There are practical reasons I can think of:
- History. By bringing young people into the hobby, we pass on historical information on real railroads they otherwise would not have full access to. Prototype railroads built this country's expansion by expediting the movement of people, goods, and information (mail service). Towns and cities developed around railroad routes. Though some events related to the railroads' history and expansion might be considered questionable by today's standards, the overall is a net positive in this country's growth.
- Education on Prototype. Hopefully, we can convey to them rail safety, its impact on domestic and international commerce and the practical issues of how rail transportation works in general.
- Passing on skill sets not readily learned in school today. When I was in school (when dinosaurs roamed the earth), we had wood, metal, and electric shop classes. These skill sets have helped me over the years both in and out of the hobby. Modernly, schools have gotten away from "blue collar" practical skills, choosing to focus on either STEM (not necessarily a bad thing) or a "humanities" / political correctness curriculum (opinion). Additionally, the modeling skills have practical applications outside the hobby as you learn how to build stuff.
- Passing on our trains. My efforts at cloning myself aside, it's apparent I won't be around forever. So giving the younger generation an appreciation of the hobby means the trains have somewhere to go after we're gone, and hopefully they'll be passed on before ending up in some collection or recycled into some other products. A couple of our younger members were conspiring on how to separate me from some items in my collection -- I was so proud of them!
- Sharing our time. Kids need time with their parents and/or adult role models. OK, maybe we're questionable role models at times, but the mentorship aspect of spending time with kids -- teaching them the benefits of cooperation and interaction rather than video games is beneficial (opinion).
- Building an empire. OK, maybe not in the Bond Villain megalomaniac sense, but the hobby allows one to use their creative talents to build a small world they have some element of control over -- an outlet/temporary escape from the real world where they have little control. Great stress relief.
I'm sure I could think of more stuff, but it's early out here and I haven't had my morning coffee.
