NMRA membership

[Anonymous]

I am a registered member of this list, but, for some unknown reason my vote did not register. So I'll let er rip:

I have been in the hobby for more than 40 years. I have seen so many changes (most for the good, some bad) that it almost makes my head swim!! When first exposed to the NMRA, I felt then it was a "good ole boys network" and sadley today I still do. IMHO the NMRA is one of the things that hasn't changed in 40+ years.
Regards Tim

[Anonymous]

I am a registered member of this list, but, for some unknown reason my vote did not register. So I'll let er rip:

I have been in the hobby for more than 40 years. I have seen so many changes (most for the good, some bad) that it almost makes my head swim!! When first exposed to the NMRA, I felt then it was a "good ole boys network" and sadley today I still do. IMHO the NMRA is one of the things that hasn't changed in 40+ years.
Regards Tim

[ahuffman]

In my opinion, the social interaction with other MRRs is the biggest benefit of NMRA membership. I live in an area with an active division that meets almost every month so I get to meet people, see layouts and models and just generally have a good time. The annual jamboree is an all day event and then there are regional and national conventions when time and money permit.

You can also get more help from the people involved than from just the publications.

All in all, I'd say NMRA membership is one of my most valuable hobby activities.

[ahuffman]

In my opinion, the social interaction with other MRRs is the biggest benefit of NMRA membership. I live in an area with an active division that meets almost every month so I get to meet people, see layouts and models and just generally have a good time. The annual jamboree is an all day event and then there are regional and national conventions when time and money permit.

You can also get more help from the people involved than from just the publications.

All in all, I'd say NMRA membership is one of my most valuable hobby activities.

[dmikee]

NMRA needs to provide more 'tangible' benefits for its members, if its membership is to grow very much. I was disappointed in the bulletin and declined that when there was the option to do so.

[dmikee]

NMRA needs to provide more 'tangible' benefits for its members, if its membership is to grow very much. I was disappointed in the bulletin and declined that when there was the option to do so.

[grantha]

I am an NMRA member although only for the past couple of years. I have been a model railroader for the past 25+ years. The NMRA does need some work and it is making an effort to be more user friendly. IMHO the proposed changes to the NMRA that are posted on the NMRA website are a step in the right direction.

Through my membership in the NMRA I have gained access to some great model railroaders and lots of great people too (those great model railroaders I have meet are also great people). My access has been gained via regional and divisional meets. Also I have found newsletters from my division and region a great aid in keeping up with hobby developments.

The thing about getting services from the NMRA is to go out and get them. Those services are there for the asking.

[grantha]

I am an NMRA member although only for the past couple of years. I have been a model railroader for the past 25+ years. The NMRA does need some work and it is making an effort to be more user friendly. IMHO the proposed changes to the NMRA that are posted on the NMRA website are a step in the right direction.

Through my membership in the NMRA I have gained access to some great model railroaders and lots of great people too (those great model railroaders I have meet are also great people). My access has been gained via regional and divisional meets. Also I have found newsletters from my division and region a great aid in keeping up with hobby developments.

The thing about getting services from the NMRA is to go out and get them. Those services are there for the asking.

[Anonymous]

Been a model railroader for 15 years. Was into R/C previous to this. To fly, a person had to be a member of the AMA for the liability coverage. I like the idea I can enjoy my hobby without needing to be a member of a national org. However, I have always wondered if there are benefits to being a member, that exceed the cost of membership? I live in a remote part of the state. Any NMRA activity would likely take place 200 miles away.

[Anonymous]

Been a model railroader for 15 years. Was into R/C previous to this. To fly, a person had to be a member of the AMA for the liability coverage. I like the idea I can enjoy my hobby without needing to be a member of a national org. However, I have always wondered if there are benefits to being a member, that exceed the cost of membership? I live in a remote part of the state. Any NMRA activity would likely take place 200 miles away.

[Anonymous]

I got active as a modeler 6 years ago when I retired.
I joined NMRA 3 plus years ago.
I deem it very important to be an official part of HELPING this fine hobby survive. The NMRA,,to me,,does just that !

[Anonymous]

I got active as a modeler 6 years ago when I retired.
I joined NMRA 3 plus years ago.
I deem it very important to be an official part of HELPING this fine hobby survive. The NMRA,,to me,,does just that !

[Anonymous]

I have a good time at the meets and conventions. I like to attend the clinics, enter the modeling contests, play the switching contest, and just talk to other modelers. There is a wealth of information at these meets, and al in all, its quite worth it to be a member. You get out of it what you put into it, so once you start participating in all the activities, you will find you are having a good time.[:D]


Robert Ray
PCR Coast Division

[Anonymous]

I have a good time at the meets and conventions. I like to attend the clinics, enter the modeling contests, play the switching contest, and just talk to other modelers. There is a wealth of information at these meets, and al in all, its quite worth it to be a member. You get out of it what you put into it, so once you start participating in all the activities, you will find you are having a good time.[:D]


Robert Ray
PCR Coast Division

[Anonymous]

Guess i've been a loner for most of my life, and it's a little too late in life for me to change my ways now. I do appreciate, enjoy the displays at the MR shows I attend and marvel at some of craftsmanship type work I've seen, however at these shows, I meet with people not an association. The NMRA has accomplished some wonderful things, like standards for Model Railroading and without it's interventions in the hobby, perhaps model rail would still be in the tin plate era. When the modeling budget allows, perhaps I'll join, more as a supportive member than an active one.
Lonesome polecat

[Anonymous]

Guess i've been a loner for most of my life, and it's a little too late in life for me to change my ways now. I do appreciate, enjoy the displays at the MR shows I attend and marvel at some of craftsmanship type work I've seen, however at these shows, I meet with people not an association. The NMRA has accomplished some wonderful things, like standards for Model Railroading and without it's interventions in the hobby, perhaps model rail would still be in the tin plate era. When the modeling budget allows, perhaps I'll join, more as a supportive member than an active one.
Lonesome polecat

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Do you belong to the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)? Vote then share your comments below.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Do you belong to the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)? Vote then share your comments below.

[wrobwrob]

I used to be a member. I dropped out a couple of years ago when the big dues increase went into effect. (I might join again just to attend a national convention.) I think the NMRA honchos are still being unrealistic about financing their organization. Sell the headquarters! Contract out the library to a university! Most of all, rescind those cheap life memberships! I simply cannot believe it takes so much ca***o run an organization of hobby volunteers.

[wrobwrob]

I used to be a member. I dropped out a couple of years ago when the big dues increase went into effect. (I might join again just to attend a national convention.) I think the NMRA honchos are still being unrealistic about financing their organization. Sell the headquarters! Contract out the library to a university! Most of all, rescind those cheap life memberships! I simply cannot believe it takes so much ca***o run an organization of hobby volunteers.

[Anonymous]

I have been an NMRA member since 1987, a NFR member & COD Division member for the same length of time. I finally got to attend a National Convention ( Maple Leaf 2003 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada), only because I live an hour's drive north of Toronto. Up until then, my financial conditions prevented me from traveling any great lengths and staying in hotels/motels to attend a National Convention.
I do participate in the NFR's Modeler's Corner at Train Shows as much as possible, to promote the hobby, learn from other model railroaders as well.
I think the NMRA organization has done much for the hobby, but has fallen behind the times, but with the new Long Range Plan, the updated Scale Rails magazine, and change of focus towards the "times they are a-changing" era, I think they are on the right track.
I have read some emails concerning a Canadian NMRA, not as a seperate association, but as a partner with the present NMRA to provide input reguarding Canadian members wants and needs. I think this could be a good thing, as long as I wouldn't be required to pay membership dues to both associations. That I could not afford.
Well, that's my thoughts on the subject.

Moemann

[Anonymous]

I have been an NMRA member since 1987, a NFR member & COD Division member for the same length of time. I finally got to attend a National Convention ( Maple Leaf 2003 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada), only because I live an hour's drive north of Toronto. Up until then, my financial conditions prevented me from traveling any great lengths and staying in hotels/motels to attend a National Convention.
I do participate in the NFR's Modeler's Corner at Train Shows as much as possible, to promote the hobby, learn from other model railroaders as well.
I think the NMRA organization has done much for the hobby, but has fallen behind the times, but with the new Long Range Plan, the updated Scale Rails magazine, and change of focus towards the "times they are a-changing" era, I think they are on the right track.
I have read some emails concerning a Canadian NMRA, not as a seperate association, but as a partner with the present NMRA to provide input reguarding Canadian members wants and needs. I think this could be a good thing, as long as I wouldn't be required to pay membership dues to both associations. That I could not afford.
Well, that's my thoughts on the subject.

Moemann

[Yampa2003]

I joined the NMRA 4 years ago. Over here there is a very active social scene and our Division have their own HO scale model with an N scale one under construction. But then I am biased as I am the Secretary of our Division.
Brian

[Yampa2003]

I joined the NMRA 4 years ago. Over here there is a very active social scene and our Division have their own HO scale model with an N scale one under construction. But then I am biased as I am the Secretary of our Division.
Brian

[Anonymous]

I find it has a lot to offer and I can always learn better ways to do things and have fun a the same time. To me MR is an art. Well worth it.

[Anonymous]

I find it has a lot to offer and I can always learn better ways to do things and have fun a the same time. To me MR is an art. Well worth it.

[Anonymous]

I used to be a member, around 1996-97. But that was when my Dad was paying the bills! :) Now, in college, I don't have the money to burn to join an organization that has very few benifits that I can partake in. I don't have a lot of time (marching Band will do that to you!), and I can't afford to travel long distances to conventions, though I would like to.

I agree that the NMRA has done a lot of good things for this hobby with their standardization of products. Without them, we would probably still be stuck with tinplate (if they even stayed in business).

However, for me I think this is a case of cost outweighing the benefits. Maybe if they threw in a subscription to MR (another thing that cost too much, imho), then I might consider it.

[Anonymous]

I used to be a member, around 1996-97. But that was when my Dad was paying the bills! :) Now, in college, I don't have the money to burn to join an organization that has very few benifits that I can partake in. I don't have a lot of time (marching Band will do that to you!), and I can't afford to travel long distances to conventions, though I would like to.

I agree that the NMRA has done a lot of good things for this hobby with their standardization of products. Without them, we would probably still be stuck with tinplate (if they even stayed in business).

However, for me I think this is a case of cost outweighing the benefits. Maybe if they threw in a subscription to MR (another thing that cost too much, imho), then I might consider it.

[Anonymous]

Bergie,
In Canada, the membership is $88 Canadian, only $12 shy of a hundred. It isn't worth it. In ten years you've shelled out $880. I started a thread in the Atlas forum about 6 months ago suggesting that the NMRA begin to structure itself like the American Automobile Association.

In other words, there would be the Model Railway Association, the American Model Railway Association, the Canadian Model Railway Association, the Australian..., the British...., you get the picture. Why is this important, because the country of association would have its own dues. When you translate American dollars into other foreign dollars the membership fee gets almost bizzarre.

If the Canadian membership were more like the American one, I might join. The NMRA is pricing itself out of existence, and I'm afraid in other countries, it is doing that. I suspect if there were a Canadian Model Railway Association, like we have the Canadian Automobile Association we a "Canadian" dues rate, more would belong.

[Anonymous]

Bergie,
In Canada, the membership is $88 Canadian, only $12 shy of a hundred. It isn't worth it. In ten years you've shelled out $880. I started a thread in the Atlas forum about 6 months ago suggesting that the NMRA begin to structure itself like the American Automobile Association.

In other words, there would be the Model Railway Association, the American Model Railway Association, the Canadian Model Railway Association, the Australian..., the British...., you get the picture. Why is this important, because the country of association would have its own dues. When you translate American dollars into other foreign dollars the membership fee gets almost bizzarre.

If the Canadian membership were more like the American one, I might join. The NMRA is pricing itself out of existence, and I'm afraid in other countries, it is doing that. I suspect if there were a Canadian Model Railway Association, like we have the Canadian Automobile Association we a "Canadian" dues rate, more would belong.