A a 'younger modeller' myself I thought I would add a few observations on this thread.
I don't believe the idea that model railways are dying as a hobby. 'Steam trains' and 'Train sets' have always been engaging and fascinating for young children - on that count, nothing has changed for the last 60 years! In my experience, with the people that I know who get into the hobby, nobody starts being interested in trains as a teenager. There's always a childhood interest that lies behind it, and since trains do have such a wide appeal to young children, 'Days out with Thomas' events and similar are vital, not just as cash flows for heritage railways, but as ways for children to create memories, and interests, they will revisit.
There is this perception that the hobby is only for the older generation because there are often perhaps less young people at exhibitions, less young people on RMWeb than the established generation. Naturally, it is easier for young people to relate to those of our own age than others. I'm lucky that I have friends who are as interested in trains as I am, and we have a hobby that we share. I know others, with whom I meet at exhibitions sometimes, a friend who volunteers at a heritage railway has his friends there; we are our own community.
Sam's Trains is popular because he provides this for those who can't find a community. While I like to believe that every generation grows more accepting than the last, thus enabling the social progress we have hopefully made, on the issue of the hobby of railways and model railways, we seem to have regressed a bit. For many people, there is a stigma, an embarrassment at liking trains, so they choose to ignore it, and don't pursue the hobby further.
Sam has created an online community of predominately young railway enthusiasts, he responds to comments, he has inside jokes in his videos, he provides that community of railway enthusiasm for young people, a substitute for that community that the trainspotters of the 50s and 60s doubtless also had. As a matter of interest, I wonder how many members of this forum 'got into trains' because of friends. I believe young people need this friendship, this community, far more than we need lower prices, or a range of products dedicated just to us.
It's also a more general point of how those in the hobby treat young people. Don't assume we all want models of Electrostars and Azumas just because that's 'all we know'. In fact, in my experience, more young people prefer steam; I'm the only one I know with an interest in the modern scene, out of my enthusiast friends. With the internet, it's probably easier for a 12 year old today to research and learn about the Bulleid Pacifics than for a 12 year year old in the 50s and 60s to do the same! In fact, while operating a layout at my local exhibition last year, I had someone half my size and age correct me on the exact number, class, and running numbers of unrebuilt Bulleid pacifics that are currently at the Mid-Hants Railway!
The final point I'd like to make is that young modellers are as diverse as older modellers; the hobby is a broad church at both ends. I'm researching whitemetal kits to build, my friend is completing his Hornby Trackmat layout. No interest is better, or superior, and I don't think we should criticise, patronise, or assume things about others in this hobby just because of how they enjoy it.
This is my first post here; apologies if I've overstepped!
A a 'younger modeller' myself I thought I would add a few observations on this thread. I don't believe the idea that model railways are dying as a hobby. 'Steam trains' and 'Train sets' have always been engaging and fascinating for young children - on that count, nothing has changed for the last 60 years! In my experience, with the people that I know who get into the hobby, nobody starts being interested in trains as a teenager. There's always a childhood interest that lies behind it, and since trains do have such a wide appeal to young children, 'Days out with Thomas' events and similar are vital, not just as cash flows for heritage railways, but as ways for children to create memories, and interests, they will revisit. There is this perception that the hobby is only for the older generation because there are often perhaps less young people at exhibitions, less young people on RMWeb than the established generation. Naturally, it is easier for young people to relate to those of our own age than others. I'm lucky that I have friends who are as interested in trains as I am, and we have a hobby that we share. I know others, with whom I meet at exhibitions sometimes, a friend who volunteers at a heritage railway has his friends there; we are our own community. Sam's Trains is popular because he provides this for those who can't find a community. While I like to believe that every generation grows more accepting than the last, thus enabling the social progress we have hopefully made, on the issue of the hobby of railways and model railways, we seem to have regressed a bit. For many people, there is a stigma, an embarrassment at liking trains, so they choose to ignore it, and don't pursue the hobby further. Sam has created an online community of predominately young railway enthusiasts, he responds to comments, he has inside jokes in his videos, he provides that community of railway enthusiasm for young people, a substitute for that community that the trainspotters of the 50s and 60s doubtless also had. As a matter of interest, I wonder how many members of this forum 'got into trains' because of friends. I believe young people need this friendship, this community, far more than we need lower prices, or a range of products dedicated just to us. It's also a more general point of how those in the hobby treat young people. Don't assume we all want models of Electrostars and Azumas just because that's 'all we know'. In fact, in my experience, more young people prefer steam; I'm the only one I know with an interest in the modern scene, out of my enthusiast friends. With the internet, it's probably easier for a 12 year old today to research and learn about the Bulleid Pacifics than for a 12 year year old in the 50s and 60s to do the same! In fact, while operating a layout at my local exhibition last year, I had someone half my size and age correct me on the exact number, class, and running numbers of unrebuilt Bulleid pacifics that are currently at the Mid-Hants Railway! The final point I'd like to make is that young modellers are as diverse as older modellers; the hobby is a broad church at both ends. I'm researching whitemetal kits to build, my friend is completing his Hornby Trackmat layout. No interest is better, or superior, and I don't think we should criticise, patronise, or assume things about others in this hobby just because of how they enjoy it. This is my first post here; apologies if I've overstepped!
