I know this is a topic that tends to start flame wars. But being in my mid 30s and having been active in the hobby in one way or another, perhaps I can offer a different perspective.
First and foremost, my layout is only to the point of clompletion it's at now because the benchwork and track were done before I had kids. Caring for a an almost three-year old and a 10-month old takes a lot of time and energy. There's no way I'd be able to take on that amount of work now that I have kids.
Secondly, kids today are very over-scheduled. It's constant sports practices and music lessons and other extra curiculars and then homework on top of that. So kids don't have a lot of free time. When I was in seventh grade, I had a small O-Gauge layout and I'd come home looking forward to running it. Only I found myself up till 9 at night doing homework. I'd be doing rote grammer exercises, looking longingly at the layout and cursing my teachers under my breath.
With all that in mind, it's little wonder parents or children aren't picking up the hobby. Throw in some of the other factors discussed elswhere and it's easy to see why it's laregly retiriees in the hobby.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
Personally, my experience has beenthat there's all ages of folks out there, it's just that old folks tend to hang with others of their own age, while young ones tend to do the same. We're all pretty much familiar with where the old geezers hang out, because we are one
Young model railroaders are definitely around. Bunch of them here in town, in large oart because of the more than century old Illini Railroad Club at the big U. They're being forced to find a new home on campus. They also do field trips and volunteer at the Monticello RR Museum. I suspect most of them are on social meda, but I don't do that sort of thing so it would be easy to get the wrong impression about younger model railroaders if I didn;t already know they were out there and active.
Yes, having family makes it that much harder to find time, plus the fact that grabby kids around the layout need close supervision, keeping in mind this could miss out on opportunities to begin enjoying the hobby. Life is a risky endeavor, though.
Like humans often do, people in our hobby tend to self-segregate into groups that are "people like them." I think it takes some determined effort to overcome that tendency and bring a mix of modelers together. Around here, my friend Rick seems to do a particularly good job of coming up with a mix of all ages and abilities as operators. This is not something that just happens when it should, but takes some concerted effort to make happen.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I'm sure ''time'' is a factor,but I believe a bigger one is disposable income or lack thereof.
If one was to start from scratch,simple bench work,modest trackplan, a ''decent''engine,and control system, add some low end rolling stock you couldn't do it for under $300. And how long befor you get bored and want to add somthing.
Kids today don't work[whole nother thread].The few who do spend there money on cars,girls trips to the mall ect.Fast froward; late 20s and on thire own, realize how mutch it takes to live when mom and dad aint paying for it any more.
From there to late 40s;house, keeping a car on the road, groceries,if your starting a family, add 3-4 times that. How are you to explain spending the weeks grocery money on model trains.
I have to wonder at some folks who believe its thire calling, to shove a model train down the throat of every kid they can grab. Say you get the youngster hooked.Who going to feed thire fire to keep it going, mom and dad grandpa ?
I got interested back in my 20s, no money,tryed to do it on the cheap.Ended up with junk that didn't work, gave up.Did that twice. Later I became better informed but no money, see above. It wasn't till my late 50s that I had income I could spare, and started a real layout. Even that seed money came from nonhousehold budget.
I'm sure there are exceptions, but I'll bet not many
I believe, the interest, and creativity, of buildings models in general, cars, ships, buildings, monster figures, war gaming, and trains, or whatever, at any scale, is "wired in", and no amount of pushing, coaxing, or encouragement will make a difference. It may work for a while, but will eventually pass.
And if kids today are so pressured into sports, music, or what ever things mom and dad think they should be pursuing, who is to blame!?
Mike.
My You Tube
I happen to know one of those "over acheivers" she has ZERO free time between school, work, church, ect...
I will say something in defense of my generation, it's partially to blame on the way society is nowadays, there are hard working people of my generation but they're a bit scattered among the others...
Although I do agree that my generation tends to be "lack luster" in the work department among other things...
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
GP-9_Man11786So kids don't have a lot of free time.
You should see some of those gaming videos teens are downloading on you tube..There are teen model railroad and railfan videos as well to be found on you tube. Not all kids are interested in sports or after school activities.
Neither of my grandsons went for sports or after school activities both was making money off you tube by downloading videos. My granddaughter never went for that stuff either because she was to busy doing home work and studying medical books because she wanted to get a jump start on her path to become a LPN. Today she is in her second year of Med School.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I just want to know when the "kids these days are just interested in video games!!" trope will go away. Its been 40 years now.
Here are two statements, which one is more ridiculous?
"I couldn't take my kid to Hockey practice because I had to work on my model railroad".
"I couldn't work on my Model Railroad because I had to take my kid to hockey practice".
We have a choice in the direction our lives take. Having kids is a choice as is getting married. Kids are the pastime of choice if you choose to have them, devoting your life to them to see them on their way should not be a chore any more than working on your railroad should be a chore. No, you can't do everything in life but saying you can't do something (like work on the railroad) because you have to look after the kids is like saying we couldn't stay at the Motel 6 because we had to stay at the Hyatt.
Kids should not be made to do anything that does not interest them, however, they should be introduced to as many things the world has to offer as reasonably possible and from that find their own way knowing you have their back if needed. The only reason they are sitting in front of the tube is because their parents are too.
I don't know why young healthy people work in mundane low paying jobs when there are high paying jobs all over the world in the resource industry. Take five years out of your life and you are set for life. Either you will have made enough that a blue collar job will be enough for the standard of living you wish to have because your house and car are paid for, or you will have made enough to pay for that education you really want.
Some people let things happen, others make things happen. Choose!
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I'm 31, by far the youngest modeler in the group I now I operate with. Tonight is an op session, the next youngest person is in his mid 50s. His son was two years younger than me in school.
I grew up with video games, Hot Wheels, and Legos. I still play video games as a way to stay in touch with friends or to relax. I'm a teacher, so much of my time after school at home I still getting lesson plans done or grading papers because we have meetings or parents to deal with during our "break" time. My wife is also a teacher and is currently in grad school. We're hopeful to start a family this year or next.
I try to make time, a least an hour each day to "relax." Whether that is leisure reading, working out, video games, or usually reading or watching train related content. After teaching for 8 hours, working on lesson plans or grading papers, sometimes a "mindless" activity is nice my layout is just track laid on foam, still need more track before I can start to think about running anything.
People of my generation seem very money driven and committed to their work. Not saying that was/isn't the case of generations before me, though. Friends with young children are wanting to spend time with their children and focus on kid oriented activities. I know life will change drastically when my wife and I have children, but I hope to find time each day or week to enjoy my hobby. I've tried to narrow my interests down from sports memorabilia collecting, WWI postcard collecting, model railroading, and being a passionate sports fan. The trains have taken precedence lately, so hopefully I can find my focus.
There are a lot of factors for why the demography up the hobby sees fewer younger adults or kids. Like others have said, it comes down to choice and finances, in my opinion.
GP-9_Man11786 I know this is a topic that tends to start flame wars. But being in my mid 30s and having been active in the hobby in one way or another, perhaps I can offer a different perspective. First and foremost, my layout is only to the point of clompletion it's at now because the benchwork and track were done before I had kids. Caring for a an almost three-year old and a 10-month old takes a lot of time and energy. There's no way I'd be able to take on that amount of work now that I have kids. Secondly, kids today are very over-scheduled. It's constant sports practices and music lessons and other extra curiculars and then homework on top of that. So kids don't have a lot of free time. When I was in seventh grade, I had a small O-Gauge layout and I'd come home looking forward to running it. Only I found myself up till 9 at night doing homework. I'd be doing rote grammer exercises, looking longingly at the layout and cursing my teachers under my breath. With all that in mind, it's little wonder parents or children aren't picking up the hobby. Throw in some of the other factors discussed elswhere and it's easy to see why it's laregly retiriees in the hobby.
Don'tcha know it. There are those who have had a finished layout in their basement for 40+ years and then puff out their chests and wonder aloud in forums why others can't do what they did. They talk to us like there is something wrong with us in some forums and it's some how our fault and we are flawed in some way that we couldn't do the cool things they did.
You are right, it isn't easy and not everyone can get all the stars to align like that. You don't have to be a retiree, but it helps a lot to be past the really busy phase of child rearing etc.
And hopefully you'll have a happy stable marriage because for those of us where the marriage went south, and ended up with an expensive divorce we didn't want and with 15 years of paying exorbitant child support and lived in tiny apartments, that tends to put the kibosh on the hobby as well, especially layout building.
Your youngish adult perspective is all too well understood by many of us older folks who have been their and done that. You have my understanding and sympathy. Hang in there, bide your time, and eventually you may be able to get a layout built and enjoy it! It helps a lot to have an understanding train friendly wife - which my first wife was not.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
NittanyLion I just want to know when the "kids these days are just interested in video games!!" trope will go away. Its been 40 years now.
And still going strong..Not only kids and teens enjoy video gaming but,adults of all ages enjoy it as well.
Its a multi-billion dollar industry that sees new gamers every year.
riogrande5761There are those who have had a finished layout in their basement for 40+ years and then puff out their chests and wonder aloud in forums why others can't do what they did.
Why is it impossible to spend 3-4 hours a week on your hobby? That is what I and many others don't understand.
My best modeling hours was Saturday morning from 5:00 until around 8:00 or later.
As far as teens good luck getting them to stay home Saturdays with dear old mom and pop when all their friends is hanging loose at the mall or at the video game parlor. Teens gotta have their leash loosen at times so they can enjoy a normal teen life..
BATMAN Here are two statements, which one is more ridiculous? "I couldn't take my kid to Hockey practice because I had to work on my model railroad". "I couldn't work on my Model Railroad because I had to take my kid to hockey practice". We have a choice in the direction our lives take. Having kids is a choice as is getting married. Kids are the pastime of choice if you choose to have them, devoting your life to them to see them on their way should not be a chore any more than working on your railroad should be a chore. No, you can't do everything in life but saying you can't do something (like work on the railroad) because you have to look after the kids is like saying we couldn't stay at the Motel 6 because we had to stay at the Hyatt. Kids should not be made to do anything that does not interest them, however, they should be introduced to as many things the world has to offer as reasonably possible and from that find their own way knowing you have their back if needed. The only reason they are sitting in front of the tube is because their parents are too. I don't know why young healthy people work in mundane low paying jobs when there are high paying jobs all over the world in the resource industry. Take five years out of your life and you are set for life. Either you will have made enough that a blue collar job will be enough for the standard of living you wish to have because your house and car are paid for, or you will have made enough to pay for that education you really want. Some people let things happen, others make things happen. Choose!
I was going to stay out of this thread, but I have to ask a question.
What is the resource industry? All over the world?
Choice in the direction of ours lives - yes, had I understood that at age 19........
Sheldon
I made time for my hobby because it was my hobby and I shared it with my son from the time he was about 6 until he had grown up and lost interest in it. If you really like something you make time for it. We painted figures and built models while we watched TV. We built bench work and laid track in the evening or on a weekend. We spent spring break and other holidays doing scenery. And we still found time to take bike rides at the beach or go to the mountains and play in the snow, work on cars, play musical instruments, play video games, chase girls, go see movies and play sports which I also coached. I guess it’s all about balance and how you schedule your time. Building a layout is a life long thing. It’s not something you slap together in a couple of days. It’s something that lasts a lifetime. If you say it’s only for retired people you are wrong. It just seems that way because people who are retired are from the generations where playing with electric trains was very popular and electric trains were the had to have Christmas gift. Also retired people have more spare time and spend it doing hobbies. It isn’t for everyone but neither are sports, cars, musical instruments etc. But for the people who it is for, they really enjoy it.
I have always put family ahead of model railroading. That has meant model railroading time is limited (especially when the boys were growing up). Even now that I am retired and have time for the hobby, progress is slow because of helping out various relatives. But that's okay because the hobby is always waiting for me. Right now I'm finishing up a move, but I expect to start the new layout next month.
Life is choices and as the old knight said "choose wisely".
Paul
IRONROOSTER). Even now that I am retired and have time for the hobby, progress is slow because of helping out various relatives.
Paul, Been there done and decided to apply the brakes..A helping hand from time to time is one thing but,on a daily bases? No. I'm no errand boy nor a gofer..
ATLANTIC CENTRAL BATMAN Here are two statements, which one is more ridiculous? "I couldn't take my kid to Hockey practice because I had to work on my model railroad". "I couldn't work on my Model Railroad because I had to take my kid to hockey practice". We have a choice in the direction our lives take. Having kids is a choice as is getting married. Kids are the pastime of choice if you choose to have them, devoting your life to them to see them on their way should not be a chore any more than working on your railroad should be a chore. No, you can't do everything in life but saying you can't do something (like work on the railroad) because you have to look after the kids is like saying we couldn't stay at the Motel 6 because we had to stay at the Hyatt. Kids should not be made to do anything that does not interest them, however, they should be introduced to as many things the world has to offer as reasonably possible and from that find their own way knowing you have their back if needed. The only reason they are sitting in front of the tube is because their parents are too. I don't know why young healthy people work in mundane low paying jobs when there are high paying jobs all over the world in the resource industry. Take five years out of your life and you are set for life. Either you will have made enough that a blue collar job will be enough for the standard of living you wish to have because your house and car are paid for, or you will have made enough to pay for that education you really want. Some people let things happen, others make things happen. Choose! I was going to stay out of this thread, but I have to ask a question. What is the resource industry? All over the world? Choice in the direction of ours lives - yes, had I understood that at age 19........ Sheldon
Oil and gas extraction. I grew up in what's now the Western Pennsylvania gas fields. Guys that went to high school with me have done the roughneck thing for a few years and made good money for a few years then bailed for something less demanding. Welders were in particular demand.
I even spent a few college summers cleaning parts bound for drill heads.
It‘s my hobby, not my kids hobby, not my grandkids hobby. I have enjoyed it for 31 years and that’s all that really matters. Time spent, money spent, frustration spent, no matter what I expend it’s all mine. If it all goes in a dumpster after I go to that “roundhouse in the sky” it doesn’t matter. I had fun!
NittanyLion ATLANTIC CENTRAL BATMAN Here are two statements, which one is more ridiculous? "I couldn't take my kid to Hockey practice because I had to work on my model railroad". "I couldn't work on my Model Railroad because I had to take my kid to hockey practice". We have a choice in the direction our lives take. Having kids is a choice as is getting married. Kids are the pastime of choice if you choose to have them, devoting your life to them to see them on their way should not be a chore any more than working on your railroad should be a chore. No, you can't do everything in life but saying you can't do something (like work on the railroad) because you have to look after the kids is like saying we couldn't stay at the Motel 6 because we had to stay at the Hyatt. Kids should not be made to do anything that does not interest them, however, they should be introduced to as many things the world has to offer as reasonably possible and from that find their own way knowing you have their back if needed. The only reason they are sitting in front of the tube is because their parents are too. I don't know why young healthy people work in mundane low paying jobs when there are high paying jobs all over the world in the resource industry. Take five years out of your life and you are set for life. Either you will have made enough that a blue collar job will be enough for the standard of living you wish to have because your house and car are paid for, or you will have made enough to pay for that education you really want. Some people let things happen, others make things happen. Choose! I was going to stay out of this thread, but I have to ask a question. What is the resource industry? All over the world? Choice in the direction of ours lives - yes, had I understood that at age 19........ Sheldon Oil and gas extraction. I grew up in what's now the Western Pennsylvania gas fields. Guys that went to high school with me have done the roughneck thing for a few years and made good money for a few years then bailed for something less demanding. Welders were in particular demand. I even spent a few college summers cleaning parts bound for drill heads.
Resource industry, that is an interesting "euphemism"?
Children.....have them, love them, did my best, results mixed.......
Biggest lesson learned, not really what I was cut out for......
Youngest one is now 32, oldest grandchild 15........
Yes kids, mixed results, no grandkids and may not get any, so much for making money for a future generation.
29 year old here. In my opinion I think there aren't as many young modelers because I really think Railroads aren't spending as much time promoting their brand to the public as they did in the glory years that most of the previous generation grew up in. (Exception obviously is NS)
I posted earlier n the thread, but as I read through other posts I had another potential idea for the topic. Profession. As a teacher, I know I could leave all my work at school, but then I'd be scrambling to get everything ready for instruction. I could go in early or stay late, but I could also do most of the same work at home. Having heard stories and seen firsthand former colleagues and others in the profession go through health scares and long battles with illness, I'm starting to value the time with m family and hobbies and interests more. that's not to say I don't work hard at school to get as much done or work for a few hours most nights or on weekends, but I'm making it more of a point to take care of myself, my wife, and my family.
From September to May, my free time is dedicated to family and friends with some time for the hobbies. Otherwise, it's work related activities that occupy a lot of time. I look at my friends, and they rarely bring work home. They get to work at 8 and leave at 4 with no care in the world about their job until the next morning. Education isn't like that between planning, grading, meetings, professional development, and following up to parent emails among many other roles. It truly feels like I'm always working in some capacity. Between June and August, I have significantly more free time. However, those are the same months I like to be outside enjoying the weather, not in a basement.
I could be completely wrong and off base, but from observation, the choice of profession plays a big role in the time I have. This is along with pursuing and allowing time for other interests, too.
DavidH66 29 year old here. In my opinion I think there aren't as many young modelers because I really think Railroads aren't spending as much time promoting their brand to the public as they did in the glory years that most of the previous generation grew up in. (Exception obviously is NS)
I refer back to my original post. If the "desire" or "bug" to build something in miniature, no matter the scale or subject, is not "wired in", just like the "ear" for music, and wanting to play different instruments, and the "built in" ability to draw things other than stick figures, it ain't gonna happen.
No pushing, exposure, preaching, viewing, hands on working, and wishing, is going to get somebody into something that you think, or hope, they will get into, enthusiastic about what you think they should be in to.
If it happens, it happens.
It's an interesting hobby for sure. My father got me into the train and R/C hobbies and working on cars when I was young. None of it ever stuck with my son, who is now 18. My daughter though is 4, and she wants to do everything daddy does including the hobbies. I'm building quite the hobby room now that I have the space and will have N, HO, and slot car layouts along with storage for my RC planes. The room is a mess right now, but it's a work in progress. The HO shelf layout is going up first so we can start switching. I actually took one of the Feb 2017 extra shelf plans and found a real world example that fits here in TX. On a 16" by 12 ft shelf I'm going to have two interchanges and a few businesses to switch. The real T&P at this location interchanged with the SP/SSP and KO&G. It also crossed the MKT. I'm going to kind of represent all of that on a shelf and have it all switched using one T&P GP9. I will have my little girl play engineer when she wants and daddy can be the conductor. The N scale layout is going to be larger in scope, but also modeled after a place in TX on the SSP/MKT. The race track is based on a now closed facility in TX too. All are planned and need to be built. I also have an airplane on my in progress on my workbench. Hobbies are fun. My 4 year old loves helping me measure, cut and glue. She is going to have fun running in the train too, and since returning to the hobby I've been reading and getting lots of great ideas from MRR and the MRR video plus sections.
rrebellNo, the real problem is that people can't seem to fathom the new world. This world dose not conform to the world of old in that people don't gather anymore, not even on forums. If you were to poll only model railroaders, you would find very few that hang out on the forums.
Add the secrecy of the hobby and one would be surprise of the real number of modelers and in a city of 13,000 souls our local Wal-Mart sells MR and Trains Magazine.
Those that thinks today's railroads is "boring" wouldn't think that if that was the only railroads they know. Today's railroading is exciting but,that would require railfaning and actually see what's going on..
Now visit you tube and take some of those HO cab rides and watch model railroad and videos. You will be surprise of the young faces you will see.
Even those live stream railcams on you tube has young viewers.
And for those that think steam is dead, just look at all the tourist railroads, even my wife and daughter who do not understand my models love to go to see them and it keeps steam alive for people who never saw it run in real commerce. Heck, I never saw it run in real commernce.