As I sit here on Superbowl Sunday morning debating whether or not to attend this area's first train show of the year (Medina, Ohio Show), I pose this idea:
For MOST train shows/swap meets, the organizers should make the price of general admission "X" dollars & for Under 12 "X + 10" dollars each. At the very least, the same price for everyone.
Vendors & show volunteers would probably appreciate this, as might many attending enthusiasts (given time). Most folks coming to these shows can afford the hobby and can afford a 'sitter. Or maybe the shows could offer an adult-supervised separate room for the kids. It has been my experience that there is little chance for a meaningful hobby discussion with a child under 12, just inconvience for most around. If YOU happen to have one of THOSE RARE CHILDREN who would fit in, then by all means pay the $ and bring'em in!
Just a Sunday thought...
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3railguy ???????????????
I agree with you John.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
I think it's a good idea in principle; but you've set the age too low. Charge extra for anyone under 65...;-)
Bob Nelson
Just got home from the Medina show. I did not go to the Parma show because I would have to pay for my two kids 4and 6.Most people would not leave there kids with someone they do not know in a place that may not be clean with other children that could be sick.That includes me. Some kids like to look (that would be mine and a few close friend's with children) Besides its the parents with the money to spend. You have to remember its our youth and there memories that will support our hobby in the future. Paying that extra amount would lead to me spending less with the vendors. If anything the fees should be less to bring in more people. Do you pay to go to most flea markets, no most are free. The vendor pays to sell his goods. I dont know what conversations you have but my reason is to look for products at a good price. I take my kids to spend quality time with them, doing something we enjoy! Sorry if this sounds loud but you struck a nerve with me. We were all children at some point in our lives.
Jason
B&O = Best & Only
I like Bob's idea !
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Your suggestion is the exact opposite of what is done at any public train show in which I've been involved. I've been a table holder, customer, and been involved in promoting shows. I cannot think of a public show where children weren't welcome (as evidenced by the ridiculously high fee you are suggesting). Some shows let kids in under 12 for free when accompanied by an adult (most common). Others charge a reduced rate for kids, and some have a family maximum.
The whole idea of a public show is to promote the hobby and give tableholders a chance to sell their trains. Hobbiests want to sell extra stuff. Shop owners want to sell stuff too, but they also want to make the public aware of their store. Various small clubs bring portable layouts for exhibit all their hard work. (often these clubs have no other places to assemble the layout). Some folks conduct clinics to share their knowledge and skills.
WIthout the general public, all this is for nothing.
I'm with Crip. Some adults are worse than kids. I've had more children say "excuse me" than adults. I wonder how many sales have been lost while a intellegent conversation was going on about god knows what variation of what engine has what part different , and the paying customer with the cash walks to another table. I know I've done it. And my 3 year old walks next to me with the biggest smile and makes the decision when I can't choose between two items. Kids and trains go together. I like to see how many people show up to a adult only train show.
I think we can all agree that trainshows are a family event, that adults can be as obnoxious as kids, and maybe the original poster tipped a few too many during the superbowl game before posting.
In 14+ years of attending train shows I don't recall a single problem with a true child. I'd say that at east at every other show I've attended that I've had problems with adults acting extremely childishly (and some of these were the people on the other side of the table).
Most of the larger shows in SE Michigan have the Lego layout (a big hit with the kids) and they often have a Lego table where the kids can build stuff.
I must say, I think this is the first thread I have seen so far that rating it a one star is actually justified...
"Lionel trains are the standard of the world" - Jousha Lionel Cowen
magicman710 I must say, I think this is the first thread I have seen so far that rating it a one star is actually justified...
Actually, it's been nominated as "most classless post of the year" and it's only February 1st!
Everyone here knows I'm new to this hobby, so I might as well be classed as the general public who brings their kid with him for some father/son train time. I wouldn't pay more than a couple of bucks to get my son in there, and it should cost less than adults. People with delicate layouts already have things plexiglassed/roped off to keep kids from destroying it. That should be all it takes. If kids are pulling things off of the train tables, yell at their parents to step up their parenting skills...and put the expensive stuff out of reach.
Having a zone for kids is an awesome idea, but it's just going to be a stop off while you move your away around the building. No parent should ever leave their kids with a stranger at some fairground building, just so they can go up in down some vendor isles by themselves.
Wes
My problem is with strollers, especially doubles. Hard on the ankles.
I'll agree with that...isles are very narrow. It's as hard to get a stroller down the isle as a wheelchair though, and I've done both. :)Wes
I recently hosted a layout open house for some special needs/autistic kids at my own train room. I did not have any of my layout plexiglassed or cordened off. There were a lot of adult voluntreers from the center to help supervise. The kids loved the session. It was actually a beutiful thing to watch there faces as my trains stromed by with whisltes wailing and bells ringing. I will admit to running them a little fasted than usual. The kids were generally very well behaved. The only problem I had was one child picked up a caboose from a moving train, but this was quickly remedied and we went on.
George
You know when I first read this thread I thought... Pay for the Play could mean have a working layout and have kids run the trains for a fee? You could even have adults rent a choice TMCC loco as they run around a layout to exercise the bells and whistles, charge by the laps?... great way to sell a train too....
Well kids take to this hobby or they don't. I was immediately hooked when I was 5...my nephews could take or leave it... best to have the adults decide if the children will do well at the meet or not. If mine act up it cuts an outing real short, then so be it, but that is life...if its a meet where I know I will be very busy then Mom helps out....
The overwhelmingly negative reponse to my Pay to Play posting was not unexpected, but was still disappointing. The subject was presented as an IDEA... food for thought... like giving HO its own room at large auctions. Some VERY DEFENSIVE forum readers out there. Perhaps, you are the same adults that block the tables with strollers or bring in the unruly kids (jdaddy not included)? And to 3railguy, obviously your first reply to this post "????????????????" shows trhat you were confused with the higher math (X + 10) used in the post. Sorry 'bout that!
When my offspring were young enough to fit into the OP's framework they were ALWAYS accompanied by their mother - who had (and has) absolutely ZERO tolerance for misbehavior. By age eight, they were quite able to hold up their end of an intelligent conversation on modeling - they were also assembling kits without supervision.
OTOH, one fellow-member of a club I once belonged to had ZERO tolerance for anyone too young to vote being anywhere near his trains. He got downright obnoxious about it during open houses - to the extent that the membership eventually 'invited his absence.' Years later I heard that his own offspring had done some things that attracted the attention of the law enforcement community...
So, don't be surprised at the negative reaction - it may be the OPs perceptions that are distorted. OTOH, I didn't invite my grandson into the layout room due to his behavior (elsewhere) on his most recent visit. Not all children (or all parents) are created equal.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I think your response was just as defensive...and no one is going to pay a surcharge to get their kids into a trains show. That's a York environment.
I understand what you are saying, but generations of shows have made it work, so this one can too. Strollers move with the flow of people. If a kid had a $100 bill in his hand, I bet you would let him look around with less hassle...oh wait, he does, it's called dad's wallet...
There is a lot to be said about bad parenting too. As a parent, it's our job to be respectful of other's property when our kids are too young to do it themselves. I hear you there.
Zephyrx The overwhelmingly negative reponse to my Pay to Play posting was not unexpected, but was still disappointing. The subject was presented as an IDEA... food for thought... like giving HO its own room at large auctions. Some VERY DEFENSIVE forum readers out there. Perhaps, you are the same adults that block the tables with strollers or bring in the unruly kids (jdaddy not included)? And to 3railguy, obviously your first reply to this post "????????????????" shows trhat you were confused with the higher math (X + 10) used in the post. Sorry 'bout that!
No one was confused. We can read and understood excatly what you were advocating; charging a higher admissions fee for children. With all the discussions of bringing a new generation into the hobby, many found it incredulous that anyone took the time to promote the IDEA. (As they say,Not worth the paper it was written on.) York is a restrictive show, and if you want to attend and see the hobby at its best join TCA.
Knowing John from his past posts, he was not confused by the simple math.
Some of the best train shows in Central Ohio welcomes children with special exhibts, Legos, and floor runners. Everyone once was a kid and I started in this hobby at very early age.
I read and understood you ? I will second Buckeye and Wes's responce!
Zephyrx: And to 3railguy, obviously your first reply to this post "????????????????" shows trhat you were confused with the higher math (X + 10) used in the post. Sorry 'bout that!
I was confused as to whether you had too much to drink, are trolling this forum, or if the forum got spammed. Otherwise, I did not take offense to your tasteless post that comes off as discriminating of children. I suggest you put your money where your mouth is and join a private adult organization.
Zephyrx And to 3railguy, obviously your first reply to this post "????????????????" shows trhat you were confused with the higher math (X + 10) used in the post. Sorry 'bout that!
And to 3railguy, obviously your first reply to this post "????????????????" shows trhat you were confused with the higher math (X + 10) used in the post. Sorry 'bout that!
John....I just wanted to make sure that credit is due where credit is due.
My advice is if you don't like the way a show is run don't go. If some one would want to dump there kid off on someone else to watch should of left the kid at home. As for TCA shows the local show they run in Philly is excellent and the venders seem to love the kids. They have layouts running and train races. And when I go without my son they always ask where he is. (Maybe cause he makes me spend more) If you are going to charge more for a child then you should charge for being overwieght cause you take up more space, or make tall people stand behind shorter people cause the tall ones can see over the short ones shoulder. 5 minute limit at each table. Only 2 questions about a item. Sounds dumb don't it.
Buckeye RiveterJohn....I just wanted to make sure that credit is due where credit is due.
Fixed it. Sorry!!!
PS, thanks for the input.
3railguy Buckeye RiveterJohn....I just wanted to make sure that credit is due where credit is due. Fixed it. Sorry!!! PS, thanks.
PS, thanks.
No problem in the least.
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.
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