Wish I could have done this when I was a kid. The joint Steamtown/NRHS offering for kids interested in rail preservation. Planned for offering again in 2005 and there are even some scholarships available. Without more of these programs, I have my doubts our field of interest will survive when our generation is gone.


http://www.railcamp.com/

No offense Mr. Yarger, and I'm not exactly sure of your age range, but I believe there are other programs out there --- maybe not as direct or intense, but arguably, just as important. There is no question in my mind that there are definitely more opportunities to either get involved or find out WHERE to get involved in railroading available to today's kids that to our generation. Just the internet, this site nothwithstanding, has changed that. To throw it back at you; whereas my generation waited for, say your articles in the old RYPN magazine, kids today now have "flimsies" which is updated DAILY. I would have KILLED for that. Plus, they can study, understand, and learn about the issues that face rail preservation daily as well, and from people who again, I or you would never have had the chance to correspond with at the same age.
My hope abounds, and heres another reason why; if you had been in the Ohio Central's shop during the majority of the #33 rebuild, you would have seen a healthy representation of ALL age ranges, from those of the World War II generation to those who attended RailCamp as early as last year. While I shared your concern before taking part in this process, I am now a strong believer that the interest will not only outlast your generation, but mine as well (I'm grasping on to my last days of my late 20's as we speak). In fact, I'd say rail preservation can be the great leveller in generational issues --- extreme patience is sometimes needed, but from what I found, there was an inate ability to be willing to learn in that program, whether you were 8 or 80, and equally willing group in the same range willing to teach. We had 50 and 60 year old teaching 18 year olds how to use air-driven tools, or drive staybolts; we also had the reverse, which I thought was pretty amazing.
This does raise something I have wondered about however. Since there seems to be the ultimate interest in "labeling" generations (Baby-boomers, Generation X, Generation Y), maybe we should come up with the rail equivalent, some ideas:

1.)The NS or Southern Steam Generation -- People who are old enough to remember the Southern/ NS Steam program in full swing, or whose first influence was 4501, 611, or 1218.

2.) The "Thomas" Generation --- Those whose first influence was Thomas the Tank engine.

3.) The "High Iron" Generation -- Those whose first taste was with the 759 trips, etc.

4.) The "1st Generation" Diesel Generation --- Those whose first influence were E-Units, F-Units, Alcos, and Baldwin Diesels.

5.) The 844 Generation --- Anybody from this area of the country who grew up with this engine, or who ever wore buttons as children saying " I wish I were Steve Lee."

6.) The 4449 Generation --- Those who correspondenly grew up with Doyle McCormick and this engine

I suppose this could go on for ever, but again, I think that as long as there are those willing to foster or avenues that do foster a continuation after that initial childhood interest, there is little worry that it will die out completely. No, kids don't grow up Lionel or American Flyer Train Sets like they used to, but I think we are selling the future short, as well as those who work hard for programs across the country, to think you or I are in the "last" generation to love railroads and their operation.

TJ Gaffney

3.)