This obviously comes up all the time on here, any time a store closes, a supplier goes out of business, the recent MTH changes, we see the dimming prospects. There is an announcement on here about a division of the NMRA going inactive and trying to figure out how to go forward due to lack of people to do things. Yet we also see positives, Allen's article in OGRR about the demographics of the forum had a lot to be happy about I think.
I thought it might be, in the vein of Arnold C's great threads on the hobby, to look at the future and while looking at the issues give thoughts on how to keep it going onwards. The hobby is changing, but it always has been, the 1940's and 50's were way different than the MPC era, the 'golden age' we have had was different again. To me from the MPC era looking at what we have today in 2021 is something of a miracle to be honest (on the other hand, those who came of age in the hobby during the prior 20 years, prob sees it in decline. ). Ppl from the original golden age are moving on, so the hobby is changing demographically. Some quick thoughts/observations:
-Blaming that kids are not exposed to trains today, or they are too busy with their smart phones , is both a copout and the general observation that Paul Lynde sang about in Bye Bye Birdie, that kids of the next generation are always flawed. We had distractions too, tv, cars, slot cars, HO scale trains, all kinds of things took away the audience for Lionel, it happens. Funny thing is, though, as kids grew up, they discovered or rediscovered them. Kids from my era got into them later on, even though they didn't have them as a kid. As far as being exposed to trains, I am in my late 50's, and I never saw the 'golden age of passenger trains", never saw an operating steam engine in mainline service (supposedly the Erie Lackawanna had steam in service until 1970, never saw it), so how come I and others of my age group or younger got into trains? Kids today aren't that much further removed from trains then I was growing up in the 60's and 70s. It is an adult activity, and while I think kids should be encouraged, many adults get into it despite not having it as a kid.
On the other hand, that is not an excuse for the train clubs that are not exactly kid friendly, and more than a few IME are downright hostile. Yeah, kids can be a pain, yada yada , but if you don't encourage them, who is going to be the next generation? Treat them like they are, a valuable resource for the future of the hobby, don't expect them to be a small adult.
-Train shows and displays. incredibly valuable. I am foggy if all the trains displays at York were in the open halls, they should be if they aren't (I kind of lost track which were public and which weren't, other than Orange). One of the things there that is important is having people there who not only run the trains, but act as ambassadors. Lot of the displays I have seen are kind of inward facing. Obviously the guys operating the layout are important, but so are brand ambassadors. Have people on the other side of the glass talking to people who come up to admire it, talk to kids about it. The shows I have been to, often the guys running it are talking to themselves or buddies rather than being active with the people viewing it (and again, just my experience).
-Clubs/open houses. Again valuable, the gee whiz factor is there. But like with train shows and displays to be effective at getting new members the current members have to act as ambassadors. Of course the layout is likely to be a hit, people will love watching the trains, but just having brochures around about joining isn't enough. Sometimes people are shy, they may have some interest but not feel comfortable going up to someone. Having someone who comes up to you, noticing you are looking, and says hi, and gets to talking opens up something. There was a train club that sadly is too far for me to easily be a member who does a great holiday open house. I got to talking to the guy who apparently does most of the track (handlay), and I have to tell you after 15 minutes talking to him I wanted to pitch in, it really gave a good impression of the club (whether everyone else was like that, I don't know, prob not). Be proactive and active, don't expect people to throw themselves at you, draw them in.
The other thing is make the website welcoming to people interested in possibly joining. First of all, have a decent website, it really isn't hard to have a decent one. Doesn't have to be fancy, but if it looks like it was created in 1990 for a bulletin board system, it will give the impression it is dead (dead pages on a website are a disaster area, listings for events 4 years ago, nothing really recent, looks dead). More importantly, in the section where it is 'interested in joining', make it seem like you really want new members.
There was one train club I looked at, where when I clicked on the 'interested in joining' section, I was hit by an application for membership that I swear was like an employment application. It basically came off as "unless you are a master modeler with all these great skills and can dedicate significant time each month, don't bother" (needless to say, I didn't bother). Hey, if you think your group is that great, doesn't really need anyone else, you are fine, then that is fine, but don't complain if people don't ask for information or join. Me, I would rather have someone who is really new who is enthusiastic, they can help a great deal while learning, give me 4 new members willing to learn over 1 great craftsman.
Suggestion is have the interested in joining section be basic, name, contact information, and potential interest, and then have someone get in touch with them. I understand that with clubs there is frustration that a small group does most of the work, but that is true with any kind of organization and looking for those "only good enough" is no way to grow a club. Some people have a lot of time to dedicate towards a club, others are in a phase of life when they don't, that person in their 30's or 40's with kids doesn't have as much time as someone who is an empty nester or retired. The newbie that doesn't know anything about DCC/DCS, what a caboose was used for, doesn't know the parts of a turnout to start with, can end up eventually being one of the 'stars' of the club. A group of clannish people is going to find it hard to recruit people or looking for 'perfect fits only".
Just my thoughts, be interesting to see what others come up with.
I'm going to keep doing this because I enjoy it.
