Good Morning Everyone,
The title of the post evoked many different feelings and of course, like others, I was tempted and now have indulged. I have read through every comment posted so far, some being very beautiful. I must say I take the author's commentary differently than most have. That could be because I try to be positive and empathetic in general.
First of all we are all entitled to our own feelings and they are our own. The author expressed his disappointment that his son and grandchildren were no longer interested in trains. That's a valid and honest feeling. I don't have any children or grandchildren but if and when I do, I would hope that my train bug would latch on to them as well. I also, wish there were more people my age into trains. These are my feelings and no one else has to have them but me. Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having these feelings.
I believe there is a big picture to look at here. I'm not saying this is what the author was thinking but I many times have thought "is this the end for model trains as we know it". That is another thread in itself. I agree with other comments about time, generation, and other interests and certainly don't believe anything is wrong with having them. I myself have other interests outside of my love of trains. One of those other interests is a passion. The author did not say if people don't like trains that makes them a bad person or anything of the sort. Maybe some have, but HE did not. However, we do know what WE have learned from being model railroaders and the friendships many of us have gotten from it. Why would we not want our offspring to love them like we do with such benefits? Not to mention how it may have been one of the bonding activities with our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, other family members, friends, etc.
Again, Doug was stating something he is feeling with his individual situation and he brought some of us in with an interesting title to his post. I don't for a minute, believe he is unhappy or disappointed in his son or grandchildren in general but simply wishes they had more interest in the hobby. Though many of the comments went the other way, most of us probably wish the same.
Dave
