Christmas has come and gone again, and I would hate to think how many HO complete sets were sold this Christmas. Down the street from me lives a young boy who is about 10, he stopped buy yesterday and wanted me to take a look at his new loco that came in a set. I will leave out the name of the company that made the set so it does not start a large debate.
I bench tested the unit and discovered it had a broken gear in it, I could have repaired it, but I watched the boy looking at my Atlas, and Proto's running and he lost all interest in fixing his loco at all. He asked allot of question and pointed out allot of thing's he described as "cool"!
Since I have a vast supply of old out of date loco's and parts, him and I started digging threw my parts containers, finding enough parts to put together 2 Athearn GP9's, one powered and one dummy. I hard wired the powered unit, installed a bright white LED, and gave it a good lube job, we installed railings and glued the eyes on the stanctions so they would not move and painted them. We gave them, a the powered/dummy a dry run, the boy was tickled to death and excited about showing his parents the set up I gave him.
While we were finishing up a freind of mine stopped by and seen what we had done. All he could do was complain about using an old Athearn, and pointed out the Proto's instead. So I went to the storage cabinet and pulled out a set of Kato's and presented them to the boy while giving him a wink. They were my freinds Kato's by the way, who does not have any type of layout, or a place to build one. This is like the 10th time he has complained to me about giving away so called junk in his eyes. My freind has allot of high dollar PC, BLI, Overland loco's, but know set up to run them on but mine.
I am building a new layout at this time and started laying track a few weeks back after building the new table, in which my freind did not even help me with, but is quick to give advice on how it should be done. Well enough is enough! I got a box and gathered his expensive loco's all up and said he is know longer welcome here, I thought he was going to cry. I explained to him about the young boy has more class and better since of value, that went over like a ton of bricks. He left and slammed the door to my train room.
This young boy asked to help and we spent 4 hours laying track, it is easier for him to climb up on the table than me, and he had allot of fun. I called his parents and invited them over to see what he had done and they were very pround of him. They are on tight budget and explained to me they could not affort a more expensive train kit for him. It was ok with me, I had know problem with that, besides, it got him away from the TV, computer and video games his mother said.
It is our job the seasoned MR builders to help the younger generation, I had help 30 plus some years ago, and feel it is my duty to pass that help along. I know the cost of MR is going out the roof, we all know that. And it is getting more expensive every year. But the feeling that it gives you to help a young person out in the hobby is worth every penny.
Thumbs up to the younger generation of MR, without them there would be know future for the hobby.
ICRR1964 wrote: I went to the storage cabinet and pulled out a set of Kato's and presented them to the boy while giving him a wink. They were my freinds Kato's by the way,
I went to the storage cabinet and pulled out a set of Kato's and presented them to the boy while giving him a wink. They were my freinds Kato's by the way,
What's your friends name - so we can all avoid him!!
Is this him?
A huge WELL DONE, on both halves of the scenario!
That youngster will probably be in my situation somewhere around 2068, fondly remembering the first of his real model railroading experiences while building his last-of-a-lifetime (I think) layout.
As for "Larry the Leech" --- I have encountered a few like him. An invitation to use the door is the only appropriate response to someone who wants to play with his toys in your sandbox, is quick to tell you that the sand is fouled but shows no interest in helping to sift the sand.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
ICRR1964,
I applaud you!!!!!!Helping out the young man is an act of kindness that will reap many rewards down the road. I'll bet he was happy and having lots of fun!Having someone like you to mentor him, so he can learn about MRRing is a GREAT THING!!!!And at the same time, you have a new friend who apparently has replaced the "door slammer" Ha ha ha!!!May you two "friends" spend many happy times together!!!Maybe Santa Claus knew he was giving you both an "extra" Christmas present this way.That old man in the Red Suit is pretty clever!
He gave both of you a "new friend!" and what better present is there than this?
TheK4Kid
I am totally delighted to read ICRR1964's inital post starting this thread.
Each of us should be looking out for young people.
If kids have constructive hobbies such as model railroading, they will be much less likely to yield to many bad temptations out there. (My opinion.)
Feel free to share more, ICRR1964.
If others are doing similar things, I would also be interested.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good for you ICRR1964....I always answer questions and fire up the layout for the kids in the neighborhood, especially when they find out that the girls are into the trains as well.
As for your friend, it's too bad for him and his selfish ways...best to cut him out of your trains like the cancer he is...
Bob Berger, C.O.O. N-ovation & Northwestern R.R. My patio layout....SEE IT HERE
There's no place like ~/ ;)
ICRR1964 wrote:>It is our job the seasoned MR builders to help the younger generation...
>It is our job the seasoned MR builders to help the younger generation...
marknewton wrote: ICRR1964 wrote: >It is our job the seasoned MR builders to help the younger generation...This idea is frequently expressed and seemingly never questioned, but I disagree quite strongly. As far as I'm concerned, my "job" as a seasoned MR is to develop my own skills and abilities, and enjoy modelling as a solitary pursuit.If I wanted to teach other people's children skills or be some sort of mentor to them, I'd join the Scouts or a similar organisation.Mark.
ICRR1964 wrote: >It is our job the seasoned MR builders to help the younger generation...
What introduced the thought of modeling railroads to you? And from whom/where did you pick up your skills?
EDIT- From whom or where did you gain insight on honing your skills?
concretelackey wrote:What introduced the thought of modeling railroads to you?
What introduced the thought of modeling railroads to you?
And from whom/where did you pick up your skills?
I personally feel it is very important to help the younger generation. I myself have only been in the hobby for a few years and have recieved a lot of help from other modelers.
As for the story, great job. We need to get the younger generation interested in model trains again.
I think it's great you did that for the kid. I have a 16 yr. old son who has 0 interest in trains. in todays world there's too many "easier" things for them to do like X-box,playstation, or whatever. also, i think there's a young man on here who has "the only model railroader in his school" as part of his signature, this is true that a great % kids aren't into it and most kids want to be into what everyone else is into. so when older guys help or encourage these younger guys,or gals, it helps keep their interest in it and that helps keeps keep our hobby alive.
the model manufacturers want to make $ and if there ain't no future in it,they won't make it.
Loath, no we did not fix his loco, I have allot of parts to fix it but the boy decided it was not worth it. He came down today and brought all of his cars that came with the set. I was picking sticks up in the yard while he was running his train. He came out of the shop and help me finish picking up sticks in the yard. Figured he was in a hurry about something, and I was right! He was trying to fix his broken engine for keep sakes, but found out it was not worth it. I gave him an old 0-8-0 AHM that is still in the original box, he went nuts over it.
As for my freind, well he did stop by this morning and we talked over the issue at hand. He kind of see's my point, and I told him not all of us can just throw out $200 or more for a loco. If he had a layout of any kind his $$$ would be going towards track, turnouts, scenery, rolling stock, you name it. He has about 10 loco's or so all really nice units, but what good are they if you don't even own a peice of track or some sort of power supply. He offered today to buy one of my few brass loco's and offered me double what I paid for it, I gave him a big "NO", it's just another bragging poll for him to lean on. I did ask him if he wanted to help me build the new setup, and he said he is just to busy, figured that was going to happen.
As far as this being a solitary hobby? I do not agree, beside if it was solitary to someone out their, why would they be in the forum? I always felt and feel there is something new to learn in MR everyday! Advice and ideas go hand in hand, some good some bad. We all made our fair share of mistakes and learned from them.
I never had know sons to help me with MR, just 2 daughters, who liked to help when they were younger. As for the kids down the street, you should have heard the boo's I got when they seen I took it all down. One of the teens down the street asked me if the goverment made me do it? LOLOL!
Sounds as if you've got the makings of a mini-club with two members. Wonderful!
As for your, "Friend," that attempted purchase smells like a bald-faced bribe. IMHO, anyone who thinks friendship can be purchased with money (outside of one of Nevada's legal homes for fallen women) can probably limbo under a buried sewer pipe. I would lay down a firm, "If you don't build on it, you can't run on it," rule, with your young apprentice as exhibit A.
Just my , others may disagree.
I believe this was a great situation! So the trainset engine became a great journey!
As far as Leech and Company is concerned he can build his own layout with the resources he apparently demonstrates.
Maybe in 10 years we will read about the boy's accomplishments in MR.
concretelackey wrote:So if a kid came up to you and asked a legit question on modeling trains you would feel no need to respond?
No problem Mark, maybe we all should use your advice, and there are very few modelers where I live. I think we stand at 3 of us now, no club, just allot of young people showing some interest. I won't turn my back on them if they are showing interest.
The young boy asked me about train shows this afternoon after school, and I told him to save up some money and we will go this spring. He said he had never been to one, so this will be fun. Bet he will want everything he see's, I know I still do.
Thanks for the comments guys, think its great some kids are still interested in the MR hobby.
ICRR1964
Tyler,
No you are not, your an eager young man who knows what he wants, we need more MR's like you out there in the world. When I was your age there were tons of young people out there in the hobby. I've been in the hobby for 30 some plus years, and still enjoy it very much.
Even if cars and girls get in the way later down the road for you. I know you will come back to it, I did!
ICRR1964 wrote:No problem Mark, maybe we all should use your advice...
No problem Mark, maybe we all should use your advice...
and there are very few modelers where I live. I think we stand at 3 of us now, no club, just allot of young people showing some interest. I won't turn my back on them if they are showing interest.
Well Mark Maybe instead of scanning this forum and looking for post to bash, you could go talk to a young person and learn some manners. You seem to think everyone is below your thinking and learning.
This is why a year ago I walked away from this forum, because of people like you and your thinking. I think everyone here gets really tired of watching you badger others, and cut their throats because it makes you feel good about yourself. People have good question and ideas in this forum and if the moderators seem to think that its ok for people like you to run threw the forum and bash others for your own type of little game your playing. Well that's fine then, but you are a very sad person.
I am sure this whole post and talk will be deleted very soon, so your mission will be complete then, you should be proud of yourself, don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back to! Copy and paste seem to be an easy way for you to take a post apart. I like that though "universally applicable", so in otherwords if it does not apply to you, it should never apply to anyone else.
This topic was posted for other readers to see and maybe spark them into giving a bit of their time to young people, they are part of the future of MR. We are talking about MR, so take your opinion down the hall to the next room and you can debate with yourself, we will send down the young people to "maybe" help you learn some manners and respect.
PS,
MODERATORS, feel free to delete this whole topic if you feel that it has know worth in this forum. Sorry for getting upset in this post also.
If it helps, and I'm not sure at this point it will, I really appreciate all the MR experience that this forum puts together on a minute by minute basis. I'm no kid (36 years young). But I'm just jumping into this hobby with my 5 year old. My LHS is 20 miles away and not really geared toward MR, so I don't get much help there. I've built plastic and wood models since I was 5, but MR is not the same. So this forum is really what I have along with books. But you cannot ask a question and get an answer from a book. I find ths forum invaluable to learn the ins-and-outs of this hobby.
Thank you all that have already helped me along so far, and an early thanks to you that will help me in the future!