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Re: The Hobby of Trains is dying
Author: SP5103
Date: 06-30-2017 - 09:04
It is just a matter of evolution and exposure. It used to be boys were fascinated by horses, then trains, then cars, then airplanes - now electronics? And really the average person isn't exposed to trains much anymore - look how many towns and counties have lost all rail service.
I do have a 4 year old friend who is very well versed in railroading. He has ridden the train since he was a baby, and has many, many miles in the coach, caboose and a little in the cab of steam powered trains since his grandparents and his mother are all volunteer train crew members. He knows what the train is supposed to do, and knows if something is wrong. He knows what a caboose and tank car are, and thinks all steam engines on display are broken and his grandpa needs to fix them. He did get a long ride on Amtrak once, and threw a fit because he didn't get to look at the GN Northern at Havre.
Bruce - as to your kids - The history major seems to be used often for the few paid administrative jobs on tourist/museum operations. As to a Civil Engineering degree - RAILROAD BRIDGES! The new FRA regulations on bridges are driving shortlines insane. Try finding a bridge engineer that has the experience or legacy engineering to deal with a pin-connected truss or wood trestle! If they didn't teach them that in highway engineering, then it must be obsolete and they won't sign them off. The Class 1's have their own engineering staff, so not as much as a problem for them - look for an internship?
Traditional model railroading and railroad publications are fading out, but new aspects of the hobby are replacing them. There will always be someone interested in some aspect of the hobby, and others that are just crazy. :-)
Almost every railroad museum is dependent on volunteers for part or all of their mission, and those volunteers seem to be harder to come by. For one you need thick skin, as the typical organization's politics, attitudes and cliques will drive many away - but many can ignore it and find enjoyment in the hobby. I know Sumpter Valley keeps having to reduce their schedule as they are 90% dependent on volunteers and their volunteer pool continues to shrink.
Railroading as a hobby (whether Z/N/HO/S/O/G or 1:1) is nothing compared to it as a real job.
I do have a 4 year old friend who is very well versed in railroading. He has ridden the train since he was a baby, and has many, many miles in the coach, caboose and a little in the cab of steam powered trains since his grandparents and his mother are all volunteer train crew members. He knows what the train is supposed to do, and knows if something is wrong. He knows what a caboose and tank car are, and thinks all steam engines on display are broken and his grandpa needs to fix them. He did get a long ride on Amtrak once, and threw a fit because he didn't get to look at the GN Northern at Havre.
Bruce - as to your kids - The history major seems to be used often for the few paid administrative jobs on tourist/museum operations. As to a Civil Engineering degree - RAILROAD BRIDGES! The new FRA regulations on bridges are driving shortlines insane. Try finding a bridge engineer that has the experience or legacy engineering to deal with a pin-connected truss or wood trestle! If they didn't teach them that in highway engineering, then it must be obsolete and they won't sign them off. The Class 1's have their own engineering staff, so not as much as a problem for them - look for an internship?
Traditional model railroading and railroad publications are fading out, but new aspects of the hobby are replacing them. There will always be someone interested in some aspect of the hobby, and others that are just crazy. :-)
Almost every railroad museum is dependent on volunteers for part or all of their mission, and those volunteers seem to be harder to come by. For one you need thick skin, as the typical organization's politics, attitudes and cliques will drive many away - but many can ignore it and find enjoyment in the hobby. I know Sumpter Valley keeps having to reduce their schedule as they are 90% dependent on volunteers and their volunteer pool continues to shrink.
Railroading as a hobby (whether Z/N/HO/S/O/G or 1:1) is nothing compared to it as a real job.
