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Super User 1,277 posts ChrisNH Super User 1,277 posts
ChrisNH

Hi,

I don't have pics, so I will keep this short..

I am a member of a round robin group called "The Seacoast N-Scalers" here in Southeast NH. It has proved to be a tremendously enjoyable group. Everyone is relatively local which has made travel easy. While we mostly visit the same large "operating" layout, we from time to time we visit one of the other member's layouts. In my case, we were visiting another member's mostly empty basement.

I had some reservations. I have a tiny layout that is only partially complete. I have an unfinished basement which, while pleasant, is not exactly a high-end layout room. I shouldn't have worried. Several hours passed enjoyably. There was much discussion on my scenery work since I am the only member to be going full blast into scenery right now. There was much discussion about my future layout plans as well as helpful observations and assessments about some obstacles I had not given sufficient thought to in my current design.

I also showed everyone my tree making technique (aka "Joe Trees"). The night before I put some trees in different stages of completion so the guys could see each step. I had each person make their own tree as well. I think that while I didn't have any "operations" to show off.. my clinic really provided some content to the session. My wife making snicker-doodles and chocolate cake didn't hurt either.

The lesson here is to not be shy to host visitors even if you have little to show. Model Railroaders are a gregarious lot and you can easily while away several hours in enjoyable conversation. You might even get feedback about things you had not considered.. like leaving 2 feet of clearance to turn a wrench on the pipe fitting leading to the septic system.

 

Regards,

 

Chris

“If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.”           My modest progress Blog
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kcsphil1 Prolific poster 1,233 posts
kcsphil1

Good for you!

I'm probably going to that this fall with some of the guys I am slowly becoming acquainted with around here.  I just need a bit more to show them. And the snickerdoodles tip is worth its weight in gold.

Philip H. Chief Everything Officer Baton Rouge Southern Railroad, Mount Rainier Div.

"You can't just "Field of Dreams" it... not matter how James Earl Jones your voice is..." ~ my wife

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CPrail New member 4 posts
CPrail

Yes sounds like a great time,

Yes sounds like a great time, We do the same here with our club we meet every Saturday of the year at another members layout and see each others progress, I firmly beleive that this process has helped us all keep the progress on our layouts constantly moving forward, and once year in June we have an Open house for all the Model railroad buddies that live in our part of the province to come and see our layouts and do some talking and trading and then a nice big BBQ for everyone,   it has made some very long and lasting freindships over the years.

Mike
Mike G Southern Interior & Cascades Model Railroad.
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kcsphil1 Prolific poster 1,233 posts
kcsphil1

And then there's the virtual club

that we all belong to here.  Chris, I hope that you'll consider posting pictures of these operating and clinic sessions, not only from your own road, but others you visit.  The MRH site (along with one or two other you and I seem to frequent [Railwire]) is a treasure trove of modelling insight from all over the world.  In that sense, if and when we all add pictures and videos of our work, we add everyone here as a "member" of our round robin group, and thus we're able to benefit from that treasure as we go forward in our modelling.

 

Philip H. Chief Everything Officer Baton Rouge Southern Railroad, Mount Rainier Div.

"You can't just "Field of Dreams" it... not matter how James Earl Jones your voice is..." ~ my wife

My Blog Index
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ChrisNH Super User 1,277 posts
ChrisNH

Soon..

Quote:

I hope that you'll consider posting pictures of these operating and clinic sessions, not only from your own road, but others you visit.

I am hoping to do so soon. Its a bit of a distraction to take photos during an op session, even ones as relaxed as ours. Still, its something I want to do in the near future.

I do get a lot of value from the "virtual club" and I think the Internet has really changed the way people think about model railroading. There is no such thing as a true "Lone Wolf" modeler. I think in the end its going to make for a very strong and vibrant hobby regardless of how many people are perceived to be pursuing it.

Chris

“If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.”           My modest progress Blog
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Bill Lewis New member 16 posts
Bill Lewis

sounds like fun

I'd realy like to find something like that hear on the west coast but at least we have alot of clubs around with some helpful members
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rickwade Prolific poster (deceased) 6,447 posts
rickwade

Good stuff

Chris,

Good stuff - thanks for sharing.  You are right on in sharing.  The important thing is to just do it, and don't worry about how your layout (or anybody else's) compares.  The fun is in helping each other, running trains (if possible) kidding each other (nicely) and enjoying the hobby.

Rick

Rick

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The Richlawn Railroad Website - Featuring the L&N in HO  / MRH Blog  / MRM #123

Mt. 22: 37- 40
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