rekleinPS Congrats on the grandbaby Pete. They say grandkids are your reward for not killin yer own. I know I sure get a kick outta my one 18 mo. old grandson.
Thank you. You had me chuckling at that one.
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 only had one negative experience with a club...and that was several years ago. I'd just moved back home after college, and had been down to the McKeesport RR club. Nice layout, smooth running engines, IIRC. But, after asking a few questions, and getting the "frosty" treatment, or being outright ignored, I haven't been back. I'm sure if I mentioned I modeled the PC...I'd have been hurled out the door LOL
Seriously though, I'd like to give it another go...probably with the other club (who has an awesome B&O layout!) north of town. But, getting up there is a pain, and with my time being somewhat short, may not happen. I simply have too much going on--model cars, the MG, working on my own layout, etc.
Sounds to me, being a non-club-guy, that there are inevitable difficulties when you put a bunch of guys in a room who are all passionate about this hobby, be it the roadnames or era or level of detail.... but everyone is there to have fun themselves, and I would love to be part of a club where everyone gets to do just that! Have fun.
Anyone want to start up an N scale club around my area where everyone is required to bring at least one "cold beverage" and one new funny joke? I'll have a nice N 2-track coffee table layout done in a month, where we can rest those beverages :)
Happy holidays to all!
In regards to Selectors thread, which I agree with,mostly. Picture an Artists club.in which everyone had to use the same medium each meeting and paint the same subject. The same subject would work if it were a figure study group,but they'd have to sit in a line to draw so they all have the same view.
Anyways After being on a church coumcil,Rotary club,Youth advocates,church council, parks and rec meetings ,church council,You get the Idea. I tried a train club and was totally frustrated. The church councils were the best run meetings because we adhered strictly to Roberts and business was fairly efficient as long as the chair was paying attention. The train club was the worst because of chaos.
I still like to get together with the guys to BS but won't do any work with them. BILL
PS Congrats on the grandbaby Pete. They say grandkids are your reward for not killin yer own. I know I sure get a kick outta my one 18 mo. old grandson.
selector Small wonder that so many of us get the heebie-jeebies when we get handed the list of do's and don'ts shortly into our first meeting at a club. We have encountered several people who have undertaken to suppress their own differences for a greater experience and result in modelling and in operations than they could afford/bother to produce/have the skills to build in their own living quarters. There has to be a fairly close and acceptable match, and it is highly unlikely that any one of us will find such a match in the few organized and functional clubs near to us. Probability just doesn't work for us
Small wonder that so many of us get the heebie-jeebies when we get handed the list of do's and don'ts shortly into our first meeting at a club. We have encountered several people who have undertaken to suppress their own differences for a greater experience and result in modelling and in operations than they could afford/bother to produce/have the skills to build in their own living quarters.
There has to be a fairly close and acceptable match, and it is highly unlikely that any one of us will find such a match in the few organized and functional clubs near to us. Probability just doesn't work for us
I think that is like any organizatioon. There has to be some kind of give and take in these things but as is said, when one is a type of "lone wolf" then it will become more problematic. It also seems that there are some types of rules that do make one wonder what the constructor of that rule was thinking. Needing a single person to examine--and pass?--a tested locomotive---under what criteria?--made me kind of back up and go why? But there we are--
An executive is almost guaranteed to have issues with someone---be it within the club or outside---that kind of thing will take a lot of patience to handle----
almost like a politician
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/
locoi1saThe other club requires at least 3 members and one has to be an officer to run or even test locos.
I wouldn't like that myself. But I can understand their possible reasoning for the rule.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
For the dues Paul pays at his club I would want to run whatever I feel like running. It is a very nice layout in a great big room. I will be there again for the spring show. Our clubs modular group always gets the entrance at the country club. Some clubs dues are ridicules but others are within reason.
There is a club up the road from me that has some famous model railroaders as members. I considered joining but did not due the the fact they are too political as to what and when you can run trains. I can run or work on my clubs layout when ever I want as a member. The other club requires at least 3 members and one has to be an officer to run or even test locos.
I have tried to think of good reasons to join a proper club.
I think the best I can come up with is the treasure of stories that things happened before you came along. The last story I heard from someone at the old Club was very simple.
Train night was moving along nicely. Then there was some commotion over in one corner of the mainline. Apparently there was a logging engine frantically moving down the main at 8 scale mph with a few cars while a giant multi lashup desiel was not really able to stay slower than the logger on the line and not a passing siding in sight for a while.
To make this difficult, the following engineer had lost control because he was no longer in his DC Block (Analog control, not DCC) and is now at the mercy of the Logger engineer who is now losing precious voltage.
It gave at least one person a headache. I am not sure if it was the engineer of the following train or the dispatcher. =)
I dont know what happened or how it worked out, I wasnt there. But that is one story of many that I'm sure might come up if you hang around long enough. Maybe changed through re-telling from happenstance to something bordering on legend over time.
The very fact that protolancing and freelancing, or something that could be classed as even less like true modelling, is so popular in the hobby suggests to me that we largely comprise a bunch of non-conformists. We are mostly lone-wolf and highly individual in the way we enjoy things and the way we value and think about them...and it shows in the way we approach the hobby.
There has to be a fairly close and acceptable match, and it is highly unlikely that any one of us will find such a match in the few organized and functional clubs near to us. Probability just doesn't work for us.
-Crandell
cv_acr......this is where the goals of clubs or individuals may differ from one to another. My club is the opposite of yours with a specific road, location and era, and we definately recognize that not everyone out there going to be interested in that, but we're not trying to be everything to everyone. On the flip side, I would probably not be personally interested in a club like yours because I'm interested in the operational side of things and I like the idea of modelling a specific place and time. But I have friends who don't want any formal structure to an operating sessions and just want to "run trains." To each his own. The hobby certainly has room for everyone; the trick is to find a club (if you're looking for one) that shares your philosophy or approach to the hobby, or at least where you can get your hands dirty and hopefully learn something new or try different things.
I do believe this statement pretty much answers the OP's question best. If it were me, I think I would enjoy the club that Paul Cutler described the most. Followed by the club that ran a roster and roadname and kept things accurate for official op sessions, but on work nights allowed you to "run whatcha brung". That would satisfy two worlds of thoughts there in one neat package. On second thought I might like them both the same. The type I would like the least, except for the one where you just stood around and chatted, would be the type that is strictly modeling a specific road and a specific place, etc. But that is me and someone or somepeople who want too, should have every right to do so. If they want no part of odd names then great. I'd come to open nights to watch the layout and applaud their efforts and accomplishments and stand there and think "gee this is great", but, I just don't think it's for me. No problems.
As far as rules go, like it or not you MUST have rules or you will have chaos.
The trick I guess to starting a club is find out what the wants of the group you would draw from. Good luck. Wants and desires change as a person progresses in this hobby. I know mine have. I started out just wanting to continue with a teenage dream of a layout with some track, trees and a few buildings to look cool. Now, well I've began to get a bit more interested aspects that I didn't think would matter to me. Now my own layout isn't satisfactory. I can't even satisfy myself, imagine how difficult it would be to satisfy 10 or 20?
Hi Sabotshooter,
welcome to the forum. This is a great place to learn about modeling and its associated subjects. With this very knowledge membership help is just a question away on any aspect of this great hobby.
Frank
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
Allegheny2-6-6-6So one night when the test train was out of his line of sight we had the operator stop it and we switched out all the locomotives with Thomas engines that were parked on a siding out of his sight. the switch actually went off without a hitch and the what the hell is that and the look on his face was priceless whenhe saw that goofy face on the lead engine. Even he cracked up at that one. When you stop having fun it's time to pack it in is the way I look at it.
When you stop having fun it's time to pack it in is the way I look at it.
Nice.
Once during one of our regular operating sessions I actually ran over a ladybug that was crawling along one of the rails. I stopped my train and called the dispatcher telling him I was in emergency on account of hitting a "pedestrian" near McKerrow. Took him a minute to fully realize what I meant. :-)
On other occasion I was parked in the siding to meet a WB train, and as he passed he threw the siding switch for me to try to be helpful. Except, I didn't see him do it, and he didn't actually tell me, and what he didn't realize was the dispatcher was holding me for a second train. So when it arrived we were both somewhat surprised when it plowed into the siding and slammed head-on into my train. Naturally I had to rib the first guy a little bit about leaving two dead train crews in his wake. Nothing was actually damaged in the incident.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
Paul3As this thread shows, not everyone is cut out for a club. To be a happy club member, you have to have check your ego at the door (or at least restrain it in public) and have a sense of sacrifice for a common good. Not everyone can do that. There are those who's ego is so large and delicate that any disagreement with them is a personal insult.
There's truth to that, and not just in model railroading. Some people just don't play nice with others in any group situation.
We have rolling stock and loco standards that must be met that include all metal wheels, all Kadees, and basic NMRA specs. All equipment is to be registered if you want to use it during an operation session. We're pretty strict about it.
Consistent standards are absolutely essential for reliable operation IMO.
That being said, anyone can run anything on the layout. 4-4-0's pulling double stacks? Have at it. AC4400CW's pulling wooden cars? Knock yourself out. We do have things like "all steam night" and various other kinds of exclusive nights. Someday, we'll be like The Model Railroad Club in Union, NJ that rotates eras every month, from 1900 to modern day. But until then, it's all eras and all roads. Our layout will look like Northeasten RR's from the 1950's (no container cranes, no autorack ramps, etc.).
And this is where the goals of clubs or individuals may differ from one to another. My club is the opposite of yours with a specific road, location and era, and we definately recognize that not everyone out there going to be interested in that, but we're not trying to be everything to everyone. On the flip side, I would probably not be personally interested in a club like yours because I'm interested in the operational side of things and I like the idea of modelling a specific place and time. But I have friends who don't want any formal structure to an operating sessions and just want to "run trains." To each his own. The hobby certainly has room for everyone; the trick is to find a club (if you're looking for one) that shares your philosophy or approach to the hobby, or at least where you can get your hands dirty and hopefully learn something new or try different things.
Chris
As I mentioned we have a great group of guys in our club who seem to try and out do each other when it comes to chop busting so when we have a work session which is typically a Saturday we will run pretty much anything goes other then the club roster. We've model transition era so it's not uncommon to see a long coal train pulled by two big articulated being passed by some F unit or Alco PA diesels pulling passenger trains or what have you well one guy kinda gets a bug up his butt if we don't stay a little on the serious side when were testing. So one night when the test train was out of his line of sight we had the operator stop it and we switched out all the locomotives with Thomas engines that were parked on a siding out of his sight. the switch actually went off without a hitch and the what the hell is that and the look on his face was priceless whenhe saw that goofy face on the lead engine. Even he cracked up at that one.
Allegheny2-6-6-6There is a really large club not all that far from where I live that I have been invited to join but gracefully declined. I heard almost the exact story from a very reliable club member who isn't in to all the politics etc. who told me one night during the week not an open house night or any special occasion a club member ran a train with his own private road name. " It was an absolutely beatifically detailed work of model railroading art" to quote this person and he did nothing out of normal operating procedure with the exception of getting permission from the club no the dispatcher mind you but the club to run said locomotive. He was banned from the club for a month. Not allowed to even be on the premises. This is not only ridiculous but borders on insanity.
Banned for a month??
As a [pretty involved] member of another club that is a "this is the prototype we're modelling" type club, I agree that that is ridiculous.
We have montly operating sessions and weekly work nights. For our formal op. sessions, we try to simulate the actual operations including as close as we can appropriate equipment. We do have one session each spring that is our official "Junk Night" where alternate power is actively encouraged to give everyone a chance to run all their personal stuff. In our last such session, the local 1-car RDC passenger train was replaced by a 4-car CN conventional passenger train and a trio of BN/BNSF SD40-2s handled a number of freights that evening. For our regular operating sessions we encourage only "correct" power (and any engine to be used should be there a week in advance since there's a certain amount of set up that needs to be done before the sessions), but to actually _discipline_ [in any way] someone for wanting to try their own engine? Come on. You might get a "well that's not exactly prototype" but beyond that...
And while our Wednesday night sessions are mainly construction and work sessions a lot of stuff often gets field tested on the layout. Just last night we were doing helix tests with a fleet of Rapido coaches owned by one of our members.
("Junk Night" is our official name for our April "any power goes" session, but the stuff that comes in to pinch hit for our regular power is often anything but junky...)
Hello everybody,
again thank you for all of your replies. It is fascinating reading what other members have posted. All the clubs that I have visited have stood out in some way. Some have had absolutely stunning equipment and scenery, others truly ambitious building projects. So the purpose of this post was to find out how and what makes a club "work out". Thanks to all your inputs it paints an interesting picture.
Thank you again.
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.
There is a really large club not all that far from where I live that I have been invited to join but gracefully declined. I heard almost the exact story from a very reliable club member who isn't in to all the politics etc. who told me one night during the week not an open house night or any special occasion a club member ran a train with his own private road name. " It was an absolutely beatifically detailed work of model railroading art" to quote this person and he did nothing out of normal operating procedure with the exception of getting permission from the club no the dispatcher mind you but the club to run said locomotive. He was banned from the club for a month. Not allowed to even be on the premises. This is not only ridiculous but borders on insanity.
I guess there is politics in every organization to some degree our club included but nothing that even comes close to this sort of nonsense. We have a hard fast rule that everyone who spends the time to show up has to work on something. We all have fun doing it and it's basically a constant chop busting session a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. The one guy they warned me about being such a crabby old SOB is my work partner and he is one of the funniest guys I have ever met. You get good and bad in all organizations I guess you just have to weed through them and take some of it with a grain of salt.
Paul3 I am a 15+ year member of the South Shore Model Railway Club, est. 1938. We've been around a while, and we have By-Laws, Rules & Regulations, and a 10,000 sq. ft. building. We have rolling stock and loco standards that must be met that include all metal wheels, all Kadees, and basic NMRA specs. All equipment is to be registered if you want to use it during an operation session. We're pretty strict about it. That being said, anyone can run anything on the layout. 4-4-0's pulling double stacks? Have at it. AC4400CW's pulling wooden cars? Knock yourself out. We do have things like "all steam night" and various other kinds of exclusive nights. Someday, we'll be like The Model Railroad Club in Union, NJ that rotates eras every month, from 1900 to modern day. But until then, it's all eras and all roads. Our layout will look like Northeasten RR's from the 1950's (no container cranes, no autorack ramps, etc.).
I am a 15+ year member of the South Shore Model Railway Club, est. 1938. We've been around a while, and we have By-Laws, Rules & Regulations, and a 10,000 sq. ft. building. We have rolling stock and loco standards that must be met that include all metal wheels, all Kadees, and basic NMRA specs. All equipment is to be registered if you want to use it during an operation session. We're pretty strict about it.
This, Paul, is what seperates some clubs from the rest. Especially the equipment registration. A lot of what you said here is common sense. And a fair amount of freeplay is always a good thing
The point about the by-laws and such also comes into play. Robert's Rules of Order is a good platform to conduct meetings from. Everyone knows what to expect--or should, anyways--and it makes for smooth running meetings. I've been in 'clubs' wherein everything is so loose and flapping that one got into arguements very easily. Sometimes just by asking a dumb question---one thing I'm well known for--
Sometimes, clubs or no, the human element will throw a curve ball and one has to deal with the scenario as is---losing a motion, to me anyways, is not something to really get all wrapped up around a driveshaft over---
markpierceThe advantage of round-robin groups is that they can help each other and socialize
It was the socializing aspect of the round robin format that I found most aggravating. If the host had no layout, then all we did was stand around and talk, and much of the conversation had nothing to do with trains or modeling. Some guys just love a good bull session, but I hate to travel across town to listen to conversations on topics that I'm not interested in. I've got better ways to waste my time.
As this thread shows, not everyone is cut out for a club. To be a happy club member, you have to have check your ego at the door (or at least restrain it in public) and have a sense of sacrifice for a common good. Not everyone can do that. There are those who's ego is so large and delicate that any disagreement with them is a personal insult. These people spread unhappiness wherever they are and should not join any social organization. Then there are others that simply have no patience with those less talented or those that have higher standards. Most importantly, one has to learn to live with not getting your own way 100% of the time. If you join a club, you will be disappointed at some point. It's just a fact of life that you will get out-voted and will lose an argument when there are more than 2 people involved. We all get grumpy when we lose...that's understandable. But after a month, if you are still fighting the lost cause, then you need to seriously think about leaving the club and going some place where you can be happy.
It's not all fun and games. We've had theft, embezzlement, hard feelings, drunkards, and a shoving match. We've had threats of lawsuits, tyrants, and violations of Robert's Rules that would make a lawyer cringe.
However, I have also made life-long friends there. I have a chance to help build and operate a 6300 sq. ft. layout. We have X-Mas parties, summer pool parties, and club train trips to Cape Cod, Boston, Maine, New York, Washington, D.C., etc. Because of my membership, I've gotten cab rides in FL9's, F40PH's, and M420's. I've actually operated B23-7's, an S-4, an S-6, and an SW9. I've been on vacations with fellow club members to Chicago, Altoona, Scranton, Bellows Falls, and Cass, WV. I've gone out for dinner with a Microscale rep., and had lunch with an Athearn rep. I've even had some of my ideas that I presented to them become reality (Microscale MBTA Purple trim film and NH TOFC cars from Athearn).
So, yes, as a club member, I have to put up with a whole lot of junk that would make any rational person question their involvement in it. OTOH, I have also gotten unbelievable opportunities to railfan and model railroad like no one's business and make some great friends along the way. Would I join my club again? You better believe it.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
Brunton rdgk1se3019 I used to belong to Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club for about a year and a half...........4 people there can do what ever they want and not have to answer to anyone but yet others are pooped on when they want to do things to improve the club as a whole. I left two years ago as did 2 others after I left .......we got tired of the bickering and the peeing matches at business meetings. I`m still good friends with the club founder and even he would like to see these 4 go away.............1 was kicked out after I left for sabotaging the narrow gauge control panel. 1 of the four acts like the place is a union and he get first crack at anything there just because he is a charter member. I`m a lone wolf now myself because of that place. That is really sad. I guess times have changed since I was there 15 years ago.
rdgk1se3019 I used to belong to Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club for about a year and a half...........4 people there can do what ever they want and not have to answer to anyone but yet others are pooped on when they want to do things to improve the club as a whole. I left two years ago as did 2 others after I left .......we got tired of the bickering and the peeing matches at business meetings. I`m still good friends with the club founder and even he would like to see these 4 go away.............1 was kicked out after I left for sabotaging the narrow gauge control panel. 1 of the four acts like the place is a union and he get first crack at anything there just because he is a charter member. I`m a lone wolf now myself because of that place.
I used to belong to Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club for about a year and a half...........4 people there can do what ever they want and not have to answer to anyone but yet others are pooped on when they want to do things to improve the club as a whole.
I left two years ago as did 2 others after I left .......we got tired of the bickering and the peeing matches at business meetings.
I`m still good friends with the club founder and even he would like to see these 4 go away.............1 was kicked out after I left for sabotaging the narrow gauge control panel.
1 of the four acts like the place is a union and he get first crack at anything there just because he is a charter member.
I`m a lone wolf now myself because of that place.
That is really sad. I guess times have changed since I was there 15 years ago.
Mr. Brunton, as a member of the Schuylkill Valley club I'd like to tell you that I really appreciated your original comments. Knowing that Mr. rdg1se3019 also posted to this forum I wasn't surprised to see his negative response, but I chose to ignore them. However, based on your new post, I guess that I'm forced to respond.
First, no one, I repeat no one, was kicked out of this club for "sabotage". Since we live in a litigious society, it is important to make this statement so that our organization does not get sued for making false and malicious statements. The party to whom Mr. rdgse3019 refers is no longer a member, but for a totally different reason.
Second, what Mr. rdg1se3019 calls "bickering and peeing matches" at the business meetings is his opinion. Yes, the business meetings can get heated at times, but that is the time to air out and iron out any issues and concerns. The fact that rdg1se3019 did not happen to agree that a certain topic needed to be discussed does not make it bickering. And the fact that other members did not agree with some of his opinions does not make it a peeing match.
Mr. rdg1se3019 also made some other comments that I'd rather not discuss right now as they get into the realm of hanging out dirty laundry. Needless to say, they are based on rdg1se3019's opinion and one-sided view of things. However, Mr. Brunton, if you wish to discuss the opposing viewpoint, please feel free to PM me.
For whatever it is worth, I've been a member there since around 1983. The Club is actually a better place now, so I would hope that your memory of us would not be tarnished by the postings of one malcontent.
Regards
I think I'll stop in and possibly defend the "not so fun" or "rigid" clubs. But first let me say I too am a lone wolf and I do not belong to any clubs for various reasons, none of which should be interpreted as anti-whatever their views are. Mainly lack of available time to commit to a group and of course, the money I could spend on my own. Among many other smaller items have kept me from even exploring the clubs to see if one interests me.
As was stated before, any club is usually started with an idea of what one or two people wish to do that cannot usually be accomplished by themselves alone. Such as a large layout with operations involving more than one person, because they either don't have the space, funds or time. They usually have an idea of what they want to model much like you or I. With that in mind they begin looking for people with like interests to help them build their dream and share in the adventure and expense and of course the fun, as they see fun. Fun being what they have an interest in. Nothing wrong with that.
I don't really see any problem with stiff rules and regulations governing their club. After all it is their club. Just like if I went to your house and you didn't allow smoking, I would not expect to smoke, nor would I expect you to change your rules so you can have more guests at your party. If that is what they want to do fine. Having a MRR club that doesn't do what you would is no different than not having one around as many people don‘t. I, for one, would not feel comfortable going into a club and asking them to change for me. Like joining a Firefighters club, but not being a Firefighter. Wanting them to change their rules because I want to join a club. Some modelers are prototypical modelers and the equipment run on their railroad is a big deal. Possibly, and I say possibly, they felt that if they allow someone in who doesn't model that railroad but wants to run their equipment, that they wouldn't be as active a member because they wouldn't have the same interest as the group. Only showing up on "open run nights" to run their trains on the club tracks. I don't know.
To say a club should run differently to accommodate someone else is a bit like saying I, or you, should run our layout a certain way. I know if they want to get new members, they may have to change their ways, but if they don't then again, it's their club.
This could be a highly explosive subject so let me add this. Nothing I said was intended to be argumentative or to say anyones ideas or thoughts are wrong and mine are correct. This is purely my opinion and have nothing but my sole opinion to base it on. Also, I have read many but not all posts on this thread so if I come across as defensive, or argumentative towards something someone said, I assure you it is purely coincidental or a poor choice of wording on my part that reads differently to someone else. I am defending the clubs only to the point of my feelings on the subject, not to the extent of saying anyone is wrong for feeling differently.
It's safe to say that if I wasn't able to be a member of a club, I wouldn't be into model railroading at all. I find the social aspect of the hobby one of the most rewarding elements. Sure there are disagreements and conflicting modeling philosophies, but like anything, you have to learn when to compromise.
Recently, we redid a section of the club layout, and installed a new yard. The person spearheading the project is a "runner" more than an "operator". As such, the yard has a very short (basically nonexistent) lead before switching onto the single track main. I said the lead was too short, and he informed me that's where it was going to be, as he didn't want to tear it out. He's put a lot of time (he's retired) and personal money into this project, and on top of that he just doesn't see the need for it. Well, I could have gotten all cheesed off about it, but there are two things to consider. First, going out on the main isn't the end of the world, and second, one of the engine facility tracks can be repurposed and extended. Problem solved.
Our club is hardly one of those "advanced" groups, and while I'm starting to lean in that direction (been watching a LOT of the fast track turnout assembly videos on youtube), I like the idea of having a place to go and simply run some trains or enjoy some basic stress free operation with friends.
alocoActually, the club I'm in started with the round robin format but it didn't work out. Some members wouldn't take their turn hosting meetings and some members who did host meetings had no layout or the train room was too small to fit everyone in. And even if there was a layout to look at there was no organized operating session that I could remember. The host would simply turn on the power pack and let a train run while some members gawked at the layout and others would go off in a corner somewhere and shoot the breeze. I found the round robin format boring to say the least, and I was glad when the club decided to build a layout.
I think that in order for a round robin group to work you'd have to know these people you are going to work with a lot more than mere acquaintances. This post seems to outline what happens when the 'chemistry' is way off----
Ours started out from the get go with the idea of helping on each others layout--it since progressed to the point that we have a unifying story line for the group----hence all of us have locomotives and rolling stock pretty much in agreement-----even if the scales are different---
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Once clubs start becoming rigid, the fun stops.
Ain't that the truth. A certain amount of control is necessary, but when it becomes excessive all the enjoyment goes out of it.
Jarrell
CP5415MR Clubs, should be fun. The one I used to belong to in Sarnia ON, was fun. They recommended that your equipment was equipped with KD's but that was about it. I moved back to Toronto, went to an open house at a club in Eastern Toronto, just north of the CN Kingston Sub off of Birchmount Rd, & the attitude I got when I mentioned Athearn. WOW!!! No wonder they've only had one new member in 20 years. Clubs should be fun with basic rules. Once clubs start becoming rigid, the fun stops. I prefer to run what I want, when I want. My son LOVES steam so we will haul anything behind them from passenger to intermodal/doublestacks. It's been done by Class 1's, why not by me? Gord
MR Clubs, should be fun. The one I used to belong to in Sarnia ON, was fun. They recommended that your equipment was equipped with KD's but that was about it.
I moved back to Toronto, went to an open house at a club in Eastern Toronto, just north of the CN Kingston Sub off of Birchmount Rd, & the attitude I got when I mentioned Athearn. WOW!!!
No wonder they've only had one new member in 20 years.
Clubs should be fun with basic rules.
I prefer to run what I want, when I want. My son LOVES steam so we will haul anything behind them from passenger to intermodal/doublestacks. It's been done by Class 1's, why not by me?
Gord
Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!
K1a - all the way
Doesn't sound like a cohesive group of guys, collectively. Hopefully, people of like minds spun off to form their own groups.
The advantage of round-robin groups is that they can help each other and socialize while avoiding arguments on a particular layout's theme, etc.: on my layout we'll do it my way, and on your layout we'll do it your way.
Mark