Trains.com

"Pay for Play" Train Shows - An Idea

6580 views
49 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Rhododendron, OR
  • 1,516 posts
Posted by challenger3980 on Monday, February 2, 2009 9:15 PM

Zephyrx

I hope this thread comes to an end,  It obviously serves no purpose in this forum.  One parting question to some of you who took this post personally:  How do you feel about designated areas for families in restaurants?  And to 3railguy & Buckeye.riveter, I don't mean in Chuck-E-Cheese's.

  Your comments about 3railguy and Buckeye serve no purpose on this forum either, and they were far from the only ones who disagreed with your "IDEA".

May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • 2,306 posts
Posted by kpolak on Monday, February 2, 2009 9:40 PM

This started with charging more money to get children into train shows, and has morphed into secluding families in restaurants.

What bothers you about children and families in public places?

Kurt

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • 5,608 posts
Posted by dougdagrump on Monday, February 2, 2009 10:02 PM

Just remember, your kids will eventually decide which retirement home you go to later in life.

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

Proud New Member Of The NRA

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Sunny So. Cal.
  • 3,784 posts
Posted by dbaker48 on Monday, February 2, 2009 10:11 PM

Zephyrx
How do you feel about designated areas for families in restaurants?  And to 3railguy & Buckeye.riveter, I don't mean in Chuck-E-Cheese's.

 

If we follow the logic, it could all work out........

Similiar to smoking; Initially no rules, just common courtesy, 1) Establish designated smoking areas, 2) Ban smoking in restaurants and bars, 3) Ban smoking in public places, 4) Ban smoking in home, if it part of a multi-family building, 5) Permit local cities and communities to ban smoking in geographical limits, 5) Currently, activist group to ban smoking in the entire state.

Just imagine a state without anyone younger than 21 or 18?  

There oughta be a law !   (we need more)

Don

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Kaukauna WI
  • 2,115 posts
Posted by 3railguy on Monday, February 2, 2009 11:31 PM

Zephyrx

I hope this thread comes to an end,  It obviously serves no purpose in this forum.  One parting question to some of you who took this post personally:  How do you feel about designated areas for families in restaurants?  And to 3railguy & Buckeye.riveter, I don't mean in Chuck-E-Cheese's.

Why not Chuck-E-Cheeses? Both trainshows and Chuckee's involve playthings designed to bond children and adults. Model trains and playground equipment. Unless of course you're into delicate brass or something. Then a private association designated to adults is probably for you.

John Long Give me Magnetraction or give me Death.
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Vermont
  • 16 posts
Posted by tfabrizio on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:02 PM
I think the Lionel Set boxes says it all: AGES 8 and UP!!!
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:48 PM

My recollection is that the courtesy was fairly uncommon back before smoking bans were enacted, not that that has a lot to do with banning children from train shows.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 106 posts
Posted by baltimoretrainworks on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 8:30 PM

I haven't posted on this forum in awhile but when I saw this thread it really ticked me off and I had to get on my soap box and to paraphrase Dennis Miller,"I don't mean to go on a rant here, but...".

Why don't we charge extra for anyone we can't have a meaningful train discussion with? Is it that hard for you to take a few minutes of your valuable time to talk to a kid about a train even if it's only "How fast will it go?" or "How many cars can it pull?" These are toys, not adult only items and if you think that only people who have "meaningful" discussions about them make up the majority of us you are sadly mistaken my friend! I guess when my 3 year old grandson wants me to go downstairs with him to play with the choo choos that is an inconvenience. No we have fun PLAYING with our trains, we put ping pong balls in the dump cars and blocks in the gondolas and blow the whistle til the tender just about rattles itself apart and sometimes I just sit there while he makes up a story about moving this or that around on the layout, nothing "meaningful" gets said or done but when all is said and done it was meaningful, to him and to me. If you're willing to blow off younger people because they are some sort of bother to you then maybe you need to find a hobby that doesn't require you to have any contact with other people. I truly pity you.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Rhododendron, OR
  • 1,516 posts
Posted by challenger3980 on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:00 PM

  I could have ALMOST believed this on the MR forum, where they take things like how many rails the tracks have way too seriously. I sure wouldn't have expected it here though.

 


  To ME, I get as much Satisfaction, and Enjoyment out of the Hobby BECAUSE of the Kids. Here are pics of 3 of my Nephews, those Smiles Pretty much say it All.

Doug

May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • 394 posts
Posted by njalb1 on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:10 PM

If you don't like children involved with toy trains then you need to read the Editor's Corner by Allan Miller December 2007 OGR magazine !

" Growing A Great Tradition"

 

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 106 posts
Posted by baltimoretrainworks on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:13 PM

Challenger, if those are dinosaurs in those gondolas I think you have hit the little kid trifecta there, trains, dinosaurs and fire trucks!

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Rhododendron, OR
  • 1,516 posts
Posted by challenger3980 on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:28 PM

It's a good chance those are Dinosaurs in the gondolas, and the firetrucks, well lets just say that my Brother-in-Law is a Fireman/Paramedic. Not having had any Sons of my own, "Uncle Doug" does spoil his Nephews, when it comes to trains, they are all definitely HOOKED.

May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • 394 posts
Posted by njalb1 on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:34 PM

Roger Bielen

My problem is with strollers, especially doubles.  Hard on the ankles.

Guess you have never been run over by a scooter !!

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 82 posts
Posted by cjmeyers on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 11:31 AM

Sounds like he's almost advocating some type of 'baby sitting service'. For a few extra $$$ you can drop your kid off and go train shopping? If your kid is too young to appreciate and accompany you through the show, best to leave 'em home. How many of us have seen plenty of crying / sobbing 'another happy railroader'  kids at shows. I wouldn't dream of dropping my kids off to a stranger to watch 'em while I walked away.

I took the youngest of my three daughters (8yrs old) to York for the first time last year. She was greeted with smiles and warm comments from everyone who met her. Afterwards, when we went out for dinner, she did call Mom and tell her she was 'sick of trains'. Asked if she'd go with me this year, she quickly said 'yes'.

CJ Meyers

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Powell, OH
  • 1,257 posts
Posted by Wes Whitmore on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 11:45 AM

CJ,

I think I saw you and your daughter at York last year!...just a handful of youngsters attended, and me being a newer dad, you tend to look at things like that.  I didn't see any kids acting up while I was there.  Pretty remarkable considering this amount of continuous walking required at York. 

Wes

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Kaukauna WI
  • 2,115 posts
Posted by 3railguy on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 12:16 PM

The pics posted here sum things up pretty well. Very few activities bond children and adults like  model trains do. Both children and adults feel the same thrill and excitement taking things to an inseperable level.

John Long Give me Magnetraction or give me Death.
  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Cape Ann Taxachusetts
  • 3,780 posts
Posted by RockIsland52 on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 12:30 PM

Great pics, guys!  The looks on those happy and engaged faces says it all.  My granddaughter, about the time the pictures are being taken, reminds me of the original task at hand, tells me to put the camera down, and suggests we get back to playing with the trains.

Granted, the young ones can quickly get bored if not disruptive in a public venue as is being discussed.  But isn't that part of parenting and grandparenting?  Spending time WITH them in a less structured environment, stoking the imagination, and developing some social skills?  Spending time doing things WITH the kids rather than dropping them off at some scheduled activity and picking them up later?  

I would rather see parents and grandparents spending time with their children out in public, even when the kids act out and it affects me.  It goes with the territory.  Whether it be a toy train venue, a restaurant, or the grocery store.  These are PUBLIC places.  And the little ones are part of the public.

Deal with it, or visit venues folks don't take their kids to.   

Jack 

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • 394 posts
Posted by njalb1 on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 6:31 PM

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • 394 posts
Posted by njalb1 on Saturday, February 7, 2009 5:18 PM

Tom thought you would like this sign Laugh

 

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: OHIO
  • 52 posts
Posted by Zephyrx on Sunday, February 8, 2009 10:36 AM

Thanks njalb1!  LOVE the sign!  Was it posted in front of 3railguy's home or Buckeye's?

 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month