How many Lone Wolves are out there?

[monkeydadnola]

I guess I am a lone wolf too - but I need some advice.

How to you make up for not having the contact with "idea people," who can show you new things and advise you on how to solve your problems?  Haven't I given up all that by not getting into a club, "politics" notwithstanding?

 

[Marty on Vancouver Island]

The answer - tens of thousands. The question - how many Lone Wolves are out there?

Lone Wolves - it's an unfortunate reality in our hobby. I moved here to Parksville, BC five years ago. I was informed at the local hobbyshop that there were plenty of model railroaders in the area (evident by a well stocked store) but that they preferred to model alone.

Wow! What a shock after having just moved from Ottawa, ON where the model railroad community is extremely active. The premier organization, the Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in the not too distant future. OVAR caters to anyone that has an interest in trains, model or protoype. Its' annual membership hovers around 200, of which approx. 135 meet ten times a year (Sep-Jun) at a banquet hall for dinner, followed by a program that has included such notables as..... (too many to even start to list). Membership is only $25.00 a year which includes 11 monthly newsletters (there is a summer issue) and $20.00 gets you dinner and a fabulous program each of the ten months the club meets. I was a member of OVAR for almost 40 years before we moved.

I also belonged to a very successful round-robin group which just celebrated its' 10th Anniversary and of which I was one of the original four founders. I missed the Anniversary ops session and cake by only a week, so they held a second celebration a couple of weeks after while I was there with my family for a visit. When we started, three of us had layouts. Now there are about 15 chaps in the group and nine (operating) layouts. The only cost associated with such a group is the price of the coffee/tea/juice and cookies/cake provided by the evenings' host following the ops session.

Reading about half the posts in this thread, I only remember one other person mentioning the term round-robin group. If you haven't tried it, don't knock it. A group of local guys I eventually met, or who found me through such things as the World's Greatest Hobby website, meet here (almost) every second Friday to operate trains. If you're ever in the area (just north of Nanaimo, BC) or are already here, email me at [e-mail] Cheers

[texdex]

Lone wolf here, I'm in a wheelchair which limits room for me to get around. I also relate to the getting away to work on the trains. I have twin 5 year olds and I try to sneak out into the garage to either work on or run a train. I do wish I was part of a club though. I would like to have an operating session like the ones I read about in MR magazine.

                               Walter

[Anonymous]

Lone Wolf?  Obviously difficult to define. 

I started in the basement with my Dad because no one in school seemed to interested.  That was during WWII.  By age 16 we had a large 'O' 3 level, mountains, switches and crossovers and a lot of fun and learning.  Mom helped with the paper mache mountains.

The next time my one of 4 kids (our son) got on & off interested and I started another too large layout.  We moved, everything got boxed, problems developed.  Two wives 5 kids and 7.5 grand kids, retired on & off later at 69 I have a 3'  X 12' HO partially completed layout I bought from a friend who became a 'G' scale fan.  He & I live 3 hours a part and he helps me because I'm really impressed with his skill level.

Well, I define 'Lone Wolf' for me as time for me and my head.  The chnace to concentrate, make mistakes, correct them, laugh at myself, and occassionally look up say I did well. 

I learn from the forums. I've asked questions gotten answers and not gotten answers.  I go to the shows.  I've been treated as a third-world refugee by members of one club and invited into another.  One was snobs and the other was too big for me.  I don't bring a particular skill to a Club.  I am jealous of my time and love the freedom to do say or no arbitrairly(sp).

The small 'Round Robin' groups sounds like a great solution for a 'Lone Wolf' like me.

Good topic.

tchamp5

 

 

[[e-mail]]

Dear Mr. Wimberly; I am also diasabled been in a wheelchair since I was four years old {polio} I have belonged to different non train organization, including president of local union C.W.A. and I to could not deal with all the politics and cliques. I'm retired age 61 and I love Model Railroading. I've been building my layout for past 5 years I usually only work on it in the winter or when I get inspired by my latest copy of MR. I love the building kits especially craftsman style. I also love detailing scenes. I HATE!!! Wireing Probally because I seem to always mess it up, I've read all that I could but it seems to confuse me even more, I'm not stupid.well thats my personal opinion Ha Ha, But I refuse to give up. I live in a small farming community of Weiser Idaho. Its a great place to live,the people are great. I DJ hot rod runs and do gigs at the elks club and some others. This gives me a little extra money for My Weiser River Ry. I actually have Two Layouts. I knocked  out the wall between two berdrooms ( well a seven foot wide openning. This was supposed to give me more room for my up to 1945 steam era RR., But I ended up building a city layout 1950's in the smaller room,9by8' the other is 12by10'. I run my layout the way I want. which sometimes is just running trains around'no switching industries' etc. I totally enjoy building things with my hands and its a outlet for my artistic abilities. To me a layout is a 3D painting or sculpture. Forgive me for rambling on but this is the first time I've ever responded to any forum. If you want to you can reach me at [e-mail] 

[Anonymous]

I guess I've got the best of both worlds. I'm part of a group of 8 guys 6 with home layouts and 2 without. We meet once a week at someones house to have an impromptu running session followed by coffee abd cake. Each of built our own layout with little or no outside help. This eliminates all the "politics"and we can each run whatever road and era we model without someone dictating what can or can't be operated. We also have a portable club display layout that gets taken to 1 train exibition every 2 years. We all model Western U.S. roads. I mainly model BN MRL & BNSF

[Metro Red Line]

I guess I would count as a Lone Wolf. I have no intention of joining a club at the moment, and though I have a couple friends into model railroading, for the most part, they are in different scales. I left HO last fall for N, one is in HO and another is into both HO and N, but seems more active in HO at the moment.

[oldyardgoat]

Count me in as a member of the Lone wolf Model Railroad Club, the largest "club" in the country. 

I started to join a club a number of times, but it was too much like a job.  You know, start at the bottom of the seniority list, kiss a bunch of (g)rumps to express an idea.  No Thanks!  I'd rather be in charge of my own dreams.  I get to be the man in charge, be it Division Supt., Chief Dispatcher, Road Foreman of Engines, Roadmaster, whatever - even gandy dancer if I choose.  It's my choice, not that of some guy I pay dues to, to have him tell me what to do, and how to do it.  

True, I may have learned an easier way to do some things in a club early on, but I've managed okay.  I started in N-scale 35 years ago, and lived in an area with some of the pioneers in this scale.  True, there was the first N-scale club already established, but what impressed me about these guys was their independence.  They were all interested in different things, but together, as loosely knit as they were, they were working more or less together to develop N-scale.  They were all lone wolves bound by a common desire to bring legitamacy to the new scale.  Best of all, they succeeded.  This group brought forth the first N-scale club, N-Trak, a newsletter to assist al N-scalers (N-trak), and put N-scale "on the map".  Not bad for a bunch of loners. 

I'm on my fourth layout and am now retired.  My first layout was moved several times over a period of years from one apartment to another, until one move proved too much.  The second was an experiment to try out different things.  I cut cut in half once for a move, and then into four parts for another move.  The third required some resourceful solutions to problems being in a garage and partly suspended to clear an automobile, but I grew to be quite proud of the world I had created.  It was dimantled for the move 1,000 miles to my present place.  Along the way were a few false starts.  The new one is under construction in an ideal space.  This one will last me the rest of my life.  I may never "finish" it, but I'll have fun while I last (next time I move six guys will carry me out in a box).  

So here's to us lone wolfs--"Clink"!  

Dan Seward

Kelso, WA.   

[joebraun]

Rather than just use the title of Lone Wolf, I'd say I just have a strong independent streak and wanted a model railroad of my design with features that are done my way to satisfy my basic desire to be a train-watcher. That does make me a Lone Wolf although I enjoy sharing "FUNtime" running trains with a number of railfan and model railroad friends. There are no formal operating sessions and no formal rules on my railroad. And, most importantly, the railroad is always there one flight down for whenever the spirit or the mood beckons.

[Anonymous]

I didn't set out to be a lone wolf. I just haven't met anyone else in the hobby. I might even try a club someday, just to see what it's about. But for the time being, I'm a loner, and not worried about it.

[Sierra888]

After reading through the preceding messages, no matter where you go in the world, things at organised clubs are the same where politics and old members simply stuff the club up. I joined the local club for a few years and usually I get stuck in when I join a group, but the apathy and old boy network with the club is slowly grinding it into the dust. I have seen new keen members join, and after several meetings where the old boys get at them, you never saw them again, basically chased away.

I have formed round robin groups, and formed a modular group here in New Zealand. Even where there were no rules in these groups, politics did rear their heads, but was solved by not inviting those people back. I pick up lone wolves through selling stuff and invite them along if they seem to fit in. Generally things work out and they become great friends.

I am a lone wolf as far as my Sierra Railroad is concerned. I prefer to go upstairs and have the stereo blasting, and is a room where I whistle a lot. It's my space, and everything done on the layout is from my efforts and for my satisfaction.

Yes, I mix with other like minded people, but the enjoyment of my layout supersedes any of the joys of ‘belonging' to an organised club.

 

[AztecEagle]

I Guess I Am as Well!!I Got Back In The Hobby Last Year After Pretty Much Being Out Of The Modeling Scene since 1971!!( I Tried To Model Off and On Since I Was In The 7th Grade,But With The Exceptions of Buying A Few Model Kits and The Like,I've Bassically Been An Armchair Modeler!!).

So Last Year,I Bought An Athearn Set With A Warbonnet F7 and Four Cars At Hobbytown USA in Arlington,Texas.So,After Setting Up A Loop Of Track Around A Piece of Sheetrock On Two Sawhorses,I Became The CEO;CFO;Master Mechanic;Head of Maintainence of Way;Engineer;Fireman;Conductor and Brakeman Of The Quail Terrace and Sheetrock Central  Division of The Gulf Colorado and Santa Fe!!

Maybe After I Get A Little More Cash to Spare,It Might Actually Grow Into Something Bigger!!
If Not,I'll Stuill Have My Fun!!

"When The Legend Becomes Truth,Print The Legend."-John Ford.

 

 

[easyaces]

Do you have your own layout in your home and primarily work on it by yourself or with a family member or two?  I'd like to work with other folks on a layout but I don't have the time to drive over to a club layout and work for a few hours.  I don't think that I could afford the club dues either. 

With four kids still at home, I grab any few minutes that I can and go up to my train room above the garage and may only do something for 20 or 30 minutes sometime.  It seems that the "lone wolf" is frowned upon, but I don't feel that I have a choice if I want to participate in this hobby.  I'm just curious how many contributors to this page are also in the same situation, and how many belong to clubs.

I can see why you only get 20-30 minutes or so with the 4 youngters at home! Do any of the kids take an interest in the trains ? Most of the time I am the only one that does anything on my layout,  but occaisionally my married 26 yr  old daughter will sit with me and make suggestions, and of  course my 2yr old grandson  has to watch grandpa run the trains!

[chateauricher]

I'm a lone wolf, too, for a couple reasons...

1. The local club, while having both HO and N scale layouts, is very expensive to join at $30/month.  With my limited budget, I can either put that money towards joining a club, or towards my own layout.  I chose my own layout where I can do what I want, when I want. 
2. My work schedule doesn't give me much free time that co-incides with the activities at the local club -- not much point in paying to be part of a club when you can only attend less than half the meetings.

I'm reminded of the joke about the difference between god and doctors (where god knows he's not a doctor).  Perhaps it can be converted to us...

Question:  What's the difference between god and a model railroader ?

Answer (by a model railroader):  Difference ?!?!  What difference ?  I AM god ! 

Sorry, my warped sense of humour just had to rear its not-so-pretty head.

[Anonymous]

I have to admit to being a lone wolf as far as construction of the railroad is concerned.  I belonged to a round-robin group many (25) years ago with 8-12 members and it was a great experience.  I might even do it again once my layout gets to the more operational stages and all of the trackwork and industries are in place.  My son has helped with construction issues that require a little more muscle than I can muster by myself and my son-in-law (was an engineer for BN in the PBR, now BNSF dispatcher in Ft Worth) both like to operate the railroad when our families get together.  I have been invited to join a club that is about 10 minutes from the house, but I can't see spending $30 a month to listen to people fighting over track layout in the steel mill, yard etc.  I'll put that money to better use on my own railroad.  On the club layout operation consists of turning loose a steam powered passenger train and maybe a doublestack or autorack train with the latest diesels on the market and watching them go round and round and round and round.  And then there is the night of the "business meeting" with no operation.  Who need it?  Those modelers that don't have a home layout and need a place to run their equipment might, but I don't.  Please don't be offended if you are into club membership, my circumstances allow me to enjoy this great hobby via another path.

[jblackwelljr]

Regarding my layout, I'd rather work on my own.  Like some others, I interact with people in my job and in several other activities - MRR gives me the down time I need to relax.  So far, sharing comes in the form of this forum - and thus far I've received a whole lot more that I've contributed.

I must admit, there are times when I wish there were some kind of clinic or group session nearby that I could attend to learn some hands-on specifics, like installing DCC in non-DCC-ready locos, locomotive maintenance, hand-laying track, air-brush painting, etc.  This forum and the books help but there's nothing like being there.

That said, joining a club for these purposes only would seem rather selfish on my part, so I will continue to go it alone.

[jbloch]

I'm like NHRF:  have joined a club to expand my knowledge base--reading the Kalmbach books and this forum are a great basis for building the knowledge base that I think you need before starting out on a leyout, but "hands-on" experience and the knowledge base of the "vets" at my club I feel are important when starting out.

Jim

[inch53]

I'm one of the loners and yes I do post in the coffee shop threads. I cann't drive anymore and live 3 mile from town. So on here is bout the only place I can talk to some one I'm not related to, less I get a ride.

[Metro Red Line]

  Some times is seems there is more posting here than working on their lonesome layouts.

 

<-- Guilty.

[DDevore]

I am a "Lone Wolf" in the true sense of the phrase.  I reside in South Central Montana, pretty much away from all forms of Clubs.  There are a few of us N Scale people in town and even fewer hobby stores.  I am building a 12'x10' layout of the Northern Rockies, BN, GN, Etc.  Getting supplies to build with can be quite the journey, 140 miles for the good shop in the state.  The hobby is a great stress relief for me, I find it relaxing.  I do most of my operation with family and a few neighbors.  I don't have the time to commute to do the "Club'n" thing anyway.  Keep the hobby strong.

 

Thanks

DDEVORE

[conagher]

....those Lonesome Layouts can be mighty dangerous critters

 

 

[Texas Zepher]

A true lone wolf would not be posting/replying what they think to 1000s of people reading this forum.  Instead of the sharing with other people at a club or working on their layout they get that element of the hobby here.  In fact, it seems some people spend more time posting chatting here than I've ever spent with club members.  Look at the popularity of the "whistle stop", "Elliots" threads, etc. No lone wolf would ever post in those.  Some times is seems there is more posting here than working on their lonesome layouts.

[trainfan1221]

I share my hobby for both models and real trains with some friends who are also railfans, but as for my layout it is strictly a solo effort.  I have operated my friends' layout though, big enough for two to use.

[Anonymous]

jsoderq

I see you live in Ma which is pretty populated. I have a suggestion for you to try. Some years ago, I was part of a round-robin club with no dues, no officers and a great bunch of guys. We had about 15 members, only about half had layouts in varying degrees of completion. We would go from house to house at whoever was willing to host a meeting. We worked on the layout if the host was willing, otherwise we did slide shows, somebody did  a modeling project etc. We also used meeting times to go rail fanning(CSX mainline). Light refreshments were often served by the hosts wife or girlfriend. We ranged about 20 miles in order to encompass enough members. I took care of any mailing requirements for meeting notices etc. Each year we had a Xmas party for members and their wives/girlfriends. All in all, vary successful with none of the politics and stress of a more conventional club. We located members through notices in the local hobby shop. Usually one person will know other hobbyists.

Is that club still going? It sounds great! I used to belong to a club, but they're moving and it was too much money; $15 per month! Yikes! [:(]

I thought about starting a round robin group, but I don't really know anyone that likes trains that I know, and most people probobly think a 12 year old would be into round and round as fast as possible, not waybill, car card, and track warrent realistic operations.

 

---

Tyler

 

Springfield Central Railroad

Route of Pittsfield Pass

http// 

 

[grayfox1119]

I am a Lone Wolf also. Mostly because I don't have enough time to devote to a club, and I want to be fair to any group that I might join.

I enjoy the company of others, but I also like the freedom to come and go with the hobby as I choose. My 3rd and youngest son is also getting back into the hobby , so there may be two wolves on the mainline soon.

[d&s rr]

 I am also a lone wolve. I just use the time spent on my layout to relax. No pressure, no set times, no one to please, but myself. I love the woodworking, design, electrical,problem solveing, and doing many things the old way and on the cheap. When i tore the old layout down I saved everything I could. On the new layout I am spenting very little. I feel that by playing alone I save aload of money. My lone wolf days are coming to an end, my 10 year old granddaughter is insisting on joining me. I think that is the greatest !      D&S RR

[RRCanuck]

I'm also a lone wolf, but only with respect to MRR.  I enjoy my friends and family, and even though from time to time I don't want to stop a project in order to go and socialize, after the fact I'm usually glad that I did.  It's just a question of balance.  Perhaps some day I'll look into clubs, but up to this point, I've been devoting most of my limited hobby time to my own empire, rather than a club's.  Cheers.

[jecorbett]

I am a lone wolf primarily because only one of my friends is a model railroader and he is into Lionel while I am in HO. I also moved about an hour out of Columbus, OH so it would be inconvenient for anyone I know even if they were interested. Even when I lived in Columbus, I always worked on my layout alone. Only rarely did I have guests over who would want to look at the layout and it never did get to a level that I was proud to show it off. I hope that changes when I complete my current layout which is now about half finished. If I do the second half to the level of the first, I think I will have something worth showing but that is several years away.

I never gave much thought to joining a club. I don't know why but my lifestyle was probably too hectic to be able to attend a club on a regular basis. Now I have the time but no clubs that I am aware of are nearby. My current layout was planned to be operated as a lone wolf. It could certainly accomodate a group since it's fairly large with generous aisleways. It could happen but it is not in the plans.  

I think what I like most about being a lone wolf is the autonomy. I don't have to run any changes by a committee. I can do whatever I want to the layout, whenever I want to do that. As I read a long time ago, the dictator is always right.

[Soo Line fan]

I am also a lone wolf. At work I have to interact with a lot of people. Teamwork is a must. We have electrical meetings, software meetings and any other type that could possibly be thought up.

When I get home the last thing I want to do is hang out with the boys. I enjoy the solitude and simplicity my hobby offers. It's a nice way to wind down and relax.

Jim

[Berk-fan284]

I don't belong to any clubs due to working nightshift with variable starting hours, different days off every week and often just a single day off in two weeks out of the month. It obviously isn't worth my time or effort to join any club with my work schedule and it wouldn't be worth any organization's time or effort to have my membership either. My whacko work schedule also precludes having anyone to come over and help or for me to do likewise I just don't have enough vacation time per year to use strictly for club activities.