geting the young involed

[kevin141]

Went to Gratham show yesterday sat 3 sept lots  of good layouts BUT no youg folks showing layout's .So how do we get them in to the hobby? some young folks looking round with mum or dad but we need the new blood or our hbby will die,may be we need some sort of game for  the playstation ( other games machines out there)generation to help them to take a intrest in the hobby,or can we show it helps to build up skills e.g. wood work wireing and lots more

kevin141

[OwL]

Interesting Debate, It's always gonna be hard to prise young folk away from playstations and x-box, but the ball is firmly in our court. Many shows I have been to cater only for grown ups. The hobby could take a leaf from the manufacturers book. Im pleased to see companies like hornby and bachmann producing thomas, underground eddie and harry potter train sets, we as a hobby could help promote this to a younger audiance by displaying these themes at shows.

Also parents with an interest in trains and models can do their part by encouraging model railways to kids by buying them train sets at christmas along side x-box games. This gives the kids another interest away from video games and would hopefully foster an interest in model railways for the future.

The press and popular media could help as well by not branding anyone with a slight interest in trains as an anorak spotter, as of course this sends out a message to youngsters as uncool and therefore sad and boring. A good example of this is Roy Cropper's character in British soap Coronation Street, who is portrayed as a dull and a boring chap, who loves trains. kids see this character and associate his interest to being rubbish and joke worthy.

We should look at famous cool modellers like Rod Stewart, who has a massive passion for the hobby and owns a large United states themed HO layout to promote model railways as something to be proud of.

[upnick]

Some of you may know wiggy25  (traction )  from other forums  this type of layout he created  for the young at shows is more of what is needed  to encourage the young into the hobby,  as i remember  Ian  asked for  ideas to add to his layout  &   acted upon suggestions ot add more for the young to see &   do  making it truly interactive.

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4956&hl=

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5518

[Newportnobby]

Hail Wiggy!
Great idea - I know when I visited the Stafford MRS a couple of years running there was a small Thomas layout for the kids that was always popular.
IMHO the manufacturers should be doing more as it is mainly in their interest to do so, although I can't imagine they will advertise on the scale that Hornby/Triang used to.
In fact, they seem to do the opposite and push the fact that their models are not toys and so are unsuitable for youngsters. There just seems to be no medium for trying to get the message over about the fun and learning that can come from our hobby. Probably these days kids come to the hobby via their dads in the main.

[poliss]

This is the sort of thing that would get youngsters interested. I played with it at the Hartlepool exhibition and I loved it. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWHkEmOVukk

[Adam1701D]

A lot of youngsters like the contemporary liveries I have on my stand, so having something they can relate to is good. A layout needs to have lots going on - trains moving, intresting scenery, to really engage the young.

Whilst the more seasoned modeller might love to watch an superbly modelled finescale shunting plank, it may not hold much interest for the younger potential modeller.

Recent developments like DCC sound, digital control from a PC and working lights alh help. The big manufacturers need to look at more appealing starter sets. Hornby have a good range of "sexy" prototypes in 4mm, such as the Javelin, Eurostar and Pendolino, as well as favourites like Mallard and Scotsman. Farish's starter sets with a green 25 or BR V2 seem a little dowdy by comparison.

[Newportnobby]

I think we've also become a victim of our own making. For years now the modelling fraternity have been shouting for more detail/authenticity etc and this, along with DCC and sound developments has pushed the prices up to probably beyond the average 'toy' cost. I know there is always E Bay for attempting to source cheap 'starter' material but even using that medium can be expensive due to the silly money being asked for/paid.
It'll be interesting to see what lurks at TINGS to entice the youngsters.

[Adam1701D]

It would be good if Bachmann could develop some of the old Farish stuff into a version of Hornby's Railroad range.

[Dock Shunter]

I think we've also become a victim of our own making. For years now the modelling fraternity have been shouting for more detail/authenticity etc and this, along with DCC and sound developments has pushed the prices up to probably beyond the average 'toy' cost. I know there is always E Bay for attempting to source cheap 'starter' material but even using that medium can be expensive due to the silly money being asked for/paid.
It'll be interesting to see what lurks at TINGS to entice the youngsters.

It seems to me that a lot of kids these days demand instant entertainment.They don't seem to want or be able to engage their brains in a little imagination of their own.Wheather it is through 3D movies or Video games a whole virtual world is created for them.
When i was growing up..(70s) it was Lego, Meccano,Airfix kits....and a little imagination......
As for the cost of the hobby.....for the price of a Playstation or Xbox console and a few video games,the beginings of a fairly decent layout could be made.
I think it all comes down to peer pressure these days.......video games-cool...trains....?.
Most youngsters who are interested in model railways,i would say a very high proportion of them are so because "Dad" is into it..........

[michael]

may be we need some sort of game for  the playstation ( other games machines out there)generation to help them to take a intrest in the hobby

kevin141

anybody ever used this?

http://www.railsimulator.com/

[Gooders]

Recent developments like DCC sound, digital control from a PC and working lights alh help. The big manufacturers need to look at more appealing starter sets.

Absolutely agree. It's in their interest to ensure there's another generation of modellers (a.k.a. customers).

I think we've also become a victim of our own making.

I think that it's important that we ensure that the hobby is always accessible to everyone - of all ages, incomes, interests and abilities. I have had an experience at one club (no names, no packdrill - but one which put me off clubs forever) where those at the "higher" end of the hobby were dismissive and intolerant to those of us on limited budgets and with limited skills. This forum is a refreshing change.

It seems to me that a lot of kids these days demand instant entertainment.They don't seem to want or be able to engage their brains in a little imagination of their own.

You may be right, but I remember that James May show where he introduced the Xbox generation to Airfix kits. At first, it was depressing because, as you've said, the children didn't appear to want to invest any effort into the process. But, with some encouragement, some of them (not all admittedly) got something out of the exercise.

[Alex]

Quote from Gooders.
"I think that it's important that we ensure that the hobby is always accessible to everyone - of all ages, incomes, interests and abilities. I have had an experience at one club (no names, no packdrill - but one which put me off clubs forever) where those at the "higher" end of the hobby were dismissive and intolerant to those of us on limited budgets and with limited skills. This forum is a refreshing change."

I agree Gooders. I left a local modelling club because the resident rivet counter slagged everyones model off but his own. I've been on a number of forums as well and this is the best of the bunch.

I tried to get my 11 year old nephew involved but all he wanted to see was crashes.

Although it may be hard to encourage youngsters it seems that the, dare I say it, middle aged person wants to play trains. That's how I came into the hobby. I now have the time and some spare cash handy. It was also a way to interact with my Autistic son, although he likes crashes as well. Watching too much Thomas I think.

Tried to use the quote option but didn't seem to get it right.

Alex

[davieb]

hi all

today i attended the blackburn show, and guess which was the only layout you couldn't get near??

yep the thomas the tank layout

the other layouts that had larger crowds were the layouts with lots of lights & other effects 

i know that when my grandson comes to visit it's always the new lights that he notices first, not the new £?? loco 

just a little bit of observation  from the two aquatics clubs that i'm in
we have under 10's then except for 1 member (18) the next youngest members are in their 30's

goes to show the youth of today are not "into" joining clubs whatever they involve, maybe if we changed the name from "club" to "gang" they would then be interested

just my view on things

dave 

[longbridge]

I encourage one of my little Grandsons to play trains, he has a massive Thomas collection but when it comes to involving young kids into model railways I think we are pushing you know what up hill.

In this age of iPads and such I can see model railways going the way of simulation, quite a few are interested in what "Trainz" has to offer and they have access to their Faceache and Tw*tter accounts right in front of them.

I believe our hobby will survive but diminish in popularity as time goes on, at the moment there are many retired people like myself looking for something to keep our mind occupied, what of the future when all of us oldies have gone to the big train set in the sky???.

[poliss]

This dad doesn't seem to be having problems getting his youngsters interested in trains.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we_QUaJXRX0