Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Club Member?

12879 views
81 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 1,431 posts
Club Member?
Posted by Bergie on Thursday, August 28, 2003 3:21 PM
Are you a member of a model railroad club? Vote and then share your comments below.

Looking for a club?
If you'd like to see if there's a club in your area, check out the Club section on Trains.com: http://www.trains.com/clubs/findaclub.asp
Erik Bergstrom
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 1,431 posts
Club Member?
Posted by Bergie on Thursday, August 28, 2003 3:21 PM
Are you a member of a model railroad club? Vote and then share your comments below.

Looking for a club?
If you'd like to see if there's a club in your area, check out the Club section on Trains.com: http://www.trains.com/clubs/findaclub.asp
Erik Bergstrom
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Thursday, August 28, 2003 3:33 PM
No clubs around my area doing what I'm now doing, 1/2" scale indoors, kinda off the mainstream. Dont know of anyone else doint this in the LA area, they're all outdoors in the weeds. Would be nice to have other contacts that are doing the same thing though.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Thursday, August 28, 2003 3:33 PM
No clubs around my area doing what I'm now doing, 1/2" scale indoors, kinda off the mainstream. Dont know of anyone else doint this in the LA area, they're all outdoors in the weeds. Would be nice to have other contacts that are doing the same thing though.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 3:37 PM
I've been a member of my local model railway club (Sunderland UK) for 17 years now and would recommend everyone to join one.

I've had help with literally every aspect of modelling, from choosing a period, scale and country, construction, electrics, to help in exhibiting my layout.

I've also been able to 'play' on other members layouts in scales and periods which I would not otherwise get the opportunity to do, but most of all I've made some very good friends along the way.


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 3:37 PM
I've been a member of my local model railway club (Sunderland UK) for 17 years now and would recommend everyone to join one.

I've had help with literally every aspect of modelling, from choosing a period, scale and country, construction, electrics, to help in exhibiting my layout.

I've also been able to 'play' on other members layouts in scales and periods which I would not otherwise get the opportunity to do, but most of all I've made some very good friends along the way.


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 4:04 PM
I was part of a club for a brief period of time. I found that I really didn't want to devote my only day off (Saturday) to going to the club. Also, I felt that they weren't interested in producing quality looking modules. The modules they took to shows were ratty and beaten up. (Just my opinion and personal observation)

Some of the guys there thought it was great to have a woman in the club, some others wouldn't even talk to me at the club house or acknowledge me at the hobby shop. Some people never grow up.

I can see the advantages of being in a club. If you have different people with different talents then you can teach each other or trade work on modules. It's only when you can't find common ground that the troubles start.

Maybe I'll join one someday, or start one of my own. Who knows?!?!?!

Cheers
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 4:04 PM
I was part of a club for a brief period of time. I found that I really didn't want to devote my only day off (Saturday) to going to the club. Also, I felt that they weren't interested in producing quality looking modules. The modules they took to shows were ratty and beaten up. (Just my opinion and personal observation)

Some of the guys there thought it was great to have a woman in the club, some others wouldn't even talk to me at the club house or acknowledge me at the hobby shop. Some people never grow up.

I can see the advantages of being in a club. If you have different people with different talents then you can teach each other or trade work on modules. It's only when you can't find common ground that the troubles start.

Maybe I'll join one someday, or start one of my own. Who knows?!?!?!

Cheers
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: Kansas City area
  • 833 posts
Posted by Trainnut484 on Thursday, August 28, 2003 4:36 PM
I've responded in another thread "Club Dedication" (I think) about clubs. I used to belong to one, but the politics and egos were so thick you could cut them with a rotary arm saw. Politics and egos are for politicians. It's been several years since I've left the club, and don't wi***o join any more clubs.

When my wife and I buy/rent our first house, and I have my layout up and running for sessions, the main "rule" will be Leave Your Ego at the Door. Also, please wipe your feet before entering or answer to the wife LOL[:D]

Take care[:)]

Russell
All the Way!
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: Kansas City area
  • 833 posts
Posted by Trainnut484 on Thursday, August 28, 2003 4:36 PM
I've responded in another thread "Club Dedication" (I think) about clubs. I used to belong to one, but the politics and egos were so thick you could cut them with a rotary arm saw. Politics and egos are for politicians. It's been several years since I've left the club, and don't wi***o join any more clubs.

When my wife and I buy/rent our first house, and I have my layout up and running for sessions, the main "rule" will be Leave Your Ego at the Door. Also, please wipe your feet before entering or answer to the wife LOL[:D]

Take care[:)]

Russell
All the Way!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:09 PM
Ottawa Valley N-Trak club. Great People, great fun.
Kim
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:09 PM
Ottawa Valley N-Trak club. Great People, great fun.
Kim
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:28 PM
I am looking for a club within a reasonable distance from Lady Lake, Florida. We will be re-locating there in October/November. I am interested in HO scale.

Jerry
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:28 PM
I am looking for a club within a reasonable distance from Lady Lake, Florida. We will be re-locating there in October/November. I am interested in HO scale.

Jerry
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 263 posts
Posted by tankertoad70 on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:37 PM
I rejoined a club after ten years of non-involvement, and have found the experience frustrating, challenging and enjoyable.
Frustrating - always a challenge when working with other folks
Challenging - learning new techniques and maintaining a large layout
Enjoyable - meeting all sorts of new folks and enjoying their comraderie
Don in 'Orygun' City
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 263 posts
Posted by tankertoad70 on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:37 PM
I rejoined a club after ten years of non-involvement, and have found the experience frustrating, challenging and enjoyable.
Frustrating - always a challenge when working with other folks
Challenging - learning new techniques and maintaining a large layout
Enjoyable - meeting all sorts of new folks and enjoying their comraderie
Don in 'Orygun' City
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: MP53 - CNW Pennisula 400
  • 118 posts
Posted by kehoesj on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:45 PM
Anyone looking for an 'O' gauge 3 rail affiliation in Northeastern Wisconsin, feel free to visit with Northeastern Wisconsin 'O' Gauge Association. We have a club layout (modules owned by members) and meet monthly September thru May. Inquiries - direct to N.E.W. 'O' Gaugers - P.O. Box 22, Menominee, MI 49858. We have a great bunch of people and they are very active in club functions.
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: MP53 - CNW Pennisula 400
  • 118 posts
Posted by kehoesj on Thursday, August 28, 2003 5:45 PM
Anyone looking for an 'O' gauge 3 rail affiliation in Northeastern Wisconsin, feel free to visit with Northeastern Wisconsin 'O' Gauge Association. We have a club layout (modules owned by members) and meet monthly September thru May. Inquiries - direct to N.E.W. 'O' Gaugers - P.O. Box 22, Menominee, MI 49858. We have a great bunch of people and they are very active in club functions.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 6:44 PM
I cannot run mainline equipment in my home converted bedroom. It is nice to work in a 3K square ft. room with turns more than 36" radius on hand laid track and throwouts. We are DC with walk around throttles because we started this road in 1978. We are across the street from the Alameda Corridor -- East so there is ample fanning.
We are the Pomona Valley MRC at 132 E. First Street in Pomona CA. I have a key so I can run by myself or with others. Our dues are $25.00 per month. We are open most Tuesday and Thursay evenings.
Lindsay Smith wlindsays2000@yahoo.com
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 6:44 PM
I cannot run mainline equipment in my home converted bedroom. It is nice to work in a 3K square ft. room with turns more than 36" radius on hand laid track and throwouts. We are DC with walk around throttles because we started this road in 1978. We are across the street from the Alameda Corridor -- East so there is ample fanning.
We are the Pomona Valley MRC at 132 E. First Street in Pomona CA. I have a key so I can run by myself or with others. Our dues are $25.00 per month. We are open most Tuesday and Thursay evenings.
Lindsay Smith wlindsays2000@yahoo.com
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 6:48 PM
I'm a member of a round-robin type group in my area... one general "business meeting" a month where we discuss group activities, hold clincs and watch videos, plus schedule meetings for the remainder of the month at member's homes. It's a great way to keep up on the latest news, plus see what others in the area are doing. And for me, there's the added benefit of living vicariously through others who have more experience, and more room than I have to build empires in miniature.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 6:48 PM
I'm a member of a round-robin type group in my area... one general "business meeting" a month where we discuss group activities, hold clincs and watch videos, plus schedule meetings for the remainder of the month at member's homes. It's a great way to keep up on the latest news, plus see what others in the area are doing. And for me, there's the added benefit of living vicariously through others who have more experience, and more room than I have to build empires in miniature.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 20 posts
Posted by Sydney on Thursday, August 28, 2003 7:43 PM
I belong to the Blue Mountains & Nepean Christian Model Railway Fellowship (what a mouthful !), abbreviated to BM&NCMRF (still a mouthful !!), which operates in the beautiful Blue Mountains and Nepean districts of western Sydney in New South Wales, Australia ("Down Under"). We meet on the last Saturday evening of each month at 7.30 pm for about 3 hours and have running nights and train video evenings at different members' homes, with supper and a short Bible devotional at the end - not heavy stuff, and the devotional is always geared to model railroading (e.g. keep on the straight track and try and avoid kinks in your life, otherwise you might get derailed). We are currently joining with the Valley Heights Rail Preservation Society, not so much as to work on the "big boys", of which they have quite a number plus passenger carriages, but to give assistance with their exhibition HO layout. All good fun! We also run an occasional Exhibition ourselves (two so far). We currently have 13 members.

"Sydney" [:)]
New South Wales
Australia
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 20 posts
Posted by Sydney on Thursday, August 28, 2003 7:43 PM
I belong to the Blue Mountains & Nepean Christian Model Railway Fellowship (what a mouthful !), abbreviated to BM&NCMRF (still a mouthful !!), which operates in the beautiful Blue Mountains and Nepean districts of western Sydney in New South Wales, Australia ("Down Under"). We meet on the last Saturday evening of each month at 7.30 pm for about 3 hours and have running nights and train video evenings at different members' homes, with supper and a short Bible devotional at the end - not heavy stuff, and the devotional is always geared to model railroading (e.g. keep on the straight track and try and avoid kinks in your life, otherwise you might get derailed). We are currently joining with the Valley Heights Rail Preservation Society, not so much as to work on the "big boys", of which they have quite a number plus passenger carriages, but to give assistance with their exhibition HO layout. All good fun! We also run an occasional Exhibition ourselves (two so far). We currently have 13 members.

"Sydney" [:)]
New South Wales
Australia
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 8:02 PM
Been a club member 13+ years now. Took my turn at the helm (whew, glad THAT's over) but havn't regretted a moment of it. From the contacts made in the hobby, to the experiences shared with other members, to the learning we all have shared in, it's all contributed to me growing as a modeler, and the group growing as well. Yes, there are ego's to deal with, as well as differences in what everyone is interested in. So what? It's all steels wheels on rails, ain't it?
KarlB
www.fcsme.org (Come see!!)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 8:02 PM
Been a club member 13+ years now. Took my turn at the helm (whew, glad THAT's over) but havn't regretted a moment of it. From the contacts made in the hobby, to the experiences shared with other members, to the learning we all have shared in, it's all contributed to me growing as a modeler, and the group growing as well. Yes, there are ego's to deal with, as well as differences in what everyone is interested in. So what? It's all steels wheels on rails, ain't it?
KarlB
www.fcsme.org (Come see!!)
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 8 posts
Posted by chanda on Thursday, August 28, 2003 8:09 PM


Way back in 1955-56 , when I was stationed with the USAF at Burtonwood RAF Station, Warrington, England, I was a member of the Merseyside Model Railway Society. Back then if you wanted a particular locomotive you built it from scratch, from the drivers to the motor to drive them. A few of the members were in to 2mm scale and I have some slides of a 2mm locomotive that is being dwafed by a three pence coin ( about the size of a nickle.) The loco ran and pulled a few goods wagons. The track was hand made as well as the switches.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 8 posts
Posted by chanda on Thursday, August 28, 2003 8:09 PM


Way back in 1955-56 , when I was stationed with the USAF at Burtonwood RAF Station, Warrington, England, I was a member of the Merseyside Model Railway Society. Back then if you wanted a particular locomotive you built it from scratch, from the drivers to the motor to drive them. A few of the members were in to 2mm scale and I have some slides of a 2mm locomotive that is being dwafed by a three pence coin ( about the size of a nickle.) The loco ran and pulled a few goods wagons. The track was hand made as well as the switches.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 736 posts
Posted by tomwatkins on Thursday, August 28, 2003 8:36 PM
I just joined one and attended my first meeting this past monday. Since my job involved traveling every week, it was something that had to wait until retirement. I met a good bunch of people at the meeting. It's going to be fun.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 736 posts
Posted by tomwatkins on Thursday, August 28, 2003 8:36 PM
I just joined one and attended my first meeting this past monday. Since my job involved traveling every week, it was something that had to wait until retirement. I met a good bunch of people at the meeting. It's going to be fun.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!