Wanting to start a MR club! pros and cons?

[Anonymous]

I am thinking of starting a Model Rail road club in my basement for a small group or Modelers. What in your opinion would be the pros and cons of doing this and what would be nessesary to get started I have an area of approx 24 feet by 24 feet to work with. I really feel that working with a group would be more productive then doing by myself and it would allow me to share the hobby with others who have the same interest. All replies welcome.[:)][:)][:)]

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by polizi

I am thinking of starting a Model Rail road club in my basement for a small group or Modelers. What in your opinion would be the pros and cons of doing this and what would be nessesary to get started I have an area of approx 24 feet by 24 feet to work with. I really feel that working with a group would be more productive then doing by myself and it would allow me to share the hobby with others who have the same interest. All replies welcome.[:)][:)][:)]

You're right that having a group to share with would probably be more satisfying than flying solo. However, why does it have to be a club? Why not a group of people who help you build the kind of layout YOU want. A club implies that everyone has a vote in what the club's layout will be.

I'm facing something of the same situation myself. I have very definite ideas about what I like and don't like. I also belong to a club. I'm quite content to go along with the consensus of club members when at the club. However, a layout in my basement is my layout. Others are welcome to help, even to make suggestions, but the layout will be mine and will be built to satisfy my peculiar tastes. OTOH, since the nearest modeler I know of is a 45 minute drive away and gathering a group on a regular basis may be somewhat problematic.

Do you know of anyone in your area building a layout? Maybe you can start by helping him (or her) and get to know some other people.

Andre

[CP5415]

Andre's got the right idea!
Starting a club in your own basement could open a whole new can of worms, especially if there's any type of dues to be paid.

Keep you latout yours! It'll save you some headaches.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I think one of the Best things,club vs no club,The friendship you develop with other club members,the exchange of ideas{when we stimulate our minds thru conversation we expand our knowledge and understanding witch makes us better modelers. Building a layout is very rewarding building a layout with a friend is twice as rewarding, three friends etc. etc.One of the first clubs I was ever involved with was just a group of guys building layouts on there own we origanized and meet every week at a different members to help them with their layout.That club now has 40 members or better,O scale modular, HO scale modular ,N scale modular.Going around meeting all the members their wives and families helping with their layouts opened up all kinds of posabilities that I might never of thought of my self,alot of them found their way into my home layout.I also made alot of good freinds,and even though I no longer belong to that club those friendships still are strong today.Last but not least once you are orginized as a club, the membership can get togeather as a whole and do some
positive things in your community and that helps each and every one of us in this hobby,

[CNJ831]

On average, a round-robin group, where the group will meet at various members' homes on a rotating basis to work on each layout can turn out quite well. However, forming a group whose only purpose is to come around on a regular schedule to build just one member's home layout, to his fashion only, sounds to me like a proscription for instant troubles. As has already been suggested upstream, try looking around for an already existing round-robin group in your area and join that if you can.

CNJ831

[fec153]

CP5415 has the right idea. If I belong to a club, I'd want to be able to work on the layout whenever I can and then be able to run trains whenever the mood or time I have lets me. Been in a club where you could only work or run trains for 2 hours on a weekend.
Not for me again. I have small pike and whenever I want run what I want.
Flip

[Jacktal]

And like most things in life,there seems to be an equilibrium in club memberships also.For every member who enjoys doing things,there's someone who will "kindly" let him do it,with the result that things are most times done by the same people.And if this wasn't enough,people who do things expose themselves to criticism,and guess where the critics come from....

Sorry for the sad note...just wanted you to think about it.Are you ready for this?

[Anonymous]

Hey Polizi whatever you decide count me as a member. I know chuck does a round robin type thing with his layout, talk to him and see the pros and cons that he has found in the area. I would also b willing to open up my layout to the round robin idea if your interested. I'll be in the store this thursday if you would like to stop by.
Andrew

[stclaircentral]

I helped start a model railroad club over 15 years ago. 4 original members. The layout was HO scale, 16' by 32' and modular. We transported to various mall shows, model RR shows, etc. We had a blast and really enjoyed the public and the fellowship. I have great frindships that continue to this day. The bad news....I had to go back "solo". I got tired of the old biddies sitting around yapping and not working. I now have my own n-scale layout in the basement and friends over when I want.

[Texas Zepher]

One of the biggest problems with a club is that through the years the members change and so do the goals. The new people have different ideas about what they think is important and how things should be done. As such, friction develops between what is and what could have been. The older members think the newer ones just want to change things because they didn't do it, and the new ones think the older ones are stupid for the way it was done. Niether of these is correct of course but it just causes problems.

Our club has actually had wars and lost members over trivial matters such as:
1. How to make pine trees. How big to make trees.
2. How to paint/stain plaster.
3. How to clean the track (alcohol vs. acetone vs. bright boys etc.)
Then there are the serious matters such as a bunch of new guys who ripped out an entire town of hand laid track and replaced it with flex track because they didn't like the senic options with the old plan. That was at least 7 years ago and the scenery still isn't in, and now newer members are complaining about the plan including the scenery options.

If you want to do a club make certain the goals and objectives are clearly stated and anyone who joins knows about them and buys into them.