[MacDaddy55]

My LHS is renting out to the Green Bay Area Model Railroad Club and I just picked up an application for membership. The Dues don't look too bad $10.00 new applicant and $60.00 for the year. I guess with the kids in college and a little free time it sounds very dooable. They have the bench work, track, and some scenery down and are looking for fresh ideas or help. My wife has already given her blessing so it looks like a go. Do any of you guys belong to Clubs or associations? What are the advantages or disadvantages of joining?

 

[Reckers]

I don't, but have nothing against it. It's just the scale I run is kinda short on players---clubs seem to be O, HO, and N gauge.

 

[MacDaddy55]

No Man Is An Island!

Yeah Reck I see your point. I'm about 45min. away from GB and as far as I know the only other model railroad guys in HO scale are myself, the president of a local manufacturer and a retired sheetmetal worker in Sturgeon Bay. Other than you guys I can't give or take ideas on model railroading. So as a new outlet/inlet for info. this seems like a good idea. I guess I'll have to adjust my schedule at work so I can go to meetings(Third Thursday for regular business and other Thursdays for actual work on the layout. Besides that the LHS has clinics on various topics that could be beneficial. Plus I can go to the big citylaugh::laugh more than once every Blue Moon!

 

[ALCOS4EVER]

Model railroad clubs are like any other social group. The members make it or break it. I am the member of a large very active club with great people. It's interesting and fun. I was also the member and past officer of another club. As time passed and members changed the club changed and was no longer fun or interesting so I left after fourteen years. Visit first if you can to see how the members are and if they are doing things that interest you. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Big Ed]

Yeah Reck I see your point. I'm about 45min. away from GB and as far as I know the only other model railroad guys in HO scale are myself, the president of a local manufacturer and a retired sheetmetal worker in Sturgeon Bay. Other than you guys I can't give or take ideas on model railroading. So as a new outlet/inlet for info. this seems like a good idea. I guess I'll have to adjust my schedule at work so I can go to meetings(Third Thursday for regular business and other Thursdays for actual work on the layout. Besides that the LHS has clinics on various topics that could be beneficial. Plus I can go to the big citylaugh::laugh more than once every Blue Moon!

To bad you couldn't take the train to the meetings.:laugh:

Quote..................and ......................Copy,

"Model railroad clubs are like any other social group. The members make it or break it. I am the member of a large very active club with great people. It's interesting and fun. I was also the member and past officer of another club. As time passed and members changed the club changed and was no longer fun or interesting so I left after fourteen years. Visit first if you can to see how the members are and if they are doing things that interest you. Good luck and have fun."

That sounds like a good idea.
A two or three trial meeting to see what your getting into.
Some I hear are a zoo!

Does the $60 bucks get you a free meal and beverage at the meetings?:laugh:
What do you get for your buck?

I never belonged to a RR club.

 

[tkruger]

I would try one if there was one in kmy area. I used to run RC cars untill I had kids. The club wasanice way to getout.

 

[shaygetz]

I quite enjoyed the one I was in until three events kicked in...

...gas went to nearly $4 a gallon, leaving me to spend $20 a night just to go to a meeting.

...one of the members had an objection to me running Thomas the Tank Engine during open houses and trains shows---didn't like him going through his expensive module. As in all things club, a vote had to be taken...we "won" but I never ran Thomas again. Just a sad episode all around.

...the clincher was a remark overheard coming from two senior members in regards to my modified Rivarossi steam locos (putting DCC in 40 year old locos is a bit of a trick) and TYCO, Bachmann, Life-Like rolling stock...something along the lines of, "Why don't he get a real job so he can buy real trains to run on this layout?" I could have gotten ugly, but I just quietly left, never looking back.

I still send folks there and even have a link to their website on my blog, I even visit their open houses and stop by to visit at train shows, but it will probably be awhile before I do the club thing again.

 

[randall_l]

No club membership here, but once I actually start putting scenery on, I'll make up a poster to post in the grocery store (the only one in town) to try to put together a local group--maybe not so grand as a club.

With a population of just over 1600, there's probably not too many. I know of 3. Only one in N, other two are HO and G.

It'd be nice to sit down with a bunch of folks, drink beer and talk railroading.

Cheers!
Randall

 

[ALCOS4EVER]

Organizing a local group may be a little work but it definitely might be worth it. Don't be worried about living in a small town. I have always said model railroading is the biggest "underground" hobby there is. You might be surprised how many model railroaders there are until you ask around.