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Mastermind Group and the 'Real Modellers Group'. Journals/Blogs
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New member 6 posts LEIGHDRUMS New member 6 posts
LEIGHDRUMS
I was really interested to read the article about forming 'Mastermind Groups'. Here in England, U.K, four of us recently formed a 'Real Modellers Group' (RMG). This was to bring together like minded modellers that wanted to talk modelling and actually model, hence the term 'Real Modellers'. Also, modellers who are interested in investigating new techniques and take a genuine interest in what the other members of the group are trying to achieve and are not averse to good helpful comments being made about their modelling. Many groups become a social talking shop about almost everything but modelling. Our first meeting was held in January at one of our members home and was an instant success. Yes, there was constructive critique and praise. The other three members took along a model or ideas to generate discussion. It may all sound very serious but some comments can be quite comical and it turned out to be a great evening. Since the meeting we have contacted each other by email sending pictures of models in progress etc. This has definitely helped with our own modelling projects but it is important that nobody feels under any pressure to produce a finished model for the next meeting. Our meetings will probably be at intervals of about six weeks apart so that we can concentrate on our modelling and keep ideas/discussions fresh. Try it - it is working for us! Regards LEIGH CLARK
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tomebe Active Member 71 posts
tomebe

mastermind groups

Several years ago a new railroading friend needed help completing his modeling project. He had built an impressive UP 50's era layout and was filling it with custom freight cars, and many scatchbuilt building projects, all in the most precise and fantastic level of detail. By trade he is a design engineer and so this part of his empire although challenging was accomplished. What he couldn't do very well was envision backdrops and scenery. I volunteered to help and we completed his layout to a fairly good level of detail in time for the Sacramento NMRA convention a couple of years back.

Switch to 2010 after about 8 or 9 months of scenery and backdrop painting on the Summit County lines to my own Placerville Branch project. What I lacked was a good mechanical background with solid techniques for track layout and track laying. So we switched roles. My Rr buddy often tells me that without me he would never have the railroad he has today, which many in our area have enjoyed operating over the last couple of years. Now once of week I enjoy his company, and yes criticism's and the track laying gang is just getting ready to start on the last town of Placerville, Ca. I couldn't have done it without him, as he couldn't have done it without me, at least to the quality and skill level that are our strengths. I even lay my own track on occasion and he certainly has done more then his share of scenery. Its a great symbiotic relationship and we both benefit from it.

Tom Ebert

Auburn, Ca.
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