Railway Modeller: "From our (NGF) correspondent"!

[GroupC]

In the new issue of RM our very own Ollie of Sheaf Valley fame has his very own column!! It's all about ageism in modelling and worth a read.

Watch out Ollie, BBC News may be after you working for them next!

For those who may be interested, he also hints that he may / will be selling the SVR so if you want to grab it I'd get in touch with him now as it's a great layout and sure to find a home quickly.

Well done on the piece Ollie, it's well written, readable and insightful.

By the way, I have no connection with Ollie except for being served by him once in the shop! Wish I'd got his autograph now...

[guest373]

There is also featured Umbridge, the N gauge layout of the REC Farnborough.  Visitors and potential members are always welcome. Running night is Tuesday 18th.

Tony

[Newportnobby]

I'll be getting my copy at the weekend but - am I old enough to read Ollie's article?

[Geoff]

Well I have just read Ollie's article and I have to say how well it is written, personally I never knew there was an ageism problem in model railways but with Ollie going round the country with Sheaf Valley Railway then he must be correct, shame on you oldies lol.

I do hope Ollie has more article's written in RM as it is allways nice to read about N Gauge in the RM.

[Newportnobby]

I snuck into a well known supermarket and got a copy today.
Completely agree with Geoff about Ollie's article - great job, Ollie, you young whippersnapper

[PGN]

I read it with interest, too.

What struck me more than anything was the obvious dissonance between the attitudes Ollie reports ("surprised to see you involved in our hobby, young man; it's really a hobby for older folk to enjoy") and the regular lament that one reads that "we're all getting older the hobby will die if we don't attract more younger modellers".

We can't have it both ways, can we?

Personally, I think the hobby can remain perfectly viable if the majority of people only come to the hobby in their 40s and 50s, when they have a sporting chance of affording the rapidly escalating cost of models; but that having been said, I am completely indifferent to the age of my fellow modellers, because that seems to me to be a total red herring. I'm interested in the models they build, not the length of time they've been on this planet. As far as I'm concerned all are welcome, young and old; and one of the most inspiring modellers I know is another young whippersnapper, Rudi Newman, who builds some amazing Era 1 stuff (including working broad gauge, and his prize-winning diorama of the Rainhill Trials!).

Mind you, have you noticed how few women and minority ethnic modellers there are?? There have been some, particularly high-profile women modellers (Shirley Rowe; Yvonne Shillabeer); but on the whole it is pretty clearly a white man's hobby. Is this because women and minority ethnic folk aren't interested in playing trains? Or is there a deeper-seated attitude issue within the hobby at play here?

[acko22]

Sadly not going to be able to get a copy well not at the moment anyhow.

As to ageism well I am 30 and granted while I am younger than most I havent felt like I have been openly discriminated against or looked down at due to my age.
If anything its the opposite people have been very friendly and welcoming, I think in reality its all about personality I know there are people.my age who are arogant bags who wonder why people dont like them.

It all depends on how willing people are to engage with younger people, I can appreciate the stand off some people will have with people my age and younger though and you cant blame them.

[Geoff]

Mind you, have you noticed how few women and minority ethnic modellers there are?? There have been some, particularly high-profile women modellers (Shirley Rowe; Yvonne Shillabeer); but on the whole it is pretty clearly a white man's hobby. Is this because women and minority ethnic folk aren't interested in playing trains? Or is there a deeper-seated attitude issue within the hobby at play here?

Maybe you are forgetting the ladies that post on here, Caz as one superb layout and I am supprised how many ladies do model, when you mention ethnic minorities, I was searching you tube about computer control and one person from India has a superb layout and the video is a joy to watch ok it is not our scale but the detail he has put in to the operation of his layout is commendable.

If you look up Abendstern Computer Control on You Tube it is well worth a watch, he does state there is a lack of interest in his country and how hard it is to get hold of products, but this goes to show there maybe more ethnic people in the hobby who do not publicise the fact they are railway modellers.

[Bealman]

And don't forget another of our mods, Pengi, who is also a very accomplished railway modeller! 

[GrahamB]

Will Ollie be signing copies of RM at TINGS?

[Newportnobby]

Maybe, but it could devalue the copy of RM

[Tank]

Well done @Ollie3440!  I haven't read it myself, but I'm glad that you've written such an article having had the ageism happen to me on a number of occasions on here.

[woodbury22uk]

Been on a cruise for two weeks with 70 different natinalities in the crew, and 40 amongst the passengers. Had dinner every night with a brilliant Texan couple. He has a 10ft x 6ft H0 layout, and we found that we have a lot in common. He taught me a few things, and he was seduced by the simplicity of my folded-figure-of- eight ( with add-ons) track layout, compared to his multi-level swooping and diving plan. Language soon ceased to be a barrier.

Hopefully Ollie's piece will help to bridge the age divides where they exist. I am all for sharing our expertise and giving praise where due regardless of age, gender or race.

[Bealman]

Language soon ceased to be a barrier?

I have always had trouble understanding  Texans, too. 

Sounds like you had a great time. 

I think that Mrs Bealman would not be amused if I talked model railways on a cruise!

[woodbury22uk]

Language soon ceased to be a barrier?

I have always had trouble understanding  Texans, too. 

Sounds like you had a great time. 

I think that Mrs Bealman would not be amused if I talked model railways on a cruise!

Fortunately being Texans they spoke slowly. The US and UK words differ for almost everything - ties, tangent, ROW, engineer,  boxcar,  consist, etc. etc.

The wives never noticed our conversation, too busy talking to each other about important things.