Probably the best thing I've done so far..

[jacon12]

Most of you here know that I'm new to mrr'ing and layout building. Could you tell from the questions I've pestered you with? [:D] I'd like to tell you that I've joined a local club in the nearby town and they have about a dozen members attending their meetings. Once a month they meet at a local pizza place and the other meetings are at members homes. I'm getting to see different layouts for sure, but it is nice to be able to listen as more experience members talk about this and that. Most of them are HO, but there are about 3 N scalers and even one O scale modeler. They usually bring their latest 'prize', be it a Bachman NS diesel, dcc... that sells for less than $50, literature they've picked up here and there, on up to the beautiful BLI steamers. I was surprised at how well the Bachmann ran even if it was a bit noisy. The guy that had it was proud of it and I was proud for him. There is even one female member, along with her husband. They're N scalers.
It's nice not to be in a vacuum anymore. I'm not asking a lot of questions right now, they're a little busy working on the clubs modules, but I'll get around to it. There is a lot of knowledge in this club.. a lot of experience. It's good just to watch how things are done and I wasn't completely lost because of this forum and the things I've learned here.
I appreciate that.
JaRRell

[NZRMac]

Well done Jarrell, that's a great place to be, I'm thinking along the same lines. There is a club within a local transport museum, they run Monday nights so I might see if I can invite myself as a visitor, first.

Ken.

[SpaceMouse]

I joined a club a couple weeks after I started. Learned a lot--especially about operating. Find a bunch of them that operate and get yourself invited. Takes MRR to a whole new level.

[selector]

Way to go, JaRRel!! I suppose that will be an eventual step for me, too. A fellow who part-times at the local train shop, which is for O-guagers, phoned and invited me to see his layout back in early March. I have been thinking of calling him and asking if the offer is still open.

[Anonymous]

i am thinknig of joining my local club but there meeting nights are nights that i work so i would not beable to go to the meeting. so i just dont know how it would work out if it would be worth spending the money if i cant be an active part of the club

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

Well done Jarrell, that's a great place to be, I'm thinking along the same lines. There is a club within a local transport museum, they run Monday nights so I might see if I can invite myself as a visitor, first.

Ken.

Ken, I'd give them a call if I were you. If nothing else it's good to see how other people tackle a problem. The meeting last night was at one of the members home and he has a room filling HO scale done on open grid type benchwork. So far all he has done is the benchwork, track still needs touching up in a spot or two (think switches!), it's wired dcc and he's into Norfolk and Western, exculsively steam. I asked him how long he'd been working on it and he said several years. I can understand that with the number of peninsulars, helix, crossovers etc. Made mine look like the simpleton it is.
Anyway, I think you'd enjoy it. OH.. a couple of guys don't have a personal layout at all and apparently have no interest in building one.
Jarrell

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

I joined a club a couple weeks after I started. Learned a lot--especially about operating. Find a bunch of them that operate and get yourself invited. Takes MRR to a whole new level.

Chip, this group LOVES operations. I think at least one of the meetings is dedicated to that.
Jarrell

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

Way to go, JaRRel!! I suppose that will be an eventual step for me, too. A fellow who part-times at the local train shop, which is for O-guagers, phoned and invited me to see his layout back in early March. I have been thinking of calling him and asking if the offer is still open.

An O scale layout, wow... that some serious space. 'Course... I've heard of them in areas as small as 8x10 feet.
Talking to a guy at the LHS is how I found out about this group. Give him a call, Crandell. You never know where it may lead.
Jarrell

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by EMT49

i am thinknig of joining my local club but there meeting nights are nights that i work so i would not beable to go to the meeting. so i just dont know how it would work out if it would be worth spending the money if i cant be an active part of the club

Now thats a bummer. No, it doesn't sound like it would be worth the fees, unless they have other events you could regularly attend. No way you could change your work night, I suppose?
Jarrell

[davekelly]

Jarrell,

Just think, someday someone will put a post here that says "I just joined this club, I've learned alot, especially from this guy Jarell."

Dave

[oleirish]

Way to go Jarrell!!!![^] Now when are we going to see how your progress is going???[tup][swg]
JIM

[Anonymous]

Jarrell,

I joined a round robin group several years ago. I would agree with you that it is one of the best things a trainnut can do. The guys were just over last night and we were out in the train room goofing off. I have learned an enormous amount from these guys. More than I could have from books or, dare I say, the forum. Nothing beats being able to go to layouts in person, see projects develop over time etc. It also relieves stress in the marriage/relationship because you are no longer bombarding the spouse with train talk. You have the train guys for that. When you get that new loco , they will be as excited as you are......

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

I joined a club a couple weeks after I started. Learned a lot--especially about operating. Find a bunch of them that operate and get yourself invited. Takes MRR to a whole new level.

Chip, this group LOVES operations. I think at least one of the meetings is dedicated to that.
Jarrell

Watch how your layout plans evolve as you start operating?

[Anonymous]

I would like the idea of a group, but I am quite disappointed that there are none in the nearby area. I think I might start my own, because from what I've read and heard, they are really fun and worth it. I'm very glad, Jacion12, that you are part of one. Keep us posted on how it's going!

[rayhippard]

jacon12, I'm happy for you that you found this club to join. You have a great talent in photography and will be able to use it to help the club and/or the members. Take a sample of your photo work to a meeting to " show and tell " and I'm sure they will be as impressed as we all were to see your talent.
Ray ---- Great Northern fan.