quote:Andrew, you made my point. You made a cryptic three-word response, why not share your knowledge and put this whole thread to bed. What is the big secret, where is this published?
Try the Eastern Division web site. I think its published there.
Right you are CW...right on front From Oct 2014
Attachments
Images (1)
quote:The biggest problem I see, especially on this site, is that many of the older members, including those with some level of responsibility for the future of the hobby, either have complacency or a lack of care for that future.
Why is the Eastern Division's York train show is important to the future of the hobby?
Kids come on here and worry about how I steward things like the York meet. FORTY-TWO years is not bad! That's unfair! Do I come on here worrying whether or not kids will **** it away?
Thanks to all who responded.
Originally Posted by ronald1:
It would be interesting to know what the stats are for attendance at York...
It might, also, be interesting to learn what sells, and how much of it sells. I'll bet that kind of information will tell us a lot about the direction our hobby is taking, eh?
FrankM.
Layout Refinements
Right now kinda low. Sitting next to grandstands, warm and hospitable. Maybe 25 RVs in two lines awaiting 9:00 AM opening.
it won't be like this tomorrow night.
Our goal is to enjoy some time away and meet new people. Worrying about what might happen is not in the picture. Friend with me unexpectedly lost a close friend of 40+ years yesterday. Driving back tomorrow for visitation and funeral and back to York Thursday PM.
We agreed to worry about what we can have some influence over.
Originally Posted by C W Burfle:
quote:The biggest problem I see, especially on this site, is that many of the older members, including those with some level of responsibility for the future of the hobby, either have complacency or a lack of care for that future.
Why is the Eastern Division's York train show is important to the future of the hobby?
Its not important if you care only about yourself but it is important if you wish to do something for the youth and build/change the meet so that we can pass it on to the next generation. I have many suggestions to build York into a family style meet. I want to share my hobby with the young people. Is sharing and doing something for others part of your makeup?
quote:Is sharing and doing something for others part of your makeup?
Yes indeed, it is.
That does not mean that everything I do has to be for "sharing and doing something for others". I am allowed to do things for my own benefit, as the TCA is allowed to do things for the benefit of its members.
Regardless, I maintain that there is nothing appreciable that changing the York train show could do to encourage growth anyway.
Why aren't many new people getting into "O" gauge trains?
- They are too expensive
- They take up too much room
- It takes to long to build a layout
- People don't have the skills to build a layout and don't value learning them
- People are very mobile, moving around more than ever
- Most folks don't find real railroads to be particularly interesting, so why model them?
Yet there are new people getting into the hobby. IMHO, the best way to encourage them is individually. I kept Lionel gondola on my desk at work, filled with pens and pencils, and had a Gang car sitting on a piece of track. As a result, I had a number of people bring me their heirloom trains for repair (and advice), so they could get them going for the holidays again.
I know that one guy grew his families holiday setup into a year round layout with his son.
Another guy liked the gondola so much, I gave it to him. Within a short time he was buying trains on EBay.
Doing things like this takes some personal effort. Proclaiming that a train show should change to meet your vision doesn't take any real effort at all does it?
quote:I have many suggestions to build York into a family style meet
There are plenty of "family style" meets. The one closest to me is the annual train show in Springfield Ma. Their attendance figures surpass that of York. But few, if any people are traveling from across the country to attend.
Springfield is worth the 90 minute drive I have.
It sure wouldn't be worth the six hour drive I have to York.
I think that your points regarding "why aren't many new people getting into "O" gauge trains" are excellent and hit on the prime reasons. Of course, the electronic gadgets consume a lot of people's time, young and old. I also think your personal example is one of the best ways to promote the hobby.
Originally Posted by C W Burfle:
quote:Is sharing and doing something for others part of your makeup?
Yes indeed, it is.
That does not mean that everything I do has to be for "sharing and doing something for others". I am allowed to do things for my own benefit, as the TCA is allowed to do things for the benefit of its members.
Regardless, I maintain that there is nothing appreciable that changing the York train show could do to encourage growth anyway.
Why aren't many new people getting into "O" gauge trains?
- They are too expensive
- They take up too much room
- It takes to long to build a layout
- People don't have the skills to build a layout and don't value learning them
- People are very mobile, moving around more than ever
- Most folks don't find real railroads to be particularly interesting, so why model them?
Yet there are new people getting into the hobby. IMHO, the best way to encourage them is individually. I kept Lionel gondola on my desk at work, filled with pens and pencils, and had a Gang car sitting on a piece of track. As a result, I had a number of people bring me their heirloom trains for repair (and advice), so they could get them going for the holidays again.
I know that one guy grew his families holiday setup into a year round layout with his son.
Another guy liked the gondola so much, I gave it to him. Within a short time he was buying trains on EBay.
Doing things like this takes some personal effort. Proclaiming that a train show should change to meet your vision doesn't take any real effort at all does it?
