tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218524178230712938.post937425368258465285..comments2024-03-26T10:21:28.283-07:00Comments on modeling the SP: Say “hi” to the new guyTony Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11593061828601275378noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218524178230712938.post-41154045409773196002015-03-24T05:48:29.963-07:002015-03-24T05:48:29.963-07:00I've been tempted to dump RPMing the SP, and m...I've been tempted to dump RPMing the SP, and model Thomas and Friends. The big question is: Hornby OO or Bachmann HO? Well, for the price of a single Division Point SP steam engine, you can have it all. Then you can run trains. Really run trains, and not worry about the klutz at the club knocking $50 of detail parts off your box car as he rerails it after it jumped the gap between modules the wrong way.<br /><br />I've since regained my senses. :-)Arvedhttp://www.arvedgrass.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218524178230712938.post-16918811881391340352015-03-19T12:09:27.375-07:002015-03-19T12:09:27.375-07:00Boy Galen! You hit it with this "Perhaps thos...Boy Galen! You hit it with this "Perhaps those clubs who only do the minimal introductions really don't want to know anything about you, or integrate you into their old boys' club,"<br />I've seen it in a club I used to belong to. I could only attend meetings a few times a year as I worked evenings, but I would see new persons occasionally there and then not see them again. If their interests and skills didn't fit with the "Central Cabal" they would quickly fade away.<br />Bob Bochenekarbe1948https://www.blogger.com/profile/07200787740351997164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218524178230712938.post-32715809334008939872015-03-18T18:30:16.032-07:002015-03-18T18:30:16.032-07:00I have not seen recent episodes of the TV program,...I have not seen recent episodes of the TV program, so can't comment on them. Certainly back in the day they were charming. A couple of different children we know liked the episodes best that were narrated by Ringo Starr (though they had no idea who HE was). And you're right, Thomas on TV, and even Thomas toys, don't directly lead to model building. But I think developing a liking for trains is a core benefit.<br />Tony ThompsonTony Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11593061828601275378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218524178230712938.post-17677112183051193062015-03-18T15:31:38.305-07:002015-03-18T15:31:38.305-07:00As one of the under 40 crowd (for a couple more mo...As one of the under 40 crowd (for a couple more months) I have to chime in on a couple points. One - I really wish more clubs had a better program for integrating new folks than "You look new - stand up and tell us your name (what you model, etc.)". Your approach sounds so much nicer, showing a genuine interest at a conversational level, vs. the obligatory nod to newbies. Perhaps those clubs who only do the minimal introductions really don't want to know anything about you, or integrate you into their old boys' club, because it might mean they'd have to do things like you suggest - help you learn about the hobby.<br /><br />Two - I think you're giving Thomas the Tank Engine too much credit. Perhaps he has spurred an interest in trains in general, just maybe, but I don't think he does as much good as harm. Day Out with Thomas events - that's another story. But the show on TV has become pretty sad, and drifted far away from the neat stories about railroads that were written long ago. Somewhere along the line the engines began to behave without the help of their drivers, and when the human interaction with trains is removed, something important is lost.Galen Gallimorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10272822237546731134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218524178230712938.post-52915333241527564152015-03-17T09:48:12.519-07:002015-03-17T09:48:12.519-07:00Thank you, Roger and John, for your comments. Obvi...Thank you, Roger and John, for your comments. Obviously I too feel like there is a lot clubs can do, and it's for their own health as well as good for the hobby.<br />Tony ThompsonTony Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11593061828601275378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218524178230712938.post-2662887499362919442015-03-17T04:21:09.461-07:002015-03-17T04:21:09.461-07:00Hi Tony,
Very well said, Sir! I absolutely believe...Hi Tony,<br />Very well said, Sir! I absolutely believe this is the kind of thing that will help clubs to survive and prosper.<br />May I use your words to try and help my club based in Manchester, UK as our average age is around 75 or more!?!<br />Many thanks in anticipation,<br />John Edge.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15705904899354370526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3218524178230712938.post-24026958932980345942015-03-17T00:17:07.776-07:002015-03-17T00:17:07.776-07:00Tony,
I totally agree.
During my roughly 10 year...Tony,<br /><br />I totally agree.<br /><br />During my roughly 10 year period with Northern Virginia Model Railroaders (www. NVMR.org) in Vienna, VA we always had a junior membership category that attracted a strong stream of talent. One became President at about 34 years of age, holding that role for four years. Another was Operations Manager before going to undergraduate school. We tried to get him to delay his schooling but wisely he and his mother did not think much of that. Two guys were driven to the club by their mother. Ever time I talked one of these two, their eye level was 3 inches higher.<br /><br />Secondly The Flyer the quarterly mostly on-line publication for the Potomac Division of the NMRA has a feature titled "We'd like you to meet" that is focused on under 40 year old railroad modelers who hold interesting jobs or professions and are notable modelers. I've been thrilled to meet them and often provide them with their first 'attaboy." At first I thought finding folks like this would be difficult but once I found two or three, others surfaced. There has been push back but talent always wins. <br /><br />So from here a resounding yes<br /><br />Roger SekeraRoger Sekerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16530198963792559336noreply@blogger.com