Scarpia Wow. Not only speaks of himself in the third person, but somehow manages to reply to a post with NOTHING (capitalized in his honor) that has to do with the hobby or the post. Excellent use of forum space. But hey, gets your post count up!
Wow. Not only speaks of himself in the third person, but somehow manages to reply to a post with NOTHING (capitalized in his honor) that has to do with the hobby or the post. Excellent use of forum space. But hey, gets your post count up!
The OP was about membership in NMRA, and while I would like to be a member, that is not going to happen. I would like to attend conventions and such, but that is not going to happen either.
Why did I mention the Nurse's Association? Because it is, like NMRA, a membership organization, and there are reasons why people stick with it, why the avoid it, and why they leave it. These reasons are the same across all membership organizations. No matter where you go or what you do, there will be a fly in the ointment. That is the way that people (and flies) are built.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
NP2626 I have been involved with model railroading off and on since I was 6-8 years old and I'm going to be 62 shortly. I have always been interested in the NMRA; but, sorta wondered how much "Bang" you get for the "Buck"? I knew that the NMRA was involved in setting standards for model railroading and without question this is probably reason enough to support the organization. It seems to me that just a few short years ago, membership dues were somewhere around $35.00 per year, now they are $44.00 with an additional $22.00 if you opt. to take the NMRA Magazine. However, I found that the organization now offers a 6 month "Rail Pass" trial membership for $9.95 and have taken advantage of this offer! My other hobby, R/C model airplanes has a national organization which I am currently a member of. This is the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). The AMA has close to 150,000 members and my guess is that model aviation (as a hobby) has twice that amount of model aviation enthusiasts. The NMRA, as of the end of 2011, had only 19,203 members!! It appears to me that only a very-very-very small proportion of model railroaders choose to support the NMRA! So, my questions are: 1). Are you a member of the NMRA and if so why? 2). If you're not a member, why aren't you?
I have been involved with model railroading off and on since I was 6-8 years old and I'm going to be 62 shortly. I have always been interested in the NMRA; but, sorta wondered how much "Bang" you get for the "Buck"? I knew that the NMRA was involved in setting standards for model railroading and without question this is probably reason enough to support the organization.
It seems to me that just a few short years ago, membership dues were somewhere around $35.00 per year, now they are $44.00 with an additional $22.00 if you opt. to take the NMRA Magazine. However, I found that the organization now offers a 6 month "Rail Pass" trial membership for $9.95 and have taken advantage of this offer!
My other hobby, R/C model airplanes has a national organization which I am currently a member of. This is the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). The AMA has close to 150,000 members and my guess is that model aviation (as a hobby) has twice that amount of model aviation enthusiasts. The NMRA, as of the end of 2011, had only 19,203 members!! It appears to me that only a very-very-very small proportion of model railroaders choose to support the NMRA!
So, my questions are:
1). Are you a member of the NMRA and if so why?
2). If you're not a member, why aren't you?
I am a member. Have been for a number of years. Forgotten for how long now. Any way I am a member because I realize how important it is to have standards. The industry I work in has dozens of organizations that set industry standards for the industry and these are so important in guiding the field people in proper methods of installations, correct procedures, setting a level and competative field, resources from trouble shooting, resources for legal stds when contracts go bad......The model railroad organization needs the same things. Plus I do like the articles , for one there is always some article about how to build from scratch vs. taking a store bought product and add a few features . Lastly I REALLY like the calender that comes with the magazine. Heck the membership dues to me are almost worth the calenders they send out ever year. I think it is cheap money spent for all that you get and the magazine seems to be improving.
cuyama mlehman: ... it's mostly a way to get more out of the hobby and to also contribute to it. Emphasis added. Well said, Mike.
mlehman: ... it's mostly a way to get more out of the hobby and to also contribute to it.
... it's mostly a way to get more out of the hobby and to also contribute to it.
Emphasis added. Well said, Mike.
What are the advantages of being a member of the NMRA?
Rich
Alton Junction
It's always amazing to me (in a humorous manner) how much "reaction" this topic gets when it's posted.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
richhotrain What are the advantages of being a member of the NMRA? Rich
Here's some!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
I've been a member of the NMRA for many years. Like many other things in life, the "bang for the buck" depends at least in part on the level of effort you put into it. The standards are certainly very important. In my area there are good regional meets and the national meets give you a chance to learn a lot. The photo database that they are building can be very useful too. I read the magazine every month, I don't always find an article that interests me but many times I find one or two that do.
Tim Fahey
Musconetcong Branch of the Lehigh Valley RR
I have been 2 or 3 times over the years due to the local Divisions monthly meetings with layout tours..You get to see a lot of home layouts that isn't normally open for viewing.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
No I am not
But I can see how they have influenced the hobby for the better
I would think the engine builders living to the standards they establish greatly helps the buyer etc
I wish they had a supporting membership for about $ $15--25 a year and no magazine sent
51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
ME&O
Like all volunteer driven organizations, you get out what you put in.
I belong and go out to every meet (I've only missed one in six years.) I socialize with fantastic modellers and get to see amazing layouts. In the course of that, I was accepted into an operating group as well. Which is a nice way to relax on a Friday night, trying to run a yard and stay sane.
The division has organized a Kit Busters session between meets where everyone gets together and assembles kits on a Saturday morning.
We've done group builds as well, learning how to assemble a wood craftsman kit and a plaster kit. If you have problems, there are people to help, and the session would begin with a short clinic explaining a part of the process.
Plus the road trips, once to a museum, another was a layout tour in Montreal, where we saw four amazing layouts. Recently we held our meeting in another part of the division, and the afternoon was spent at another museum, complete with behind the scenes tours. Things that the average museum visitor would never experience.
We even organized two sessions to introduce new people to the hobby, and maybe sign up a few more members. It was an overwhelming success, and almost every member came out to help.
For those who do cost analysis, would you buy an expensive television only to leave it sitting in the box in the corner of your living room? Of course not.
If you are expecting the division superintendent to invite you to the next meeting, good luck. He may not even know about you. No division meets? Instead of waiting for one to magically happen, organize it!
The NMRA is based on modellers helping modellers. If you don't want to socialize, well, the NMRA is not for you. But if you want to learn and participate in the model railroading community, there is more to it than the internet and a few train shows.
As a member of the NMRA, I've met some amazing people, seen stunning layouts, and have a lot of fun doing it. Plus I've gained new techniques and skills in the process. Which is worth the cost of admission.
howmus richhotrain: What are the advantages of being a member of the NMRA? Rich Here's some! 73
richhotrain: What are the advantages of being a member of the NMRA? Rich
OK, so I read a lot of the stuff on the web site.
I clearly understand the need for standards, and kudos to the NMRA for that.
But, I still don't see any advantage to me becoming a member.
An organization like NMRA is most beneficial to leaders, not followers.
After a lifetime of leadership in my chosen profession, as a retiree, I am content to be a follower.
I am also a lifelong golfer and a member of the USGA, but I gotta say that I see no particular benefit to being a member other than the fact that I have a plastic USGA medallion on my golf bag.
Standards, yes. Membership, no.
Thank you to all who responded! The responses seem to echo those I'd see if I asked about the Acadamy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) on one of the R/C Forums and that is: You get out of it what you put into it.
It appears I'm in a very rural part of the Thousand Lakes Region which at this time only has 514 members. There really isn't much information at the TLR website that would give me enough information to determine if I am in a Division, let alone what that Division has scheduled for this up coming year. However, the TLR News Letter I recieved, shows that the Granite City Train show is coming up next month and I would like to attend!
Again, thank you!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Why are we picking on Broadway Lion?
He is one of us.
TA462 .... The NMRA is nothing compared to the Nurses Association. The NMRA promotes the hobby, the NA promotes themselves.
.... The NMRA is nothing compared to the Nurses Association. The NMRA promotes the hobby, the NA promotes themselves.
The American Nurses Association represents a profession not a hobby, does much good, and has supported much legislation in support of patients.
Paul
...back to the NMRA. I would say that you get out of it what you put in to it. Not a hard fast rule, but close.
:-)
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
[/quote]
Dear Rich:
I'm not sure what you're trying to say. At first you said "no discussion wanted or needed." Then you asked for reasons why you should join. And after folks gave you a ton of them, you're saying that you don't see any advantages to joining. I think all of them were advantages YOU will receive.
Things like meeting new modelers and making friends at local division meets. Getting to visit home layouts you may not have seen. Attending small and large conventions to see other's modeling work and to hear clinics from most of the well-known modelers in the hobby. You get a monthly magazine (which admittedly varies from month to month), a really great annual calendar, the benefit of access to information on the NMRA's website which is gradually growing and the knowledge that you're part of a group that is doing their best to help promote the hobby to newcomers.
If you don't think any of those will benefit you, then you probably shouldn't join, but I just don't know how much more you're expecting.
By the way, you don't have to be a leader to enjoy any of the things I mentioned. Most of our local members are followers and they probably have as much fun as everyone else.
Jim
I don't think I used the quote tool quite right. Sorry about that.
richhotrain Why are we picking on Broadway Lion? He is one of us. Rich
Its not wise to pick on a lion..
No. I would never join a club that would have me as a member.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
One good thing about an organization like the NMRA is that anyone can become a member.
One bad thing about an organization like the NMRA is that anyone can become a member.
ctyclsscs Dear Rich: I'm not sure what you're trying to say. At first you said "no discussion wanted or needed." If you don't think any of those will benefit you, then you probably shouldn't join, but I just don't know how much more you're expecting. Jim I don't think I used the quote tool quite right. Sorry about that.
I'm not sure what you're trying to say. At first you said "no discussion wanted or needed."
Jim,
You're right about the quote. You wrongly attributed it to me. I said nothing like that.
As far as what I am expecting, I am expecting nothing. That's my point.
Why should I join? I see no advantage to me by doing so.
Like someone else said, this thread amuses me.
The OP asks if we are members of the NMRA and, if not, why not?
Then we answer and then we get challenged.
I should have skipped over the thread.
NP2626 Thank you to all who responded! The responses seem to echo those I'd see if I asked about the Acadamy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) on one of the R/C Forums and that is: You get out of it what you put into it. It appears I'm in a very rural part of the Thousand Lakes Region which at this time only has 514 members. There really isn't much information at the TLR website that would give me enough information to determine if I am in a Division, let alone what that Division has scheduled for this up coming year. However, the TLR News Letter I recieved, shows that the Granite City Train show is coming up next month and I would like to attend! Again, thank you!
NP2626,
Talk to NMRA people at the train show and see what you think. Most likely, you'll be welcomed with enthusiasm. Every division is a little different in terms of outreach and member communication.The NMRA has been converting such efforts to catch up with the digital age, but website and online support in each division depends heavily on the sort of volunteer skills available.
One reason for the cost of membership is simply the cost of doing things on paper. It's expensive to send out mailings. Our division simply can't afford to do that on a regular basis, so we've depended primarily on the internet since reviving the division here in the last few years. This is good for those who are online, but tends to leave out those who aren't. Yes, it's a problem with no easy solution, but one that, once the changeover is complete, should help control future cost rises.
As for a division with 500+ members? That's actually a pretty large division. IIRC, our member count in ITD is less than 50 and we're spread out over a wide area, too. But good things happen once a few NMRA members are able to get together regularly. I truly wish that we were able to serve every member as if they lived next door. In volunteer-oriented groups like the NMRA, there's a limit to what people can do, usually because of the all too familiar limitations of time and money that most of us face, whether or not we're in the NMRA. New members help change that and we do our best to help everyone who asks for it.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I sincerely apologize for the mistake, Rich. It was another "Rich" who said that, which is what cause the confusion. That is why I thought you didn't want to talk about it and then came back a few times to the topic. I would have never posted if I had read it correctly.
I was just trying to point out that you might enjoy some of the benefits that come with being a member.
Hey, Jim, thanks. No problem.
Quite honestly, while I greatly respect the NMRA as an organization, I have never really given any thought to joining it as a member. This thread has caused me to at least look into the membership option.
richhotrain Hey, Jim, thanks. No problem. Quite honestly, while I greatly respect the NMRA as an organization, I have never really given any thought to joining it as a member. This thread has caused me to at least look into the membership option. Rich
Rich,
As food for thought.
If your local division is active (monthly meetings,layout tours etc) you can see home layouts that's not usually open to the public and a lot of clubs that host the Division meetings usually allows the NMRA members to be guest engineers and run trains on the club's layout..
One can always attend a division meet or two and see how they work, and talk with the attendees. Every division has different ideas about how the meet is run, but they do welcome guests.
If you feel welcome you can always join. It really is about socializing with people who share your interests.
Many divisions and even the regions post their newsletters, so you can download and read them too.
Personally I have no use for the NMRA.......
When I was a teenager living in Florida .....myself and several of my friends were denied the opportunity to take part in the "Master Model Railroader" program.
And the way I and other friends of mine see it.......I don`t need a piece of paper to tell me that I am a master of my hobby.
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
rdgk1se3019 Personally I have no use for the NMRA....... When I was a teenager living in Florida .....myself and several of my friends were denied the opportunity to take part in the "Master Model Railroader" program. And the way I and other friends of mine see it.......I don`t need a piece of paper to tell me that I am a master of my hobby.
As I stated in an early post, I am an NMRA member, since around 1960, have the Master Model Railroader certificate, and still pay dues and participate. I would remind those who think they have no stake in the NMRA that most if not all of the improvements and standards now in place in the hobby, and which we hold "so dear" have come about because of the efforts of the NMRA. I also have a garden railroad in the back yard, there are no standards and trying to match equpment from different manufacturers are almost impossible. One manufacturer is trying to get everyone in G or 1 gauge in synch but not having much success as one manufacturer has little clout.
Now there are always who want a free ride, and the hobby is no exception. There are plenty of modelers I have talked to who want all the cake but don't want to open the box and work with the mix, ie. they want a free ride on the good things of the hobby and crab when things aren't good.
As far as I am concerned, there is a need for a unified voice/body to represent the needs of the hobby so we have a chance of being able to have compatibility wiith products, and especially with the standards for DCC and DCC sound. At the same time we must explore options for future needs, and that when that time would come, our present equipment isn't suddenly outdated because ONE MANUFACTURER jumped in and produced something that will become a new standard, but only that maker holds the patent rights.
NMRA to me is not just about meets and conventions, and titles but it is about protecting the investments we make in good faith with the manufacturers. I would also point out that standards are always changing and new standards come along. Compatibility becomes the key word as far as how long our investment will hold value.
It all comes down to the needs and the wants of the majority or we will be swallowed by the minority.
Bob
"denied"? In what way?
Sheldon
pastorbob rdgk1se3019: Personally I have no use for the NMRA....... When I was a teenager living in Florida .....myself and several of my friends were denied the opportunity to take part in the "Master Model Railroader" program. And the way I and other friends of mine see it.......I don`t need a piece of paper to tell me that I am a master of my hobby. As I stated in an early post, I am an NMRA member, since around 1960, have the Master Model Railroader certificate, and still pay dues and participate. I would remind those who think they have no stake in the NMRA that most if not all of the improvements and standards now in place in the hobby, and which we hold "so dear" have come about because of the efforts of the NMRA. I also have a garden railroad in the back yard, there are no standards and trying to match equpment from different manufacturers are almost impossible. One manufacturer is trying to get everyone in G or 1 gauge in synch but not having much success as one manufacturer has little clout. Now there are always who want a free ride, and the hobby is no exception. There are plenty of modelers I have talked to who want all the cake but don't want to open the box and work with the mix, ie. they want a free ride on the good things of the hobby and crab when things aren't good. As far as I am concerned, there is a need for a unified voice/body to represent the needs of the hobby so we have a chance of being able to have compatibility wiith products, and especially with the standards for DCC and DCC sound. At the same time we must explore options for future needs, and that when that time would come, our present equipment isn't suddenly outdated because ONE MANUFACTURER jumped in and produced something that will become a new standard, but only that maker holds the patent rights. NMRA to me is not just about meets and conventions, and titles but it is about protecting the investments we make in good faith with the manufacturers. I would also point out that standards are always changing and new standards come along. Compatibility becomes the key word as far as how long our investment will hold value. It all comes down to the needs and the wants of the majority or we will be swallowed by the minority. Bob
rdgk1se3019: Personally I have no use for the NMRA....... When I was a teenager living in Florida .....myself and several of my friends were denied the opportunity to take part in the "Master Model Railroader" program. And the way I and other friends of mine see it.......I don`t need a piece of paper to tell me that I am a master of my hobby.
Bob,
Very well said.
Let us not forget how the NMRA fought a patent troll a few years ago claiming that they invented the DCC decoder with Sound.
If there were no NMRA, the choice in sound decoders would probably have gone down, and the price would go up. Manufacturers would have two choices: Pay the royalties demanded, or just stop making sound decoders. Either way the community loses. You would either pay more for a sound decoder or locomotive equipped with one, or have less choice.
The NMRA prevailed because they represent everyone, and proved this "patent" was invalid.
We saw the same thing recently with JMRI, where someone claimed JMRI infringed on their patents and copyrights. The community rallied and provided the money needed to defend JMRI, eventually settling the case. Not before proving that the other party had in fact stripped copyright info and violated the licences on the JMRI software.
Let us not forget DCC which was a standard created to end the confusion and benefits everyone.