While looking around the room at last nights meeting of the modular club I'm a member of, I realized that only about 1/4th of the people there actually had a home layout. That's not surprising given it is a modular group and virtually all have built modules that connect to the groups large layout when on display. But, it got me to wondering what percentage of model railroaders there is, overall, that don't have a layout of any type, not that it's a bad thing or a good thing. There were 20 people at this particular meeting and 4 have a home layout, that makes close to 75% that don't. Is this about average throughout the hobby, or is it more like half do and half don't, or higher? I realize everyone doesn't have the space for a layout and that is the good thing about modular clubs.
JaRRell
Jarrell,
I would have to say that that probably is about the same % of folks in my MRR club who have a home layout. Even a small home layout (4 x 8 or smaller) is better than no layout at all.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Well, I've got one. But, I've got a large house. Even so, the women-folk are jealous of my space, even though I'm quite happy to let them turn the rest of the place into shrines to Martha Stuart.
I've visited a club down in Florida, where my in-laws live. There, almost none of the members have the space for a layout, since they've all downsized in their retirement. Remember, in South Florida almost no one has a basement.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have three, two that are pretty well completed. The other is just benchwork with some track and two switches that are going to be ripped off for my other two layouts benifit. I don't belong to a club layout because the nearest clubs are 35 miles away, but there are two that are 35 miles away.
-beegle55
I currently have a (small) 8x10 layout in a corner of my basement, this being the first I've had in quite a while due to apartment living with no space in the past. I also belong to a modular club and just as you stated about your own, not many members have true home layouts. There are several that have their own modules, and I believe two that have or are building a layout but most just have equipment they bring to use at the club or at others' homes for ops sessions.
Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.
MisterBeasley wrote: " even though I'm quite happy to let them turn the rest of the place into shrines to Martha Stuart."
" even though I'm quite happy to let them turn the rest of the place into shrines to Martha Stuart."
I'm still chucklin' over that one... The truest statements are often the most hilarious!
soumodeler wrote:Our club is about the same, four of us have layouts, 10-15 don't.
I've been wondering if you got your river done yet. I think you're on foam with a sculptamold base for it. How'd it come out?
Our club has 8 members, and only 2 of us have a layout(or ever had one). I suspect this is an average number.
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I have had a few small layouts in the past, but since joining my club 15 years ago, I find that most of my time and effort is put into the club layout.
We are about 1/3 completed with the proposed 5000sq ft monster.
Of the 60+ members a good 20-25% have some sort of layout at home. A couple have basement size, some moderate and the rest small or shelf.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
jacon12 wrote: While looking around the room at last nights meeting of the modular club I'm a member of, I realized that only about 1/4th of the people there actually had a home layout. That's not surprising given it is a modular group and virtually all have built modules that connect to the groups large layout when on display. But, it got me to wondering what percentage of model railroaders there is, overall, that don't have a layout of any type, not that it's a bad thing or a good thing. There were 20 people at this particular meeting and 4 have a home layout, that makes close to 75% that don't. Is this about average throughout the hobby, or is it more like half do and half don't, or higher? I realize everyone doesn't have the space for a layout and that is the good thing about modular clubs.JaRRell
Apparently they join the club so they can use a layout and run some trains!. I have little space, but have found a way to eek out a small layout. I do not yet belong to a club, but thinking about it.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
MisterBeasley wrote: Well, I've got one. But, I've got a large house. Even so, the women-folk are jealous of my space, even though I'm quite happy to let them turn the rest of the place into shrines to Martha Stuart.I've visited a club down in Florida, where my in-laws live. There, almost none of the members have the space for a layout, since they've all downsized in their retirement. Remember, in South Florida almost no one has a basement.
Kinda of hard to have a basement when you live in a swamp
Driline wrote:We have a fantastic club layout in my town, but I've never joined because I DO have my own 11X7 layout and felt that I would rather spend my time and talent on it. Someday I do hope to joint though once my layout is near completion.
I think you hit the nail on the head!
Hobby time (and money) is finite. If you don't have a layout, you spend it working on (and operating) the club pike. If you do have a layout, your personal modeling assumes a higher priority - especially if you have lone wolf tendencies. I would expect to find more layouts owned by the less sociable among us ("Guilty as charged!")
Had to chuckle about the comment on downsizing homes after retirement. My wife and I did - into a house with half the square footage, but with a 2-car garage. After some negotiations, I ended up with the garage - far more square feet than the not-quite-12 by 12 bedroom I had in the much larger house. We downsized homes, and tripled my layout space!
Now all I have to do is make some serious progress on the layout!
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Yes, I'm one of the few members in the modular club that doesn't have a module.... yet. I've been spending all my time and money on my own layout. But, this summer I do want to build my module.
Jarrell
tomikawaTT wrote: Driline wrote:We have a fantastic club layout in my town, but I've never joined because I DO have my own 11X7 layout and felt that I would rather spend my time and talent on it. Someday I do hope to joint though once my layout is near completion.I think you hit the nail on the head!Hobby time (and money) is finite. If you don't have a layout, you spend it working on (and operating) the club pike. If you do have a layout, your personal modeling assumes a higher priority - especially if you have lone wolf tendencies. I would expect to find more layouts owned by the less sociable among us ("Guilty as charged!")Had to chuckle about the comment on downsizing homes after retirement. My wife and I did - into a house with half the square footage, but with a 2-car garage. After some negotiations, I ended up with the garage - far more square feet than the not-quite-12 by 12 bedroom I had in the much larger house. We downsized homes, and tripled my layout space!Now all I have to do is make some serious progress on the layout!Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
jacon12 wrote:But, it got me to wondering what percentage of model railroaders there is, overall, that don't have a layout of any type,
Seriously, depending on how one defines a layout I could have from zero to five. I've got the modular units (two different sets) that could be assembled and called a layout. My son abandon his 4x8 so I suppose I could count that. Then I have an elaborate test loop, a "coffee table" set up, and a switching puzzle mounted on a board. ?!?!
Yes, I'd say our club percentage is similar, i.e. much less than half have a layout. Several are like me, planning on one in the future, procuring our loco and rolling stock rosters and running our locos at the club. A lot bigger layout there than I'll ever be able to do at home, but nonetheless I would like to do both--my own personal layout, but I also think there's a lot to be gained from being in a club, particularly as a newbie but also as we gain more experience there's still something to be said for the interaction with other modelers. My 2 cents.
Jim
Ok..Heres a shocker..I am a member of 3 clubs 2 HO and one N Scale.
The findings.
HO Club #1.
47 members.90% of the members doesn't have a layout.Their operation is on the club's point to point layout twice a week.
HO club #2.
17 members. 4 has operating layouts the 5th is being built.12 operates on the modular layout once a month.
N scale club 21 members.6 layouts.The majority operates on our point to point One Track modulars once a week..The club meets twice weekly with operations every Thursday night...
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Brakie,
So you get 4 meetings a week and 5 one week a month, not bad. Should keep you busy! I wish I had that much time for my home layout. BTW, noticed your signature, have you seen the new Hocking Valley book?
Ernie C
ErnieC wrote: Brakie,So you get 4 meetings a week and 5 one week a month, not bad. Should keep you busy! I wish I had that much time for my home layout. BTW, noticed your signature, have you seen the new Hocking Valley book?Ernie C
Ernie,The reason I have tons of time is because I am bachelor that is medically retired and can't do much more then model,attend club meets or railfan..
I haven't seen the book yet..
My C&HV is a freelance short line named after the original Columbus & Hocking Valley.