11-15-2011, 04:03 PM
Wow -- interesting thoughts! I've comments below in bold:
The difference for us was that we let them run on the mainline with other trains. Most kids could handle it (some should have been nowhere near our layout), but the problem was that it can be tricky to figure where the train is going to be next, and it gets very crowded. I would always have a "cable" throttle, the junior engineer a Wireless. I would plug in as we went just to keep the train in check, but with so many people, it could be difficult to get to a plug in a moment's notice, and some people just wouldn't move for the kids. In those critical seconds we move to chase the train to the next plug-in point, disaster could occur.
-- this is where I think 1-2 clubs should set up some very basic, rough layouts that can take a beating. It's probably not appropriate for all club layouts to allow kids to have a turn -- just maybe a few rough "kids' " layouts.
Parents are also a nightmare. I often was the "junior engineer guy", and i'd be stuck at it for 5 hours straight. The two worst things with the parents was the INSISTENCE that i take their kid out on the main that instant. There were no break time. some parents would get real snippy if I left to even get a glass of water. Its as if they think I didn't see the line up of kids behind them.
-- of course that obnoxious behaviour is no good. They obviously don't understand how finicky layouts are & the patience involved.
Ironically, I think computer games are where a lot of kids take their interest in trains. To many, Train simulators do a better job than a model railroad, since everything is rendered for you in game. There are huge online communities where people simply build computer models of the different trains and put them up for download. One magazine was all "excited" over a brand new GG1 interior for the Microsoft Train Simulator, which apparently had needed an upgrade.
-- Last summer, I actually bought "Trainz" for our family. My son & 2 of his male cousins went through a real phase of playing it. It's not bad at all and we all enjoy it -- even me!
That said, a major issue with the hobby that won't be easily overcome is that everything costs to much. Its easy to forget that most of us make a reasonable amount of money. Most kids can't afford to build much of a train layout. You can only go so far finding "deals" and junk for sale at flea markets or on Ebay. They have to rely on their parents to forward them money, and most parents probably don't want to put in the bucks on a "delicate" train for a young kid.
Most locomotives worth their salt cost at least as much if not more than your average video game. Though it may sound outlandish to the older folks here, Halo, Portal and Call of Duty probably gives more enjoyment than a new GP38-2 or 4-6-2 Pacific. Even though the locomotive might last longer (if taken care of), The video game with online play is always a new experience.
-- but then there are a few budget models that cost around $40 that aren't bad and there is also eBay as well. I gave one of my son's friends an old small tank engine that I seldom used, so I think there is a way around this issue.
The hobby is totally hostile towards younger people, and EVERYTHING is geared towards that older generation. If you don't believe me, I dare someone to find me a Model Railroader where less than 50% of the articles are Transition Era.
-- maybe, but then the transition era is probably one of the coolest eras. I'm totally drawn to the transition era, yet it was still before my time. The transition era is probably so popular because it allows you to run steam locos as well as classic diesels, even if it was well before your time. My 8-year-old son likes both modern diesels (obviously b/c he sees these in real life all the time) as well as steam, but then that's partly my influence. The Thomas train books have encouraged kids to be interested in the steam era as well. And we usually model British trains on our layouts so one leads to the other.
I'm trying to be negative either, I wish there were people I could converse with about model railroading and such without boring them to death or something. t lonely for anyone under the age of 50 out here when it comes to trains.
-- again, I think a big part of the solution is to build and show some very basic, robust layouts that can take a beating & let kids run them. That's kind of what my son & I plan on doing this weekend at our Toronto Christmas Train Show where we're planning to show off a small switching layout.
Cheers,
Rob
The difference for us was that we let them run on the mainline with other trains. Most kids could handle it (some should have been nowhere near our layout), but the problem was that it can be tricky to figure where the train is going to be next, and it gets very crowded. I would always have a "cable" throttle, the junior engineer a Wireless. I would plug in as we went just to keep the train in check, but with so many people, it could be difficult to get to a plug in a moment's notice, and some people just wouldn't move for the kids. In those critical seconds we move to chase the train to the next plug-in point, disaster could occur.
-- this is where I think 1-2 clubs should set up some very basic, rough layouts that can take a beating. It's probably not appropriate for all club layouts to allow kids to have a turn -- just maybe a few rough "kids' " layouts.
Parents are also a nightmare. I often was the "junior engineer guy", and i'd be stuck at it for 5 hours straight. The two worst things with the parents was the INSISTENCE that i take their kid out on the main that instant. There were no break time. some parents would get real snippy if I left to even get a glass of water. Its as if they think I didn't see the line up of kids behind them.
-- of course that obnoxious behaviour is no good. They obviously don't understand how finicky layouts are & the patience involved.
Ironically, I think computer games are where a lot of kids take their interest in trains. To many, Train simulators do a better job than a model railroad, since everything is rendered for you in game. There are huge online communities where people simply build computer models of the different trains and put them up for download. One magazine was all "excited" over a brand new GG1 interior for the Microsoft Train Simulator, which apparently had needed an upgrade.
-- Last summer, I actually bought "Trainz" for our family. My son & 2 of his male cousins went through a real phase of playing it. It's not bad at all and we all enjoy it -- even me!
That said, a major issue with the hobby that won't be easily overcome is that everything costs to much. Its easy to forget that most of us make a reasonable amount of money. Most kids can't afford to build much of a train layout. You can only go so far finding "deals" and junk for sale at flea markets or on Ebay. They have to rely on their parents to forward them money, and most parents probably don't want to put in the bucks on a "delicate" train for a young kid.
Most locomotives worth their salt cost at least as much if not more than your average video game. Though it may sound outlandish to the older folks here, Halo, Portal and Call of Duty probably gives more enjoyment than a new GP38-2 or 4-6-2 Pacific. Even though the locomotive might last longer (if taken care of), The video game with online play is always a new experience.
-- but then there are a few budget models that cost around $40 that aren't bad and there is also eBay as well. I gave one of my son's friends an old small tank engine that I seldom used, so I think there is a way around this issue.
The hobby is totally hostile towards younger people, and EVERYTHING is geared towards that older generation. If you don't believe me, I dare someone to find me a Model Railroader where less than 50% of the articles are Transition Era.
-- maybe, but then the transition era is probably one of the coolest eras. I'm totally drawn to the transition era, yet it was still before my time. The transition era is probably so popular because it allows you to run steam locos as well as classic diesels, even if it was well before your time. My 8-year-old son likes both modern diesels (obviously b/c he sees these in real life all the time) as well as steam, but then that's partly my influence. The Thomas train books have encouraged kids to be interested in the steam era as well. And we usually model British trains on our layouts so one leads to the other.
I'm trying to be negative either, I wish there were people I could converse with about model railroading and such without boring them to death or something. t lonely for anyone under the age of 50 out here when it comes to trains.
-- again, I think a big part of the solution is to build and show some very basic, robust layouts that can take a beating & let kids run them. That's kind of what my son & I plan on doing this weekend at our Toronto Christmas Train Show where we're planning to show off a small switching layout.
Cheers,
Rob
Rob
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