I mentioned a while back that I had started a group on Meetup.com. It is up and running and I'm hoping to get a few more people signed up (no charge) before scheduling a meeting. The first of many I hope.
http://www.meetup.com/MetroNYC-Model-Railroaders/
I suspect there are lots of arm chair modelers in the area, convinced they can't indulge their hobby living in an apartment. Hope to convince them otherwise.