Dennis LaGrua posted:I see the decline of the hobby shop being the result of the decline of the hobbyist. Today's youth lacks the motivation and manual skills necessary for a hobby. We have entered a "push button" era in history where with few exceptions, everything deemed necessary is being done with the smartphone.
In my own experience- with two female grandchildren (7 and 11), plus a grandson (just 2 years old!) in my other son's family- they are all fascinated by my trains, and the LionChief starter sets we bought them for Christmas. It seems to make no sense- they have never seen a steam engine- only diesel-driven , EOTDs full-scale trains. YET- they LOVE steam engine models, and cabooses (cabeese?).
When you think about it- running model trains is the same as a video game, BUT with a "real" component.
There are many who think the postwar boom in trains was related to several factors:
- Fathers returning from WWII wanted "the best" for their kids, in many cases things their own families could not afford due to being kids during the Great Depression. And 40's- 50's families were willing to invest a large chunk of their income to do it. As well, those fathers often were active participants themselves.
- The fact that Lionel AF and others cost so dearly, meant they were NOT really playthings. They were family amusement, often kept in storage until the holiday period. This "special" seasonal aspect might have been a large part of the magic. Will the kids be as excited if the trains are set up all year?? I don't know.
- Maybe the smartphone connection IS a great development for model railroading. MAYBE it does "connect" a younger generation??
- AND- "Model Railroading is Fun" to quote another (than OGR) magazine. If it's fun for us- why wouldn't it be fun for kids?? Every activity that "kids today" are exposed to must compete with every other activity.
DADS- do model railroading with your kids and/ or grandchildren. They will like it!! You will enjoy trains more too!! Don't just go hide in the trainroom.
