To be Lone Wolf or not to be Lone Wolf, that is the question!

[Pruitt]

I generally prefer to go it alone, though I have a friend who helps with my layout occasionally.

I work mostly alone because I don't care for the giggle-giggle, tee-hee mind set of a lot of folks in the hobby. Without meaning to offend, this forum provides great examples of what I mean - topics like "How many cars can your biggest loco pull," or "How old are you?" are what I'm talking about. I just don't want to be bothered by that type of thing, and you see a lot of it in clubs. [I'm not implying there's anything wrong with it - it's just not my "thing." That's why I don't post more here. But if it's your thing, have at! Plenty of room here for all outlooks!]

On the other hand, counting rivets and criticizing others when they get a different number than you do is, to me, worse by far! And you get a lot of THOSE folks in clubs, too. But again, if you LIKE having rivet-counting contests, don't let ME stop you! Just don't condescend to me, or criticize me to others because I don't meet YOUR level of perfection. All that's important to me in model railroading is that I meet my own personal "fun quotient."

I have been a member of a couple of clubs wherein I was comfortable with the attitudes of the other members, though, and it was great! Seeing the work of others I knew really spurred me to getting something done. and to improve the quality of my own modeling.

[Allen Jenkins]

It's ok to be a lone wolf, I'd rather run up on a lone wolf, than an ego maniac, who just wants to show what he's bought lately. Having a purpose is better. This is the history of the United States of America, or, whatever. Don Dover, editor of Extra 2200 South had in his title page, Knowing, Sharing, Doing, is the only way!. ACJ

[ClinchValleySD40]

QUOTE: Originally posted by emeraldisle

From what I'm reading here, the Lone Wolf trend is definately on the rise. Just a few years back, hardly anyone was a Lone Wolf but I guess experience has taught a lot of good people, some hard lessons, and I quess thats good, because if you're not happy with a club, you won't enjoy the hobby. I agree, the forum here is a sort of non-club, club where all of us can come and go at will and get to know one another in some sense. It's good to know you folks are out there.

I can't agree that the number of lone wolves is increasing. In fact I'd say there are more people becoming former lone wolves. It seems like there is more just because of the internet where they have a place to communicate. And I think it goes both ways, the internet helps people get together.

Now as far as getting out on a regular basis, that is not necessary in a round robin group thing. Our group publishes a monthly schedule of who is operating on what night. If you want to go to one, you just contact the layout owner and get a spot. If you don't want to go, you don't have to.

Tonight I'll be over at John DePauw's operating on his monster EJ&E layout and there will probably be about 20 people there. And we'll have a blast.

[Anonymous]

Kind of a lone wolf. I've just finished up 4 years of being a Director of the local NMRA Division. It was occasionally rewarding, being in the "know" as it were, but very frustrating with the lack of support of the other 400 or so dues paying members of the Division.

However, I very much enjoy the monthly Division model railroad clinics. I learn something sometimes, I like the cookies and coffee, the "What's new at the hobby shop" segment and some of the socializing. However, I'm not much of a socializer.

I have a realtively small HO model railroad that is still in the plywood stage. I have been encouraged to invite others to help build it more quickly but I want to build it my way, not cater to the needs and whims of others. One of the things I enjoy most about this hobby is coming up with solutions to problems I encounter as I build the railroad. It brings out the creativity in me.

There is one other person I can call on and whom I trust to work with me, but I haven't gotten to that stage yet.

[Sunset Limited]

I am a Lone Wolf now, using my time now with my kids growing up and extra time at work. But there is an advantages in being in a club. I learned alot from the model railroad veterans, their styles, techniques, troublshooting. These veterans have passed away, but I will never forget there humor and hospitality. That's one great thing about this hobby, all age groups come together to build a railroad.

[Allen Jenkins]

Bunch of sour puss lone wonders! Best modeling I ever done by myself, put me to sleep. Uncle Harry, was a railroader, Dave Muller, was a Silver Beaver Scout, USAF Ret., and a consumate modeler, disciplined. Menters, which keep me active, enjoying the fruits of the efforts of Men, such as Al Kalmbach, Irv Athearn, Lionel("wide open"), John Allen, John Armstrong, Bill Shoppe, Tony Koester, Lionel Strange, O. Winston Link, Lucius Beebe, Col. Hal H. Carstens, William Walthers, Jim "Boyds Pentax," John Whelahan, Ed King, Bob Lohene, Jim Wrinn, Joseph Oats, Steve King, Gordon Odegard, Chester Holly and his friend Rod Stuart, Bob Keeshan, Terry Thompson, Andy Sperandeo, Bill Schaumburg, Chris D'Amato, Jim Hediger, Mark Hemphill, Big Jim Kerr, Paul Withers, Warren Callaway, J. Harlan Wilson, Mr. Frank Kyper (gosh 842 Google entries, Frank), How about John D Peterson, http://www.alabamarailfan.com/ ? There's enough railfaning there, for anyone even remotely interested in trains. What if, he keep it all to himself? I use http://www.softrail.com/ , TrainDispatcher2 for playing with dispatching Atlanta, GA USA, to Chattanooga, and John Peterson's fansite, gives me the area scanner traffic!
So, My Life(a quality word), is so better, because of the participation of soo many people, God Help me, forgive me for the Soo imprtant names, omitted, by human forget, God, Sooo bless the memories, of the one's who dedicated there free time to the entertainment, of sooo many. Here's a website, 12,000 miles away! http://www.auran.com/ ...Friendliest people in the world, (of Trainz}. And God giveth to the prudent, the knowledge, of witty inventions. Proverbs, KJV.

[ClinchValleySD40]

I'm not a lone wolf and I don't belong to a club. People need to stop thinking that if you're not a lone wolf you must be involved in a club.
I have a layout and I'm in a round robin group. We take turns operating on various layouts and do railfanning trips and ops to other other cities. I promise you, if you are a lone wolf you are missing one of the absolute best parts of the hobby - the people. I've never met a model railroader that was not a really great person, a joy to be around and someone fun to share the hobby with.

Internet and forums - I think it makes for more lone wolves as you feel like you're really sharing the hobby and you're not. Get out and meet people, you'll be amazed how really great it is.

[johncolley]

It seems to me that nature has instilled in the human animal the desire to seek approval of one's peers and the cameraderie of sharing. Thus we have formed clubs, operations groups, and SIG's. I suspect that even the so-called lone wolves occasionally go to swap meets, shows, and even conventions to satisfy some of these needs.

[BRAKIE]

I enjoy the company of model railroaders over non railroad friends.You see I usually find their conversions rather boring
I enjoy club membership so I am not a lone Wolfe.[:D]

[fec153]

Lone Wolf. My expertise is very limited. The club I was in in Miami, met once a week
and no one was allowed in by themself. A club in Ocala is the same. Only on club
days. Takes over an hour each way to run trains for a couple hours. Not for me.
Phil

[Anonymous]

IMHO (in my humble opinion) the Internet has changed our lives. Take me, for example -- here I am at my computer in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, replying to a post in this forum. Prior to that I was downloading photos of a garden railway exhibition hosted by the 16mm guys in the UK. Last month I ordered LGB products from Trainworld in New York and paid by credit card.

I have met more people (including fellow South Africans) in these forums than I have ever met in person. I get all the advice and information I need from the internet. All of this was totally unthinkable a mere 10 years ago.The world has truly shrunk into a global village and within it I can be totally alone, but not lonely.

Oh, I agree that it might not be the same as actual face-to-face contact and some people will argue that the cameraderie and socialising aspect of model railroading can only be done in person, not in cyberspace. But just look at the proliferation of chat rooms, singles clubs, dating agencies, etc. on the web and the mobile phone SMS craze. It seems to be defining a new way of communication for the human race. We type out our thoughts and express our emotions with smileys [;)] while feeling safe behind a barrier.

I don't mean to write an editorial here, so I'll close off. My point is that people are not only becoming increasingly lone wolves in model railroading, but in all forms of recreation and entertainment, e.g. videos at home rather than go to the movies. It is the technology revolution that is changing the way we relate to each other.

Sorry, I'll definitely get off my soap box now. Happy Railroading, whether you are a lone wolf or not. [:D]

[jeep35]

I model alone, Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa with nobody else!!!! Sorry to corrupt George Thorogoods lyrics. Wasn't it Groucho Marx that said "I wouldn'd belong to any club that would have me as a member".

Jim

[egmurphy]

mulletsailor - you can search for clubs by state using a link on the modelrailroader home page. I turned up these three that may be of interest, don't know how close to you they are, but one is in New Haven:
http://www.housatonicmr.org/
http://www.trains.com/clubs/clubprofile.asp?paridClub=604
http://pages.cthome.net/wtfk/nhsme.html

You can also search for clubs on the World's Greatest Hobby website at:
http://www.greatesthobby.com/wgh/directory/clubs.asp

Good luck finding a club close enough to you,

Ed

[twhite]

I'm a Lone Wolf when it comes to the actual work of building my layout, but I'm sociable as all Heck when it comes to asking for and getting advice from fellow model railroaders. My trips to the LHS often turn into hour-long bull sessions with the guys there, because even at MY age, there's still a lot of stuff to discover about this pretty amazing hobby. Haven't tried the local club here, but I always admire what they do when they have Open House, and they seem really anxious to answer any of my questions, stupid or not. As far as my own layout, it's in the garage and accessable to the neighbors any time they drop by and watch me either working or operating. So, to answer the question, it seems that I'm half and half.

[Anonymous]

I? I am a lone wolf. mainly becuase i dont know of any modeling clubs around. I would like to join a club to learn more, as this is still relitively new to me. Its mainly the modeling side of this great hobby that i want to learn how to do and i do best with hands on person to person learning. a place i could go to ask questions while being taught to, say, rescheme a car or install dcc would rock

if anyone knows of a rr club between new haven, old saybrook and middletown - drop me a line - [e-mail]

[on30francisco]

I wouldn't mind being friends with one or two other persons who had an interest in the hobby. Unfortunately most people that I've met in the hobby have a bad attitude towards the fun part of it. I feel this is a hobby and we're here to have fun regardless of the scale, gauge, prototype, or modeling methods we do. I've tried going to clubs and division meets but found the people there very cliquish and snobish. For now I'm a lone wolf modeler and get my information from magazines, the internet, and books. By the way this forum is great and very informative. I wouldn't mind meeting some of the people that post on this forum.

[BRAKIE]

I guess I am a little of both..I am a member of a club and have many modeling freiends...I perfer to build and operate my layout solo..

[vsmith]

Lone Wolf, baby!

I'm doing large scale which means I'm already marginalized by the HO dominated NMRA and I'm indoors, not garden variety, which puts me on fringe in the LS community.

So I do what I do and I dangle my feet in both ponds, and as far as I'm concerned, the waters just fine!

[Anonymous]

Lone Wolf here but like Rick pointed out,not necessarily by choice.I see many advantages to a small round robin group helping each other with thier layouts.Like any group,it takes the right bunch to make it work well and those of us in rural area's just do not have the numbers of modelers that metro area's have as a base to pull from.

The best thing i see is the continued motivation gained from a small group and the talent gained from individuals experiances.Not everyone is good at all things but we all excell in 1 or 2 things making a small group vastly superior in developing a very nice layout and helping to develop several others along the way.
We wouldnt model with just anyone,just like not just anyone becomes your fishing buddy.It takes time to find that group that just fits and i wi***he option were there for me.The nearest large city is Duluth and commuting 65 miles 1 way for a modelling session on a consistant basis wouldnt really appeal to anyone.
So i continue as a lone wolf but do have a couple friends to do meets and railfanning with :)

[Anonymous]

Larry, I think the point that most people are trying to make is that in many cases, they may have had bad experiences with clubs or groups and the preverbial nit pickers that only show up to critisize. I'm sure at one time or another, you've met up with one of them. I think personally, that Round Robins will take the place of large clubs in this country, as organizations go. There will always be a few clubs around but thier numbers will slowly dwindling in favor of the Lone Wolfor, as you say, Round Robins. At least in a round robin, if you don't get on with someone too well, you don't miss out on the association with others at that level. you can pick and choose. As for the NMRA, I've always wondered what they do with all that money they collect every year in dues. Aside of the magazine, what else do they really do that cost that much????? I don't know.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Why does everyone think that it is either lone wolf or club? You can be out and about with others, round robin groups and such, without ever being close to a club.

Clubs are okay for some people, but not me. But I'm definitely not a lone wolf. I operate regular in a round robin group. We host an ops weekend every year, about 80 people attend from all over the country. We also travel to others ops weekends and have a blast.

Do not link clubs and not being a lone wolf. You can share your enjoyment of the hobby, meet some really great people and not get close to a club.

[philnrunt]

I tried the NMRA, they put me in the Dayton (Oh) Division, about 21/2 hours away, instead of the Ft Wayne (In) Div, about 50 minutes away. Guess I could have gotten it changed, but like a true lone wolf I just went about my railroading and let the membership expire.
I also agree with the idea that my RR is MY world, and I like that. Any small bit of control over your life without outside influence is rare these days.
But don't misunderstand, I would gladly wa***he feet of the masterminds of model railroading to just be able to sit with them and pick their brains. There are sooo many things I'm not to accomplished at, and I know they have met and solved each problem that I stumble over.
Some folks are social creatures, and some ...not so much.
Its a choice we make, and then live with.

[timthechef]

I'm a lone wolf, I would like to join a club and meet with more modelers but between work and family I just don't have the time.

[Anonymous]

Kinda yes and kinda no. I have a group that comes to operate the layout, but that's it. I prefer to make my own mistakes on my layout, that way I can't get after anyone but me. I also model straight steam, so not many folks share my vision of model railroading in my immediate area. I do go to model railroad shows if and when they are held in my area. I make no effort to attend the big national events. Did it just one time. You want to feel totally alone? Go to the NMRA Big Show. I like losing myself for hours on end working on the layout or working on things that will eventually be on the layout.

I also like to scratch build. I do have some kit stuff, but it is disappearing as more and more scratch built items make it to the layout. I find this also puts me in a separate slot, one not many modelers in my area are interested in. So I bump into the crowd when it pleases me and I stay away from the crowd the rest of the time.

I have no axe to grind about the hobby. I approach it in the manner that is most pleasing to me, the manner that generates the most enjoyment for the time I spend. I am not part of the "inner clan" that has a need to be in the spotlight. I am quite possibly a model railroad nerd, so far out of the current mainstream that I am happy.

Tom

[Anonymous]

From what I'm reading here, the Lone Wolf trend is definately on the rise. Just a few years back, hardly anyone was a Lone Wolf but I guess experience has taught a lot of good people, some hard lessons, and I quess thats good, because if you're not happy with a club, you won't enjoy the hobby. I agree, the forum here is a sort of non-club, club where all of us can come and go at will and get to know one another in some sense. It's good to know you folks are out there.

[trainfan1221]

I model by myself, though occasionally I will go to my friend's house and operate his
layout with him. I think its fine to just have your own layout and do your own thing.

[Anonymous]

Mondo,
Every Friday night a group has been meeting in a friends home, working on his layout for over ten years now - maybe more. It isn't a club, just an informal meeeting of basically the same guys. Some come, then fall away, some come when they feel up to it, and have time for it. Others are as regular as clock work.

For some who don't have a layout, this layout will act as " club" layout, allowing them to run their equipment. For the owner, he has been the project manager of his layout building for some time now. We all chip in and work on what we know, or acquire the skills to help out. I remember four years ago I can remember thinking I didn't have a clue as to how to build panels for a layout - toggle switches, track plan and push buttons. Now I have built three of them for "John's" layout. In fact, one group has issued us a challenge as to who will lay be the first to lay the "golden spike." I think I have still have a copy, but you can read in it the good humour and fellowship that exists, trans layout.

[mondotrains]

Hi Guys,
I have always been a lone wolf, mostly because I hate having to be at a regular meeting of a club or group. Also, it's difficult to get a bunch of guys together. A few years ago, my wife decided she would like to get a bunch of her high school friends together at our house. She called 12 women on a Thursday and they ALL came over the following Thursday. These were women with children, many of whom had careers. I would submit to you that it would be virtually impossible to get 12 men together, even with months of advance notice. Most would say that the "wife' wouldn't let them out of the house. Or, the "dog died", or their mother is in the hospital. Let's face it....most guys are "lone wolfs" and that's that.

I do enjoy having a couple of train buddies over once in a while, but haven't been able to get the 2 of them together in over 2 months....the wife needed hand-holding in one case and the mother of one needed a prescription filled....just happened to be on Friday night...Train Night.

Let's face it, it's fun to be president of the railroad without anybody telling you what to do or screwing up your enthusiasm with criticism and "rivet-counting" as we call it. I got downsized from my company after 22 years and considering the bull I went through those last few years, with politics, back-stabbing etc., I really don't want to spend much time with "people".

With all this negativity aside, I must say that I've enjoyed "meeting" you guys on this forum and have already learned much and had fun sharing some of my expertise.

Mondo

[Anonymous]

Aren't we all lone wolves when it come to building our layouts and models??? I like help with certain stuff (benchwork comes to mind), but lots of other things I would rather do myself. Not because I am afraid some one else will mess it up, but because I enjoy doing these things.

I was a lone wolf for many years. I joined a round robin group about four years ago and my enjoyment of the hobby expanded exponentially. I learned an enormous amount and I have some people who I can talk to about things like grab irons and curve radi. Some one who can appreciate that scratch built water tank. I think my wife may be happier too because I have another outlet for my train activity and don't bug her as much about it.

All of the guys I know still built their own layouts. We all pitch in to help each other when asked, but mostly it's about cameraderie at trains hows, operating sessions and just goofing off. So I guess when it comes to certain things, I am a bit of a lone wolf, but think I am enjoying the hobby more now that I can share it with some other trainnuts.

Guy