As acting chairperson for a proposed venue titled "Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Road" is near completion and in the beginning phase to submit our Business Plan to local cities in Southeastern Virginia. My prupose is to request assistance in developing methods to bring the younger generation into model railroading. Specifically looking at any organization or group to join our effort and support the museum in this effort. Heard about two organizations where there charter is to education youngsters such as "Teen Association of Model Railroaders" and "Youth in Model Railroading", but when I look on line it appears these organizations have been disestablished. I'm interest in bring theses groups back to life if in deed they have stopped. I look forward to hold discussion with these organization and how they may assist us in model railroading education. I'm currently in discussion with "Kids Run Trains" to become part of our new museum. They have the same charter to educate the younger generation and offer hands on training in running model railroad locomotives on O Scale layout. Also, hopeful we'll be able to arrange discussion with "LEGO (HARDLUG) in the near future to join our effort. The museum objective as well is to educate the public about model railroading with special interest toward the younger generation. If anyone would like more information or want to become involved in our efforts to educate others, please contact me at fredrickhumphrey@outlook.com
One big problem is that the NMRA, for liability reasons having seen what happened to the Boy Scouts of America due to litigation over cases of abuse, has prohibited NMRA organizations such as Regions or Divisions from continuing their own youth activities. Such activities were a big part of Milwaukee's Trainfest and were getting bigger every year.
Speaking as the volunteer coordinator for Trainfest I can say that personally I was uneasy because there was no funding for and no opportunity to obtain background checks for those wanting to work with youth. I would say that sad as it is to say this, such background checks are something your Museum is going to have to consider, and I'd also say that the liability insurance that you'd want to obtain may have some things to say about that as well
Assuming those hurdles can be overcome here are a few things that worked for Trainfest, or seemed to. First is the opportunity to run trains, particularly given current technology with sound and wireless throttles. And run with some discipline, some actual operations that have to be performed. A progressive system of certificates were given for accomplishment, culminating in "Junior Engineer" certificates. The kids were really proud of their certificates.
There were also youth groups that built layouts for display but those assumed youths that were already interested in some way. But give that some thought. If you can get funding that means even kids whose families do not have the resources for trains can take part and make some friends in the process. You need a place to store it and work on it of course. Many train shows love having a layout that kids built and that kids run -- it can be your best recruiting tool.
Some older "scale" model types were less enthused about this but I can say that the Lego train groups attract a real following and it is in a format and an atmosphere that youngsters (boys and girls) are familiar with and like.
We were fortunate that Wm K Walthers would donate simple kits that kids could "make and take." They had guidance available from our volunteers and parents were encouraged to be present the whole time but it was important to let the kid build the kit and make their own mistakes. And some kids did great work, really impressive.
Those are some random thoughts but sadly I do have to return to the fact that in today's day and age not just anybody who raises their hand should be or can be allowed to work with youth. The facts are what they are much as we'd like them to be different.
Dave Nelson
I am a volunteer with 4-H, and our local group had a model railroad club. It has been dormant since the pandemic. The 4-H organization has a formal background check process for all adult volunteers who work with youth. The group recieved extensive estate donations of model rail, equipment and buildings. However, model RR seems to be an infrequent activity among 4-H clubs.