First the stores, next come the clubs... http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/?ArID=198761&SecID=33 BC
Funny, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum was filled today with Young children interested in trains. Heck, there was a tweenage boy running his train up Tehachapi on the La Mesa layout. Granted, SDMRRM is unique. Most Model railroad clubs don't have such a convient and photogenic location. Still, I wonder how many clubs really worck at outreach in an effective way? On a related note, I remember in the 80s and early 90s, it seemed that MR featured a club layout on the cover all the time. Now it's almost exclusivly private layouts. I wonder if the problem isn't the kids, but that we simply aren't socializing this hobby as much as we used to?
That Sucks. In 1996 when I was 16 I was running my 1/24 scale slot cars down stairs from the rr club. That day they had a open house. I when up to see the layouts. Spent a lot of time in the n scale room. Two hours later I when back down to the slot car track. That day got me back in to model railroading. If it was not for that day I might not still be modelling in N scale.
Agreed. Recently, I went to Trainfest in Milwaukee, and a club open house in Lake County, IL, both had tons of kids in attendance, and even some kids operating. BC
Fortunately there are still some kids who enjoy doing other things than video games. A lot of it has to do with the parents. If the parents are too busy they stick em (kids) in front of the TV or video games. I think the reason why I still do model trains and planes is because my father spent a lot of time helping me with the two hobbies. When I was in Customer Service at Testor, I once had an irrate mother screaming with dissatisfaction with one of our models. Further research within the call and I found out she bought alevel four kit for her 8 year old with no model experiance at all. She was mad cause her sons model did not look like the one on the box. I explained to her that the level 4 four kit was for experianced builders and suggested either she or the boy's father help him with the kit. Her answer left me cold. "What?! sit down with him and build a model?! I don't have time for that, thats why I got him the thing, to keep him out of my hair!!":sad:
