Bringing Up the Next Generation Of Model Railroaders

This month I am studying Product and Artist Management. I thought about many people saying, that this hobby is dying. I don’t agree with that at all. I think things are just changing, and many fear the changes. I was thinking; how do you manage a product if there are no people to buy the product? This would be hard to do. So, my blog post for this addition of the Trackage Video Blog will be about ways to get youth into the action.

You all know my story. My grandfather was an engineer on the B&O, and he started buying HO scale trains for me when I was in the womb. He took me to see the famous 2101 Chessie Steam Special in 1978, and gave me a few up-close looks at a few GP units. I even got to operate a B&O GP unit once, and a powered Budd car too. This is what started me off on loving trains.

I have started to do much of the same with my son, and three girls. I took them to see engine 765 Nickel Plate Road Lima Locomotive built Berkshire in action, and have taken them to see the sister of the 765 the 779 in a park in Lima, Ohio. I also got to take my son to see the Amtrak 40th Anniversary Train. I also show him videos, and let him see what I am doing in the hobby. I don’t know if it will be his thing; or not, only time will tell.

Now: let us take a look at some of the products out that will help to get new modelers in the future. Kalmbach Publishing Co; has a great idea to reach children that will one day be the model railroad modeler, a magazine called Trains 4 Kids. This magazine has pictures of prototype trains and model trains. The magazine has games and puzzles to play. It is much like a Highlights magazine that is about trains. I think this is a great way to get some junior engineers started.  

There are a few kid friendly shows for the train-loving child now. First you have Thomas and the Chugginton shows. There has been a great Christmas movie done in the last few years too, called The Polar Express with Tom Hanks voice as the conductor. My son loved the movie a lot. My grandchildren like Thomas, Chugginton, and the Polar Express a lot too.

In the May 2012 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine there is an article called Kids and Model Railroading that may give some tips on how to get kids involved in the hobby. Many train shows are now offering small clinics for teaching children about modeling. There is now an organization called Youth in Model Railroading that is just for kids. YMR is a bit like the National Model Railroad Association for kids. I think that this is a great idea.

Without bringing kids into the hobby there is no future for it. It is a good idea for the model railroad industry to do what it can or the hobby will disappear. This will be bad for modelers, and bad for the companies that make model railroad products. If you are a modeler, railfan, or railroad worker get involved with some kids, yours or someone else’s maybe both.

Until next time, thank you

Robert Reynolds