The Stationmaster wrote: Next Thursday evening will be my next opportunity for photography, so I'll try to get some new photos up the weekend after that.
Next Thursday evening will be my next opportunity for photography, so I'll try to get some new photos up the weekend after that.
When I made that statement I forgot what day the next Thursday was (Valentine's Day) so there won't be any new photos this weekend. I'll try again next Thursday evening, but I don't know when I'll be able to get them online since most of my free time that weekend will be spent with my modules and the Colorado Rail Link group at the Great Train Expo at the National Western Stock Show Complex.
shayfan84325 wrote:I once belonged to a fledgling model railroad club for a year. There were about 20 members and we all wanted to build a club layout, but we could never reach consensus on the basic parameters like era, scenery construction methods, season of the year, DCC or DC, etc. etc. The club dwindled away to nothing by the end of its first year. How does your club deal with these issues?
Building a club from the ground up is frequently a much bigger task than most realize for the very reasons you mention. What I offer here is my personal opinion, and it certainly is not the only valid one I'm sure you'll hear. In general I think the core group that starts a club must either: 1) share a common desire for era, methods, etc., 2) agree to go with the majority, or 3) be willing to submit to a leader or leadership structure that dictates how it will be done.
I think that any of the three methods can work quite well as long as all of the members agree on the core structure of the club. Once again, it is my opinion that getting all to agree on that issue will determine the success or failure of a club. That's why the composition of the membership is so critical. They must share a common vision, and that can't end with just the core group.
During the early stages, there's a ton of decisions to be made and work to be done. Business meetings factor into the equation in a big way, often occurring monthly. That usually leaves the rest of the meetings each month devoted to work. Since everybody has probably had to make a significant financial contribution to get the club going (and keep it going), most if not all think they should have a say in how things are done...reference back to my original three items.
Once progress begins to become evident and the club begins to develop its identity, it becomes easier for potential members to see if they share that vision. By then too, the members will develop a "that's just how we do it here" philosophy that newcomers can easily pick up on. Now the potential problem can become the newcomer who thinks his/her way is better and wants to redefine the status quo. Once again, the importance of unity on how things will be run is essential...and again, it doesn't matter which method is used, only that those that come in are willing to agree to it.
When a club has matured, a new challenge is faced when "everybody" decides they want to join because most or all of the major work has been done and it's real easy for a newcomer to reap the benefits of everybody else's work. These are the ones that are more interested in playing than working (and to this I must plead guilty). Because a club's space is limited, restrictions on the number of members have to be set based on the accommodations available. This often results in the perception of elitism, e.g., "by invitation only," that really doesn't exist.
A mature club faces numerous other challenges including: the aging of its members and subsequent loss of physical ability to do many things, dealing with new developments in the hobby, how changes/renovations will be addressed and accomplished, and even on that old basic concept of "who's in charge?" And once again, I harken back to the importance of everybody agreeing on a single method of choice, be it a natural consensus, majority vote, or a governing individual or body.
The Stationmaster wrote:Be glad too. You can see glimpses of my full CZ in a few of the shots. It is powered by a pair of P2K E7s, and sometimes another member's D&RGW PAs. Visitors often comment about it sitting at the Calamity Station when it's not running.
I've always been a fan of the California Zephyr. I have collected all of the Rio Grande Zephyr cars available from BLI (correct except for the CZ name boards) and another 8 mixed WP/CB&Q cars to fill out a prototypical 12 car consist. I do have one Proto 2000 4-stripe D&RGW PA but since I model the mid-1960's and later, I never put together the Alco PABA set which didn't pull the CZ after about 1958. Instead what I have are a couple of Athearn Genesis F unit diesel sets: F3ABBA (#5541,5542,5543,5544) for 1965 and for 1966-1970 F7/F9 ABBBA set (#5771,5761,5762,5773,5774). Athearn is offering this June F7 #5764 which will replace #5774 (which was wrecked in 1968?). I have always thought the single stripe paint looked very sharp!
Something which would be interesting and was done by the D&RGW is toss in a couple of the Walthers 52-seat Pullman Standard coaches between the CZ baggage car and domes. They did this for specials. I bought a couple of those P-S coaches for that purpose, or to run as Yampa Valley mail coaches behind a baggage and my single PA.
This evening different members ran some of my trains, others ran their own, one used my ATSF E6s to power his string of heavyweights when his power units failed, and for a brief time we even had a German steamer with varnish in tow. A couple of visiting kids got to run a train too. And that was just on the standard gauge. Several members were operating the narrow gauge, and one had some traction going. Next Thursday evening will be my next opportunity for photography, so I'll try to get some new photos up the weekend after that.
I'd love to see photo's of some of your other trains too, especially std gauage passenger and freight! Thanks!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
joe-daddy wrote: Texas Zepher wrote: this is it wrote:if I lived in your area, I would be a member!It isn't that easy. It is an invitation only club. I've wanted in for years. Zepher,Interesting, but then, they are not the only fellow(s) in the Denver area that are hard to get to know. Joe
Texas Zepher wrote: this is it wrote:if I lived in your area, I would be a member!It isn't that easy. It is an invitation only club. I've wanted in for years.
this is it wrote:if I lived in your area, I would be a member!
Zepher,
Interesting, but then, they are not the only fellow(s) in the Denver area that are hard to get to know.
Joe
Joe,
Once you get an inside connection, you start to meet more people. Have you ever been to this website? http://www.drgwscenicline.org/ Thi sis the club I go to, and we always welcome visitors. Send me a PM and we can talk.
-Andrew
The Stationmaster wrote: shayfan84325 wrote: Glad to know you are still there. I visited your layout on a work night about 35 years ago - I was about 15 at the time. One of your members took about an hour away from his own work to teach me how to hand-lay a turnout. He was a great guy and his methods are right on. With nothing more that that one lesson I went on to build an N-scale layout with hand laid code 55 track....That would have been Erwin Chaim. He was a true master of the craft and regularly gave clinics on the subject. Erwin, now about 80, is still an active member, but after decades of service as our president, passed the mantle of leadership on to our current president a few years ago. I don't know what part of UT you're in, but I'll be at the Hostlers show in Ogden the first weekend in March judging their model contest again. Look me up if you get the chance to come...and bring a contest entry! If you've never been I highly recommend it. It's really a great show with a great bunch of modelers in a marvelous venue...Ogden Union Station.
shayfan84325 wrote: Glad to know you are still there. I visited your layout on a work night about 35 years ago - I was about 15 at the time. One of your members took about an hour away from his own work to teach me how to hand-lay a turnout. He was a great guy and his methods are right on. With nothing more that that one lesson I went on to build an N-scale layout with hand laid code 55 track....
Glad to know you are still there. I visited your layout on a work night about 35 years ago - I was about 15 at the time. One of your members took about an hour away from his own work to teach me how to hand-lay a turnout. He was a great guy and his methods are right on. With nothing more that that one lesson I went on to build an N-scale layout with hand laid code 55 track....
That would have been Erwin Chaim. He was a true master of the craft and regularly gave clinics on the subject. Erwin, now about 80, is still an active member, but after decades of service as our president, passed the mantle of leadership on to our current president a few years ago. I don't know what part of UT you're in, but I'll be at the Hostlers show in Ogden the first weekend in March judging their model contest again. Look me up if you get the chance to come...and bring a contest entry! If you've never been I highly recommend it. It's really a great show with a great bunch of modelers in a marvelous venue...Ogden Union Station.
I might also add that Erwin repairs locos for Caboose Hobbies in Denver. You can see him there for info two or three day a week. He is a real Modelmaster.
Dick
Texas Chief
riogrande5761 wrote: Sounds great! I really look forward to seeing action shots of the trains! I like to see shots showing some or all of a train hint hint. I own a full BLI CZ but don't have a layout to run on atm, but I'd love seeing shots of the clubs trains, all kinds. Give us an update when you've post more pictures! Thanks!
Sounds great! I really look forward to seeing action shots of the trains! I like to see shots showing some or all of a train hint hint. I own a full BLI CZ but don't have a layout to run on atm, but I'd love seeing shots of the clubs trains, all kinds. Give us an update when you've post more pictures! Thanks!
Be glad too. You can see glimpses of my full CZ in a few of the shots. It is powered by a pair of P2K E7s, and sometimes another member's D&RGW PAs. Visitors often comment about it sitting at the Calamity Station when it's not running.
This evening different members ran some of my trains, others ran their own, one used my ATSF E6s to power his string of heavyweights when his power units failed, and for a brief time we even had a German steamer with varnish in tow. A couple of visiting kids got to run a train too. And that was just on the standard gauge. Several members were operating the narrow gauge, and one had some traction going.
The Stationmaster wrote: riogrande5761 wrote:I followed the link to view the club photographs and there were alot of nice scenery and buildings pictured! Being interested in trains, I noticed a distinct lack of pictures showing trains, especially standard gauge trains with diesels on the head end. Do they run such monsters and if so, it would be nice to see those being that I am a TRAIN nut! :DOh yes, we run diesels. So far, I've been concentrating on getting photos of the layout itself, and I still have only scratched the surface. After I've gotten the layout pictures taken and posted, then I'll start working on the equipment that runs regularly. While members can bring equipment of any era to run during running nights, the equipment that is permitted to be on display on the layout the rest of the time can't be newer than 1958. Being a lover of passenger trains, you'll regularly see my CB&Q California Zephyr, Santa Fe Chief and one or more UP City trains. Tonight, you'd probably get a chance to see all three run and maybe even a GN Empire Builder. Since most of the motive power belongs to individual club members, and they usually only bring it on running nights, we never know what to expect.
riogrande5761 wrote:I followed the link to view the club photographs and there were alot of nice scenery and buildings pictured! Being interested in trains, I noticed a distinct lack of pictures showing trains, especially standard gauge trains with diesels on the head end. Do they run such monsters and if so, it would be nice to see those being that I am a TRAIN nut! :D
Oh yes, we run diesels. So far, I've been concentrating on getting photos of the layout itself, and I still have only scratched the surface. After I've gotten the layout pictures taken and posted, then I'll start working on the equipment that runs regularly. While members can bring equipment of any era to run during running nights, the equipment that is permitted to be on display on the layout the rest of the time can't be newer than 1958.
Being a lover of passenger trains, you'll regularly see my CB&Q California Zephyr, Santa Fe Chief and one or more UP City trains. Tonight, you'd probably get a chance to see all three run and maybe even a GN Empire Builder. Since most of the motive power belongs to individual club members, and they usually only bring it on running nights, we never know what to expect.
cwclark wrote: I was just there last September when my wife and I were on vacation in our RV and on our way to Oregon and California from Texas. I really enjoyed it tremendously. My dad took us to the railroad museum when I was about 12 years old (i'm 49 now) and they have tripled what was there years ago. I enjoyed everything from the HO layout in the basement to the G gauge layout outside and the real stuff scattered throughout the museum. My favorite was the Pierce Arrow "Galloping Goose" and the 1880 Baldwin 4-8-0 next to the roundhouse. If anyone hasn't been there you really need to go! You positively won't regret it!......chuck
I was just there last September when my wife and I were on vacation in our RV and on our way to Oregon and California from Texas. I really enjoyed it tremendously.
My dad took us to the railroad museum when I was about 12 years old (i'm 49 now) and they have tripled what was there years ago.
I enjoyed everything from the HO layout in the basement to the G gauge layout outside and the real stuff scattered throughout the museum. My favorite was the Pierce Arrow "Galloping Goose" and the 1880 Baldwin 4-8-0 next to the roundhouse.
If anyone hasn't been there you really need to go! You positively won't regret it!......chuck
I could not agree more. The collection of narrow guage is extrodinary! And to be able to get so close to capture great photo's is a real treat! What a help in modeling that era! If anyone is in need of some I can check what I took ( about 2 GB's worth ) and forward them to you.
Please tell Mr. Chaim how much I appreciate what he did for me. I'll never forget what an ambassador for the hobby he is. He set an example that I try to follow every time another modeler asks a question.
I'll be at the Hostlers show; I make it every year. I'd enter my work, but I don't feel like I measure up to the entries I've seen at the show. If they had a non-competing class, I'd bring something just to show. On second thought, I have this railbus that I made using a Jordan school bus kit and an NWSL Flea:
If I work up my nerve, I'll bring it.
I'll look for you there.
RJ
"Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling
http://sweetwater-photography.com/
SilverSpike wrote: I'll be in Denver for a conference in April however not in time for the first Thursday of the month!
I'll be in Denver for a conference in April however not in time for the first Thursday of the month!
We're there every Thursday evening from about 7-9 so feel free to drop by. We won't be running trains on the other Thursdays, but you're still welcome. If you're just coming in the evening there isn't an admission charge to the Museum, but you should plan on visiting it if you have the chance during the day.
The Stationmaster wrote: The Denver HO Model Railroad Club, located in the basement of the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO, has a new website at www.DenverHOModelRRClub.org. I have been updating the site with new photos and information. Here's one of the more popular attractions...the Amusement Park.If you're in the Denver area, the Club runs the layout for the public the first Thursday evening of each month. If you can't visit the Club in person, feel free to visit the website.
The Denver HO Model Railroad Club, located in the basement of the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO, has a new website at www.DenverHOModelRRClub.org. I have been updating the site with new photos and information. Here's one of the more popular attractions...the Amusement Park.
If you're in the Denver area, the Club runs the layout for the public the first Thursday evening of each month. If you can't visit the Club in person, feel free to visit the website.
My son and I visited the museum in October. We were both very impressed and thought the coin operation was a neat idea! Great job guys!
Randy,
I like your site and the club sure has quite a history of success too!
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Glad to know you are still there. I visited your layout on a work night about 35 years ago - I was about 15 at the time. One of your members took about an hour away from his own work to teach me how to hand-lay a turnout. He was a great guy and his methods are right on. With nothing more that that one lesson I went on to build an N-scale layout with hand laid code 55 track.
I always think of your club with great fondness. You're a great bunch, and your layout was wonderful 35 years ago, I bet it's fantastic now. I'll check your website.
Randy, superb work, if I lived in your area, I would be a member!!!!!!!!!!!
God bless, Alan.