A New Hope - Great Model Railway Challenge benefits

[ColinK]

Perhaps something on the lines of the cakebox challenge aimed at people interested in starting railway modelling. Maybe it could be tried at a big exhibition? While it could be small continous run layouts, an alternative could be modules (say 4’ x 1’)which could be joined together to encourage colaborative working.

[john new]

I have a suggestion or two.

 

Don't just sit on here wringing your hands saying x should do something..it is up to all railway modellers to engage with people to get them interested in model railways.

 

And..dont expect the people who do help others to do it on their own.

 

This may be one of the best opportunities available to get more people involved in our hobby. Don't just expect everyone else to do it..because they either won't or can't.

 

That includes the specialist societies as well as the major associations and groups. Stop whittling and get out and Just F@#4ing do something.

 

Baz

These ideas are not new. Back in the early 60s (or even late 50s) there was an article in one of the then extant monthlies called "No points but not pointless."  Simple oval, memory suggests TT, with very, very basic scenery and buildings but aimed at getting beginners to see what the hobby was. Not for regular shows but going out "on the road" to fetes and the like. Sadly it is rarely, if ever, done these days. The first step along the journey is always the hardest one.

[Robin2]

I must admit I do have an inward chuckle at the number of people where I work who have sidled up to me in the past few weeks and asked about model railways as if I was some elicit black marketeer.

Now there's an idea. Make it illegal

 

...R

[Zomboid]

Perhaps something on the lines of the cakebox challenge aimed at people interested in starting railway modelling. Maybe it could be tried at a big exhibition? While it could be small continous run layouts, an alternative could be modules (say 4’ x 1’)which could be joined together to encourage colaborative working.

We've got a set of standards for such things (for both American HO and British OO, I imagine for N as well but I don't know anything about that), though they specify 18" width. Anyone (newbies or people with 50 years experience) is welcome to join in.

[Chrisr40]

Now there's an idea. Make it illegal

 

...R

 

Psssst want some points ? Only the good stuff guv

[Scottish Modeller]

These ideas are not new. Back in the early 60s (or even late 50s) there was an article in one of the then extant monthlies called "No points but not pointless."  Simple oval, memory suggests TT, with very, very basic scenery and buildings but aimed at getting beginners to see what the hobby was. Not for regular shows but going out "on the road" to fetes and the like. Sadly it is rarely, if ever, done these days. The first step along the journey is always the hardest one.

 

Hi John,

 

You are correct - there are no new ideas...

 

Just old ones to be updated and relevant to the higher quality products that are now available.

 

Since the start of GMRC I have been contacted by several modellers who had an initial attempt at making a model railway - but failed (for whatever reason).

 

I put this down to my attitude at the exhibitions when demonstrating on a stand.

 

Some people have an 'exclusive' attitude and that is quite the opposite of mine.

 

Of the people who contacted me I have agreed to help 4 out and get them back into the hobby instead of them just having stuff lying about.

 

Postitve mental attitude!

 

Yes - I tell them that if I can do it, so can they - with a bit of help/guidance from me or my friends.

[Jol Wilkinson]

Reflecting on venues where an opportunity to promote an interest in modelling might exist, how about the NRM for displaying one or more of the layouts. Fits in with their retail activities and "education" remit..

[HonestTom]

The problem with broadening the genre is that it becomes harder to explain. Suddenly every newbie is presented with a huge number of decisions. Most simply want trains running in circles, so that's the default position. If they want something different then a lot more help is required to work out what works best, and often to persuade them they would be happy with the suggested options. I've tried to explain the joys of an end-to-end layout to people who are obsessed with a continuous run but don't have space and it's not easy.

 

To use the breakfast analogy, if most people want cornflakes, give them cornflakes. Don't try to try to accommodate the person who wants lasagne by making cornflakes a harder option to get. 

I don't think it follows that telling people who want ovals that end-to-ends exist is going to put them off. I get a fair bit of interest in my model railways, which are always end-to-end, and if asked about operations it's simply a case of saying "this is the offstage area that represents the rest of the world, the train runs from there to here." Carl Arendt's article that I linked above also does a pretty good job of explaining how they work and how they can replicate reality.

 

On the other hand, it opens up possibilities for those who don't have the space, time or money for a larger layout. I don't have space for an oval, but an end-to-end micro that I can just shove up on the mantelpiece when not in use is very achievable.

Edited October 30, 2018 by HonestTom

[souwest]

I must admit I do have an inward chuckle at the number of people where I work who have sidled up to me in the past few weeks and asked about model railways as if I was some elicit black marketeer.

 

Feelthy deerty locomotives sir, buy my feelthy deerty locomotives.

[stevejjjexcov]

 

Socio-economic groupings.

A = them with the wherewithall to own what they want

B = them as would be A but lack the funds

C1 = relatively educated folk trying to make their way but struggline

C2 = those struggleing to be C1 - but in reality are probably making more money than the C1s because they failed to get a degree in media studies and sports, and instead became plumbers and other much needed trades

D = those who failed to gain any real skills

E = those who do not even aspire to be D.

 

Sorry for a pejorative view of sociological economics.[/quote

 

 

"I know my place" lol

[PatB]

Alan Wright built it long before Inglenook Sidings. It was the "Wright Lines" Railway of the Month in RM in March 1956. 4ft 6ins by 3ft OO. Handlaid track with a minimum radius one foot but with no. 5 points (aprox 3ft 6ins radius) using Peco cast frogs and an 0-4-0 Saddle Tank that could handle the tight curves. The goods yard was similar to  Inglenook sidings but he didn't mention any kind of shunting puzzle.

 

He reprised it in a 1967 issue too, and in that article he gave a full explanation of the "tiddlywink computer" that later formed the basis for the operation of Inglenook. 

[Barry O]

Reflecting on venues where an opportunity to promote an interest in modelling might exist, how about the NRM for displaying one or more of the layouts. Fits in with their retail activities and "education" remit..

Jol.. just contact them and get them to do it..it won't happen by magic!

 

Baz

[Jol Wilkinson]

Jol.. just contact them and get them to do it..it won't happen by magic!

 

Baz

Baz,

 

I agree that magic won't work here. 

 

I always think a face to face meeting works best. As you are in Yorkshire, perhaps you could contact the NRM and take it forward.

 

Jol

[Andy Y]

[Ian Smeeton]

Where can I buy this?

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Vistisen]

Psssst want some points ? Only the good stuff guv

finescale mind you:- good for mainlining. Know wot I mean

Edited October 30, 2018 by Vistisen

[Ian Morgan]

Where can I buy this?

 

 

Leave it long enough and somebody else might get it for you.

[Jol Wilkinson]

Andy,

 

passing the buck or sharing an idea? There have been plenty of ideas put on this thread but few seem to have been more than an initial thought. I had hoped the NRM idea might get some consideration by those locally who are more able to do something on the spot. A well know, high profile venue with a large annual footfall would give good visibility, could act act a as a trend setter to other venues, etc.

 

However, getting a professional organisation like the NRM to adopt a new tactic is not easy and would not be achieved by an email or two. It would probably need a more formal approach and presentation, something I am not able to readily do living some 200 miles away. So I am happy to share the idea and let someone else take it forward if worthwhile and get the applause.

 

It would also require the cooperation of one or two of the layout builders/owners, who would also have to be involved in any discussion. Another reason for the idea to be developed locally to the venue, or to find a venue local to the layout owners.

 

Many of those coming up with ideas are members of clubs, who hold local exhibitions and have permanent facilities. How many of those have put forward considered suggestions as to how they could do something specific which would provide a benefit to their club and which could provide a lead to others? 

 

Jol

[Oldddudders]

Where can I buy this?

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

Liberally available in any boardroom. 

[peterl]

The NRM. or Railway Museum as they have decided to drop the National, do have a number of layouts on permanent display. They did, a year or two back, contact me about putting on the York Model Railway Show at the Museum. Minor problem was that they did not have a spare 3,000 sq Metres that we need for the show! The other major problem is that layouts need to be seen operating and therefore need operators. This can  cause problems during weekdays but possible on weekends perhaps.

There are many Model Railway Shows around the Country most weekends. They are well promoted to Railway Modellers but not so well to the general public. The problem here is one of cost. Even an advert in the local paper will set a club back £500 or more, and it may not generate sufficient increase in numbers through the door to cover the cost!

Press Releases are useful and often picked up by the local press and even radio and TV, but and a big BUT they need to be well written and must relate to a local story. Not the easiest thing in the world to do. But worth a try.

Peter

[JohnR]

Sadly, when we visited the NRM in August, the main O Gauge layout was not working. There didnt seem to be any others. 

[Pacific231G]

Where can I buy this?

 

Regards

 

Ian

It is a real game The printed boxed version of Pass The Buck is, according to Amazon, currently unavailable; this could possibly be because ta Print and Play  version can be downloaded for $5 (or more if you choose )  here

https://carolmertz.itch.io/pass-the-buck

 

The website is here http://passthebuckgame.com/

 

I found Carol Mertz- the game's designer- intro. video hilarious. It also rang very very true as in this real conversation in a TV newsroom Q (from me) "Have you seen Malcolm?" A (from my colleague Sally, who had a particularly well developed bull s**t detector) "I saw him walking around the cutting rooms with a clipboard about half an hour ago looking  important so I think he's gone home early"

Edited November 1, 2018 by Pacific231G

[Phil Parker]

If it helps, here's the press release a friend who works in marketing and PR wrote for me a few years ago:

 

Model Railway exhibition Steams into Stoneleigh

The Leamington & Warwick Model Railway society brings together all the fun
of railways and models at its' annual event on the 15th and 16th January at
Stoneleigh Park Exhibition centre.

Featured in TV and Films, steam trains are exciting for both the young and
old kids in the family. The show gives visitors a chance to get up close and
personal with a wide range of railway models, and perhaps have a go at
running one themselves. As an added bonus the exhibition centre hosts an
auction of railway memorabilia on the 15th and on the 16th, a car boot sale.

Now in its 36th year, the show is organised by the 75 member strong local
society, based just south of Leamington Spa, and regularly pulls in over
3000 visitors from around the UK.

L&WMRS Exhibition manager Chris Mead says, "This year's show is even larger,
with more to cater for a wide range of interests. They range from the large
live steam of Stanley Midland to the very smallest model railway currently
commercially available all the way from Japan!"

This year sees over 22 working model railways on show from the smallest
scale available with locomotives smaller than your finger, right up to
engineering marvels powered by live steam. Young modellers can even try
their hand at running trains on theHogsmead-on-Sodor railway.

Existing modellers or those inspired to have a go will be able to buy from
more than 40 salesstands selling the widest range of model railway
equipment in the country.

More information on the exhibition is available on the website at
www.lwmrs.co.uk Tickets start from £6 for adults and £3 for children with a
family ticket only £15 (2+2)


Ends.

 

Within 24 hours of sending it out, I'd got 2 local radio slots lined up before the show and all the local papers interested. One of the radio people described as a "masterpiece", although I suspect they see a lot of very poor releases. Getting local coverage around here is difficult, so I was pleased with the results.

 

Right now, I'd add in mentions of GMRC but feel free to plagiarise this for your own clubs use, or if you have the cash, I can put you in touch with the lady who wrote it!

[Oldddudders]

 my colleague Sally, 

 

Not Sally Smedley, surely?

[Stubby47]

Model Railway Exhibition Steams into Staplegrove

 

 The South West Area Group (SWAG) contingent of the popular RMweb forum bring together all the fun of railways and models at its annual event on the 29th April 2019 at Staplegrove village Hall, near Taunton.

 

 Featured in TV and Films, trains are exciting for both the young and  old kids in the family. The show gives visitors a chance to get up close and  personal with a wide range of railway models, and perhaps have a go at running one themselves. As an added bonus there will be excellent catering facilities and the ever popular bring & buy stall.

 

 Now in its 11^th or 12^th  year, the show is organised by a few members of SWAG, whose members are spread across the United Kingdom and the Rest of the World, and regularly pulls in over 100 visitors.

 

 Spokesman Stubby47 says, "Next year's show is even larger, with more to cater for a wide range of interests. They range from exquisite Welsh layouts using heavily weathered, out-of-the-box models to the intricate trackwork of a master layout builder - something for everyone".

 

 Existing modellers or those inspired to have a go will be able to buy from 3 carefully selected trade stands, selling a select, but impressive, range of model railway equipment and books.

 

 More information on the exhibition will be available on the SWAG sub-forum closer to the date.  Entry is free to members and their guests.