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Wright writes.....


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1 hour ago, CF MRC said:

In response to Tony’s and other’s comments, the MRC has a vibrant young MRC (yMRC) section.  Parents and / or grandparents have to bring along the child.  We also have DBS checked members.   Our membership numbers are increasing and I would hazard a guess that the age profile is also reducing.  

 

All of the publicity that the hobby has attracted over the last year (recently for terrible reasons) has had a very beneficial effect and I am very keen to promote the hobby: it’s not difficult. 

 

Tim

 

I hope I'm also seen as promoting the hobby, Tim,

 

I encourage younger participants in (I hope) a very positive way. 

 

I'm also delighted that the MRC is both expanding its numbers and, by doing so, bringing the average age of membership down. Would that were true of all clubs.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

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2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Quite so, Tim,

 

But, has the average age-profile of the participants ever been as high?

 

 

 

Perhaps the age profile rising is a good thing insofar as it is a result of increased longevity with more people living to a greater age with greater mobility and decent health than ever before and the fact that there have been no major wars to wipe out the boomers? This also means more people in total are around or above pension age than previously, with time and often cash to return or continue hobbies that have taken a back seat during their working lives.

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12 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Andrew,

 

Though Gibson wheels might be aesthetically superior to current Hornby ones, or Romford/Jackson/Markits ones, my experiences in the past with them mean I don't now use them at all. 

 

It could well be that I'm prejudiced, and that the latest ones are now very good but I've had many which weren't concentric, had tyres falling off, kept on going out of gauge, and as for driving wheels, never again! 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

Good evening Tony,


The Gibson wheels have been very good for quite some time, so I would say that you are prejudice. However, I don't use Gibson driving wheels and the stock wheels are more vulnerable to cack handed modelers than others that you have mentioned. Last year, I had the most appalling set of axles from Markits, utter trash, they wrote of a set of driving wheels. I will be using the Markits products again despite hearing of a very similar experience from another modeler. I am still of the opinion that the products are very good.


With regard to the imminent death of model railways, this is not going to happen. Personally, the numbers involved in the hobby is not an issue for me. I don't see any benefits (being a participant rather than having a product to sell) in having more people involved in the hobby, if they are just buying identikit products and modeling the same old time period. If RTR could not be sustained at its current rate and there was a decline in nostalgia modeling of the late fifties early sixties, this could be very positive, especially if it led to more diversity and creativity in the hobby. The age demographic is more of a problem but  that may even itself out in a more compact base of participants.

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2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

But, has the average age-profile of the participants ever been as high?

 

I've written the 'Tail Lamp' piece in the current BRM, and I mention such things. As an example, throughout Wolverhampton MRC's 46 year existence I've always been around the average age of the membership. I still am! The end result, along with other factors, of course, is that it's unlikely that the club will continue beyond the next 18 months. Yes, only one club as an example (not very scientific, I admit), but it is not unique.

 

This applies to other aspects of railway enthusiasm, Tony.  Railway preservation is having to fight harder to bring in enough younger blood to replace those too old to volunteer regularly anymore.

Other railway clubs also have ageing profiles and it's worse than MRCs.  I attend a few of my (thriving) local RCTS meetings each year and even if 30+ turn up, I'm probably one of perhaps three or four who aren't retired.  Nearly 20 years ago I gave a talk on behalf of a preservation group I helped found, to a railway society which might fall into the "specialist railway study" category - I won't embarrass them by naming the Society.  I would be surprised if many of the attendees are still around, because they would be centenarians.  I was less than half the age of everyone else in the room.

What does this mean?  I don't know if it means anything, but perhaps people just don't want to join clubs, go to monthly meetings and be on committees anymore.  The numbers of railway magazines sold and attendees at preserved railway special events (such as galas, aimed at enthusiasts) would suggest there are still plenty of people who share our interest, they are just enjoying it in different ways.

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Evening Tony,

I'm sorry it’s taken so long for me to get round to posting this but it was really nice to see you at the Ely show. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.

Today my parents handed over the D&S horsebox you gave me as a birthday present back in February. I can’t wait to get started on it so thanks again for being so generous.

You might be interested to know that at the weekend I bought a Nucast Long Tom kit. I know Nucast kits aren’t the greatest but for £25 including wheels, motor and gears I couldn’t resist it. I’ll keep you updated with regards to the horsebox, J6 and Long Tom.

 

Regards,

Jamie

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57 minutes ago, Northmoor said:

This applies to other aspects of railway enthusiasm, Tony.  Railway preservation is having to fight harder to bring in enough younger blood to replace those too old to volunteer regularly anymore.

Other railway clubs also have ageing profiles and it's worse than MRCs.  I attend a few of my (thriving) local RCTS meetings each year and even if 30+ turn up, I'm probably one of perhaps three or four who aren't retired.  Nearly 20 years ago I gave a talk on behalf of a preservation group I helped found, to a railway society which might fall into the "specialist railway study" category - I won't embarrass them by naming the Society.  I would be surprised if many of the attendees are still around, because they would be centenarians.  I was less than half the age of everyone else in the room.

What does this mean?  I don't know if it means anything, but perhaps people just don't want to join clubs, go to monthly meetings and be on committees anymore.  The numbers of railway magazines sold and attendees at preserved railway special events (such as galas, aimed at enthusiasts) would suggest there are still plenty of people who share our interest, they are just enjoying it in different ways.

We no longer need to join a physical club or association to share our enjoyment of a hobby, as witnessed by the 1403 pages (so far) on this topic and elsewhere. While this might not be good for some particular organisations, it is surely good for those who for whatever reason - geography, health, domestic situation, etc. - are unable to participate in a physical club.

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13 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Going back to my previous observations, it would seem (talking to the RTR manufacturers) that the most-popular period right now for modelling is the BR steam/diesel transition time - the late-50s/early-'60s. Why? The trainspotting generation - that's why. 

Tony,

 

I think theres more to it than just just being the ‘trainspotting generation’. That is the fact that in the ‘transition era’ one can (obviously!) run both steam and diesel models on the same layout. So for those, like me, who like both, we can have the best of both worlds.

 

Personally, I grew up in the blue diesel era, and did once have a layout based around that period. But I found it rather boring and I’ve been gradually drifting back in time ever since. I’m now in the transition era, but have started to put together early ‘50s rakes as well, and you even managed to sell me that silver jubilee set, so I may be tempted back even further. On the other hand I still love a Deltic+8 so who knows! My indecision is likely to be good for Hornby, Bachmann and kit manufacturers...and bad for my wallet!

 

Andy

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Personally, I grew up in the blue diesel era, and did once have a layout based around that period. But I found it rather boring and I’ve been gradually drifting back in time ever since. I’m now in the transition era, but have started to put together early ‘50s rakes as well, and you even managed to sell me that silver jubilee set, so I may be tempted back even further. On the other hand I still love a Deltic+8 so who knows! My indecision is likely to be good for Hornby, Bachmann and kit manufacturers...and bad for my wallet!

 

Fear not Andy, because as others have demonstrated the basic infrastructure of most railways altered very little between say, 1929 to 1969. Obvious examples such as the electrification of the WCML apart, it is quite possible to run trains of stock from different periods if one is careful regarding the area modelled. Mr Wright himself demonstrated this with his 'LB LNER' weekend, and I believe 'Grantham' has also run depicting quite widely differing time periods.

 Some of this is also made possible by the slow pace of change during periods of transition; much as BR would have wished it thus, all LNER teak stock was not miraculously blood & custard by the end of 1948, nor all blood and custard changed to maroon by 2nd July 1958. Similarly, introduction of diesels into the scene was done over a period of time and so it is relatively easy for the modeller to repeat this in his/her chosen scale.

 Care should obviously be taken to avoid the obvious howlers, TW's favourite of a blue class 50 on an immaculate rake of RCH private owner coal wagons....? Anyone?

Cheers from Oz,

Peter C.

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36 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

How old are you, again? 16 - 17?

I turned 15 yesterday.

 

Tony, you always seem to know how to encourage people. It’s posts like your last one that give me all the inspiration and motivation I need; Thank you.

 

Regards,

Jamie

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2 minutes ago, JamieR4489 said:

I turned 15 yesterday.

 

Tony, you always seem to know how to encourage people. It’s posts like your last one that give me all the inspiration and motivation I need; Thank you.

 

Regards,

Jamie

He’s the best mentor any youngster could have! 

 

Goodluck with the Long Tom, if you’re attending Warley, I’d love to meet you and have a chat! 

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1 minute ago, JamieR4489 said:

I turned 15 yesterday.

 

Tony, you always seem to know how to encourage people. It’s posts like your last one that give me all the inspiration and motivation I need; Thank you.

 

Regards,

Jamie

Happy birthday for yesterday, Jamie,

 

15? What was I doing model railway-wise when I turned 15, in the early autumn of 1961? Motorising Kitmaster kits by butchering RTR chassis? Bleeding profusely because of incompetence with tools? Making (a not very good job of) Airfix rolling stock kits? Building Kitmaster Mk.1s and finding out they didn't run very well on Tri-ang track? Not only that, getting glue all over the windows! Making Superquickville? 

 

The notion of soldering a metal kit together would have been unthinkable (though I had learned to solder by then).

 

Keep it up. Just think what you'll have achieved by the time you become a man. I know many, many men in this hobby who'll never achieve what you've already done. Not by themselves, anyway. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

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7 minutes ago, Jesse Sim said:

I’ve posted these on my own thread, but I can’t help not post again. 

 

The layout and room has been cleaned, as well as the track, ready for the BRMA running session. Sitting back now watching the trains go by, between last years BRMA running session and now, I’ve built so many kits, it’s great to sit back and say to yourself “wow I’ve built that”. Seeing about 20 wagons go past, some still unpainted, some need lettering and numbering, but it’s good to sit and watch them go round, they actually work too, can’t believe it!

 

The SEF J39 arrived today, I’ll get cracking on that and a few other jobs that need doing. 

BA8951D9-397A-48B6-9C93-56B556D6A224.jpeg

8D2D7502-CCCB-4E3B-A5FC-71DCC4DB2CCB.jpeg

Thanks Jesse,

 

What terrific progress. Well done, my friend.

 

I'd better become more taciturn with regard to my somewhat lugubrious views on the future of the hobby. With the sort of chaps such as you and Jamie, plus several others of less-mature age, visiting LB and speaking to me at shows, one could argue that the future of the hobby has never been more secure. 

 

Anyway, it's in the likes of your hands now - not the likes of mine.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

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8 minutes ago, Jesse Sim said:

He’s the best mentor any youngster could have! 

 

Goodluck with the Long Tom, if you’re attending Warley, I’d love to meet you and have a chat! 

Couldn't agree more!

 

I might be going to Warley. I'm going to Spalding 3 weeks before so my chauffeurs parents might not be willing to take me to two exhibitions so close together. I really enjoyed Warley last year though so I'd love to go again. It would be an honour to meet you.

 

Regards,

Jamie

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10 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Jesse,

 

What terrific progress. Well done, my friend.

 

I'd better become more taciturn with regard to my somewhat lugubrious views on the future of the hobby. With the sort of chaps such as you and Jamie, plus several others of less-mature age, visiting LB and speaking to me at shows, one could argue that the future of the hobby has never been more secure. 

 

Anyway, it's in the likes of your hands now - not the likes of mine.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Taciturn? Lugubrious?  Tony, be gentle, small words please. 

 

Jamie by the sounds of it is really cracking on, good to see it at his age. Your kind words, as always, lift the moral. 

 

Ill be sure to bring, for the first time, some of my own work along to LB this November. 

 

 

 

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14 minutes ago, JamieR4489 said:

Couldn't agree more!

 

I might be going to Warley. I'm going to Spalding 3 weeks before so my chauffeurs parents might not be willing to take me to two exhibitions so close together. I really enjoyed Warley last year though so I'd love to go again. It would be an honour to meet you.

 

Regards,

Jamie

Well, if you are there, I’ll be more or less wandering around for the two days. I hope my chauffeur (Tony) is still willing, need to book it still. 

 

Hopefully see you in November and the honour would be all mine Jamie, good on ya bud. Keep modelling!! 

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12 hours ago, Headstock said:

I think that Wright writes is better than a club.

I have to agree. In fact, as an impecunious (tight-fisted) pensioned off railwayman, I view the totality of RMWeb as my “club”, you are a great bunch of people

Tim T

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5 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

 

Regarding D&S kits, they're among the finest on the market. However, out of necessity, they're complex. That doesn't mean they're inherently-difficult (far from it), but there are so many (often small) components supplied that patience and care are prerequisites for construction. Soldering is essential, too. I offer these words, not to put you off but because I know you'll make a fantastic job of it.

 

When finished, they do make lovely models.............................

 

1272944724_Isinglassmilkvan19DSDia.jpg.461b8369e2dfa4af944d42c444c24112.jpg

 

D&S Dia. 86 Milk Van built/painted by John Houlden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite agree; here's one I made earlier:

 

P1020781.jpg.411c049f102ebf8b139ae39d56a9ea9c.jpg

 

Although the 4 wheeled brake is from a Chivers plastic kit.

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5 hours ago, JamieR4489 said:

Couldn't agree more!

 

I might be going to Warley. I'm going to Spalding 3 weeks before so my chauffeurs parents might not be willing to take me to two exhibitions so close together. I really enjoyed Warley last year though so I'd love to go again. It would be an honour to meet you.

 

Regards,

Jamie

 

If your Chauffeurs are at all interested in YOU as a person, they won't mind.  You are taking part in something YOU love, and as a parent, that's what we're supposed to do.  My lads are 9 and 13, and get dragged to some events...they like the Lego, but aren't as keen on trains as I am.  Though the 9 year old will occasionally say "dad, let's go make a cup of tea and run trains" :).  Both have all kinds of neat toys to play with, ranging up to live steam engines (a traction engine which is new to us, and a wagon which is ~10 years old, in 2"), through a vast lego collection (450 000 pieces, often to be found being built by them...), and the models.  The young one has OO9 in his room, and the older one currently has a Lego PF railway around his room...

 

My kit building really started when I turned 14, with the DJH 02 in white metal.  Mine is glued, not soldered.  Though the Barclay (when I was 17?) is soldered...done with 63/37, which was exciting.  I could have used a bit more mentorship building it.

 

James

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5 hours ago, Jesse Sim said:

 

8D2D7502-CCCB-4E3B-A5FC-71DCC4DB2CCB.jpeg

 

Complete with a bus on a bridge...  good to see you holding up the hobby's traditions, Jesse!

 

The scale of the cutting is impressive, it will set your models into their environment very well.

 

Phil

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I might be going to Warley. I'm going to Spalding 3 weeks before so my chauffeurs parents might not be willing to take me to two exhibitions so close together. I really enjoyed Warley last year though so I'd love to go again.

 

Direct trains from Ely to Brum International and twenty quid if you book early enough.  Couldn't be more convenient.

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