betamax,
I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary. The NMRA is a worthwhile organization.
But as to the original issue of membership, is it your position that anyone and everyone in the model railroading hobby should be a member of the NMRA?
Rich
Alton Junction
I think an NMRA membership is fine if one likes to travel to conventions and shows and can afford to do so. I don't like traveling, so a membership would not be of much use to me.
richhotrain betamax, I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary. The NMRA is a worthwhile organization. But as to the original issue of membership, is it your position that anyone and everyone in the model railroading hobby should be a member of the NMRA? Rich
Rich,At one time most HO clubs was 100% NMRA membership and if you wanted to join you had to join the NMRA as well.Back then it was a good thing to belong to the NMRA and have a voice and vote.
Even the NMRA designed X2F coupler was sorely needed in order to have a common coupler instead of a hodgepodge of manufacturers couplers that wouldn't couple with other brands.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
rdgk1se3019When 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.
That would be the first and only time I've ever heard of NMRA members (of any age) being "denied" an opportunity to participate in the MMR program. You were all NMRA members in good standing at the time?
What year was this? How were you "denied"? You weren't allowed to enter a model for judging in a contest? Your AP paperwork wasn't processed after the models were judged? What AP certificates were you applying for?
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I have been an NMRA member since 1998. I joined before I found out about the local division here, the Tidewater Division, but did join them also (this was back when the NMRA Regions and Divisions had separate dues). If I were not involved with the Division, I would not be an NMRA member now.
I believe that the best reasons for being a member or not are found at that Division level. There are about 150 NMRA members who are in the Tidewater Division, but only about half of them are actively involved. These are the folks who make my NMRA membership worth the $44.00.
If you have not already done so, go to nmra.org and and figure out which Region you reside in. The site will link you in to the Region's web page and you can get help from them determining if there is an active Division where you live. Even if there is none, they can get you in touch with nearby NMRA members and you may end up starting one.
John
If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.
http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/
BRAKIE richhotrain: betamax, I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary. The NMRA is a worthwhile organization. But as to the original issue of membership, is it your position that anyone and everyone in the model railroading hobby should be a member of the NMRA? Rich Rich,At one time most HO clubs was 100% NMRA membership and if you wanted to join you had to join the NMRA as well.Back then it was a good thing to belong to the NMRA and have a voice and vote. Even the NMRA designed X2F coupler was sorely needed in order to have a common coupler instead of a hodgepodge of manufacturers couplers that wouldn't couple with other brands.
richhotrain: betamax, I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary. The NMRA is a worthwhile organization. But as to the original issue of membership, is it your position that anyone and everyone in the model railroading hobby should be a member of the NMRA? Rich
Larry,
That is an intersting experiance you have about clubs and the NMRA. In 40 years in this hobby, not one club here in the Mid Atlantic that I have known of requires or required NMRA membership.
Sheldon
Nope, I'm indoors but I'm large scale, and beyond freelanced to a point beyond what some would call whimsical. I dont consider it such, a Dr Suess layout or a Star Wars themed layout is "whimsical" mine is just a different, compressed view of reality.
Nothing I could see as gaining any benefit from such as group.
Have fun with your trains
If you extend that argument to its natural conclusion, you would be required to be a member of NMRA, and show proof of membership, to purchase any model railroading equipment or supplies, ranging from locomotives to rolling stock to electronics to track to ballast to ground cover.
The original premise of this thread was to question whether members of this forum were members of the NMRA and if not, why not. But, this thread seems to have taken a turn in the direction of NMRA membership or else you are not a serious modeler, somehow to the detriment of the hobby.
pastorbob 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
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
Bob,
Isn't this reply at least a bit of an overstatement on your part?
First of all, what do you mean by a "stake in the NMRA"? Being a member, paying dues, attending meetings, taking on a leadership role? As a non-member, don't I have a stake in the NMRA everytime I buy any product from any manufacturer ?
Second, what do you mean by a "free ride"? I expect nothing for nothing. I have invested a small fortune in the hobby. I pay for repairs to my faulty equipment. What is it that I or any other model railroader expects for "free"?
Third, couldn't our present equipment suddenly become outdated because "ONE MANUFACTURER jumped in and produced something that will become a new standard, but only that maker holds the patent rights", even with the presence of the NMRA? Not that it is likely that such an event would occur unless that "something" were a dramatic improvement to the current standard. Isn't that in fact what happened when DCC antiquated DC as an operating system? Was that bad?
Fourth, It all comes down to the needs and the wants of the majority or we will be swallowed by the minority? How exactly would that happen? If everyone were a member of the NMRA but me, would all of the rest of you be in danger of being swallowed up by me?
richhotrain pastorbob: 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 Bob, Isn't this reply at least a bit of an overstatement on your part? First of all, what do you mean by a "stake in the NMRA"? Being a member, paying dues, attending meetings, taking on a leadership role? As a non-member, don't I have a stake in the NMRA everytime I buy any product from any manufacturer ? Second, what do you mean by a "free ride"? I expect nothing for nothing. I have invested a small fortune in the hobby. I pay for repairs to my faulty equipment. What is it that I or any other model railroader expects for "free"? Third, couldn't our present equipment suddenly become outdated because "ONE MANUFACTURER jumped in and produced something that will become a new standard, but only that maker holds the patent rights", even with the presence of the NMRA? Not that it is likely that such an event would occur unless that "something" were a dramatic improvement to the current standard. Isn't that in fact what happened when DCC antiquated DC as an operating system? Was that bad? Fourth, It all comes down to the needs and the wants of the majority or we will be swallowed by the minority? How exactly would that happen? If everyone were a member of the NMRA but me, would all of the rest of you be in danger of being swallowed up by me? Rich
pastorbob: 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
Rich,
How much plainer do we have to say it? You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benifit from the standards and all the work others have done for seventy plus years. Forget about the future of the hobby, that sounds like a free ride to me.
Good Morning!
I feel for the OP, who (IMHO) asked an innocent question and opened up Pandora's Box - as those of us who have been around awhile knew it would.
All the postings here express the writers views, opinions, and experiences - for better or worse. And, we are each entitled to our own thoughts on the subject, and while its hard, we should respect the views of others.
With the possible exception of the OP, everyone else here has their mind made up about the NMRA, and there is nothing any of us can write that is going to alter that.
If I had the icon of the little guy banging his head against that brick wall, I would post it here.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Enjoy
Paul
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Rich, How much plainer do we have to say it? You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benifit from the standards and all the work others have done for seventy plus years. Forget about the future of the hobby, that sounds like a free ride to me. Sheldon
Sheldon, that is just plain silliness.
You probably drive a late model car, live in a decent home, have a nice camera, stereo, whatever.
You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benefit from the standards and all the work others have done for over a century. Yet, no one accuses you of taking a "free ride".
These threads do break out occasionally, but I have to say I think that this is a particularly good one. Excellent, well considered points being made for-and-against membership.
I am not a member. I have toyed with the idea off and on, over the last few years. I don't have a lot of time for the hobby as it is. I hardly have the time to read the hobby related publications I subscribe to. I concluded, and this thread has strengthened that view, that I would contribute very little, if anything, to the Association. My local chapter is actually very active, but most of the meetings are a 50 mile round-trip from my house. I am more inclined to join a local club in the next town. I don't see myself as being in the least bit active, so would not expect to get anything out of it. Most of my hobby related activities are at the local hobby shop K-10 in Maryville, where the 4000 sq ft layout has become the focal point for what might as well be called a club. I spent 4 hours their yesterday with the boys running trains.
So for me, a membership would be simply a "donation" to the cause. Perhaps worthwhile? But one that I have not elected to do as yet.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I've decided to join the NMRA just because one can get a lot more exposure to other ways of doing things...why is this a hot button topic now?
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/
richhotrain ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Rich, How much plainer do we have to say it? You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benifit from the standards and all the work others have done for seventy plus years. Forget about the future of the hobby, that sounds like a free ride to me. Sheldon Sheldon, that is just plain silliness. You probably drive a late model car, live in a decent home, have a nice camera, stereo, whatever. You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benefit from the standards and all the work others have done for over a century. Yet, no one accuses you of taking a "free ride". Rich
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Rich, How much plainer do we have to say it? You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benifit from the standards and all the work others have done for seventy plus years. Forget about the future of the hobby, that sounds like a free ride to me. Sheldon
Bad example - Ford parts still don't fit Chevy's and HP printers don't take Cannon ink, there are a number of different "industry standard" data cards and batteries in cameras, not one cell phone I have ever owned used the same charger or battery as the next one, but all your different brands of trains run on the same track and use one of two established power systems.
My home was built in 1901, with completely different methods/standards (mostly better I might ad) from any home today. Some consumer products benifit from volunteer industry standards, some from government regulation, but very few are governed by non profit user organizations like the NMRA.
I pay taxes for that government regulation, and the price of volunteer industry standards is built into the price of the goods.
Like Bob pointed out, take a close look at the mess in large scale trains. Track gauge is the only constant. Nearly every manufacturer has their own scale, couplers, coupler height, and even incompatible power systems. The NMRA prevented that from happening to HO and N, and to some degree to highrail O gauge. had they been stronger, they might have prevented those problems in large scale as well.
It is because of the past work of the NMRA that bullies like MTH are pressured into compatiblity.
And that patent thieves cannot extort money for knowledge that is in the public domain. Like Bose does in the speaker business by buying up every speaker patent that comes into the patent office, and then hiding the information unless you do an expensive patent search. So even if you develope it on your own, they prevent you from marketing it.
There are some advantages to being an "old coot of 75" one is which I have a lot more history to look back at than many of you. My dad was a Santa Fe engineer, I was riding steam before I started grade school back in Arkansas City KS (div. point) and then later when dad bid in one of the switch engines in Enid OK. I grew up there, rode diesels, got to "run a geep down the main at age 14, with dad right there with me, and I even worked for Santa Fe in Topeka in the 60's, where I was given the opportunity to attend IBM classes to learn computers. Having a theological degree and IBM certificates let me lead an interesting life as a railfanning, computer techie and also a minister. Plus being an avid model railroader.
I still say that belonging to the NMRA is not for everyone even though I have been a long time member. Some people just aren't joiners. That is fine, but don't belittle what the NMRA has done in setting standards for the hobby industry. I remember model trains before that time, I enjoy the benefits of NMRA in my hobby today and those standards make modeling much easier. Don't want to belong? FINE WITH ME. But don't bite the hand that makes modeling much easier today.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain: ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Rich, How much plainer do we have to say it? You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benifit from the standards and all the work others have done for seventy plus years. Forget about the future of the hobby, that sounds like a free ride to me. Sheldon Sheldon, that is just plain silliness. You probably drive a late model car, live in a decent home, have a nice camera, stereo, whatever. You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benefit from the standards and all the work others have done for over a century. Yet, no one accuses you of taking a "free ride". Rich Bad example
richhotrain: ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Rich, How much plainer do we have to say it? You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benifit from the standards and all the work others have done for seventy plus years. Forget about the future of the hobby, that sounds like a free ride to me. Sheldon Sheldon, that is just plain silliness. You probably drive a late model car, live in a decent home, have a nice camera, stereo, whatever. You have paid nothing, and done nothing but you benefit from the standards and all the work others have done for over a century. Yet, no one accuses you of taking a "free ride". Rich
Bad example
And you missed the point.
In your earlier reply, you clearly indicated that to participate in the hobby without being a member of the organization that sets the standards, you are in for a "free ride".
My point being, using that logic, for every product that you buy without membership in the organization that sets the standards, you are a freeloader.
ndbprrI joined for one year. They didn't tell you anything about local chapters. The entire year had an ongoing discussion about outhouses and the highlight of one issue was a strip club with a model of a naked woman on stage.
That was what, twenty-five to thirty years ago, maybe? Things have changed a bit since then ....
Some people are not into clubs. So be it. Others like belonging to a group.
But the NMRA is not a club, it is an association of people who have the same interests, are interested in promoting the hobby, and others volunteer to work on standards committees or organize conventions.
The two main reasons for the NMRA are Standards and Social.
The NMRA came about mainly because interchange was difficult unless you had the same equipment. Which made it possible for more people to enjoy the hobby, and they could get together to run their equipment together knowing it would work, as well as show off their skills at building accurate models.
Men like John Allen belonged to the NMRA, went to the conventions, and took great pride in not only showing their work to everyone, but in showing everyone how to improve their work.
But if you want to do things alone, that is your choice.
I'm going to attempt to lock this thread. I was hoping that this topic could be discussed without tempers flairing! I am a dreamer, I guess!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
cuyama ndbprr: I joined for one year. They didn't tell you anything about local chapters. The entire year had an ongoing discussion about outhouses and the highlight of one issue was a strip club with a model of a naked woman on stage. That was what, twenty-five to thirty years ago, maybe? Things have changed a bit since then ....
ndbprr: I joined for one year. They didn't tell you anything about local chapters. The entire year had an ongoing discussion about outhouses and the highlight of one issue was a strip club with a model of a naked woman on stage.
And yet I miss those biffies. I still think Whit Towers was the best editor the Bulletin had.
Sheldon, thank you for the common sense. Betamax, and you also.
I have not seen any tempers flaring. I lively discussion, but not really any more then that.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL BRAKIE: richhotrain: betamax, I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary. The NMRA is a worthwhile organization. But as to the original issue of membership, is it your position that anyone and everyone in the model railroading hobby should be a member of the NMRA? Rich Rich,At one time most HO clubs was 100% NMRA membership and if you wanted to join you had to join the NMRA as well.Back then it was a good thing to belong to the NMRA and have a voice and vote. Even the NMRA designed X2F coupler was sorely needed in order to have a common coupler instead of a hodgepodge of manufacturers couplers that wouldn't couple with other brands. Larry, That is an intersting experiance you have about clubs and the NMRA. In 40 years in this hobby, not one club here in the Mid Atlantic that I have known of requires or required NMRA membership. Sheldon
BRAKIE: richhotrain: betamax, I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary. The NMRA is a worthwhile organization. But as to the original issue of membership, is it your position that anyone and everyone in the model railroading hobby should be a member of the NMRA? Rich Rich,At one time most HO clubs was 100% NMRA membership and if you wanted to join you had to join the NMRA as well.Back then it was a good thing to belong to the NMRA and have a voice and vote. Even the NMRA designed X2F coupler was sorely needed in order to have a common coupler instead of a hodgepodge of manufacturers couplers that wouldn't couple with other brands.
Sheldon,Only 40 years? That's a long time but,not quite long enough.
Try the 40s, 50s and 60s when the NMRA was big and was sitting Standards and RPs that you enjoy today..
My dad was a NMRA member and I started going with him to the Division 6 meetings in the mid 50s and I can still recall the debates(some heated) and voting. I joined the NMRA in 1964 and joined in on the debates and voting.
The Columbus HO Club was 100% NMRA club back then..
You may find this interesting.
http://nmra.org/regions/100Club/100ClubList.html
I am not a member of the NMRA. I am in a club and none of the members belong to the NMRA. Although the NMRA does much for the hobby, the majority of people I have met who are members of the NMRA have turned me of to that organization due to their elitist attitudes and constant nitpicking.
------------------------
Rich,It was no where like that..
Modelers at that time was very active in the NMRA and it only made good sense to support the NMRA for its hard work and dictation by requesting new club members to join the NMRA..IIRC the NMRA dues was only $6.00 a year back then-most club dues in the Columbus area was $2.00 a month..
Remember those are the old line modelers that help set the standards and RPs by voting at their local division and during the National Convention..
Well, I guess I can't lock it!
I guess supporting an organization that has been instrumental in the shapping of an activity is important to some and not important to others!
BRAKIE ATLANTIC CENTRAL: BRAKIE: richhotrain: betamax, I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary. The NMRA is a worthwhile organization. But as to the original issue of membership, is it your position that anyone and everyone in the model railroading hobby should be a member of the NMRA? Rich Rich,At one time most HO clubs was 100% NMRA membership and if you wanted to join you had to join the NMRA as well.Back then it was a good thing to belong to the NMRA and have a voice and vote. Even the NMRA designed X2F coupler was sorely needed in order to have a common coupler instead of a hodgepodge of manufacturers couplers that wouldn't couple with other brands. Larry, That is an intersting experiance you have about clubs and the NMRA. In 40 years in this hobby, not one club here in the Mid Atlantic that I have known of requires or required NMRA membership. Sheldon Sheldon,Only 40 years? That's a long time but,not quite long enough. Try the 40s, 50s and 60s when the NMRA was big and was sitting Standards and RPs that you enjoy today.. My dad was a NMRA member and I started going with him to the Division 6 meetings in the mid 50s and I can still recall the debates(some heated) and voting. I joined the NMRA in 1964 and joined in on the debates and voting. The Columbus HO Club was 100% NMRA club back then.. You may find this interesting. http://nmra.org/regions/100Club/100ClubList.html
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: BRAKIE: richhotrain: betamax, I don't think anyone is arguing anything to the contrary. The NMRA is a worthwhile organization. But as to the original issue of membership, is it your position that anyone and everyone in the model railroading hobby should be a member of the NMRA? Rich Rich,At one time most HO clubs was 100% NMRA membership and if you wanted to join you had to join the NMRA as well.Back then it was a good thing to belong to the NMRA and have a voice and vote. Even the NMRA designed X2F coupler was sorely needed in order to have a common coupler instead of a hodgepodge of manufacturers couplers that wouldn't couple with other brands. Larry, That is an intersting experiance you have about clubs and the NMRA. In 40 years in this hobby, not one club here in the Mid Atlantic that I have known of requires or required NMRA membership. Sheldon
Well Larry, there are only two groups on that relatively short list that are anywhere close to here, so my point stands pretty well.
As for the 50's or early 60's, I can't say. Being a young pup born in 1957, I did not really become active in the hobby on my own until about 1968. I was one of the youngest members ever given full un-sponsered membership at the Severna Park Model Railroad Club at age 14-15, about 1972. As a member of that group I visited many other local and regional clubs/groups - many individuals, including myself, were NMRA members, but none of the groups in this region required NMRA membership in the 70's or beyond based on my knowledge and experiances.
I have been an NMRA member since then, but as stated earlier, conventions, traveling, even local meets generally do not fit in well with my other obligations.
I belong to a local round robin were I live now in the north east area of Maryland, and honestly no longer have any interest in clubs beyond that group. The round robin is perfect for me, no dues, no politics, show up if you want, don't if can't/don't want to. Help other build their layouts if they ask - and you have the time/desire - or not.
I support the NMRA because I believe the work they do is important, not because of anything I get from my membership. I am a small part of the group working on restoring the DATA SHEET program because it is of interest to me, I can do it via the net, and being a construction professional in real life I have knowledge in technical areas that some of the data sheets will/should cover.
I still have my orginal Standards, RP's and Data Sheets from when I joined 40 plus years ago and still find them to be a valueable modeling resource.
In lots of ways I'm not a joiner or a socializer, but I do believe in supporting groups that do important work. The NMRA is one of those.
And, the NMRA is also a do what you can/when you can no additional obligation membership for me. I would likely never hold an office, lead a committee, etc. Contributing to the DATA SHEETS is about my limit - a man needs to know his limitations.
But an extra $66 a year - in relation to what I spend on this hobby - and considering how long I have been in this hobby, and the fact that I once worked in this business, I would be embarressed to not be a member.
Obviously much of this post is not just for Larry's benifit, I hope those of you following this debate understand my view.
Hi NP,
The only way you will know if you like the NMRA is to join and give it a try... Only costs $9.95. You can't go wrong with the railpass 6 months membership. If you like what you see re-up after the 6 months. iI you don't let it expire. But! Do get to some meetings, read the newsletters and magazines, and meet some of the folks who are the NMRA.
BTW, if you want it permanently locked, just go to the options at the upper right hand corner of a post, and click reprt abuse. You can send a message to a moderator who will very likely lock it for you.
Have fun!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!