just plain fun! - Youth in Model Railroading

Introducing
or
ation
A nati
niz
on
al
el railroad
ga
m
od
ex
clu
sively for kid
s
• Educational
• Builds self-esteem
• Challenging
• Strengthens social skills
• Fosters lasting friendships
• Teaches respect
“I Love Trains”
The
Most
Exciting
Model
Railroad
Club
Just
for
Kids!
JUST PLAIN FUN!
“Kids Are the Future of
Model Railroading”
We’ve all read a lot these days
about how to get young people
involved in model railroading. We
read it in all of the major model
railroading magazines. One article
says “Kids are the future of model
railroading.” Another asked, “How
can we get young people involved
in this hobby with all of the other
things kids can do.”
A lot of people are talking
about it, but how many are
actually doing something about
it? It’s not enough to just talk to
kids about model railroading or take
them to model train shows; we need
to really get them involved and keep
them interested in model railroading.
YMR has developed a formula that
makes model railroading fun and
accessible to all children. Children
learn many practical skills such as how
real locomotives work, how to keep
their trains in good working condition,
how to build or model rolling stock,
trees, rock castings, buildings,
dioramas, and small layouts. The club
provides a constructive, creative and
educational outlet for youth.
Additionally, YMR provides essential
life skills such as respect for others,
responsibility, working within a tight
budget, and the sense of self esteem
that comes from accomplishing a
complex task.
What is
Youth in Model Railroading?
“Caboose Hobbies is
extremely proud of our
association with Youth
in Model Railroading.
This is an outstanding
organization reaching
out to young people and
introducing them to the
joys of this wonderful
hobby we share. The
future of model
railroading looks
brighter because of
efforts put forth by
YMR, and I strongly
encourage your
participation and
support of this
fine group.”
Duane V. Miller,
President
Caboose Hobbies, Inc
Denver, Colorado
Youth in Model Railroading (YMR) is
a national model railroad organization
specifically designed for kids, ages
8 -18, who want to learn about model
trains, real trains, and how to build
things. YMR was established in 1996 in
the Denver, Colorado area with the
purpose to provide a club for youths
that is educational and fun. YMR also
provides an atmosphere of fellowship
by offering members the opportunity
to communicate, develop and share
with other children. YMR is open to
children of any gender, race, religion
or economic status.
A steam engine meet on the O gauge layout.
Getting ready to run the HO layout
YMR also covers the history of
railroading in order to give insight into
what and how to model a particular era.
Other activities include field trips to
model train manufacturers, train or
transportation museums, real train
facilities, locations where they can view
trains safely, other model train layouts,
public train shows and train excursions.
Who is YMR?
National Level
The national Youth in Model
Railroading organization consists of a
nine-member board of directors, all
dedicated to getting kids involved in
model railroading. There are children all
across the nation that would love to get
involved in model railroading. The goal
of the national YMR is to start new
divisions across the country. Along with
the original division located in the
Denver area, there are two new
divisions that have been developed
within the past year, one in Lowell,
Massachusetts, and the other in
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The
potential is enormous, as there have
been many calls from all over the
United States, such as Southern
California, Minnesota, Texas, and Ohio,
all with interest in forming new
divisions. While we would love to get
these divisions up and running, without
the help of generous contributions and
corporate sponsorship these may never
get off the ground.
In order to expand further YMR will
need financial support from
manufacturers, individuals and other
companies. Youth in Model Railroading
is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization
which will allow its financial supporters
a tax break, as well as an opportunity to
grow their business. For model train
manufacturers, this means a lifetime of
loyal customers. As YMR expands, the
model train industry will inevitably
follow suit.
Contributions will be used for
marketing, promotions, developing
guide material for divisions, start-up
cost for new divisions and operating
expenses at the national level.
Planned activities at the national level
include participation in the NMRA
National Train Show in Philadelphia and
to introduce and start at least one new
division in Pennsylvania this year.
YMR’s goal is to get kids interested
and keep their interest in model and/or
toy trains. YMR’s intent is not to
compete with other national model train
organizations but to work with them to
expand and grow the hobby of
model railroading.
Gold Spike
Sponsors
as of 5/06
A member checking out a large home layout.
Tiered sponsorship levels are available
that will bring your company marketing
visibility as well as investment in the
future of model railroading for youth.
• Steel Spike - $500 per year
Listing on YMR website with a link to your site
Steel Spike recognition certificate
• Bronze Spike - $1,000 per year
Company Logo on YMR banner
Listing on YMR website with a link to your site
Bronze Spike recognition certificate
• Gold Spike - $2,500 per year
Company Logo on all YMR correspondence
Company Logo on YMR banner
Other Contributors:
Hobby Manufacturers
Association
Listing on YMR website with a link to your site
Gold Spike recognition certificate
• Platinum Spike - $5,000 per year
Company Logo on YMR trailer(s)
Company Logo on all YMR correspondence
Red Caboose
Woodland Scenics
Stephan Lamb
Associates
Company Logo on YMR banner
Listing on YMR website with a link to your site
Platinum Spike recognition plaque
Two members making
sure their N scale trains
are running correctly.
Model Rectifier
Corporation
Local Divisions
"For years I've watched
the decline of youths at
hobby shows, and
wondered what can we
do about getting kids
back into trains.
Then we heard about the
YMR program. Finally a
great opportunity for kids
to get kids into the
hobby again. YMR is
spreading the word in
schools, libraries, and
train shows. We are
proud to sponsor YMR.
Great job, Youth in Model
Railroading- keep up the
good work!”
Once the local divisions are set up,
they will be responsible for running
their own club. Each division will follow
the guidelines established by the
national YMR. The local club will have a
monthly meeting with some type of
“hands on” clinic. Other activities will
include train shows and field trips.
“Thanks to YMR my son can be involved
in a train show and not just see a train
show. I am glad my son has found a club
where he can share his interest in trains
with other kids that like trains too.”
A member proudly displaying his module
Field Trips
Stephan Lamb
Stephan Lamb Associates
Lowell, MA
Members working on dioramas
Monthly Meetings
Meetings consist of “hands on” clinics
covering such subjects as how real
locomotives work, how to keep their
model trains in good working condition,
how to build or model rolling stock,
trees, rock castings, buildings,
dioramas, and small layouts. Other
things covered are how to weather and
paint models to make them look realistic. The clinics are taught by experienced
model railroaders or prototype railroad
buffs. These clinics are taught at a level
that kids can understand and enjoy.
Field trips are a good way to show kids
the many different aspects of railroading.
One may be taking a ride on a real train.
This is important because not only is it
fun, it also shows the members how real
trains operate. Other field trips might be
to visit model railroad manufacturers to
see how models are designed and
produced. Going to large model railroad
layouts are also beneficial. This shows
the members what can be done on a
grand scale. Other places would be train
or transportation museums. The history
of trains is important to know when they
model a certain era.
Train Shows
Making Bushes
A train show is a place where
members can have fun running trains
with other YMR members. YMR has
specification sheets for O, HO and N
scale modules. These modules are
designed specifically for kids. The
modules are lower in height and
designed with simplicity in mind. Each
member can finish his/her modules any
way they wish. This gives them the
freedom to be creative. When members
take their modules to train shows it
teaches them self-esteem and social
skills. Members are proud to show
the modules they have designed
and finished.
A member and his mom enjoying a ride on
the Tiny Town Railroad.
For more information about YMR:
Website: www.YMR-online.org
Email: conductor@ymr-online.org
Phone: 303 887-1373
Address: PO Box 1969
Broomfield, CO 80038-1969
© 2006, Youth in Model Railroading. YMR is an independent
non-profit organization and is not owned, operated or
controlled by any national model or train associations.