This thread has taken on a life of its own. I am thankful to all who have posted here in the Pro joining and the side that something will have to freeze over before I join. I think it important to hear all sides. Please keep them coming both for and against.
Another reason to join that I did not mention the first time is the archive work the NMRA is doing. Also that weekend I happened upon two men sitting in a rail car (of course ) at computers. I was amazed to find that they were two volunteers loading photos of trains into the NMRA, so that these will not be lost to time and researches can look these up and study them. If I remember correctly one guy professed to have loaded over a thousand photos !
To me that alone is one huge benefit of being an MNRA member. Anyone can look these up and for a small fee down load them.
TTYL
YGW
csmincemoyerGo figure as one that has been vocal for not joining the NMRA, I may have just recruited a member for them. Strange world we live in! You're welcome Ricky!
We nonetheless appreciate it.
I think it comes down to this how that happens. The issues that people find with the NMRA as individuals tend to be very specific. Some policy, person or circumstances irritated them.
And no organization or person is perfect.
But the NMRA does a lot of good for individuals, as well as the hobby as a whole. In fact, most of the time I think what the NMRA does is something even its critics would approve of, if they stop and think about it. But people rarely bring that up when starting such discussions and it then turns to those one or two things they just can't see eye-to-eye on. And that's fine, we encounter many situations in life where we have no choice about remaining engaged with some employer, life mate, or institution. Anyone's association with the NMRA is purely voluntary. If it does your heart good to walk away for some reason, then that's the person's perogative.
But the way the NMRA runs as a group of volunteers engaged in education and service in support of our hobby also means it's subject to change, like I noted about the AP program. A gripe about it from 1965 doesn't have much relevance to how it is today or how the oragnization is. Most who were members then have passed on.
At the core of my argument here is this point. Volunteer orgnizations do what they do because of who participates, for better or worse. Think the NMRA offers some things of value for you? Give it a chance and participate, because it you still want it to be better for some reason, the quickest and best way is actually to join and get active.
Same thing for all those areas where there isn't an active division. Ours (the Illinois Terminal Division) was moribund when one fellow decided to get us active again. He's moved on but in the decade+ since he took action we've come a long way. And there's still a long way to go, but the way that changes is because those of us here decided that's what we wanted, not the status quo.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Go figure as one that has been vocal for not joining the NMRA, I may have just recruited a member for them. Strange world we live in! You're welcome Ricky!
For those who were following the discussion:
After csmincemoyer commented on NW PA possibly (location dependent) being in a different division, I did some research, (and a couple of PM's), and, for those affected: Erie, and Crawford counties of PA, and Chataqua county NY are now in the Mid-Central region, Division 5. (Same group puts on Railfest every spring in Kirkland, OH. as was mentioned.)
This puts Erie, Meadville, Corry Pa, and surrounding areas, as well as Jamestown, Clymer, Ripley NY, and nearby areas, in a very active Division 5 of the very active Mid-central region.
Thanks goes out to csmincemoyer for letting me know this has happened.
Now, time for me to reconsider not being in the NMRA.... As I said, change one thing, this is one big change. (For the better IMO.)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
slammin One only gets out of any organization what they are willing to add. When I lived in Dayton, Ohio I was an NMRA member. The Mid-central region as well as the Div 3 in Dayton are very active, monthly division meetings, with contests, clinics, field trips, open houses, etc. When I moved to western Colorado in 1998, there was no close division organization. I ran into a few modelers, but nothing like southern Ohio. I let my membership lapse. If you are a lone wolf, holed up in your basement working by yourself, NMRA membership won't be a benefit, but it works for a lot of people.
One only gets out of any organization what they are willing to add. When I lived in Dayton, Ohio I was an NMRA member. The Mid-central region as well as the Div 3 in Dayton are very active, monthly division meetings, with contests, clinics, field trips, open houses, etc. When I moved to western Colorado in 1998, there was no close division organization. I ran into a few modelers, but nothing like southern Ohio. I let my membership lapse. If you are a lone wolf, holed up in your basement working by yourself, NMRA membership won't be a benefit, but it works for a lot of people.
I somewhat agree, I started out as an NMRA, Regional, and Division Member in Toledo, Ohio Div. 1. The rules back then were you had to join the National before you could join the Region and then the Division.
Along came the 70's the 5 year membership went away, and you could be in the Divison without being in the other's. I moved to Colorado and joined the Northern Colorado Division without joining the other two again.
I then moved to Alaska where belonging to any of them was a joke, Alaska was in a Divison with Seatle, WA which was a 4 hour flight from Anchorage, should have had separate divisions on that one.
I am now in Northeast Ohio, and attended Division 4 meetings, but since I live in Division 1 I cannot vote or hold office in Division 4. Most of my Model Railroading friends live in Division 4 and I do some functions with Division 4 as the club I am a member of has open houses etc. I do not do anything with Divison 1 as I am not interested in their activities.
I have not renewed my NMRA membership due to this mess with Division boundries (I can throw a rock into Division 4 from my house). And per an statement by an NMRA official on a previous thread the NRMA has reasons for not doing that but would not elaborate, even though I asked for the explanation.
Rick
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
7j43kI have been a scale model railroader (HO) since 1958. Off and on, it is true. I joined NMRA in 1961. I did so because I felt I owed the organization that set the standards that allowed my hobby to work. I declined to be a member approximately 1965 when I had a bit of a hissy fit concerning modeling competition. I reinforced my declination when I attended a local convention wherein there was an award for a "trains on stamps" competition. Won by a local NMRA honcho. "Trains on stamps"? As a competition???... ...In the last half century, I have detected no interest from the NMRA in having me be a member... I will note that what I call "merit badge competitiveness" was a real problem for me. I now attend events, such as BAPM, where there are no awards. It's all show and tell. We're there to share what we're up to, not to get first place. Or a check mark. I will never enter my work in competition. And I will strive to be a master model railroader on my own terms, thank you very much.
...In the last half century, I have detected no interest from the NMRA in having me be a member...
I will note that what I call "merit badge competitiveness" was a real problem for me. I now attend events, such as BAPM, where there are no awards. It's all show and tell. We're there to share what we're up to, not to get first place. Or a check mark.
I will never enter my work in competition. And I will strive to be a master model railroader on my own terms, thank you very much.
Ed,
Just to be clear here, lots of things have changed in the AP program since 1965...when it was actually just a few years old. I suspect we're still learning how best to make that work, but I suspect this isn't something you have much interest in based on your comments.
I would just want to point out that the Achievement Program is something a very small part of our membrship participates in. Not all are interested, probably for some of the same reasons you're not. Partly this is due to a misapprehension of what contest scoring is about in relation to the AP. For the most part, the scoring system is to encourage the modeler to get to a level of expertise where they improve their skills. Yes, these models are often entered in contests in connection with NMRA events, but these are two separate things. You don't need to be in the AP program to enter NMRA-associated model contests in most cases and IIRC, there's no need to enter AP models in open contests, just that they meet certain standards that are used for judging contests.
The MMR is the ultimate goal if you're a AP participant, but like being an Eagle Scout, relatively few make it to a MMR, there are less than 600 total in the history of the NMRA IIRC. But even if you don't make MMR for whatever reason, you still learn a lot in the process.
But "merit bedges" really doesn't much apply. Most people are very active participants in the NMRA and never go near AP. With Scouts, you don't get much beyond First Class until you start earning those badges. Funny, those I did earn I felt were well worth it, although I ended up leaving as a Star Scout and well short of Eagle. And I've yet to turn in anything for AP, yet I feel my NMRA membership is well worth it. YMMV
riogrande5761 ATLANTIC CENTRAL There are modelers on this forum, who in one thread will be telling us about their latest in a long line of BLI or MTH $500 locomotives, or $100 passenger cars, and in the next thread tell us the NMRA is too expensive - shame on them. Sheldon You are smart enough to read between the lines on the "too expensive" comment; obviously what they are saying using other terms are, it's not worth it to them to spend the money. As for the "If you don't want to join, fine, but if you can afford to be in this hobby to any degree past a 4x8, you can afford the dues." comment, there was a time when my ex-wife limited me to $20/month to spend on the hobby. I could probably build a layout bigger than 4x8' over time but if I had to pay club dues or membership fee's, it would indeed have drastically impinged on my layout progress or ability to buy equipment and rolling stock. I have been able to spend well above that after we separated although I was too poor to live in a place with enough space for a layout for many years, what with the high child support payments etc. and bad economy in the city where I lived. Often, we are faced with choices, would I rather spend the money on items to enjoy the hobby with or to spend it on membership fee's or club dues. The old saying goes, YMMV, obviously intelligent people can disagree on how they spend their own money and not have to make apologies to anyone.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL There are modelers on this forum, who in one thread will be telling us about their latest in a long line of BLI or MTH $500 locomotives, or $100 passenger cars, and in the next thread tell us the NMRA is too expensive - shame on them. Sheldon
There are modelers on this forum, who in one thread will be telling us about their latest in a long line of BLI or MTH $500 locomotives, or $100 passenger cars, and in the next thread tell us the NMRA is too expensive - shame on them.
Sheldon
You are smart enough to read between the lines on the "too expensive" comment; obviously what they are saying using other terms are, it's not worth it to them to spend the money.
As for the "If you don't want to join, fine, but if you can afford to be in this hobby to any degree past a 4x8, you can afford the dues." comment, there was a time when my ex-wife limited me to $20/month to spend on the hobby. I could probably build a layout bigger than 4x8' over time but if I had to pay club dues or membership fee's, it would indeed have drastically impinged on my layout progress or ability to buy equipment and rolling stock.
I have been able to spend well above that after we separated although I was too poor to live in a place with enough space for a layout for many years, what with the high child support payments etc. and bad economy in the city where I lived. Often, we are faced with choices, would I rather spend the money on items to enjoy the hobby with or to spend it on membership fee's or club dues. The old saying goes, YMMV, obviously intelligent people can disagree on how they spend their own money and not have to make apologies to anyone.
Agreed, and as I have said on here many times, I'm not a price complainer. Being self employed I don't want customers who think they are paying too much. And I don't act like that when I buy things - I either buy or don't, I don't whine about prices.
But by saying it is "too expensive", they are implying they would join if it cost less - when in fact they would not - either way it is disingenuous - preferring to buy two more box cars, or simply not seeing the value and then saying its too expensive.
Its like voting - if you don't vote, don't complain about the outcome.
If you are not contributing to the NMRA in one way or another, I'm not really invested in your opinion of the NMRA......
Glad you got away from that first wife..........
PS - clubs, not for me.
Sheldon,
I totally agree that, if you can afford the latest, $500 loco, (or several,) you have zero ground to stand on when you say $66 annual fee for membership is too much.
No offense was taken, nor any meant. It's cool.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
ricktrains4824 ATLANTIC CENTRAL If you don't want to join, fine, but if you can afford to be in this hobby to any degree past a 4x8, you can afford the dues. Sheldon, Not necessarily... I had a operating 4X10, and was in the process of expanding to a 12X12 "L" shaped layout, when the involuntary job change occurred. I now am no longer expanding, and have started to reassemble the 4X10 I did have. (Kept all the parts.) After that job change, I have spent, on trains, total, $45 in the last 12 months. ($30 was to the EL Historical Society, to renew membership with them, then another $8 for their calandar. The rest was on a single railcar kit I found locally.) Before the job change, I could afford it, and did for a while support them, by making donations (above ticket costs) @the Division 5 show every year. (And the neighboring show in Berea Ohio as well.) After said job change, I have even forgone attending these shows. (Missed this weekend in Kirkland even, though a scheduling conflict did contribute to that as well. I was hoping to be in a situation to attend, but the scheduling conflict put an end to all hope of going, slim though it was...) Now, after the job change, even that $45 was a stretch. (And no, no cable/satellite TV, no Netflix, or any other paid subscription TV service either. Can't afford it. {Elsewhere someone rudely mentioned I could drop those, and a few other things, to afford something else. None of them applied. I know, we are better than that here...} So, major cuts have already been made, that includes hobby related expenses.) Some may very well be in that same boat, have had a layout and equipment, but a unforeseen change created a very different situation economically, and have been forced to cut way back on "extra's", like model trains, memberships, etc... But, as I mentioned, if you can at all afford it, I encourage you to join.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL If you don't want to join, fine, but if you can afford to be in this hobby to any degree past a 4x8, you can afford the dues.
If you don't want to join, fine, but if you can afford to be in this hobby to any degree past a 4x8, you can afford the dues.
Not necessarily... I had a operating 4X10, and was in the process of expanding to a 12X12 "L" shaped layout, when the involuntary job change occurred. I now am no longer expanding, and have started to reassemble the 4X10 I did have. (Kept all the parts.)
After that job change, I have spent, on trains, total, $45 in the last 12 months. ($30 was to the EL Historical Society, to renew membership with them, then another $8 for their calandar. The rest was on a single railcar kit I found locally.)
Before the job change, I could afford it, and did for a while support them, by making donations (above ticket costs) @the Division 5 show every year. (And the neighboring show in Berea Ohio as well.) After said job change, I have even forgone attending these shows. (Missed this weekend in Kirkland even, though a scheduling conflict did contribute to that as well. I was hoping to be in a situation to attend, but the scheduling conflict put an end to all hope of going, slim though it was...)
Now, after the job change, even that $45 was a stretch.
(And no, no cable/satellite TV, no Netflix, or any other paid subscription TV service either. Can't afford it. {Elsewhere someone rudely mentioned I could drop those, and a few other things, to afford something else. None of them applied. I know, we are better than that here...} So, major cuts have already been made, that includes hobby related expenses.)
Some may very well be in that same boat, have had a layout and equipment, but a unforeseen change created a very different situation economically, and have been forced to cut way back on "extra's", like model trains, memberships, etc...
But, as I mentioned, if you can at all afford it, I encourage you to join.
Rick, respectfully, most of us have had a life event or two that required tough choices, and I have no idea as to your age or situation. And yes we sometimes get surprised by those life events.
But I would repectfully summit, that based on how I was raised, if I could not afford this hobby, no one on here would even know my name - I would not be in a discussion of the merrits of the NMRA. I would be too busy changing my situation - but that's just me.
There were times in my life were I had to be content with the models I already had, and with minimal resources - I did what I had to do, I did not use that as a reason to talk badly about others.
I know you have not talked badly here - I am refering to those who in the past have used the "high dues" as a target to justify their "issues" with the NMRA - again, not directed at you, or anyone who has simply had to cut back.
To be honest with one's self, at that moment when life takes you by surprise on the economic front - you can't aford this hobby - for most that is just a temporary setback - and agreed, at that time NMRA membership is likely a luxury that should be skipped over.
Other than the track gauge I bought umpteen years ago, assumed that it was just a standards organization, like SAAMI which sets the standards for dimensions of sporting ammunition or the organziation that says George Dickel is Tennesee Whisky and not Bourbon.
This thread taught me different. I've since poked around on their website, and it's clear Steve Jobs wasn't involved. I also just discovered the local region has newsletters so I will poke through those.
Don't know if I will join or not, but I am surprised at the depth of emotions expressed here. It's a hobby, it's supposed to be fun.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
csmincemoyer Ricky, Where do you live? Some of NW PA has been moved to Division 5 of the Mid Central Region. These are the folks hosting Railfest in Kirtland OH this weekend. Much better and more active than the folks to your north and south I suspect.
Ricky,
Where do you live? Some of NW PA has been moved to Division 5 of the Mid Central Region. These are the folks hosting Railfest in Kirtland OH this weekend. Much better and more active than the folks to your north and south I suspect.
Southern Erie County. (Snowbelt region.) If this area is now part of Division 5, that is good news IMO. Might have to start thinking about this again if I would be in the right area....
BRAKIE ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have never entered a model in a contest of any kind, Not even a LHS contest? I have won two of those.. Nothing to crow about but,still it was kinda heady especially since all I did was detail a Athearn SW7 and the second time was a Revell station I weathered and detailed. I agree wholeheartedly about not conforming to other modelers ideas nor am I inspired by any modeler's work. I model for myself and truth be told at times that can be a royal pain...
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have never entered a model in a contest of any kind,
Not even a LHS contest? I have won two of those.. Nothing to crow about but,still it was kinda heady especially since all I did was detail a Athearn SW7 and the second time was a Revell station I weathered and detailed.
I agree wholeheartedly about not conforming to other modelers ideas nor am I inspired by any modeler's work. I model for myself and truth be told at times that can be a royal pain...
No, in fact I don't ever remember any of the shops around here having contests - the two I worked at never did.
And while I am back on here, one other thought. Often when this comes up, people complain the dues are high - that is an excuse, a straw man argument.
I have more invested in model trains than some of you, and way less than some others, but I would be embarrased and ashamed to show anyone my 130 locomotives, 900 freight cars, 200 passenger cars and my 900 sq foot layout space while complaining that $66 a year is too much for dues - no matter what the benefits or lack thereof may be.......
The NMRA division I belong to is quite active, and has a number of very good modellers within its ranks.
One activity over the past few years is a group build. Everyone builds the same project, obtained by a bulk purchase from the maker.
One of them was a wood structure. The more experienced led the session, explaining techniques, and every one works on their model. If you have a problem, someone can help you.
Another was a plaster structure. Again, you learnt techniques from those with more experience and applied them right away.
Later projects were scratchbuilding a structure, and building a freight car from wood. With lessons on how to do it, and other topics such as brake rigging.
Many of the participants build contest quality models, some even entered and won with their projects.
This program is usually a Saturday every month or so. Everyone gets together to build models as a group, and support everyone's efforts. If it gives you anything, it is confidence that you can do this, and get a good result too. So your layout won't look like everyone else's with the mass produced stryene models you see everywhere.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Another thought or two.
I have no interst in the achievement program, I have never entered a model in a contest of any kind, I have no interest in conforming to anyones ideas about what makes a good model - but once again, I don't feel any need to belittle those who are interested in such things. But maybe my open mindedness about that comes from being friends with one of the earliest Master Model Railroaders who is still alive - David Renard, MMR #35 - a great person and one of the most skilled modelers I have ever met.
And maybe the simple fact that I am not a "social bug" allows me to not have unrealistic expectations from an all volunteer organization.........
I have been a scale model railroader (HO) since 1958. Off and on, it is true. I joined NMRA in 1961. I did so because I felt I owed the organization that set the standards that allowed my hobby to work. I declined to be a member approximately 1965 when I had a bit of a hissy fit concerning modeling competition. I reinforced my declination when I attended a local convention wherein there was an award for a "trains on stamps" competition. Won by a local NMRA honcho. "Trains on stamps"? As a competition???
About this time, there arose "historical societies" and magazines dedicated to prototype modeling. I put my energy into them.
In the last half century, I have detected no interest from the NMRA in having me be a member. I would thus presume they are not interested. For my part, I reflect that lack of interest. It appears that NMRA does not need me. And that I do not need NMRA. The caveat is that I still support, as in 1961, the idea of standardization for model railroading interchange. When the NMRA demonstrates a need, I hope to be supportive. When they act like a dim-bulb bureaucracy, it ain't happening.
It has been pointed out in this topic the idea of social interaction, based on NMRA membership. I, too, have social interaction. I am active in the various historical societies, both in the modeling and prototype areas. And I work in Free-mo, where I've encountered a very good and supportive crew.
Ed
Sheldon:
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
A few thoughts from a 58 year old who joined the NMRA at age 12, in 1969.......
First, Mike Lehman and Byron - right on, every word.
Like Mike said, I really don't care if you join or not, but if not, stop complaining.
I am a little different than most of the NMRA members who have spoken up here.
In 46 years I have never gone to an NMRA event, never done any more than pay my dues, read the bulletin and use the published resources provided to me. I did once offer to help with the new data sheet program, but then life got in the way of that.
It is hard enough for me to find the time I would like for my own actual modeling. In fact I have largely dropped out of the local round robin group to convert that social time into actual modeling time.
Traveling part way across the country for a model train convention has never fit into my schedule or lifestyle. And I must say I have never really been that interested in the idea.
The Lone Wolf thing - well I don't mind a converstation on here from time to time. And I can enjoy a good operating session with like minded modelers - but are other people why I am in this hobby - no....... Am I in this hobby to make friends? No, I'm in this hobby because I like trains, I like the history aspect, I like to build stuff, and I enjoy my private, quiet time working ALONE on my railroad. For me, the proper balance is about 100 hours of building/creating/operating alone against 1-2 hours of sharing it with others......
BUT, paying the little bitty amount of money the NMRA collects for dues has been my way of saying "Thank You" to all the work done by all the volunteers over all the decades.
I cannot, and don't really have much interest in supporting the social/public side of the hobby with my time - but I can support those who do with my checkbook.
I still have my original set of Data Sheets, in the same three ring binder I put them in when they arrived in the mail in 1969 - that information alone has answered hundreds of questions on this forum in the 5000 posts I have made on this forum.....that, and years behind the counter of a hobby shop helping customers with their trains - I have done all the promoting of the hobby I am going to do.
Open houses - well I have helped a lot of modelers put them on, and maybe one day I will feel lke doing that and have the layout to stage where I feel it would be worth while for others..........but not right now.
So some of you would say I have gotten nothing for my dues money - we all value stuff differently - I got more than I expected, and take away exactly what I want from the list of stuff they offer........
Bottom line with the NMRA, is your mileage will vary. There are some Divisions/Regions that get what the NMRA should be about. There are those Divisions/Regions that only exist for their current membership and you have to know the correct whistle sequence to be welcomed to the group. I have been to meets put on by Ray's group, Operations sessions put on by the Central New York group and the Susquehanna group in the Harrisburg PA area. But the actions of one division is why I ultimately left the NMRA. And at this point, not missing it.
I will start by stating that I am currently not a member of the NMRA...
Simply because I feel my time and money are better used elsewhere at this point, as the division I am in is totally inactive. (Literally zero meetings, zero ops, zero anything right now.) When you have an involuntary job change, that cuts your wages by more than half, you simply need to pick and choose what you can and cant do.
If the division was more active however..... I would be seriously tempted, even with my current financial situation.
Do they have benefits? Absolutely.
Could I enjoy meetings in the next division over, if I were a member? Yes. Could I find the time and funds to drive for just over 2 hours, one way, for it?
Certainly not trying to bash, or discourage, or anything of that nature. Simply saying that, currently, it does not fit well, for me. For others? Quite possibly, it would fit well, some great.
For those who have never been to anything the NMRA has done, such as the national show, my suggestion is to check it out.
At the very least, if you can afford it, simply for the fact that you can attend meetings nearby, do it. Learning from others, making friends, and enjoying a hobby with others is in itself a great thing, and reason to join.
(Again, my current situation decided for me that it is currently not a good fit. Change one thing, that decision could change as well.)
fieryturboHave you ever considered that some people are lone wolf modelers purely out of location or life circumstances and not necessarily by choice?
Then they are not true lone wolves because a lone wolf tends to be antisocial out of choice and keeps to his/her self. They seldom attend open houses,train shows or any social event and if they do,they seem standoffish and just barely acknowledges when greeted.
maxman BRAKIE And you so called 'lone wolves".. Why are you here if you are a lone wolf modeler? Because they need a place to howl? If a lone wolf howls in the forrest and there is no one around to hear, does it still make a sound?
BRAKIE And you so called 'lone wolves".. Why are you here if you are a lone wolf modeler?
Because they need a place to howl?
If a lone wolf howls in the forrest and there is no one around to hear, does it still make a sound?
Absolutely..They howl for commutation and pack hunting calls. You can bet the farm the prey animals hear their howls.
What I am saying the two lone wolf modelers I met was a tad on the antisocial side and one was the most unpleasant fellow I ever met.
BRAKIEAnd you so called 'lone wolves".. Why are you here if you are a lone wolf modeler?
I would lika to add few additional points to my original post for clarification:
1) I am not bashing the NMRA. I was just stating the local division is not very active.
2) Many people may assume since I have not posted on this forum very often over the last 10+ years I must be a newbie, and don't know of the NMRA, LDSIG, etc. In fact I am a member of OPSIG, and have been into HO scale model railroading for over 35 years, and was very active in a local club for 25 years.
3) I am not a lone wolf modeler. My layout started hosting layout operations this year for a bunch of guys I have known for years.
4) Finally a big thank you to Howmus for the invite to your division events. I am well aware of your group having seen them at the RIT show. I have also attended an NMRA national convention in the past and last year the National Train Show in Cleveland.
Frank
I'm sure people consider that. In fact, if you live in a sparsely populated part of the country,there will be few model RRers and even fewer NMRA members. The NMRA can't move people to live near you. But there are many NMRA members who join for a number of other reasons, realizing their personal situation probably means they won't be able to access the more social side of the organization. Then again, you might find the only other model RRer in a 100 miles lives nearby.
fieryturboI haven't run across any local clubs (at least in this area) that require you be an NMRA member, nor is there anything the NMRA can do from making sure these events happen or don't happen for a club.
At least I'm glad you don't have the idea that the NMRA controls what anyone does. Participation in the NMRA is voluntary. There are clubs that are 100% NMRA. Why? In part because the insurance that many landlords and wise officers require is covered by the NMRA for 100% clubs.
But this also brings up another benefit that many model RRers enjoy from the NMRA, insurance, they may never realize they are getting, for zero cost even though they are not members. A good example is our local train show (Lincoln Square, Urbana, IL, April 2 & 3). It if free, open to the public and one of the reason this annual event both happens and is free is because it's an event covered by NMRA insurance. Because of that, the costs are minimal and borne out of pocket by a few dedicated volunteers. Ever price insurance for an event? You will likely find your NMRA membership just paid for itself several times over.