Clubs

[Anonymous]

I'm sad to report that the club that I belong to (Nazereth Area Society of Model Engineers) is closed thanks to water damage (caused by all of that stupid rain we got last year[V][V][V][V][V][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(][:(]). Until the club opens (at least 2005), I cannot go to any club. to make matters worse, I have other clubs, but all of them cannot be done for these reasons:

1 club is out of my price range, 1 club requires members to be 14, and one club is a long drive away and is at risk of being booted out of their current structure.

With this, and the purchase of Athearn, I don't know how long I can continue enjoying the hobby. If the Athearn purchase results in $90 engines, my moel RR is going to declare bankruptcy, the bench work will be made into ping-pong tables, and we have a recreation area. I'd rather have a layout there though.

Seriously, I need support and ideas. Money will be required to remove the bricks and find the water damage, then patch it up again. I'm at the verge of not having a place to run my trains until the ambitious project of building my layout is complete, so please help me!

[:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(]

[Anonymous]

If there is anyone else try and see if you can start a round robin group

[Big_Boy_4005]

I haven't had a place to run my trains since I lost my last layout, and that was over 10 years ago, almost an entire lifetime for you my young friend. DON'T PANIC, things will improve!!! It may take some time, but you're young. Think of it this way, now you have something to look forward to, and maybe even a new goal.[2c][sigh]

[Anonymous]

OK, thanks. i do realize that there is more ahead, maybe if the club can continue on, it will be improved. Also, I'm almost done with my benchwork, I just need plywood.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Sometimes little disasters bring an opportunity for greater things. Maybe the club will find a new home. Or maybe a whole new club will form. That would be a great opportunity for a young person like yourself. Getting in on the ground floor is a lot more work, but that work gives you a sense of belonging, and that's when clubs are most fun.

[Anonymous]

Yeah. But if a new club would form I'd have to hope that it would be affordable and would let teenagers in. It would stink if a club came in nearby and we couldn't join.

[Eriediamond]

I may have missed something here, but how does the temporary closing of your club effect your own model railroad? I suggest you could do a small portion of your "ambitious" layout to get a train running then continue work on the rest of it. I know of no layout being completed before trains are run. Now if its a matter of not having the money to do some work on your layout, you may have to wait until your club reopens to run your trains. The world will not end because of it. I can understand your situation here. So, in closing, I wish you luck.

[Fergmiester]

For my first several years I only ran 2 diesels and a dozen boxcars all poor quality. It was all I could afford but I had fun. BB 4005 has hit it smack dab on. You're just starting out. No class A railroad started with a full roster. This will take time and when you are finished school and find a job then it will be time to go big and be able to do what YOU want to do

[Fergmiester]

Heres the Kicker!

I can understand age restrictions, especially in todays climate of, and I hate to say it again, liability. The vast majority of youth organizations on this side of the border require leaders/helpers to have clean police record checks (PRC's). If you have a youth element in your club you have to be exceptionally diligent and insure no adult be put in a compromising situation.

Simply put, no one is willing to shoulder this risk. The youth unfortunately suffer in the end.
This is where parents must become more involved.

[Anonymous]

One crevat to keep in mind, the club has difficulties to be sure... but dont let it affect your home railroad. It is possible insurance will cover the damage to the building as long the root cause was not preexisting. (Example would be a twig from a fallen limb for two years over a room as happened to me)

I too started off with a few freight cars and a loco of dubious temprament. Sometimes getting out of the engine house was not possible. I do not have much room to run, however, I am "Armchairing" and "Workbenching" building and maintaining my growing fleet.

If you could not resolve a club situation, perhaps you could find a visit to a operating night of a nearby hobbyist. You may even find a operating plan for your railroad and bring in several people to run it. One can do the yard, one can do a town another keep everything running and perhaps drive trains. And everyone takes turns so that it wont fall on one person alone to do one "Job" and burnout.

Let us know how it goes!

[krump]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal



my moel RR is going to declare bankruptcy,
[:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(]

I don't think a hobby can go bankrupt, might be inactive for a time, but hobbies are continuous. keep working on it,
and perhaps the other club members would appreciate you time and efforts as the repairs are made, and the club prepares to re-open the doors.
new opportunity to learn about benchwork, wiring etc

right now, in my corner of the world, all I'm doing in the hobby is making trees, learning from other club members, and painting my own r/r logo/colours on extra freight cars - might even vandalize a few with graffiti[:D][:D][:D]
something will come up ...