NMRA membership

[Bergie]

Do you belong to the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)? Vote then share your comments below.

[Bergie]

Do you belong to the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)? Vote then share your comments below.

[vsmith]

National
Meanspirited
Rivitcounters
Association

[vsmith]

National
Meanspirited
Rivitcounters
Association

[BentnoseWillie]

I guess you'd be a "no", then...[:P]

[BentnoseWillie]

I guess you'd be a "no", then...[:P]

[Anonymous]

When I get more serious and actually start building again, I plan on joining - to have access to all the information that is available through the NMRA.

But up until now - I haven't felt a burning desire. I just don't see huge advantages to joining... unless I'm missing something.

Rob

[Anonymous]

When I get more serious and actually start building again, I plan on joining - to have access to all the information that is available through the NMRA.

But up until now - I haven't felt a burning desire. I just don't see huge advantages to joining... unless I'm missing something.

Rob

[AltonFan]

I used to be a memeber, but let my membership lapse when I was going through some financial difficulties.

Outside of Getting the Data Sheets and the recommended practices sheets, the discounts on the books they reprint, and perhaps getting on the mailing lists of the local chapters, I really can't see a big benefit to joining.

[AltonFan]

I used to be a memeber, but let my membership lapse when I was going through some financial difficulties.

Outside of Getting the Data Sheets and the recommended practices sheets, the discounts on the books they reprint, and perhaps getting on the mailing lists of the local chapters, I really can't see a big benefit to joining.

[cmrproducts]

I am a member and although I have not used the many services available at the National level, I am very active at the Division level. A group of local modelers decided to start our own division as we were situated at the extreme ends of 3 Regions. We felt that it would better serve the modelers in the area if we were all in one Region and Division.

It required quite a lot of work but it finally hapened 10 years ago. A lot of people were sure we would never make it but we are celebrating 10 very short years.

One of the many benefits of the NMRA at the Division level is visiting the members layouts and seeing what they are building and getting to operate. I always pick up some new idea or an easier way to do some project when I visit.

We also have our own Jamboree each year to try and get a lot of closet hobbiests to get to know the group and learn new ways of modeling with the many clinics we put on.

Now I have not even talked about the Region or National. This is a whole different area that has their own conventions, which brings together many more modelers. So I feel that the NMRA just provides the basics of getting together and exchanging ideas as well as making new friends.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[cmrproducts]

I am a member and although I have not used the many services available at the National level, I am very active at the Division level. A group of local modelers decided to start our own division as we were situated at the extreme ends of 3 Regions. We felt that it would better serve the modelers in the area if we were all in one Region and Division.

It required quite a lot of work but it finally hapened 10 years ago. A lot of people were sure we would never make it but we are celebrating 10 very short years.

One of the many benefits of the NMRA at the Division level is visiting the members layouts and seeing what they are building and getting to operate. I always pick up some new idea or an easier way to do some project when I visit.

We also have our own Jamboree each year to try and get a lot of closet hobbiests to get to know the group and learn new ways of modeling with the many clinics we put on.

Now I have not even talked about the Region or National. This is a whole different area that has their own conventions, which brings together many more modelers. So I feel that the NMRA just provides the basics of getting together and exchanging ideas as well as making new friends.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[Anonymous]

Seems to me belonging to anything to do with my hobby would be work. I dont do this for "work" I do it for fun. I like to build my stuff and run my trains.

[Anonymous]

Seems to me belonging to anything to do with my hobby would be work. I dont do this for "work" I do it for fun. I like to build my stuff and run my trains.

[Anonymous]

I am with train wreck2 on this subject. It was tempting last year, but I enjoy working on my layout and working things out on my own. Plus I can buy a new car or loco for the same price...

[Anonymous]

I am with train wreck2 on this subject. It was tempting last year, but I enjoy working on my layout and working things out on my own. Plus I can buy a new car or loco for the same price...

[Anonymous]

Like any organization, it is only as good as its "active" members. Those who sit on their hands and do nothing but complain ... well enough said.
I seldom get to regional events, drive time and weekend work schedule usually interrupts. But I have been to most Nationals in the last 20 years, including Toronto. Each and every convention has been well work the money it costs to belong. The opportunity to tour layouts, attend clinics where I can learn how, talk with manufactures and vendors at the show make it all worth while. And this doesn't even consider the many many friends I have made by belonging.

Doug Harding

[Anonymous]

Like any organization, it is only as good as its "active" members. Those who sit on their hands and do nothing but complain ... well enough said.
I seldom get to regional events, drive time and weekend work schedule usually interrupts. But I have been to most Nationals in the last 20 years, including Toronto. Each and every convention has been well work the money it costs to belong. The opportunity to tour layouts, attend clinics where I can learn how, talk with manufactures and vendors at the show make it all worth while. And this doesn't even consider the many many friends I have made by belonging.

Doug Harding

[Anonymous]

I would like to but being disabled and retired I simply cannot afford it. I had to quit buying items for my model railroad due to the high price of my medicine, so I certainly can't afford the dues. Oh well, that's life!!

[Anonymous]

I would like to but being disabled and retired I simply cannot afford it. I had to quit buying items for my model railroad due to the high price of my medicine, so I certainly can't afford the dues. Oh well, that's life!!

[Anonymous]

Some model railroaders have called NMRA the "National HO Scale Society". As a modeler in a minority scale, I am far more active in a "scale specific" organization than in the major all-scales club. I do, however, rejoin NMRA once or twice a decade (for a year at a time) when it will be convenient to attend the national convention.

[Anonymous]

Some model railroaders have called NMRA the "National HO Scale Society". As a modeler in a minority scale, I am far more active in a "scale specific" organization than in the major all-scales club. I do, however, rejoin NMRA once or twice a decade (for a year at a time) when it will be convenient to attend the national convention.

[harryb3]

I've only been a member for a couple of years. So, I haven't availed myself of the library services as yet. I like the bulletin, though they just re-named it. As far as membership benfits go, I would like to see retailers offer a discount to NMRA members. All of the Specs. are nice to have also.
If this is the World's Greatest Hobby, then we should try to find ways to work together towards that goal instead of nitpicking or rivet-counting for that matter. Sure, it can be serious but also should be more fun in the long run in order to pique the interest of the next generation.

Harry Bendtsen

[harryb3]

I've only been a member for a couple of years. So, I haven't availed myself of the library services as yet. I like the bulletin, though they just re-named it. As far as membership benfits go, I would like to see retailers offer a discount to NMRA members. All of the Specs. are nice to have also.
If this is the World's Greatest Hobby, then we should try to find ways to work together towards that goal instead of nitpicking or rivet-counting for that matter. Sure, it can be serious but also should be more fun in the long run in order to pique the interest of the next generation.

Harry Bendtsen

[Anonymous]

I have been a member for many years and, although I don't take advantage of the large number of benefits available, I decided a number of years ago to become a life member. The organization has and still does so much for the hobby, I believe they are worth supporting. If it hadn't been for Model Railroader and the NMRA, our hobby would not be the amazingly great hobby it is today. Standards set across the board allow us to buy things from just about any manufacturer today and know that they will all work together. The recent standards for DCC are just one example.

Plus, getting to meet some of the finest model railroaders in the world at conventions, etc., has greatly benefitted my modeling skills. Besides, it's fun!

Thanks NMRA!

Bill Eubank

[Anonymous]

I have been a member for many years and, although I don't take advantage of the large number of benefits available, I decided a number of years ago to become a life member. The organization has and still does so much for the hobby, I believe they are worth supporting. If it hadn't been for Model Railroader and the NMRA, our hobby would not be the amazingly great hobby it is today. Standards set across the board allow us to buy things from just about any manufacturer today and know that they will all work together. The recent standards for DCC are just one example.

Plus, getting to meet some of the finest model railroaders in the world at conventions, etc., has greatly benefitted my modeling skills. Besides, it's fun!

Thanks NMRA!

Bill Eubank

[Anonymous]

I am a member of the core group so that I support the standardization of products within the hobby. I have worked on several events. I have been a contest judge and Regional Committee Chairman. I have noticed that the sloppy folks complain about rivet counters but DO NOT SHOW! I am trained as a civil engineer in water supply and sewage disposal so I have been overqualified at processing the complaints from the cheap, inactive chewers and spitters who complain about the effort of many others to entertain them.
Lindsay Smith

[Anonymous]

I am a member of the core group so that I support the standardization of products within the hobby. I have worked on several events. I have been a contest judge and Regional Committee Chairman. I have noticed that the sloppy folks complain about rivet counters but DO NOT SHOW! I am trained as a civil engineer in water supply and sewage disposal so I have been overqualified at processing the complaints from the cheap, inactive chewers and spitters who complain about the effort of many others to entertain them.
Lindsay Smith

[Anonymous]

I joined the NMRA to find out what others were doing. I not only found great modelers, but more so, great friends. There are very few rivet counters, so that argument doesn't hold much water for me. I enjoy the Division meets, the Region meets, and the National meet as much as the non-NMRA clubs to which I belong. The NMRA pulls it all together for me.

[Anonymous]

I joined the NMRA to find out what others were doing. I not only found great modelers, but more so, great friends. There are very few rivet counters, so that argument doesn't hold much water for me. I enjoy the Division meets, the Region meets, and the National meet as much as the non-NMRA clubs to which I belong. The NMRA pulls it all together for me.