I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK!!! You are right!! Like I said, let the kids play/learn with inexpensive equipment, not the BRASS> ------------------ Watash
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rappannahock Terminal: I think that we modelers should be aware that these youngsters are the future in model railroading. To many young children are now spoiling to much of their free time with all those stupid computer games, where no initiative is needed, no fantasy, nothing that comes from their selves but only things that have been chewed for them by other people. I think that model railroading is something where you can learn a lot of skills, bring in a lot of your own fantasy which leads to personal satisfaction,..... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I will agree: my art teacher made a point tht your left brain is directed more to work, words, numbers,etc. while your right brain is imaginative, artistic, and enjoyment. the left brain is used (in an average person's day) about 75-90% of the time, you need to excercise your right brain and that is one thing model railroading does. Once I was in Lee Hall, Viginia and I red that the Peninsula Model Railroad cLub was holding a meeting that evening in the old railroad station. I went in and instantly was caught up ina conversation about DCC. later on, they let me run a 55 car manifest freight (this is N-scale) and I was in for a one hour operation time. right at the end I was to park in the staging yard on the third track. My conductor threw the swithand in I went, and BAM!! Extra 2291 rear ended me at 55 mph, a 11 year old was at the throttle, he was removed from the station, They all told me It wasn't my fault thought I felt somewhat guilty. I am now a life member of the club that is over 150 miles a way in Buckhannon, WV. I model HO now. ------------------ Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
I had to leave. Now "Old Grumpy" is back! I had a son, now deceased, who also enjoyed our trains. In the small town there were several kids who would come at my son's invitation, to play trains. The two things they were interested in was how fast will they go, and lets have a wreck, when I wasn't there. My son was younger, so both engines we had got damaged. When we moved to the city, we built up kits, until some dat when we could have another layout. This was a super detailing time. We visited a couple of clubs where at age 13 my son was all but ignored. We had taken my Mantua Mogul 2-6-0. We were informed that only if we paid dues and were voted a member, could we put anything on their rails. My son got discouraged. The next club was all wealthy guys who had a 3 x 6 foot folding table with several trains on it that were for sale. We stayed long enough to see that all these guys were going to do was sit around, drink, and talk business deals, and various girls, so we left. My son lost interest before we could move to space where a layout could be made. He got into motorcycles with some school chums jumping hills. I built a two room play house for my daughter, instead of a layout. The years following, my family members bought me engines for birthday, and Christmas presents, picked up trains at garage sales and Estate sales, and when stores went out of business sales. Maybe my childhood growing up in the company of good friendly men and boys who minded them spoiled me into thinking everyone was like that. It has been a hard lesson to learn. I have mentored several boys, out fitted two with whole layouts full of Chessie equipment, and Union Pacific. One of those, a step dad destroyed in anger. Both are married now, still like trains, but are newly married and have other interests. I may sound grumpy, and probably am discouraged by the profit seeking manufacturers and magazine publishers, and that grand and glorious outfit that dictates our standards, but I do still try to get kids interested and support those of you who like trains of any kind real or model. I have had hundreds of diesel train sets, and have given most away to neighborhood kids. I have found some in their trash later. Grumpy, no, but I'll never give away a steam engine to a kid. I remember one diesel engine (Don't know one from another), I gave a youngster about 16. His dad said it was a Kato, but he didn't like the colors. So I gave him some Japanese made diesel, and the dad was happy. The next time I visited the club, both were on the for sale shelf. All I have tried to do in this thread, is to give you some worthwhile advise, based upon over 60 years of experience, so you don't lose your valuable equipment. You will learn, one way or the other. I promise, that from now on, I will voice not a single warning to any thread. If I nake a comment, it will be in jest, or to ask a question, or compliment your modeling efforts, which I have also done. I doubt if you read down far enough on Tim's site to find out about my dad. End. ------------------ Watash
