I don't think it is a problem... If you read forums a lot you will see a lot of people come to the hobby in their middle age... Its not as if the crusty old-timers  are going to pop their clogs and there will be no-one left modelling!

I came to the hobby in my mid-30s. When I was a kid I had a train set, but could never afford anything, didn't have the patience nor the skill and ultimately I discovered girls and drink were more fun! 

So in getting young people involved, I don't think it is that important.

Is it such a problem that the hobby is practiced by middle aged to crusty old-timers?! 

Quote from: Flakmunky on December 14, 2011, 09:33:38 AM

Is it such a problem that the hobby is practiced by middle aged to crusty old-timers?! 

Not at all - as long as Dapol and Farish don't make the assumption that 'middle aged to crusty old-timers' are only interested in the steam era or the pre-privatisation eras. Some of us want the 'new fangled multi coloured worms' (as someone from another post described them)

lol... I do admire the new fangled multi colour worms! I see plenty modern image layouts at shows...

I'm starting to encourage my son at an early age (much to SWMBO's dismay) playing with one of his 3rd birthday presents with his grandad, i dont think i'll let him near Milton yard for now but i'm considering buying him a wooden train table for his 4th birthday

Cute!  My little boy is just getting into Thomas the Tank Engine, but he hasn't worked out that the trains are supposed to be on the track, and not held in the air like a plane!!!! 

Rhys is the same,,, flying trains that crash into the ground alot,,,,

We all started some where so if flying trains is the way to get the young involved then so be it :smiley-laughing:on a more important note enjoy while at that age they soon get bigger ,like the idea of the wooden train table you could try a bit of remote control all the best

Kevin

I remember when I was much younger and my older brother got a train set, my favourite pastime was to shoot it with my toy gun... 

That's a bit scary. My younger brother is called Paul (although not Paul B) and he used to do similar things to my old OO set. You're not a million miles away either but last time I heard from him he was living over the border in Wales.

What I did notice down at Wigan and also at Perth was the number of younger folks, early to mid twenties, at both shows, and young couples too, not just the stereotypical "spotter" or train geek

But I will bang the same old drum again here, if you are at a show with a layout, run some ruddy trains on it, one can only stand and admire scenery for so long    and kids aint interested in flock

Quote from: Lawrence on June 28, 2012, 12:28:48 PM
What I did notice down at Wigan and also at Perth was the number of younger folks, early to mid twenties, at both shows, and young couples too, not just the stereotypical "spotter" or train geek

But I will bang the same old drum again here, if you are at a show with a layout, run some ruddy trains on it, one can only stand and admire scenery for so long    and kids aint interested in flock

i agree with that
kevin

Quote from: Trainfish on June 28, 2012, 03:06:33 AM
That's a bit scary. My younger brother is called Paul (although not Paul B) and he used to do similar things to my old OO set. You're not a million miles away either but last time I heard from him he was living over the border in Wales.

My elder brother is called Howard, and I'm afraid he lives nowhere near Wales - he is in Essex, and hasn't touched a train set since getting rid of his first OO set (he is in to plane spotting now - went to Majorca for a few days with a friend and they never left the airport...  )

my grand  daughters  love  my  layout....

they   rush upstairs  to  see  the  latest developements!

and  they  notice  them!

the  rules are  that all figures  are  fixed!!!

but  they  can move any   vehicles!!!

you  would  be  amazed  where  the  Ford  Cortina  gets  to!!!

Quote from: Paul B on June 28, 2012, 07:18:59 PM

My elder brother is called Howard, and I'm afraid he lives nowhere near Wales - he is in Essex, and hasn't touched a train set since getting rid of his first OO set (he is in to plane spotting now - went to Majorca for a few days with a friend and they never left the airport...  )

I am neither called Howard nor live near Wales but I think we have now worked out that you're not my brother. I really don't understand spending a holiday in a foreign airport but then neither do I understand someone standing at the end of a platform all day. Each to their own though. You should warn your brother though, he'd get arrested for that in some countries. Think Greece a few years ago..............

Being a crusty old git I was interested in the various comments. As many kids play
involves millenium falcons, playstations, flashing lights , monsters and robots
it may be difficult to get them interested in the finer points of gwr livery or
blood and custard rakes.Perhaps go back to the planet x missile launching
train set with exploding circus wagon, ps to giraffe,watch the loading gauge!