Jump to content

Young blood

Rate this topic


Warbonnet

Recommended Posts

I think the best way to gauge this sort of thing is to ask the retailers how many kids and teenagers frequent their shops and purchase model railway equipment. Look around at an exhibition and gauge the same thing there, how old are the visitors what percentage are kids and adults. I think that this is one hobby that has stood the test of time and there have been turbulent times for a lot of us of a certain age in our lifetimes with recessions and high unemployment. Kids today are very resourceful and they will try and earn a few bob to pay for their models as the young lads have stated above.

 

Vincent even went without his sausages, and he will benefit from it by having a point and stopping his arteries clogging :-bd. Groups like this draw an awful lot of young blood into the hobby as they will get advice comradeship and a voice to air their opinions for free, there is no doubt that for the majority of the time the internet has started a revolution and I wonder as groups like this grow will it have an effect on the print media within the hobby, as I find myself buying the monthly Railway Modelling mags less often as I find all the entertainment and knowledge here that I need. For me they also bring an enthusism that takes me back to my youth.

 

Rich,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Credit also has to given to Anthony and Wiggy and anyone else who has uploaded videos of their models on youtube.

 

I couldn't agree more with that statement as it has surely made people aware of the growing repertoire of Irish prototype models available to people that wouldn't be aware of the phenomenal growth of the hobby here, let alone the standards of the work that the lads produce. That kind of work and access to what is available has surely inspired many a young kid to have a go and also find their way to this group as a consequence of watching these videos.

 

Rich,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I do move to Dublin again I'm probably going to rent a whole house out in the suburbs to the south or west. I might join a club too.

 

Is there a MR club in Galway?

 

There isn't even a model shop here anymore, was talking to some friends about starting a run one out of the 091labs maker/hacker space here. Also trying to convince them to help build a huge layout :).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

first train i got was a hornby clockwork goods set...an ovel of track with 3 wagons. thought i went to heaven when i got my second loco, which was the same model except operated by a battery controller - bliss! my first decent loco was 'princess elizbeth' with exhaust sound fitted...it really did give off the chuff chuff sound! jesus, those were the days...when we expected nothing so we were never dissapointed! with the onset of puberty and the first sight of hairs growing where they hadnt been before, not to mention the first surge of strength in my loins (thought rigor mortice was setting in!) it was deemed to be not cool to play with trains. all was stored until the year i got married....when i had to get a hobby fast to get away from herself and this weird notion that she had that i loved going shopping with her....walking 2 stepd behind her like a baby duck after its mother:rolleyes: - still the things we do for love! then the dark days arrived when the dreaded mother-in-law arrived, which is when i really threw myself into the hobby. speaking of halloween, i have to go and hang the hag, i mean the m-i-l outside to scare the kids tonight....great to see shes good for something!;)

Edited by heirflick
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A very interesting thread guys. Here are a few opinions to entertain you.

My very small kids started off developing a taste for Thomas DVDs (very good modelling there – have a look some of you!), then progressed to a DVD of the History of British steam (to see real steamers) and now prefer one of my Markle DVDs on Irish diesels all in orange & black. All this in 6 months. So why should they be so interested? Their exposure to real, toy or model trains has as yet been very limited.

Someone mentioned that they are not interested in railcars. I have quite broad interests in railways but would admit to having a very limited interest in the most modern generation of railcars. However I find the early Irish railcars fascinating, even though I have only seen one or two examples. They were world leaders in their day and somehow the styling and character of them seemed much more attractive to me than the latest types, despite the obvious improvements in technology & comfort.

So I think that a great big part of railway modelling is the (subconscious?) wish to produce a reminder of how things were before. Just look at the present interest in modelling Irish rail freight, even though there is now very little running in real-life. Personally I would love to build a 1950s or -60s Irish railway with beautiful countryside, or the sort generated by Colm Flanagan and his gang.

Reproducing actual railway operation is another honeypot which can generate great interest. I suspect that very few attain that particular nirvana, since you really need a group of enthusiasts and a largish railway for it to work. My favorite model railway of this sort is the WLWR Moygraney line in 7mm which has been in-building for several decades. I guess a club is the only chance for that sort of thing.

This says nothing about why young folk should develop an interest in railway modelling, unless perhaps they move over from a general interest in railways or other types of modelling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A very interesting thread guys. Here are a few opinions to entertain you.

My very small kids started off developing a taste for Thomas DVDs (very good modelling there – have a look some of you!), then progressed to a DVD of the History of British steam (to see real steamers) and now prefer one of my Markle DVDs on Irish diesels all in orange & black. All this in 6 months. So why should they be so interested? Their exposure to real, toy or model trains has as yet been very limited.

Someone mentioned that they are not interested in railcars. I have quite broad interests in railways but would admit to having a very limited interest in the most modern generation of railcars. However I find the early Irish railcars fascinating, even though I have only seen one or two examples. They were world leaders in their day and somehow the styling and character of them seemed much more attractive to me than the latest types, despite the obvious improvements in technology & comfort.

So I think that a great big part of railway modelling is the (subconscious?) wish to produce a reminder of how things were before. Just look at the present interest in modelling Irish rail freight, even though there is now very little running in real-life. Personally I would love to build a 1950s or -60s Irish railway with beautiful countryside, or the sort generated by Colm Flanagan and his gang.

Reproducing actual railway operation is another honeypot which can generate great interest. I suspect that very few attain that particular nirvana, since you really need a group of enthusiasts and a largish railway for it to work. My favorite model railway of this sort is the WLWR Moygraney line in 7mm which has been in-building for several decades. I guess a club is the only chance for that sort of thing.

This says nothing about why young folk should develop an interest in railway modelling, unless perhaps they move over from a general interest in railways or other types of modelling.

 

I honestly think it is something you are born with. A club is definitely a great environment to be involved in as there are so many aspects of the hobby you can gain experience from should you ever decide on a build of your own layout. The Markle dvd's are great for hearing those sounds that are now a part of history.

 

Rich,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Modelling the Irish scene has historically presented a challenge, particularly if you're doing it in Ireland. It is only in the last 15-20 years that things have become easier in terms of stock, kits and all the rest. For that we have the Internet to thank - it's that much easier to order what you're after, and information about what's available is more accessible.

 

I remember first coming to Dublin back in 1988, during an unemployment peak, and only ever seeing one model shop (Murphy's) in the whole place. It sold British-outline stock; I don't remember seeing anything in CIE/IE/IR livery there at the time. My parents took me around much of Ireland that year, and I never saw another model shop. The economic situation back then focussed people's minds on emigration, not modelling.

 

I think TMD kits (now SSM) existed back then, but actually getting hold of any was a challenge. They were not very well publicised in Britain, if at all.

 

Today, things are that much better materially, thanks to the Celtic Tiger, even if it did have a propensity to prowl around on quicksand. The very fact that this Forum exists to showcase what's being done demonstrates how much Irish modelling has developed out of almost nothing.

 

You lot are still only youngsters wait till you hit your 40's:((:((:((

 

I'm just after turning 41. I've been in model railways in one form or another since the age of 5; dead-scale Scalefour since 1990, but modelling 5'3" (21mm gauge) only started this year. Just after realising that if/when I finish this "S" class, I'll have no 21mm gauge track to run it on :doh:

 

Since I no longer have youthful good looks, I resorted to radical plastic surgery and now look like this:

 

DSCF0012-1.jpg

Edited by Horsetan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

I'm just after turning 41. I've been in model railways in one form or another since the age of 5; dead-scale Scalefour since 1990, but modelling 5'3" (21mm gauge) only started this year. Just after realising that if/when I finish this "S" class, I'll have no 21mm gauge track to run it on :doh:

 

 

 

The same here I'm 42 and been at it from around the same age as regards the 21mm track I've never bothered with it due to it not been readily available and from what I've seen very few people ever seem to get a proper sized layout up and running. That's why I would rather just use Peco track so I can run trains:trains:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am not sure if it was Scaletric or other hobbies and pastimes but model railways seem to have almost disappeared off the radar in Dublin in the early 70s.

 

Apart from Monck Place and Southern Model Railways most Department Stores many bicycle/TV and electrical shops had a Traing agency and stocked Triang-Hornby train sets and sometimes track and accessories.

 

I used to look at the sets in the window of Lamberts TV shop in Crumlin village on the way to and from school, especially the break down train with its Jinty, crane and interesting looking bottles of oil.

 

A few years later it was only Terry's Toy shop in Henry Street and the two specialist model railway shops. My first set was the oddly named "South African Goods" the recently released M7 and four wagons. Unlike Seamus Princess the M7 did not last very long was traded in for a diesel shunter and I started my long tradition of cutting, carving and bashing.

 

The attitude to model railways was different then and it wasnt a done thing for a teenager let alone a grown man to be seen playing with trains.

 

These days our 3 year old daughter has her own set and has mastered the remote controi, and I might actually have space for a permanent layout.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's been a big change in what qualifies as "approved" manly hobbies over the last decade or so. Another aspect is that grown men are now free to wear the sort of t-shirts we would have given our left arms to wear back in 3rd and 4th class. The popularity of Gaming is another manifestation of the same thing.

 

I agree that it changed in the 70's alright. I remember that Eason's in Patrick St. in Cork used to have a MASSIVE Hornby layout every Christmas. Then by the early 80's it all just went, along with the shops (Trains, Boats and Planes etc.). Great to see it all back again, and d'internet has played no small part.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unlike most of you guys I am part of the silver haired brigade -the bit I have. I've always had an interest in model railways but only ever had a cheap Lima one back in the 70's. Now I'm getting back into it and am building one in the attic. The fact the the hobby is still going after almost 70 yrs is testement to the enjoyment one can get. It'll always be small over here but will continue. The only thing is prices of Locos and stock can inhibit younger people joining. I dread telling the missus I'm spending €180 on engines. When your older bruises take longer to disapear !!! But she loves me !!:x

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unlike most of you guys I am part of the silver haired brigade -the bit I have. I've always had an interest in model railways but only ever had a cheap Lima one back in the 70's. Now I'm getting back into it and am building one in the attic. The fact the the hobby is still going after almost 70 yrs is testement to the enjoyment one can get. It'll always be small over here but will continue. The only thing is prices of Locos and stock can inhibit younger people joining. I dread telling the missus I'm spending €180 on engines. When your older bruises take longer to disapear !!! But she loves me !!:x

 

 

Welcome to the site Portoman and I'm looking forward to seeing photos etc of your progress of your layout and collection

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use