Club Member?

[Anonymous]

I've been modeling in HO and now N since my teens. Have never been a member of a club, strange since the metro NJ/NY area is full of clubs. I have thought about it but with my work schedule it wouldn't be fair to me or to the members of whatever club I join. A shame since I feel there is a definite advantage to club membership with all the skills and techniques you can learn, regardless of what you model at home.

[Anonymous]

I've been modeling in HO and now N since my teens. Have never been a member of a club, strange since the metro NJ/NY area is full of clubs. I have thought about it but with my work schedule it wouldn't be fair to me or to the members of whatever club I join. A shame since I feel there is a definite advantage to club membership with all the skills and techniques you can learn, regardless of what you model at home.

[Teditor]

I am the sevreatry/editor of the Darling Downs Model Railway Club Inc. in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
I wouldn't say we are all darlings! but we are a great bumch of guys and gals.
Have been in the club since 1989 and am now a life member, the club has grown from around 20 members and a bank balance of zilch to around 150 members and living comfortable. We have large layouts in both HO and N, both fixed and portable for exhibitions and we enjoy local council and government assistance in part due to our genuiness for the hobby of model railroading.
Have a look at our web site on www.usq.edu.au/users/mesken/ddmrc or email me at [e-mail]
Being a club member has given me years of satisfaction, great cameraderie and the ability to build and operate layouts of a granduer I could never achieve at home.
Politics, disagreements and freindships are all part and parcel of the big package, you only get out what you put in.

[Teditor]

I am the sevreatry/editor of the Darling Downs Model Railway Club Inc. in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
I wouldn't say we are all darlings! but we are a great bumch of guys and gals.
Have been in the club since 1989 and am now a life member, the club has grown from around 20 members and a bank balance of zilch to around 150 members and living comfortable. We have large layouts in both HO and N, both fixed and portable for exhibitions and we enjoy local council and government assistance in part due to our genuiness for the hobby of model railroading.
Have a look at our web site on www.usq.edu.au/users/mesken/ddmrc or email me at [e-mail]
Being a club member has given me years of satisfaction, great cameraderie and the ability to build and operate layouts of a granduer I could never achieve at home.
Politics, disagreements and freindships are all part and parcel of the big package, you only get out what you put in.

[Teditor]

And as you can see, I still havn't learnt how to spell properly though!

[Teditor]

And as you can see, I still havn't learnt how to spell properly though!

[Anonymous]

I've belonged to a round robin club in Ohio in more youthful days. Now I belong the West Central Model Railroad Club in Sparta, WI. We have our own building(yes it's paid for). Been a member for over 15 years. I've seen many different people come through the front door, and I've been fortunate enough to learn something from most every one of them. Their a great bunch of guys and I'm proud to call them friends. The best thing about the club is that I could never in my wildest dreams ever build a layout so large and keep learning so much any other way. Draw backs? Only one. My home layout is suffering from neglect. But that's going to change since I've recently cut back on my work schedule so now I've got time for both. Wonderful hobby!

[Anonymous]

I've belonged to a round robin club in Ohio in more youthful days. Now I belong the West Central Model Railroad Club in Sparta, WI. We have our own building(yes it's paid for). Been a member for over 15 years. I've seen many different people come through the front door, and I've been fortunate enough to learn something from most every one of them. Their a great bunch of guys and I'm proud to call them friends. The best thing about the club is that I could never in my wildest dreams ever build a layout so large and keep learning so much any other way. Draw backs? Only one. My home layout is suffering from neglect. But that's going to change since I've recently cut back on my work schedule so now I've got time for both. Wonderful hobby!

[Anonymous]

Since the question asked about clubs only, I figured that a round-robin didn't apply. I've been a member of a local round robin for over a decade and I believe there's several more in my local area. The round-robin is less formal than a Club and where 'members' have a lot of other commitments it seems to work better. Our only piece of paperwork is the calender of meetings (8 layouts, Mon and Fri on a 4 week cycle). It's no big deal if a meeting has to be cancelled or only a few turn up. However, being part of a round-robin sure provides an incentive to do at least something to the layout before its your turn again. Steven Burrows, Sydney Australia

[Anonymous]

Since the question asked about clubs only, I figured that a round-robin didn't apply. I've been a member of a local round robin for over a decade and I believe there's several more in my local area. The round-robin is less formal than a Club and where 'members' have a lot of other commitments it seems to work better. Our only piece of paperwork is the calender of meetings (8 layouts, Mon and Fri on a 4 week cycle). It's no big deal if a meeting has to be cancelled or only a few turn up. However, being part of a round-robin sure provides an incentive to do at least something to the layout before its your turn again. Steven Burrows, Sydney Australia

[Anonymous]

I am in a club and voiced some of my displeasure by starting the thread "club dedication". Clubs have their good and bad points. I have found that people do not join a club for the same reasons. Some try to rule. Some cry when they do not get their way. Some halt progress.
The club I am in is HO. Lately I have been railroading with a couple of O scalers. There are only three guys in the O scale "group" and around 15 in the HO club. The O scale layout is growing and under constant improvements. Although it is seniced and appears complete, it seems to constantly evolve into a better product. The HO club has grown stagnant and incomplete. Hopefully things will change for the HO club.

[Anonymous]

I am in a club and voiced some of my displeasure by starting the thread "club dedication". Clubs have their good and bad points. I have found that people do not join a club for the same reasons. Some try to rule. Some cry when they do not get their way. Some halt progress.
The club I am in is HO. Lately I have been railroading with a couple of O scalers. There are only three guys in the O scale "group" and around 15 in the HO club. The O scale layout is growing and under constant improvements. Although it is seniced and appears complete, it seems to constantly evolve into a better product. The HO club has grown stagnant and incomplete. Hopefully things will change for the HO club.

[aussiesteve]

I used to be a member of a club when I lived in Alice Springs but since moving have I have been unable to locate a new one.

[aussiesteve]

I used to be a member of a club when I lived in Alice Springs but since moving have I have been unable to locate a new one.

[ddechamp71]

I don't belong to any club, as I'm living in France and as I'm modelling North American prototype, that is very rare in my home country (almost all clubs are modelling french/european railroads).

[ddechamp71]

I don't belong to any club, as I'm living in France and as I'm modelling North American prototype, that is very rare in my home country (almost all clubs are modelling french/european railroads).

[cmrproducts]

I have been a member of the Clarion MRR club for 20 years and was there pretty much from the begining. We have survived 2 moves and devastating fire in which we lost over $50,000. But we are down the road 12 years from that now and doing very well.

The membership, which stands at 35, gets along very well and we are rebuilding 4 of our 5 layouts. We have G, O, S HO and N scale plus a hobby shop.

Bob H Clarion, PA

[cmrproducts]

I have been a member of the Clarion MRR club for 20 years and was there pretty much from the begining. We have survived 2 moves and devastating fire in which we lost over $50,000. But we are down the road 12 years from that now and doing very well.

The membership, which stands at 35, gets along very well and we are rebuilding 4 of our 5 layouts. We have G, O, S HO and N scale plus a hobby shop.

Bob H Clarion, PA

[Anonymous]

Made inquiries about joining my local club several times over five years, but they were not covering my area of interest, ie SP California, Oregon. Maybe I'm too far away (Australia) to
find many local SP enthusiasts

[Anonymous]

Made inquiries about joining my local club several times over five years, but they were not covering my area of interest, ie SP California, Oregon. Maybe I'm too far away (Australia) to
find many local SP enthusiasts

[dmikee]

The club experience greatly expands what I can do in Model Railroading and gives me the energy to continue my enthusiasm for the hobby. Besides, there is the mixing with guys from many different backgrounds and the total absorption in doing something much different that our usual day to day occupations.

The only problem we've had is the need to move our layout every so often as conditions and finances change. Needless to say, we have become more expert at rebuilding than at operating as a result.

[dmikee]

The club experience greatly expands what I can do in Model Railroading and gives me the energy to continue my enthusiasm for the hobby. Besides, there is the mixing with guys from many different backgrounds and the total absorption in doing something much different that our usual day to day occupations.

The only problem we've had is the need to move our layout every so often as conditions and finances change. Needless to say, we have become more expert at rebuilding than at operating as a result.

[Anonymous]

I am member of Kalmar Modell Railroad Club. The layout we build is H0. We are meeting twice a week for building, driving or just talking trains. We are celebraiting 25 years the 4th of October, so if you are in Sweden that date you are most welcome to visit us.

[Anonymous]

I am member of Kalmar Modell Railroad Club. The layout we build is H0. We are meeting twice a week for building, driving or just talking trains. We are celebraiting 25 years the 4th of October, so if you are in Sweden that date you are most welcome to visit us.

[ThatNScaleGuy]

I have been a member of the Kentuckiana Society of N-Scalers (KSONS) for over 20 years now . We are an NTRAK modular club. We all have egos, we all like N-Scale trains, we don't take ourselves too serious, and we all agree "THAT THIS IS FUN, THE MINUTE IT STOPS BEING FUN, WE WILL BREAK UP THE CLUB!!!"
Maybe clubs are not for everyone, but you will never know untill you belong to a club.

[ThatNScaleGuy]

I have been a member of the Kentuckiana Society of N-Scalers (KSONS) for over 20 years now . We are an NTRAK modular club. We all have egos, we all like N-Scale trains, we don't take ourselves too serious, and we all agree "THAT THIS IS FUN, THE MINUTE IT STOPS BEING FUN, WE WILL BREAK UP THE CLUB!!!"
Maybe clubs are not for everyone, but you will never know untill you belong to a club.

[Anonymous]

been a member of one club for about 5 years and then joined three others to be active in more scales . One club, the Baltimore Area American Flyer club, is the most fun. We have no elected officers. One dedicated charter member handles all the club activity arrangements and sends out a monthly news letter. We have a traveling modular layout which takes two hours to set up, no matter how large, and about a half an hour to tear down so the work level is not excessive. Have 20 plus active members who are at most meets and meetings and probably another 30 who come now and again as time alows. We just like being together and running trains for the public whether at a train show or nursing home or childrens hospital or wherever. Club has no dues if you don't count the self addressed stamped envelopes you provide tor the news letter mailing. S guage is great. Also I run large scale trains at the Sykesville and Patapsco RR INC. G guage is becoming my favorite as my eyes get older. That layout is set up in an old signal tower in the town of Sykesville MD and run the first sunday of every month and open to the public from 1 to 4 in the afternoon. Stop by if you want to find out what being a club member is all about. We run all scales but Z so far. What you will need is a tolerant significant other like I have to be truely involved with running trains regularly, but you can always set your own level of involvement and still enjoy belonging. Great bunch of people with one purpose. Just to enjoy model trains and being able to show off for the public every time you run them.

[Anonymous]

been a member of one club for about 5 years and then joined three others to be active in more scales . One club, the Baltimore Area American Flyer club, is the most fun. We have no elected officers. One dedicated charter member handles all the club activity arrangements and sends out a monthly news letter. We have a traveling modular layout which takes two hours to set up, no matter how large, and about a half an hour to tear down so the work level is not excessive. Have 20 plus active members who are at most meets and meetings and probably another 30 who come now and again as time alows. We just like being together and running trains for the public whether at a train show or nursing home or childrens hospital or wherever. Club has no dues if you don't count the self addressed stamped envelopes you provide tor the news letter mailing. S guage is great. Also I run large scale trains at the Sykesville and Patapsco RR INC. G guage is becoming my favorite as my eyes get older. That layout is set up in an old signal tower in the town of Sykesville MD and run the first sunday of every month and open to the public from 1 to 4 in the afternoon. Stop by if you want to find out what being a club member is all about. We run all scales but Z so far. What you will need is a tolerant significant other like I have to be truely involved with running trains regularly, but you can always set your own level of involvement and still enjoy belonging. Great bunch of people with one purpose. Just to enjoy model trains and being able to show off for the public every time you run them.

[gwjordan1950]

I was a member and past pres. several times from 1986 to 1999 when it disbanded. This was an O-Scale club. While I was in this club I got to be good friends with the ho scale club in Ft.Wayne. I have sinced then joined the club and now am the V-P of it. It's the best time that I've had for a long time. We got to other clubs and have op. sesions. We also have swap meets twice a year as a fund raiser for our club. Our dues are $10.00 a Mo. Here is the info. on the up coming swap if anyone would like to attend. It will be on Oct. 18th,from 10:00 till 3:00pm.Ind. time. It will be held at the Fair building in Grabil, In. Grabil is, just NE of Ft.wayne on St. Rt. 1 to Leo, then turnon Grabil road into Grabil. The Fair building is just South of the bank. Their will be a small cover charge to get in. Please feel free to attend as their will be operating layouts there to observe as well as the vendors with their waresto sell. Gale Jordan, V-P. Maumee Valley R.R. Club.

[gwjordan1950]

I was a member and past pres. several times from 1986 to 1999 when it disbanded. This was an O-Scale club. While I was in this club I got to be good friends with the ho scale club in Ft.Wayne. I have sinced then joined the club and now am the V-P of it. It's the best time that I've had for a long time. We got to other clubs and have op. sesions. We also have swap meets twice a year as a fund raiser for our club. Our dues are $10.00 a Mo. Here is the info. on the up coming swap if anyone would like to attend. It will be on Oct. 18th,from 10:00 till 3:00pm.Ind. time. It will be held at the Fair building in Grabil, In. Grabil is, just NE of Ft.wayne on St. Rt. 1 to Leo, then turnon Grabil road into Grabil. The Fair building is just South of the bank. Their will be a small cover charge to get in. Please feel free to attend as their will be operating layouts there to observe as well as the vendors with their waresto sell. Gale Jordan, V-P. Maumee Valley R.R. Club.