[:D]Getting kids involved

[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)

[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.

[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.

[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

[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

[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

[Anonymous]

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