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
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)
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.
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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
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.
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.
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."