Hello everybody,
for the last year I have been looking for a MRR club to join. There are several clubs within driving distance but it just boggles my mind how they are operated. MRR is supposed to be fun, I thought. So when I chatted with some of the members of the clubs at their open houses it became quite apparent how stiff and rigid they all are as well as all the crazy internal politics. The most common item that prevents me from joining any club is their notion of a) This is the road we model, b) You are only allowed to run this equipment that operated during this era, c)If you wish to operate anything else, only during a designated night once in a while.
This kind of attitude only allows a very select few individuals to have any interest in joining a club layout. If for example the club models abc road and someone is interested in running their UP Gas Turbine they are basically discouraged to join. Yet at the same time these clubs have signs up looking for new members. Sure not everybody gets along all the time and also there have to be certain standards for equipment quality, ie steel wheels, Kadee couplers but lets not restrict what can be run on the layout to such a degree to discourage people from joining.
What are your experiences with MRR clubs? In my opinion it only makes sense to appeal to a broad group of modelers, so create scenery that is North American and run what you wish. As long as certain NMRA standards are followed it should be fun for everyone. Also of course when it is open house have Thomas run around the layout with a friend of his for the little kids to light up their eyes even more.
That is my opinion at least.
Frank
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
da_krautfor the last year I have been looking for a MRR club to join. There are several clubs within driving distance but it just boggles my mind how they are operated. MRR is supposed to be fun, I thought. So when I chatted with some of the members of the clubs at their open houses it became quite apparent how stiff and rigid they all are as well as all the crazy internal politics. ... Sure not everybody gets along all the time and also there have to be certain standards for equipment quality,... but lets not restrict what can be run on the layout to such a degree to discourage people from joining. In my opinion it only makes sense to appeal to a broad group of modelers, so create scenery that is North American and run what you wish. As long as certain NMRA standards are followed it should be fun for everyone.
In my opinion it only makes sense to appeal to a broad group of modelers, so create scenery that is North American and run what you wish. As long as certain NMRA standards are followed it should be fun for everyone.
People should find a club that agrees with their modeling philosophy. People should not join a club expecting it to change core philosophies to what they want. It doesn't sound like you are trying to understand the club's philosophies at all but trying to remake them into what you want one to be. So start your own club with that philosophy.
I can only agree with what has been said indeed.Trying to find a club that does fit best with one's philosophy is the way to go.However,in many areas,finding a sufficient number of interested candidates to create a viable club is already a daunting task,so finding a sufficient number of candidates with similar interests is next to impossible.
And even if setting the bases to a new club could be achieved through discussions (and negociations I might add),many modelers (like me for instance) see their interests change somewhat as time goes on and their knowledge and skills evolve so that after a while you end up with a melting pot of diverses interests.Nothing wrong with this though...as long as no one starts imposing his views,wich is almost inevitable unfortunately.
A club is composed of different individuals who all have their "ways to do",with different interests,skill levels,knowledge and budgets and conciliating all these differences is no easy chore.This is probably why most modelers are lone wolves.One can accept following a general rule in the interest of the collectivity in day to day living,but will not tolerate being dictated how to run his hobby.After all,it's HIS hobby the way he wants it...no other way.If a club's members vote on a subject and the vote doesn't suit his likings,he'll simply jump off the boat.
One of the advantages of being a lone wolf is that I get to do it my way all the time. Of course the disadvantage is I have to do it all, all the time.
I would think if you can find the right group of folks, it'll be a lot of fun. While I have never been in a MR club, other organizations i have been in, have been fun. It seems to help if the group isn't too big.
Enjoy
Paul
Maybe the best thing Frank, would be to find/join, or start a "round robin" group. A friend of mine has one where they go and work on/operate each others' layouts on a rotating, monthly basis. That way, you can model what you want, when you want, and how you want without any poly-ticks involved from the rest of the club. Likewise, when you go to another guy's layout, he'll want things his way...which is fine, it's his world!
You get the camaradarie of fellow model railroaders, and the autonomy to say "hey kids...we're doing THIS today."
Just a thought, your results may vary.
Chris
Note: in the interest of "full disclosure," I am a member in name only of the guy's round robin group, not having participated in any of the activities to this point.
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Most formal clubs (the kind with a charter, by-laws and elected officers) start with a very like-minded group of people, and usually wish to model the Home Town railroad(s) as they were in some hypothetical glory day now long past. Friction occurs when:
Items 2, 3 and 4 above were deal-breakers in my past searches for possible clubs to join. So, of necessity, I decided that I prefer being a lone wolf rather than a mis-fitting cog in a machine not of my design. In each case, I was polite, praised the clubmembers' efforts and explained gently that I didn't want my choice of prototype, detail level and modeling technique to be a source of discord. My hosts agreed, and we parted friends.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - my way)
Hi Frank
Sorry to hear of the problems that you are having finding a Club in your area, I have run into the strict club rules in the past and in defense I guess they feel the need to keep things in order.
But unfortunatly all the clubs here with these rules have all ended up fracturing over the years and some have even disapeared all together.
What we have done is we meet every Saturday all year at each others layouts and talk club buisness at these times, what projects we have in the works, dues, etc.
We have recently finished our Module a year ago and we have shown it many times, we have no set rules on the rolling stock or engines as our club members as we all model different eras. So you run what you brung, and most likely will always have it that way, we do have strict rules on how we operate at shows on the modular, this is mostly so no one's expensive engine or Box cars end up on the floor due to mis communication and everyone has a chance to operate their equipment.
It may sound weird but we also have no President or any higharchy, we all work together and one person usually is the lead on the newest project and the rest of us all pitch in to get what needs to be done, done.
It may not be the best club situation around but it has done us well for over 6 years now and don't see it changing any time soon.
Mike
Our local club was slightly ridged when I join at age 16 (I am now 36), everything had to have Kaydee couplers(no other choice back then other than horn hooks) and had to be pre 1956. Mainly eastern roads were favored and prefered, but as long as it was an older model, anything went. Now its a free for all and we have everything from SD60's and Dash9s on stack trains to Bowser Challenger class steamers on coal trains and everything inbetween. I will say its not as fun anymore. The club is designed around operation and simulation of a real railroad with car card forwarding system, interchange with members home layouts, either thru the club layout or to industires on the club layout. But the hodge podge of power and era of equipment has really killed the illuision of a real railroad. I myself prefer steam power, mostly that of the NKP and PRR and run such at the club. The ridged rules that once exhisted gave the layout more believeablity in being an actual railroad, going thru the transition from steam to diesel. That is gone now and its just a big train set for guys to run engines that either dont fit on thier home layouts or it has become an extension of their home layout and the illusion has been lost. This brings up the question one must ask oneself when looking to join. If the layout doenst fit what you model at home, can it be something you might enjoy in extension to what you already model? We had guys back then that modeled in different scales, different eras ect, but they had a few pieces of equipment to bring and operate at the club layout. The change in eras to them was a something different, something fresh and a break from the norm of thier home layouts. I still belong to my club, we meet every saturday night, I run my PRR steam engines and when I run the yard, most everything I send out has steam or first generation diesel on it. The membership is dwindling to just a few regulars, barely enough to keep the electric and gas bills paid. The larger home layouts that will probably become the home/meeting place of this club in the future are all DCC, so to that end I have been gradualy changing over and replacing my steamers to allow me to enjoy thier layouts. That has been a fresh change for me, and it was something I resisted for a long long time. Take the time to view the rules from the clubs stand point and what they are trying to achieve by them, it might make more sense from the "big picture" point of view.
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
Try to understand women, you'll find it a lot easier.
Therev are a few clubs in my area. I joined one that does modular railroading as well as a permanent layout. The modules alow me to build and run what I want and the layout is prety sticktly stuck in a operations theme that has a lot of pasenger operations. There are some freight and any one can run what ever power they bring. The only objection I have with the club is a few members let thier small children run trains. Mostly unsupervised. It gets frustrating being rear ended by a speeding train.
Maybe starting a freemo group would be another option.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I've joined several different clubs over the years, and looked at several others that I didn't join as I moved around the country. Here's why I did & didn't join:
While living in Philadelphia, PA in 1980, I looked into joining a club in Sodertown PA. Before you were even allowed to touch the layout, you had to be "certified" by passing tests (scenery, wiring, etc.). While the layout ran well, it wasn't outstanding. I didn't join because they made it seem more like a business than a hobby. They were featured in MR a few years later.
While in Lompoc California in 1984-86, I joined the Lompoc Valley Model Railroad Club. They had one rule - tackle whatever project you'd like - just don't be offended if something you do gets reworked later. The whole idea was to have fun, and I did. Very loose organization - the idea was to model railroad.
While in Seattle in 1987, I looked into the Boeing Employees Model Railroad Club. What an overall unfriendly group! Anyone interested in joining (and anyone who worked for Boeing was eligible - theoretically) received the cold shoulder. You basically had to bull your way into the group. Whether this was intentional or simply the result of the snooty attitudes I don't know. I did not join that club. What they may be like now I have no idea.
Also while in Seattle a couple years later, I joined another club, located in the town of Seatac, just north of the Seattle airport. They were just starting a new layout. Like the Lompoc club, you could tackle construction of any part of the layout that you wanted, with help if you wanted it and without if you didn't. It was made up of a bunch of very friendly people who main goal was to enjoy their shared interest in model trains.
My best experience of all was at the Schuylkill Model Railroad Club in Phoenixville, PA in 1994 (I said I moved around!). An long-established club with a basically completed layout, here I learned to appreciate the intricacies of super-detailed modeling. While the members ran equipment prototype for the area (Reading, Pennsylvania, etc.), none of them looked down on my Great Northern / CB&Q / Northern Pacific equipment (though I did get some good-natured ribbing about it). Comfortable with their own collective interests, they embraced the diversity of the individuals' interests as well.
So after that long-winded history, here's the moral - Clubs are set up for the specific interests of the founding members. While the focus of the club may evolve over time, you need to find a club that's current focus most closely matches your own. They're out there - you just need to find them. But what makes a club desirable or not isn't the focus so much - it's the attitudes of the membership. In some clubs, clubbing, not model railroading, seems to be the main hobby. In some, you have to prove you're worthy of them. In others, the door is wide open, so come on in!
Not only do you need to find a club with a compatible focus within the hooby, but you need to find one with a membership that is compatible with you as well.
Good luck in your quest!
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Brunton My best experience of all was at the Schuylkill Model Railroad Club in Phoenixville, PA in 1994 (I said I moved around!). An long-established club with a basically completed layout, here I learned to appreciate the intricacies of super-detailed modeling. While the members ran equipment prototype for the area (Reading, Pennsylvania, etc.), none of them looked down on my Great Northern / CB&Q / Northern Pacific equipment (though I did get some good-natured ribbing about it). Comfortable with their own collective interests, they embraced the diversity of the individuals' interests as well.
Cool. I belonged to the SVMRRC between 1973 & 1979. If you operated on the branch line you operated on track I laid.
While the modelers had a wide variety of interests the layout itself is firmly based in the SE Pennsylvania area. There are certain advantages to having a unity of design in the layout. One of the best concepts is to chose a sort of generic scenery and that will allow many different scenarios. If the railroad wants to operate in an organized manner (car forwarding and such) it requires car cards and cars to support industries etc.
One club I belonged to after I moved away from Phillie did not have a unity of design and there were huge fights over what was being built on the layout. People coming in "after hours" to rip out portions of the layout other people put in because of competeing plans. There was also the person who would buy boxes of a particular car, for example two of every bulkhead flat offered by a manufacturer, and run them as a train. While he had fun, a 30 car train of solid bulkhead flats didn't do any attempt at operations very much good.
Some rules and organization can be good, too much can be bad.
Some "do what you want" can be good, too much can be bad.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
I had a similar experience in Clarksville, TN. I was stationed nearby and found a local club that had a layout in the basement of a home for slightly wayward kids. The guys were great, friendly and very accepting. They taught me some stuff and things I already knew how to do they let me jump in and work. When it came time to run, I got to operate my CB&Q stuff right next to L&N, Southern, NC&StL and other southeastern roads.
My biggest kick was making trees for the club while deployed to Iraq. They sent me all the materials for furnace filter trees excpet paint which I had to scrounge myself. It kept me occupied outside the work schedule and kept me in touch with my close friends.
To the OP, maybe join one that's close to what you want to do. You may find the experience grows on you as well as the people. In many cases you are trying to not only get into a club, but break into a group of friends which can be even more difficult.
Ricky
My first ever contact with a local HO scale club was when I was assigned to Fort Huachuca and was still in the Army. A local hobby shop had only one locomotive available -- a Bachmann DD40X.
When I took it to the club, one of the members looked down his nose, snorted, and said, "You're not going to run that on MY layout!"
Well, excuse me -- I thought this was a club -- I never realized it was a privately owned layout.
The locomotive went back in the box and I left.
That club no longer exists.
I have an interesting situation up here in that the informal roundrobin group I've become part of has put together a 'unique' set up wherein a layout like mine now 'interchanges' with a CP main at one end with the other end being a BNSF branchline.
This gives us a chance to run a number of things on each others layouts as part of an ongoing schedule---every layout we visit on a given night starts where it was left at the other fellows layout the week before. Because we are a combination of N scale and HO scale there are these 'issues' between layouts of looking more like collectors when we run our HO or N scale and leave the HO or N scale trains on the shelf!
Whatever you can get away with, enjoy it!
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
As a student, I was a member of a model railroading club. Being in Germany, it was a well over-organized affaire, with a list of by-laws, a mile long. Club life seemed to focus around organizational issues and bull talk, instead on building the layout and operation. Within that club, there was a group of "narrow gaugers", mostly young folks like me.We enjoyed very much building and operating the narrow gauge line integrated into the club´s layout. Out of this, a friendship developed, which lasts until today.
One day, the club´s board decided to endthe narrow gauge activities and had our work torn down. The day we found out, we all left the club - never to join any formal club again. The narrow gaugers of the past are now a roundrobin group, building a modular narrow gauge layout.
Our web page can be visited at http://www.sbeg.de/
The page is in German only, but has a lot of maybe inspiring pictures.
Frank wrote:
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A lot of "advanced" clubs does that..One club I am a member of anything goes..The other was rather strick on running electric locomotives without overhead Catenary..Well we didn't have any overhead so no GG1s,AEM7s, ALP-44s etc could be used..
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Most clubs that I have visited seems to be relaxed and laid back with "anything" goes attitude.
Over the years I been a member of at lease 8 clubs and all was relaxed except for some ground rules-mostly KD couplers and no GG1 type locomotives during open houses and all but one club pooled their cars and locomotives for general operation.I was in one club that voted in metal wheels and about a year later voted to strike that requirement from the equipment rules.Anybody interest why drop me a pm.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I used to belong to a model railroad club back in my hometown when I was in high school, leaving when I was in college.
When I joined in 1988, it was a good time. I learned a lot and was having a fun time with it. Five years later in 1993, I was between my freshman and sophomore years in college. Things had changed, and I wasn't too happy with them. Even though I was 19, I was considered one of the "kids" in the club and lumped in with the 10-12 year olds when it came to not being allowed to tell visitors to not touch the layout, trains, etc. We had a police that if your trains were not on the layout (ie. in their boxes under the layout), they were not to be touched. During one open house, our president had a friend who was visiting, and he was being allowed to run the trains, even though he wasn't a member. I arrived with a couple boxes of trains, put them under the layout, and went to another part of the building for a few minutes. When I came back, the president's friend was going through my boxes and putting my trains out on the layout. When I talked to the president about it, he said that there was no problem, even though I didn't know this guy and didn't appreciate a stranger going through personal property. Prior to going off to college, our club had started a second layout in the other half of the building and connecting through the wall to the original layout. We were each assigned a section that we could scenic as we wanted. When I went to college, my section was completed. My dues were also paid when I went to college so I was still a full member. However, when I came back to the club in May 1993 (dues still paid), I discovered that my section of the layout had been redone. The reasoning for that was that they apparently figured I was no longer a member since I hadn't been to the meetings for so long. They knew I was at college and paid my dues on time so at that point it was becoming apparent that being in the club was no longer for me.
At the time, I was also doing an upgrading on my own layout at home, and that was taking more and more of my free time. I basically figured that rather than deal with the time, money, and frustrations of the club I'd be better putting my efforts into my own layout. Granted, I didn't officially tell them that I was leaving. During one of the work meetings, I left my keys to the building on the layout in plain site for them to find and headed home. It was a decision that I don't regret. I heard from one of the other members on here and have been told that the president of the club is still the same with his attitude of things being his way all the time.
For me, clubs can be fun and a good experience, but when things start focusing on politics or anything that takes the fun out of the hobby, in my opinion, it is time to leave.
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
The problem I find with many clubs is that they are made up of people! Some descend into the mire of internal politics and or cliques. Others have personalities that scream "If you don't do it my way I will take my toys and go home!" On the other hand I have been privileged to be involved with civilized bunches of folks who just enjoy sharing and running trains. You just have to try different groups until you find the right one for you. John
da_krautfor the last year I have been looking for a MRR club to join. There are several clubs within driving distance but it just boggles my mind how they are operated. MRR is supposed to be fun, I thought. So when I chatted with some of the members of the clubs at their open houses it became quite apparent how stiff and rigid they all are as well as all the crazy internal politics. The most common item that prevents me from joining any club is their notion of a) This is the road we model, b) You are only allowed to run this equipment that operated during this era, c)If you wish to operate anything else, only during a designated night once in a while. This kind of attitude only allows a very select few individuals to have any interest in joining a club layout.
This kind of attitude only allows a very select few individuals to have any interest in joining a club layout.
I'm pretty sure the club you're talking about is mine, because I know you visited an open house day and I was talking to you there. Let me just explain our side and you can make your own decisions.
The specific philosophy of our club is modelling an actual place on an actual railroad in an actual time frame. All track layouts, locomotives, structures, scenery and equipment is/will be based on what actually existed in that time and place.
Here's some of the advantages as we see it:
- internal politics are almost entirely eliminated; since the vision and goal of the club is specifically defined, there's no infighting from groups pulling in different directions ("let's model horseshoe curve" vs. "let's model a narrow guage branchline" vs. "early steam" vs. "modern diesel" etc.)
- simulating the actual operations of the layout rather than running around in circles. Some may prefer the more free-for-all approach, but some of us prefer the feeling that we're actually simulating something with a purpose. Kind of like a huge role-playing game. To each his own.
- car and locomotive standards (eg. kadees and metal wheels only, weight to NMRA recommendations) ensures a consistent standard across all equipment for operation and reliability. How fun is it when that crappy 20 year old out-of-the-box original Life-Like car at the front of the train always derails and piles up the rest of the train?
- having visitors from the area we model come in and say "i used to railfan from that rock" or "my house is/was right over here" or "this is Sudbury!!" [having not read the full description before coming in]
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
The one model railroad club I have belonged to seemed to have a minimum of problems. I greatly enjoyed working on the club layout together and saw little in the way of politics. The layout did have a specific theme and we tried to kee pto that theme during operations sessions. The rest of the time you could run what you wanted. A great group of guys and I miss belonging to that club. - Nevin
I was in a club from 1969 to 1993. There was a controversy about being a co-sponsor of a train show being planned by a local civic club (not a train club). The club voted not to be a sponsor-- which was okay. How about having an open house the day of the train show to invite people to come see the club layout? NO, remember we voted not to participate. It's over and done with, don't try to change the vote. From there, the club moved to a rule not to allow members to bring family, friends, anyone to visit or see the club layout unless they were a prospective "serious" member.
So I am supposed to help build a fantastic train display and not allow anyone to see it? That was when I walked out.
Correction. STOMPED out.
Clubs... wheewww! What's to love and not to love. Clubs are as varied as their members personalities. Some are strict as all get out, some are much more laid back. I'm a member of a modular club that did about 5 'shows' last year. We have about 35 four foot modules and it takes around 10 to 12 guys approx. 7 to 8 hours to set it up. We have to be very organized and fairly well disciplined to get it loaded, unloaded, set up and leveled, bolted together, wired and running, whether we're in a large tent (did that last year) or a museum (did that in November)
A 'brother' club in a nearby city is just about the polar opposite. Rules are very relaxed, work on what you want, (theirs is a 'fixed' layout), run pretty much what you want. No dues. Our dues are $50 a year.
Bottom line..... visit a club a few times before joining, read the rules if there are any and try to get a feel for the general attitude of the club, if you can. That last part is harder than reading some rules.
Jarrell
I guess this makes a good discussion, aka Rant but really much ado about nothing. Go with the flow or find another club.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Dave-the-Train Try to understand women, you'll find it a lot easier.
Post of The Year right there...
Dan
I can echo the sentiments of a number of other posters that there are basically two types of clubs, with little choice in between. There are the "anything goes" clubs and the "serious modelers" clubs. I've found the former welcome all comers but usually don't model at an advanced level. Modular groups of this sort tend to have much less organized-looking portable layouts, without any theme, or unifying elements, because everyone does their own thing.
The more "serious" clubs tend to be smaller and composed of better modelers. In many cases, they are rather selective as to who they allow to join, resulting in them acquiring a snobbish reputation. They have a lot of rules but as a result their layouts often have a very high realism factor, almost alway exhibiting an overall theme that represents a specific time and location. Only era-appriopriate motive power and rollingstock are allowed to run.
Depending on just what level one models at and their particular RR interests (Pennsy, NYC, UP), each of these groups can have their advantages and disadvantages. Those hobbyists with a preference toward one sort of club will usually not enjoy the other type. I've been a member of both types of groups over the years and found the level of modeling usually too simplistic in the "anything goes" groups. However, the "serious" groups often had too few members to sustain themselves for a really long time, as well as sometimes breaking up over layout development disagreements.
Of late, I've been part of what I supposed could be regarded as yet a third sort of club. It's really a "non-club" made up of a small group of advanced modelers with membership being by invitation only. Although purposely obscure, if you check around carefully I think you'll find there are quite a number of outfits like this around. I'm aware of one whose main goal is to work on each member's layout, applying their combined talents to create extraordinary layouts as a group. Two other non-clubs in my area are associated with local historical societies, or groups, and are building exact replicas of sections of their downtowns surrounding the local RR stations. I happen to belong to a small group whose objective specifically is realistic operations, employing only the motive power and rollingstock of the particular evening's host, but moving around the membership at several week intervals. Of the three possible scenarios, this last arrangent has been for me the best of all.
CNJ831
Ask yourself would it kill you, really, to join a club that didn't model your era/prototype? Would it be so bad to join a group of like minded modelers and help each other with ideas, operation and fun? Would it be so bad to operate and help build a narrow gauge railroad of the 1890's when your interests are modern class I? Do you think the clubs have nothing to give you in return for your time? Do you really think everybody always agrees?
Would it really be so bad if they don't model what you want?
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
I would like to thank everybody for taking their time and posting their opinions and experiences. It has certainly enlightened me and now am able to see the pros and cons of operating the clubs. My original statement was not directed at one club in particular but at about half a dozen clubs that have been visited in the last year or so. Again as usual all of you have come through with much food for thought and it is greatly appreciated.
Just about any club needs rules for cohesion and togetherness. The club I was in is no exception.
I would find the club that matches your interest, check them all out, if the nearest one is nearest, try them, hang around and learn, it is about learning the hobby. My club layout was made westernish UPish 50's ish, but freelanced, there wasn't any heavy restriction on equipment as long as it met operational standards.
The layout could handle the largest equipment with 36" curves standard, #5 switches yard and bigger main. That was the goal of the club the max compatibility, that meant maxed fun. Code 83 track (when code 100 was more a norm technically) so deep flanged engines (AHM) could run yet be more realistic track.
Most turnouts home made rivaled commercial quality and even today would be DCC friendly and the frogs had to be all rail, designed right.
Other clubs have their ways, an all PRR club will be that and so on. You would want to be in the club I was in and it still exists, if your in the South Bend Indiana area.
Personally I am involved in building my personal layout now and being in a club pulls my attention away from doing that and my layout is coming along.
The best deal is to get a group of good freinds together (round robin) and just help each other out. That is what we do. We help who ever needs help at that time and when we are not building we all go to shows, railfan or just run trains! Yes you have to find these guys, but layout tours,shows or even clubs you can find some great guys. Do you have to join a club? Can you just be a visitor several times? I do know most clubs in the Houston area allow you to visit and not join, you just can not vote or have a say so.
Best of Luck!