It would do little good with today's model railroading prices. While some of this canot be helped, I am sure that manufactures could produce low dollar equipment...sure it may not be the best, and it may be without sound, but as long as it runs decently smooth and looks good, I could care less. I was amazed when I saw that it is possible to but Bachmann E-Z command for only $60 (I plan on asking for that and a bunch of E-Z track for Christmas) And though "This is one step to making the hobby more teen friendly. I think, however, that this industry only grow more teen friendly, if teens can prove themselves a profitable market, which they won't unless stuff is easier and more affordable....so here we have it: the Model railroad industry, slowly killing itself.

[CP5415]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lesterperry
[LET THEM PLAY WITH YOUR TRAINS.

I also agree with that.
I wasn't allowed to get near my Dad's stuff until much later in life.
It wasn't until my late 20's that I got back into the hobby.

I daughter is allowed to handle MOST of my trains. There are some that she's not allowed touch as these have detail parts I like to keep attached or they were given to me by my Dad.
The same rules will apply to my son when he's old enough.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with everyone who is inviting kids into hobby... my own kids have been operating my DCC layout since they were 5. They've grown up with the layout, and are more careful that some adults. At shows, I frequenlty let kids switch in our club's freight yard.

The keys as I see them.... good track work, good running locomotives, and clearly marked layout controls. These factors will make it more enjoyable for the kids.

PS... if you see my kids, don't tell them I adjusted the DCC speed curves on their engines! :)

[Anonymous]

I still don't get your point either! What are you getting at, that kids shouldn't beinvited to run trains, or that nobody should, I am lost.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lesterperry



I don't understand your point. The child had to be brought by his grandfather as he can't drive yet. As far as damage goes it is hard to damage something on my R.R. by running trains. Now with a hammer you could.

Forget about the kid driving, that's side stepping the question... Let me make it a little closer.. What if he lived next door?? Would you invite or let him over, unescorted?? My answer to that question, is no way in He11. I don't think the point is very difficult to understand. Damage can occur just by grabbing things, which kids ( and adults) are known to do.

Jeff

[lesterperry]

QUOTE: Let's look at this another way... Would you have let that 10 or 11 year old come by himself? Without an adult family member? Even if he had been there before with family or during one of those tours and you knew that he wouldn't damage anything.. Would you INVITE him? Again, in the same senerio.. Personally I wouldn't.. Not in todays world.. You hit it on the head when you said the kid brought his grandfather.. It is the Families that must get them involved or at least support them in persuing (sp?) the hobby.

I don't understand your point. The child had to be brought by his grandfather as he can't drive yet. As far as damage goes it is hard to damage something on my R.R. by running trains. Now with a hammer you could. My point is I let kids run trains during open house, they love it. These same kids want to come back. These same kids when I don't have open house get parents or grandparents to call me. Now give this some thought. How persistant would you child have to be to get you to call a stranger asking to see thier trains again?
Now I am a little more accessable than most as I help put the open house scheduale together and my e-mail & phone number is published with it as a contact person. My point is if we want them to be interested in this great hobbie then we must invite them into our world. Give them the controls. There are other controls on most model railroads (power switches, block controls, turnout controls,ect) that you can prevent any major catastrophy if you watch.

[Anonymous]

Here are a few things I've done to get my kids involved.

-- I let my son choose the layout. He wanted mountains, a tunnel, bridges and a river. He chose the Turtle Creek Central.

-- I buy inexpensive Athearn Blue Boxes for my kids to run and keep my Atlas and Stewart locomotives in my sock drawer.

-- Replace the standard couplers with kadees on all locomotives and rolling stock. Nothing will turn them off faster than trains that become unhooked.

[railroadyoshi]

I like trains[:P]...
Anyways, yah. The only way to get them involved is to well, involve them!

[howmus]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragonriversteel


No way in hades,I don't even let my son,control the throttle. I ,like most others on this forum ,have to much time and money tied up in this hobby. There's no way any kid, my son included will ever touch any trains {maybe in the future} . My son has no intrest in model trains or trains ,truth be known. I wish I could get him involved,but his intrest are girls,skateboarding,playstation,computer games. I did have him hooked on MSTS,before the puter crashed. I do think,that once I get the whole layout up and running,he'll want to play with my toys. But only after a very intense training class,on how to handle the trains.

Patrick

Actually you don't need an intense class on how to..... You should stand by him and help him learn the ropes. Note that I didn't say "do it for him". Just be there and help him make good decisions on his own. Adults (as has been mentioned here in other threads) in our world today tend to either let a kid go it completely alone and then are totally pi$$ed that the kid messed up, or do everything for them and wonder why they lost interest. Neither route will produce the best results.

[robengland]

My son has been driving my trains since he was 5. I'd have started him sooner but I didn't have a layout built. Now he's six he has his own N scale layout. He has never raced or deliberately crashed a train. Just explain to them that the rules of the game are that the most realistic driving wins. He knows not to handle locos too much because his coordination isn't there yet - I explained that to him too. And - just as you would with an adult beginner - start them with an old Athearn diesel, not your prize steam.

[Anonymous]

Sorry aobout mY bad typing , I spranged my finger[B)]

[Anonymous]

Yes, well said.LOTUS .when I first operated on a club layout, theadults thought I was just another like someone said "how fast does it go?'" can I crach it " kid, but I really showed them, when I handled m,y equipment well, and ran my triple headed stacktrain sop slowly and carefully that even the peopel who were most suspicois of me encouraged me to go faster, and by the end of the night, they offered me the throttles to their own trians!!!! I stated out with a loop of trachj and some old tyco stuff, hen worked my way up to a layout with KATo diesles.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragonriversteel

Some of you guys ,I'm sure remember a TV show from the 70's. "The Adams Family" ,and do you remember gomez,crashing the trains ? Same thing with kids. How fast does it go ? Can I crash it ?
No way in hades,I don't even let my son,control the throttle. I ,like most others on this forum ,have to much time and money tied up in this hobby. There's no way any kid, my son included will ever touch any trains {maybe in the future} . My son has no intrest in model trains or trains ,truth be known. I wish I could get him involved,but his intrest are girls,skateboarding,playstation,computer games. I did have him hooked on MSTS,before the puter crashed. I do think,that once I get the whole layout up and running,he'll want to play with my toys. But only after a very intense training class,on how to handle the trains.

Patrick

Sure let's get kids interested by giveing them training classes on how to run, then it becomes like school. NOT A GOOD IDEA.[V] A better idea would be just let them run some old Athearn stuff[:)]

[dragonriversteel]

Some of you guys ,I'm sure remember a TV show from the 70's. "The Adams Family" ,and do you remember gomez,crashing the trains ? Same thing with kids. How fast does it go ? Can I crash it ?
No way in hades,I don't even let my son,control the throttle. I ,like most others on this forum ,have to much time and money tied up in this hobby. There's no way any kid, my son included will ever touch any trains {maybe in the future} . My son has no intrest in model trains or trains ,truth be known. I wish I could get him involved,but his intrest are girls,skateboarding,playstation,computer games. I did have him hooked on MSTS,before the puter crashed. I do think,that once I get the whole layout up and running,he'll want to play with my toys. But only after a very intense training class,on how to handle the trains.

Patrick

[aluesch]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lesterperry

A few weeks ago someone posted a topic about kids not interestred in modelrailroading. It seems they are more interested in computers and video games. The question was what do we do about it. I have a suggestion.
Many years ago in my area an open house tour was started. It is done through the month of November. This year there are 97 participants and 2500 scheduals printed. I have participated for 7 or 8 years but this year I didn't. I have had four calls asking why and if they can stop by some time at my convenience. My answer was life got in the way this year and yes you can stop by. Why are these people calling? It is not because I have a layout that is huge. It is not because I have been in magazines. It is because I will give a 7 year old kid the controls of an H8 with 75 coal cars behind it and let him run it 125 MPH. Today a 10 or 11 year old stopped by. He brought his grandfather with him. He brought his own locomotive and wanted to run it on my layout. I said absolutley. He said he has a track at home but no tunnels or bridges or switches ect. So he had a great time running on a big layout. He also ran some of my trians. He had a lot of fun. He told me he was planning a layout for his basement. He was here for over an hour. This was not his first visit here obveously. So how do we get kids involved?
LET THEM PLAY WITH YOUR TRAINS.

I also think computer operation may bring many young kids fascinated by computers back to our hobby. Every time we exhibit at a train show, a large percentage of the crowd attracted to our layout are kids, because the first thing they notice is the lap top.

Regards,
Art
Zimo Agency of North America
http://www.mrsonline.net/

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lesterperry

A few weeks ago someone posted a topic about kids not interestred in modelrailroading. It seems they are more interested in computers and video games. The question was what do we do about it. I have a suggestion.
Many years ago in my area an open house tour was started. It is done through the month of November. This year there are 97 participants and 2500 scheduals printed. I have participated for 7 or 8 years but this year I didn't. I have had four calls asking why and if they can stop by some time at my convenience. My answer was life got in the way this year and yes you can stop by. Why are these people calling? It is not because I have a layout that is huge. It is not because I have been in magazines. It is because I will give a 7 year old kid the controls of an H8 with 75 coal cars behind it and let him run it 125 MPH. Today a 10 or 11 year old stopped by. He brought his grandfather with him. He brought his own locomotive and wanted to run it on my layout. I said absolutley. He said he has a track at home but no tunnels or bridges or switches ect. So he had a great time running on a big layout. He also ran some of my trians. He had a lot of fun. He told me he was planning a layout for his basement. He was here for over an hour. This was not his first visit here obveously. So how do we get kids involved?
LET THEM PLAY WITH YOUR TRAINS.

Let's look at this another way... Would you have let that 10 or 11 year old come by himself? Without an adult family member? Even if he had been there before with family or during one of those tours and you knew that he wouldn't damage anything.. Would you INVITE him? Again, in the same senerio.. Personally I wouldn't.. Not in todays world.. You hit it on the head when you said the kid brought his grandfather.. It is the Families that must get them involved or at least support them in persuing (sp?) the hobby.

When junior is set in front of the boob box (electronic babysitter) at the age of 4 with a game controller in his hands, eventually that's all he'll be interested in.. As far as interest in computers, it depends on what they are doing with the computer. I'm not one of these morons that believes video games promote violence but I do believe they promote stupidity.

Most kids are very creative thinkers.. Just tell one he can't have any cookies before dinner and he'll come up with all kinds of ways to try and convince you he should have one.. The key is to turn that creativity towards creating something, in this case, his own little world based on trains. But that is the parents job as I see it, not mine.. If a friend wants to bring junior to see and yes, even run the trains, he's welcome.. But someone I don't know, No way.

My [2c]
Jeff