N Gauge Forum

OK. You don't have to answer the question and the idea is not for folks to lie about their age, but the data may prove to tie in with the 'Era' poll recently run by PGN which can be found here
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=29164.60 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=29164.60)

We are frequently said to model railways we remember so it could be argued the majority of those who voted Era 5 i.e. 39 members (22% of the votes cast) are more than likely in their 60's and that maybe the 'Blue Era' modellers are perhaps in their 50's whilst the younger members model the later Eras.
It would be interesting to see how 'stereotypical' we are :hmmm:

I do not envisage any data being useful for any forum merchandising as I can't see Tank knocking out NGF nappies or zimmer frames ;)

Should anyone find the poll intrusive or offensive I'm happy for it to be removed.

Could you also add in the era question so we could see the correlation?

Cheers  Jon  :)

I can't see how that would work Jon?  ???

You can't run two polls side-by-side if that's what you mean, and the only other way would be to have an option for each era within each age group - too many options  :confused1:


Paul

You mean the poll where a number of people (myself included) have pointed out that we model an Era different to that of our youth ... ?  You do realise that any attempt to correlate one poll with another without being able to map the votes 1:1 is an utter waste of time & is therefore statistically bull :poop: ?  In order to draw the conclusions you're aiming at, you require this correct correlation.

Sorry Mick, I don't really see the point of this except to show we have a dearth of younger members  :confused1:

Yeah - I know it's broad brushstroke stuff, Mike, and I hardly expect to see we have 30 members (22% of the votes cast) in the age poll which could be construed to correlate with the era poll but maybe it will give a (very) rough guide. I'm not trying to be scientific here :no:

Apart from that, all those over the required age who have bus passes can go  :nerner: :D

I've cast my vote and guess what.....I'm in the 60s group.  Old and Grumpy ! :scowl:

Quote from: port perran on August 29, 2015, 09:56:30 PM
I've cast my vote and guess what.....I'm in the 60s group.  Old and Grumpy ! :scowl:

Blimey, Martin! Don't stereotype us before the poll even gets off the ground :no:

Sorry Mick.
Actually, I'm quite interested in this and........I'm not grumpy at all actually.  Quite the opposite in fact !

Quote from: port perran on August 29, 2015, 10:05:12 PM
Sorry Mick.
Actually, I'm quite interested in this and........I'm not grumpy at all actually.  Quite the opposite in fact !

Perhaps I should apologise. My guilt complex kicked in :-X

Oh hec I am 63 and pressed the over 60's which technically I am oops

Im 40 something  and I probably like an era slightly before the typical "when I was 15" sortta thing as my primary interest.

Hi, I am in my late 50s but have much larger interest in modern trains.
regards Derek.

I'm actually modelling the period in which I was born.

Why did you stop at 60s ?
do 70s and 80s not warrant their own groups ??
methinks to group them all in "over 60" is ageist
why not over 30 and stop there ?
  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

"poll intrusive or offensive" nope ! Just shant answer
"don't have to answer the question" see above  LOL ! :laugh:

Wot about a dinosaur group and what motivated you to ask this poll ? demographers need to know , , ,

Quote from: Dorsetmike on August 29, 2015, 11:37:13 PM
I'm actually modelling the period in which I was born.

So am I as far as the Hydraulic Fleet is going, though that is more a D6300 thing than a real desire to do a late 60s/early 70s theme .. Im much more au fait with ten to fifteen years later.
Early 70s China Clay is probably a whole lot easier cos the wagons only had flat sheets on them then and not the hoods, which I suspect are a pain to model well in N gauge  :hmmm:

There's lies, damn lies, and statistics.   8)

If you are reading this forum AND it is after midnight
are you younger than 40 OR older.
If you are downunder you are excused,, yes, I looked at who is reading ;)

In my early 50s and have mainly modelled "blue" which fits into the theory stated but in the last couple of years have also started a collection of late crest steam as well. I have blue days and steam days on my railway and believe I get the best of both of these worlds.

Quote from: Bealman on August 30, 2015, 12:45:37 AM
There's lies, damn lies, and statistics.   8)

And quantum mechanics.
At my age I should be in bed, I think, good night :)

Ugg I have to tick the 30's box now...  Or 30 going on 60 as my folks say  ;D

As a kid the ELR link to Rawtenstall had opened while we were living nearby and my grandparents lived in Ramsbottom about 2 minutes from the station, but other than the occasional trip on the ELR  pretty much every train journey I remember as a youngling was either a RR 158, provincial 156, or GMPTE 142. I just missed out on 'propper' passenger trains on my local line - the Oldham loop  :doh:

In about 93/94 my grandparents moved to Darlington, usually we drove to see them but occasionally would get the train which meant 158's to Leeds and then intercity swallow HST's which I guess is why i always wanted on of those - it was so exciting to get a propper train but even then I was still  upset that it was always an HST and never seemed to get one of the fancy new "225"  - the joys of childhood  :'(

Later on (2002) I commuted to uni by train most days and that was 158's, 156's and 142's though by then privatisation was well set in so the 158's were TPX northern spirits (purple with the gold banding) most of the 156's were northern spirit bright yet somehow also filthy Green, and I had the joys of the 142's from first North Western before they had the franchise take off them.

Also (and I didn't realise at the time)  I must have traveled on some of the last loco hauled WCML services - my girlfriend at the time had gone to uni at Keel and for a while I'd go to see her at weekends and get the train back to Manchester first thing on Monday morning for the 9am lectures!

Not long after that (2003/4ish) I had to leave uni due to illness and I had a lot of time on my hands which was when I got back into model railways and switched to N gauge, I chose to model the ten years leading up to that point (so 93-2003) as it meant that I could get away with a range of sectorisation and post privatisation liveries and because it was what I was traveling on at the time (or could remember traveling on)

Since then the lure of running prototypical "proper" trains means I've extended my dates back to cover 1984-2004 so I can run everything from the loco hauled local services that I missed out on using myself through to voyagers and (when it arrives) the Pendilino.
in fact I've buggered up a bit as to support the project I pledged for an 11 car Pendo but really should only have a 9 car one for my timeframe! Might have to see about changing that to a 9 car with 2 additionals

I often think about changing era and going back to the transition period or perhaps even earlier, but then think about what I've spent over the last 12 years on 'modern' stock! :goggleeyes:

Of course, If I ever won to lotto my dream would be to model the loop formed by the L&Y lines that served the Rossendale valley (Bury-Rawtenstall-Bacup-Whitworth-Rochdale-Haywood-Bury) around the sides of a VERY large basement, but until then I think any kettles I want to run will have to be railtours  alongside my contemporary stock - to change over would be far to costly!

MalcolmAL

Re: 'If you are downunder you are excused...'

'Excused' what (or from what) pray tell? In case you hadn't noticed 'age' is universal and so are the age groups listed above.

(One has to ask these things :) :) )   

Thanks.

I think he's talking about being on the forum after midnight, while we are excused 'cos it's daytime here  8)

Quote from: newportnobby on August 29, 2015, 08:53:36 PM
39 members (22% of the votes cast) are more than likely in their 60's and that maybe the 'Blue Era' modellers are perhaps in their 50's

  :worried: I'm over 60 and am very much a 'BR Blue' modeller with my layout set around 1970 (post steam, steam ban FIRMLY in place and pre TOPS) - the best of times so far as I am concerned.
But how does this fit into your reasoning, NN?   :confused2:

:D

Quote from: Bealman on August 30, 2015, 12:45:37 AM
There's lies, damn lies, and statistics.   8)

What about 'Government figures'? I.E "Lies, damn lies, statistics and Government figures"?

D1942

Re: 'What about 'Government figures'? I.E "Lies, damn lies, statistics and Government figures"?'

You mean there's a DIFFERENCE??????

(Just asking :) :) )

Hi Jools,

So, basically you're in your 30's and can't sleep  :D

Sorry, it was a lot of writing for a near 50 year old with a hangover. Will read again in better times.

Waiting for 'The Hair of the Dog' to open for Sunday lunch and maybe some food.

eerrrr weave

Quote from: Komata on August 30, 2015, 07:47:51 AM
D1942

Re: 'What about 'Government figures'? I.E "Lies, damn lies, statistics and Government figures"?'

You mean there's a DIFFERENCE??????

(Just asking :) :) )

Yes. I think of them thusly:
Lies are basic untruths we tell to avoid (if possible) hurting others such as 'No, of course that dress doesn't make you look fat, darling'  ;),
damn lies are serious untruths designed to try to fool others, while making ourselves appear blameless, such as 'No, of course I hadn't forgotten to pay that bill' (usually swiftly followed by 'Where's my cheque book?') :-[
Statistics can be used to convince those not in the know that black is actually white  :confused1:
while
Government figures are where the government lies and tells you, with a straight face, that all will be well if only you vote for us... again  ::)


P/S By the way, point of order - D1942 was a Brush 4 (AKA Class 47). :) I am not lying when I ask if you meant D1042? :D
And my friends call me Greg.

Now I find out this place is full of silver surfers!

Quote from: D1042 Western Princess on August 30, 2015, 06:38:43 AM

Quote from: newportnobby on August 29, 2015, 08:53:36 PM
39 members (22% of the votes cast) are more than likely in their 60's and that maybe the 'Blue Era' modellers are perhaps in their 50's

  :worried: I'm over 60 and am very much a 'BR Blue' modeller with my layout set around 1970 (post steam, steam ban FIRMLY in place and pre TOPS) - the best of times so far as I am concerned.
But how does this fit into your reasoning, NN?   :confused2:

:D

I'm not attempting to 'fit anything into reasoning', Greg, merely seeing if the stereotype I referred to in the OP exists. From your age and your Era I surmise you had a yen for no steam and lots of hydraulics. The Blue Era fitted your requirements almost perfectly due to the imminent demise of hydraulic transmission (although I'd like to think you could run a steam special now and then as there were plenty being run ;)). No other time frame would fulfil your requirements.

Quote from: mjkerr on August 30, 2015, 10:46:51 AM
Now I find out this place is full of silver surfers!

More like silver shunters  ;)

Quote from: Komata on August 30, 2015, 04:47:05 AM
'Excused' what

:laughabovepost:
I didnt think "excused" needed a qualifier in that context  :angel:  :laugh:
but yes, Bealman got it almost right.
So K & B share bronze and silver, but no one claimed gold by spotting the Macguffin ( as Alfred Hitchcock  would say ) hidden in plain sight, , ,
>  "...and it is after midnight"
think about it :)

I still think it is ageist not to give 70s and 80s their own err umm what's the word ,, deciles ?

Quote from: Tom U on August 30, 2015, 11:46:37 AMsilver shunters  ;)

:laughabovepost:
does that need hair to qualify ?

Quote from: newportnobby on August 30, 2015, 11:35:36 AM
The Blue Era fitted your requirements almost perfectly due to the imminent demise of hydraulic transmission (although I'd like to think you could run a steam special now and then as there were plenty being run ;)). No other time frame would fulfil your requirements.

:D  My layout is set 1969 to 1970 for a good reason - the Hydraulics were plentiful and still in good condition, it is not a major leap of faith to imagining the odd D9500 (Class 14) or D600 (Class 41) slipping 'onto the stage' (although in real life both had gone by then), a few, but VERY FEW, non DHs were running on the WR and the Steam Ban was FIRMLY in place  :claphappy:.
It was imposed on 12th August 1968 and was only lifted in October, 1971.
I hope that answers your question NN  :)

The only 'kettles' on Peltin Down are in the buffet and crew cabins  :D.

Quote from: Tom U on August 30, 2015, 11:46:37 AM

Quote from: mjkerr on August 30, 2015, 10:46:51 AM
Now I find out this place is full of silver surfers!

More like silver shunters  ;)

How about hairless shunters  :uneasy:

Quote from: MalcolmAL on August 30, 2015, 12:09:50 PM
I still think it is ageist not to give 70s and 80s their own err umm what's the word ,, deciles ?

Or,
the whole poll is flawed, we only need two boxes :
Childhood
Second Childhood

QED

Based on replies so far the trend is that interest in N gauge model railways is proportional to age - the older you are the more likely you are to model N gauge trains.

However, people in their 60s are bucking the trend - there are less of them than those in their 50s and those over 69.

So, what is the explanation ?

Yours intriguedly,


Je

Quote from: D1042 Western Princess on August 30, 2015, 12:12:50 PM
The only 'kettles' on Peltin Down are in the buffet and crew cabins  :D.

Reminds me of an old school chum who went on to serve on nuclear subs.
he told how they used the cooling water to make tea with !!!! he assured me they used the right side of the heat exchanger !

Quote from: joe cassidy on August 30, 2015, 12:34:34 PM
there are less of them than those in their 50s and those over 69.

So, what is the explanation ?

I ref. onnerable member to a post I made earlier, to get 'those over 69' he had to group all 70s 80s and 90s together to get a quorum ! ;)
whereas there are still plenty of 50s left.

Hmmm, have we any members over 100 ?

Interesting poll, thanks. One fairly obvious aspect is that nearly three quarters of members who have taken part are over 50. I've no idea whether that confirms the "railway modellers are all old" stereotype, but what I did wonder was whether there's a preference among that age range for an on line forum while younger members may prefer a Facebook style approach (and yes, I do occasionally drop into the FB equivalent but it's not my preference, and yes, I'm over 50). I wonder to what extent the poll may reflect preferences of how n-gaugers use the internet.

Quote from: GScaleBruce on August 30, 2015, 01:09:16 PM
I've no idea whether that confirms the "railway modellers are all old" stereotype

The only thing that is confirmed is that about three-quarters of those members who have bothered replying to the poll are (or claim to be) over 50 ...

Not a single thing other than that can be drawn from it ...

Quote from: MikeDunn on August 30, 2015, 01:14:43 PM
The only thing that is confirmed is that about three-quarters of those members who have bothered replying to the poll are (or claim to be) over 50 ...

That and the fact that in three pages of posts people would rather talk about any old rubbish off-topic than the actual subject of the thread itself! ::)  :D


Paul

So far 0.015 of the members have replied thus  I would suggest
it's a bit early to draw any conclusions, like the general election night.

Quote from: MalcolmAL on August 30, 2015, 12:41:34 PM

Quote from: D1042 Western Princess on August 30, 2015, 12:12:50 PM
The only 'kettles' on Peltin Down are in the buffet and crew cabins  :D.

Reminds me of an old school chum who went on serve on nuclear subs.
he told how they used the cooling water to make tea with !!!! he assured me they used the right side of the heat exchanger !

Well, if they used the wrong side, at least they would be able to find their tea mugs when the lights went out !

Not to mention the loos ...  :goggleeyes:

FWIW: Wasn't  'Silver surfers' the name given to the 'silver' plates and things that were carefully stored (often wrapped up in paper, and only came out on special occasions?

Describes us quite well methinks: 'Carefully Stored', Often 'wrapped up', and 'Only coming out on Special occasions'...:) :)

I know, Hat (where IS that item), Coat? (It's missing too), Door... (It's moved), and as for me specs...I Think I'll stay indoors - all wrapped up and nowhere  to go :(

Quote from: MikeDunn on August 30, 2015, 03:45:32 PM
Not to mention the loos ...  :goggleeyes:

::)  And I thought you said you weren't going to mention the loos.  ;)

Occasionally the little disagreements we have on the forum backs up my wife's observation that there should be an under 5 age group..... Still at least when I am playing with my wooden train set I don't need to worry about electrics... :'(

 :laughabovepost:

Quote from: joe cassidy on August 30, 2015, 12:34:34 PM
Based on replies so far the trend is that interest in N gauge model railways is proportional to age - the older you are the more likely you are to model N gauge trains.

However, people in their 60s are bucking the trend - there are less of them than those in their 50s and those over 69.

So, what is the explanation ?

Yours intriguedly,


Je

I, like another earlier member, classed myself in the over 60's group as I am nearly 70, so, perhaps the grouping should have read" 70 and over" rather than "over 60's"
My modelling, by the way, is eras 4-5 despite being born in era 3. Given your premis of era being linked to year of birth I wonder how anyone would, thus, want to model eras 1 or 2.

QuoteGiven your premis of era being linked to year of birth I wonder how anyone would, thus, want to model eras 1 or 2.

Two possibilities spring to mind;

A keen railway historian

A masochist

(or a combination of both?)

I'm over 60 going on 68 1/2 but I run any thing I like on my layout Steam Diesel and the Brigton Belle next year the Pendolino so where do I fit into the theory.

Interesting thread.

I'm 30 and model three different time periods - early 1940s, mid 1960s and modern era (1995-2005)

I have to say that I detest anything in BR Blue - for me, its the most boring period in railway history.

Quote from: Ensign Elliott on September 02, 2015, 02:44:20 PM

I have to say that I detest anything in BR Blue - for me, its the most boring period in railway history.

:hmmm: A matter of opinion, of course, but with no fewer than 40 diesel classes, 9 electric classes, numerous DMUs/EMUs, maroon, green and blue stock, everything from pre WW2 coaches/vans to air conditioned stock, block trains and traditional pick up goods - the early 1970s were (to me) the most exciting time ever on the railway.
But, as I said, no accounting for personal opinion.

I'm very pleased to see that we have at least one teen who has entered the poll. I sometimes wonder if our hobby is dying out as us silver surfers get put out to grass???
:hmmm: :D

Sparky

Re: 'Still at least when I am playing with my wooden train set I don't need to worry about electrics ...'

You are presumably aware that with (model aircraft and car-type) Radio Control and on-board batteries, 'electrics' are no longer a problem; even with wooden rails?

Think of the possibilities that now await you... :)

(Just saying)

Quote from: Komata on September 02, 2015, 09:16:25 PM

You are presumably aware that with (model aircraft and car-type) Radio Control and on-board batteries, 'electrics' are no longer a problem; even with wooden rails?

Think of the possibilities that now await you... :)

(Just saying)

Interesting point, and that would eliminate such problems as point blades not making contact and dirty rails. For the first time since clockwork trains we wouldn't have to worry about such things...

BUT (and it is a big but)

could a battery be made small enough, yet powerful enough, for N gauge locomotive model railway use?
I can see that a 1.5v battery could be slipped into the boiler of, say, a Castle, King, West Country or A4 for examples via an opening smoke box while the motor was concealed in the tender but what about those with panniers/pugs/Terriers  or even 'real' locos like Westerns, Warships and Hymeks? (See my 'signature' below).
And model railways don't operate on 1.5v but 12v (analogue) - 15 v (DCC) - and here we return to my point about small, but powerful.

But an novel idea all the same.

If you have the answers it would be interesting to read them,
Thanks,
Greg.

how about watch batteries?

I'm in my fifties. I started modeling blue era 30 years ago but only cos that's what I could see on the tracks. Now I modeling contemporary trains, again because I have no real memories of blue era, all we got through my local stations were various first gen dmu's and I couldn't tell you what class they were to save my life.

John P

Quote from: steve836 on September 03, 2015, 07:40:04 AM
how about watch batteries?

Yes, small enough, but are they 15v and if not then will they operate a DCC fitted loco?

:offtopicsign:


Paul

Quote from: Sprintex on September 04, 2015, 07:10:36 AM
:offtopicsign:


Paul

Maybe, but off topic can be fun, sometimes more than the original!

It's very disrespectful to the OP though when their thread gets effectively hijacked for another non-related discussion by a small group, hence all side discussions should be taken to a separate thread.


Paul

Op ? Is that OAP ?

Original Poster, as in the person who started the thread.


Paul

Quote from: javlinfaw7 on September 10, 2015, 10:10:16 PM
Op ? Is that OAP ?

For most of us---Yes

Quote from: javlinfaw7 on September 10, 2015, 10:10:16 PM
Op ? Is that OAP ?

In my case..... :no:
I've still got 3 years to go :P

25 years for me HUZZAH  :D (you do still retire at 65?)

Quote from: paulprice on September 11, 2015, 11:31:15 AM
25 years for me HUZZAH  :D (you do still retire at 65?)

You'd have to check as it depends on your date of birth.

Quote from: paulprice on September 11, 2015, 11:31:15 AM
25 years for me HUZZAH  :D (you do still retire at 65?)

Sixty-seven for you, I suspect.

I don't think I will live that long

Keep away from the elephants and you might! I plan on making it twice over. That should just about be enough time to complete my layout.

In 25 years time retirement age will probably be 80!

In 25 years time there will likely be no retirement age at all !

Who's retiring anyway? Certainly not me. Retirement is for wimps.  :P

Quote from: Pete33 on September 11, 2015, 05:14:42 PM
Who's retiring anyway? Certainly not me. Retirement is for wimps.  :P

No! Retirement is for people who have more important things to do, rather than waste time going to work! :P

I need to change my vote, as I've just joined the 50's and over club as of yesterday.

Cheers

Neal.

Quote from: Calnefoxile on September 11, 2015, 05:34:57 PM

I need to change my vote, as I've just joined the 50's and over club as of yesterday.

Cheers

Neal.

Congrats on your half century, Neal :claphappy: :beers:
(You young whippersnapper)