I have a question. Some of the clubs I have talked to in the past six months have a requirement that to be a member you have to be a member of the NMRA. I finally took a breather today and went to the web site. There seems to be different levels . One item that struck me is that it seems that you have to pay to join (I am okay with this ) however it also appeared to obtain any info you have to pay ?
With this said I have multiple questions which are as follows :
1) Is it worth joining ?
2) do you have to pay for EVERYTHING ?
3) How is being a member useful besides being a condition of being in a club ?
4) Is one level better than another and therefore worth the associated cost.
Thanks I look forward to your input.
The monthly Scale Rails magazine is a pretty good bonus, IMHO.
Plus if you join you go from being a geek to being a card-carrying geek.
Craig
DMW
It has been a number of years since I have been a dues paying NMRA member so I am talking from memory (which may be out of date).
Benefits:
...however it also appeared to obtain any info you have to pay
The NMRA standards and recommended practices are all free on their web site. I have the now dated CD which does cost extra.
I have no idea what the dues are today but you are supporting the only standards body in our hobby (manufacturers aside). We could not have gotten to where we are today without them.
-John
You can purchase the basic membership that gives you certain rights and access to additional information. The next level is basic with the aforementioned Scale Rails magazine, its a pretty good publication with a new editor and publisher. I believe new members also get the standards and reccommended practices sent to them as well.
I'm sure there will be plenty of discussion on this but I ahve no problem supporitn the NMRA as many of the benefits and in the tangible products we buy. They also maintain the Kalmbach library that holds a lot of railroad, model and real, data.
Rick Keil
A true friend will not bail you out of jail...he will be sitting next to you saying "that was friggin awesome dude!" Tim...Modeling the NYC...is there any other?
Jerry,
There are 3 levels of individual membership:
Regular - $51/yr(includes a year of 'Scale Rails').
Regular - $36/yr(no Scale Rails)
Rail Pass - $9.95(a trial 6 month membership with no voting rights). This cannot be renewed for 18 months after it expires.
Some clubs require NMRA membership as they use the NMRA liability insurance. All members must be NMRA members for the club to qualify. This is similar to the R/C airplane hobby, where they will not let you fly at the club field if you do not have a current AMA membership card. Liability insurance has become a big issue in the past few years, and even some malls are asking for an insurance rider before allowing setup!
Check in your local area if there is a Region/Divison event taking place and just get a 'Rail Pass' and see how it goes. The Region I live in(TLR) has a convention in May and we always sign-up some folks at the door with a Rail Pass so they can attend.
Will NMRA membership make you a 'better' modeler? Maybe yes, maybe no. You will be exposed to more parts of the hobby though. The plain fact is that you do not need to be an NMRA member to 'play with trains'.
I was a NMRA member in the late 60's, and dropped my membership in the 70's(protest generation). I still did a lot of modeling, but felt no need for NMRA membership. By the mid 80's I was joining so I could go to conventions/enter contests, but my membership would lapse if I did not attend a Regional convention. In 1997 I bit the bullet, and joined again as a Life Member(not offered any more), and my 13 year old son and I attended the Madison National convention together. We attended a lot of National Conventions together in the following years until he went off to school. For me, it has been a good investment.
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Mass Man wrote:I am not a member of the NMRA and I have had a great time in Model railroading. I couldnt imagine my life changing for the better if I joined. Its not like joing the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) union which will enable the person to make more money and get better acting jobs that require you to be union. since joining the SAG I have been in many many commercials and about 15 movies with speaking roles oh yes I have been a bad guy actor on Americas Most Wanted twice and a FBI agent once! I am currently working on a movie right now where I am a Undercover police officer. The NMRA does not = SAG.
OOooooookayyyy.
It's appears that you used this opportunity just to inform us that you're a working actor guy.... um Bravo I guess...
Now back to the real world.
The NMRA does give clubs several benefits but requires club participants to be members, but beyond that the NMRA has done a lot of good for the hobby in general in the way of SIG's, Standards and compliance research, the development of an achievement program, and most beneficial the fellowship of like minded individuals... and while all that won't get your name on the Hollywood walk of fame, it dose have tangible benefits to anyone that wishes to become a better modeler.
But you are right the NMRA does not equal SAG, most of the NMRA members are less egocentric, and more fun to be around.
I can think of several benefits of the NMRA:
1. Scale Rails magazine has become one of the top magazines in the hobby. Yes, it's that good! I think some issues of Scale Rails are better than Model Railroader or Railroad Model Craftsman.
Scale Rails will do things that the other two magazines wouldn't even dare consider -- like the recent issue with Bruce Chubb's layout in it. Over half the content of the issue (6 articles -- one running 14 pages!) was every conceivable detail of Bruce's layout -- and it took 3-4 evenings of very pleasurable reading to study it and get through it all! Now *that's* covering a topic with some meat! I can usually blast through an entire MR in an evening or two.
2. Conventions: For the NMRA regional and national conventions, you have to pay extra to register if you are not a member. If you want to attend some of these events -- and I think everyone owes it to themselves to attend at least one regional NMRA convention and at least one National Convention -- then having a membership makes registration cheaper. The National Train Show will blow you away and it alone is almost worth the price of a year's membership -- and convention goers get into the Train Show free.
3. Support hobby standards: If you have any altruism in you, consider that the NMRA has done a lot to help establish track and wheel standards, and DCC standards. One way you can say thanks is to belong to the NMRA. The hobby just would not be the same without them.
There are other reasons too, but these are the biggies for me.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
It's appears that you used this opportunity just to inform us that you're a working actor guy.... um Bravo I guess...But you are right the NMRA does not equal SAG, most of the NMRA members are less egocentric, and more fun to be around.
Agreed. SAG is just like any other union.......
And what's a few $$$$ if the local RR club membership requires joining NMRA?? Think of the fun you'll have and all the new friends you'll make. And along the way, you might even learn some cool modeling techniques from fellow members and get help building or modifying your RR.
I am a card carrying member. Except for the few years that I was stationed overseas with the military and had mail delivery problems I have been a member since about 1974.
What do I get out of it?
I get the ability to have my rolling stock operate on any brand of track I buy or build. There are standards that most manufactures come close to meeting, or meet. This is largely because of the NMRA.
I can use a MRC decoder with a Digitrax DCC system.
I can take my rolling stock to another layout, and it will run on their layout perfectly (if they have built it to NMRA standards.
These are but a few examples, there are many more.
I pay the dues and belong to the Region and Division also. My local group meets monthly and has clinics and other how to seminars every month. They also have a video library that is free for the borrowing if you are a member.
I do not usually directly get any benifit out of these things, as I am a lone model railroader due to my preferences and work schedule. ( I work midnights, and my days off are in the middle of the week). Every time I take a train out of the yard using my DCC system I am reaping the benifits because of the standards that the NMRA has established. They are mostly a group of volunteers (I think there a very few paid positions at the national level...correct me if I am wrong) all over the nation working to keep this hobby alive and kicking. If you doubt their efforts check the law suit they are now working on to keep DCC growing and strong. You should join just to support that effort.
Paul (No, I am not one of the paid employees of NMRA)
Dayton and Mad River Railroad
If you live in northern Virginia, you would be in the NMRA's Mid-Eastern region. The MER currently will pay for a Rail Pass membership for a new member. You must be sponsored by your NMRA Division, which would most likely be the Potomac Division in your case. If you click on the Regions and Divisions link on the nmra.org home page, you can get connected to the division website to find a contact.
The Rail Pass is a one time six month trial membership, with the new member receiving the Scale Rails magazine. The only restriction is that you can't hold an office in the organization unless you become a regular member. You may also receive the MER's newsletter free via e-mail, and the division may also have one.
If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.
http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/
The advantages that make the cost of membership worthwhile to me:
I was a modeler for 35 years before I joined the NMRA. I had a lot of fun before I joined, and I'm having more now. If joining isn't a major ding to your hobby budget, I heartily recommend it!
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Been a member since the mid 1960's. There are times when I question why, but generally have been happy and contented with the group. I also belong to the ATSF modelers and historical society, and have for about 25 years.
NMRA opened me up to new skills and techniques through the MMR program, which I entered kicking and screaming, but I got through, got my MMR, and although it won't buy me a cup of coffee, it still gives a feeling of acomplishment. I enjoy the regional and national conventions, I also attend monthly meetings of the local division, Turkey Creek in Kansas City.
On the other hand, many people are content to go through life not joining anything or being a part of group activities, and I suspose that is fine too, if it suits you.
Bob
One thing to keep in mind re the NMRA dues is you're in a way joining a couple of organizations at once. It used to be you paid say $30 a year to be a member of the national NMRA, and then once you were a national member you could pay another $10-15 to belong to your regional NMRA unit, and maybe another $5 to belong to your local division. Now it's combined so say if you're from my area (Minneapolis-St.Paul) by joining the NMRA you automagically become a member of the Thousand Lakes Region (and I believe the Twin Cities Division) too.
It's nice in that besides all the national stuff like the monthly magazine and national convention, the regional has their own newsletter and holds their own annual convention and meetings, and many local divisions have quarterly or even monthly get-togethers for clinics, slide shows, etc. I'm sure for many of us going to a national convention 1000 miles away isn't that easy, but going to a convention or meeting closer to home is a lot more do-able...and you get to know people in your area that are model railroaders, and are probably interested in the same local railroads you are.
There is something I note in reading all the previous replies that's not been mentioned in conjunction with NMRA membership, yet weighs heavily in how much you can get out of it.
You really need to find out if there is an active division in your area. Many parts of the country do not. Then, the question becomes, are you a joiner? What you get out of an NMRA membership is generally reflective of how much you are willing to put in. I've put in a lot of years in the NMRA, held various divisional offices, written for the regional newsletter, given clinics, attended conventions and made many friends. However, if you happen to be more of a lone wolf, in six months you may be asking yourself, "Why did I join?"
Again from the participation angle, if you are willing to expend the time and money, the conventions, both regional and national, can be great fun and highly educational (although the nationals have become VERY expensive to attend in recent years). You get to see what and how the more serious model railroaders do things and can learn their methology to do so yourself.
I would also note that you typically don't get much out of the national organization without additional purchases (book, rollingstock, etc.). Their isn't much beyond the "standards" that are worthwhile freebies. Their magazine, Scale Rails, is just ok in my eyes and not really comparable to MR or RMC in volume or content (nor is it intended to be).
My advice would be to take out one of the $9.95 six month trial memberships and see if you like what you get out of it, as well as allowing you time to check out your regional and divisional (local) organizations before going into the hole for $50.
CNJ831
I was an NMRA member in the 1970s or 80s for a couple years and really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. I let my membership lapse due to life events that made the expense difficult. In late 2001 I rejoined for one year to attend the 2002 national convention. I went to the convention in Ft. Lauderdale and had the time of my life. If you've never been to a national convention you have no idea how much of a rush it is to be around thousands of other people who share your same interests and are willing to share their knowlege and experiences. I came home from that convention and immediately ponied up $780 for a life membership. I haven't regretted a single penny of it. With the recent bylaw changes making me an automatic member of the mid east region and Susquehanna Division I'm starting to get more involved locally, which makes it an even better value.
In addition to all the things mentioned above the one thing that really makes it worthwhile is the friends and acquaintance you can make by attending NMRA events.
Cost of one year membership $51
National Convention fee $150
Hotel for convention week $750-$1000
Friendships started and knowlege available - priceless
Stix,
You made a very good point about the Region/Divison. NMRA national membership makes you automatically a Region member(in my case, the Thousand Lakes Region). What you do not get is a subscription to the Region's magazine(the 'Fusee'). I think most Regions seperate their publication due to the cost of printing/mailing it out. IIRC, the Rocky Mountain Region does offer their publication free with a NMRA membership(they finance the operation with several train shows).
Divison membership varies from Region to Region. Many have 'free' clinics every month(like the Twin Cities Division), but they also have a membership fee(I assume to help offset the publication cost). In my case, there is no real Divison where I live, but I have at one time or the other joined the TCD mentioned above or the PLD(Prairie Lakes Division) as I can drive to their events. Many times when I am in Atlanta, I look to see if the local Piedmont Division is having an event/clinic and take it in. It is sure better than watching cable TV with a pizza in my hotel room!
Add my voice to the Pro NMRA people.
CNJ831, I have to respectfully disagree with you about Scale Rails. It has become a first class publication IMHO recently. I now read that one cover to cover and browse through the other ones I get.
As others have said, depending on yur area, you may or may not have a really active division. However, the opportunity to meet and pick the brains of some truly great hobbyists will always exist at the Regional level. Since joining 3 years ago, I have met several people that I have learned tremendously from (Two are Master Model Railroaders). They have challenged me to start working on the many Acheivement Program Certificates available. Last year I received the Golden Spike Award and I am just putting the finishing touches on the Electrical Certificate requirements. I also will be a presenter at our Division Meet next weekend.
I am very glad I joined!
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
What I'm getting from this is if your not in a club and you don't drive 10 hours to the nearest Division meet, it's kind of a waste.Other than the track standards thing, are there any benefits for those of us Lone Wolf modelers? (I'm figuring not)
loathar wrote: What I'm getting from this is if your not in a club and you don't drive 10 hours to the nearest Division meet, it's kind of a waste.Other than the track standards thing, are there any benefits for those of us Lone Wolf modelers? (I'm figuring not)
Well how about home layout tours? Meeting new friends..Learning new things..
Of course one can't enjoy those things if he's a "lone wolf" modeler.No insult seeing I was one before I learn the "people" side of the hobby is a fun facet of the hobby after joining a club at the age of 16..
Today I know dozens of modelers,seen several home layouts and have operated on 7 of them,been to slide shows,discuss new models,took tours of railroad shops etc.
To my mind its nice to go to Train Shows,hobby shops,trackside and see old friends and talk shop.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Loathar, I'm a "lone wolf" modeler too. More out of necessity since I live in a very rural area. The opportunity to get out of that mold and mingle with other model railroaders is the best reason of all to join an organization. Whether it's the NMRA or a local club doesn't matter so much. The NMRA just gives you more options to do it.
When I retire the end of next year I may try to see if there is enough local interest to support a MR club. It's pretty good drive to the nearest one right now.
howmus wrote: Add my voice to the Pro NMRA people.CNJ831, I have to respectfully disagree with you about Scale Rails. It has become a first class publication IMHO recently. I now read that one cover to cover and browse through the other ones I get.As others have said, depending on yur area, you may or may not have a really active division. However, the opportunity to meet and pick the brains of some truly great hobbyists will always exist at the Regional level. Since joining 3 years ago, I have met several people that I have learned tremendously from (Two are Master Model Railroaders). They have challenged me to start working on the many Acheivement Program Certificates available. Last year I received the Golden Spike Award and I am just putting the finishing touches on the Electrical Certificate requirements. I also will be a presenter at our Division Meet next weekend.I am very glad I joined!
I have to disagree also on Scale Rails. I have the April 2008 sitting on my desk beside me, came early week. 70 pages. I see Steve Priest (one of the locals here in KC and a fellow MMR) is now editor. Really good photos, color, good article on the Slim Gauge Guild Model Railroad Club, good product reviews, good advertisements, 8 pages, color of the late Lorell Joiner's Great Southern railroad, photos and text, wait, I might have to replace MR with Scale Rails as my top bathroom reading resources table material.
BRAKIE wrote: loathar wrote: What I'm getting from this is if your not in a club and you don't drive 10 hours to the nearest Division meet, it's kind of a waste.Other than the track standards thing, are there any benefits for those of us Lone Wolf modelers? (I'm figuring not)Well how about home layout tours? Meeting new friends..Learning new things..Of course one can't enjoy those things if he's a "lone wolf" modeler.No insult seeing I was one before I learn the "people" side of the hobby is a fun facet of the hobby after joining a club at the age of 16..Today I know dozens of modelers,seen several home layouts and have operated on 7 of them,been to slide shows,discuss new models,took tours of railroad shops etc.To my mind its nice to go to Train Shows,hobby shops,trackside and see old friends and talk shop.
Yeah, the bad thing is the hobby is non existent where I live so there are no shows or layout tours. (or hobby shops) I get one show a year that's 2 hours away and it's not an NMRA show. Not a Lone Wolf by choice.
As they say, Location, Location, Location. Being in "beautiful Kansas City KANSAS", located across the river from kansas city mo, I have several train shows every year that I can attend, all within the Central Region, and within a few hours driving time. Nebraska, Iowa, MO, KS, Okla. Our 3 day region meet this year is in Branson MO, which has a lot for family to do and sounds like a fun meet. I have already made reservations for wife and I.
I am on tour several times a year for different groups, get to meet a lot of people, have several who come back year after year (good to see them again), plus I belong to an active Santa Fe modelers and Historical Society area. Between them and NMRA I get about all the visitors I can handle.
For various reasons I am not able to join a local club, so a "lone wolf". I belong because:
1. From the 1960s to the present, I've seen the power of standards to make the products we use compatible, operating reliable, and of good quality. This alone is worth the money for me to support an NMRA in continuing this effort.
2. Scale Rails magazine is an at-a-distance friend who gives me modeling ideas and assistance, and builds my knowledge base.
3. The NMRA national and regional conventions are worth the travel to learn better techniques.
Hal