This week I got to meet Bob Hundman (who is actually a mild friendly guy)at the PCR NMRA meet, and last night he spoke at the awards banquet about how the average age of modelers is going up. Again I was one of the youngest guys there, being mid 40's, and his speech was an eye opener for many people there. He had been doing an experiment that some of you may have read about over the years, where he gives free subscriptions of his magazines to schools. He has proved that by giving the subscriptions to grade schools, middle schools, and high schools in the same school district over the course of several years, that you can create a wave of new model railroaders, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NOT MANY HOBBY STORES in the area. These kids are finding these magazines in the library at grade school, and reading them because they are funner than many other books there, then when they get to middle school, and high school, start using the internet, as well as available local hobby shops, to make their train orders because that's how they learn to aquire train models. Bob also said that after giving free subs to schools since the late 80's in some midwest cities (I cannot remember which area he said), that when he visits NMRA conventions in those areas that they have a lot of young excellent modelers at their meets and conventions. That seems to prove that the hobby can be propetuated, even if there are no local hobby shops. Bob also offered to make cheap subscriptions to schools in our region, if the PCR was willing to sponsor a few schools, but added that it only seems to work well if you provide the magazines to all 3 of grade schools, middle schools, and high schools in an area, and that you start seeing results in as few as 5 years. What's your feelings on this method of attracting new modelers into the hobby?
Sounds as though the theory is being proven. I suppose that only time will tell us the full story. In the end, it cannot hurt to do this. I wouldn't be surprised that it not only provides a worthy tax deduction, but also grows his subscriber base. Boxcab E50
I think that this is a great idea, i definately think it would attract at least some younger people that maybe otherwise wouldnt know about model railroading
It is all about advertising. The subscription idea is very good. I remember when I was a wee little tike, I used to always read train magazines at the library, both public and and school. When one does not have the availble funds, you can go to the library and read, and make copies of favorite articles to use on the home pike. It is a great idea, to get new blood in the hobby. What about the LHS having clinics for new modelers or young modelers starting out??!!?? Too many times I have been to a hobby shop , where they look down on you, or just don't even acknoweldge you, because you might have inferior modeling skills. There is one such shop in the Houston area, I maybe wrong, but asking questions, I felt like I had to pry the answers out of them. One more thing in my rant, ( sorry ), how many hobby shop owners could give a rats butt bout the modeler and more about the dollar? As forrest gump would say,,, " that is all I have to say about that" Adios, Wyatt
AH yes, the surly LHS clerk.....that's a subject for another thread (if it hasn't been already). However, I feel that "planting seeds"- that is, passing out model railroading mags, gift subscriptions, clinics, even showing videos- is the best way to bring in the new blood. Hey, we were all "new" at this hobby once upon a time. To get around the problem of surly storekeepers, perhaps a clinic for newbies could be conducted at your local swap meets. That would be a good project for model RR clubs. And if you're not doing so right now, show a couple of model RR videos.
I'm trying to do my part I have met a fatherless boy in a small town in Oregon and have given him, and his mother a couple of rides in the cab of our steam locomotive in the past few years. I recently asked him if he would be interested in model railroading to which he enthusiastically answered "yes!" So I told him to ask around his friends at school, (middle school) who might also be interested. He has found three other fatherless boys to be a part of his "club." I will be their mentor and teach them how to use power tools and help them design a HO layout, which is to be built in my friend's garage. We started construction last week. I demonstrated how to make the first L-girder and the kids made the rest. I think this is going to be fun!
Bill- About 25 years ago, I did volunter work at a social services facility. Helped build a layout using mostly donated old Lionel. Having plenty of knowledge about Lionel helped... It was great fun teaching how to make trees. Making the molds, then casting tunnel portals with their initials in the face. Watching them work hydrocal into scenery. Then they painted it. I think they had more fun doing all the construction, than any actual running of trains! Boxcab E50
I believe that will be the case with this one too Bob .. one of the kids is very talented as an artist and he is almost "foaming" with anticipation to paint the backdrop etc. The three others are excited about learning how to use the power tools in conjunction with the construction of the layout. They are somewhat concerned about the electronics, but we will cross that bridge when we get there. I'm sure they will do fine I find it ver gratifying to see the light come on in their faces as they learn.
When we first started with (the first club I was a member of), they had a schedule of "real operation", maintainence/construction, then Showed an 8 or 16mm movie (VHS was unheard of back then), then everyone could run or test his equipment, discuss things, or just visit. I was forteen and the oldest "kid" there, the youngest was 7. They were allowed to run their own trains for an hour at the end of the regular meeting if their father or mother stayed with them. Members took their "scale" equipment off and packed it up before the kids got on the layout. This worked well for that summer, then I went off to boarding school. The first meeting I went to when I came home, there were maybe 10 kids from 7 to 15 and their fathers and mothers there but ........an......"accident" (I'll call it) happened that caused the club to break up. If you can keep the rich bullies out of your group, you can attract a nice family crowd and things will grow. They had finished laying all the track and almost all the scenery. Everyone treated the kids as if they were people by answering their questions, and helping show them how to do things. Club members (including kids) got a discount from the owner of the Hobby Shop, so we never ordered mail order. He would always meet the mail order price, so we saved the shipping. [ 28. April 2003, 16:55: Message edited by: watash ]
Well being a younger "modeler" myself (I am 16), I think the biggest problem I have is money. With the ridiculously high prices you have to pay over here (gotta love the change rate), the expension of ready-to-runism which makes RTR models even more expensive than before (I prefer kits because they are cheaper) and the total lack of any train show in the city where I can get bargains... I'm looking for a job now since I can't get a subvention from the boss (dad)... I think you can't turn someone into a modeller. If he shows an interest in trains, he was born with it, or was introduced to trains when he was very young (like me). But I like the idea of those magazines in the school library. I was able to find a few books on modelling at my school and more at the municipality's library. I think it can help DEVELOPING an interest, but I don't think it can CREATE one. just my 2 cents' worth
My nearest hobby store is almost 40 miles away, no one in my family is a "true" train lover, don't have finances to go big, and school and racing have cut time down..... Model Railroading is a good way to get away from the stressors of the world.
Mathieu .. I agree with you whole heartedly about the costs .. and the declining number of kits. The kids that I am working with are from single parent homes, and really do not have money either. But I really would like to see these kids excel by experiencing the hobby. So I am absorbing all of the costs. What the heck .. I'm retired, (sort of) .. my home is paid for and I don't owe anyone anything. I can't see why I shouldn't help these kids out by showing them there's more to life than TV and violent video games. The boy that I began to focus on for this venture was a guest to my home .. with his mother a couple of years ago. He had a blast operating trains on my layout, and I'm sure he told his friends about it too. Additionally, I showed his mother and him Paul's Badger Creek RR photos that were posted in various threads here on TrainBoard. *That* really excited them! LOL
