Making Your Club Commuter Friendly
In a changing world, one may find that what was once community is becoming more centralized. You would think that as we continue to add people to our sprawling communities there would be more jobs. You would think that more entertainment choices would be waiting for you so joining a club couldn't be easier because there would be so much diversification out there just waiting for you.
When you look at how technology has changed railroading, you may think along the same wave lengths. More goods, and people to travel on the outside would mean more trains and more people working them. But technology makes things more centralized and efficient as well.
When I was young, I'd go through the various model railroad articles and seen some very impressive layouts. Utah Belt as I've mentioned was one of my favorites. I wanted to do good in school, and one day have a good career and buy a home. Well that 1st home is very close for me and I could probably buy a very cheap one with cash if I wanted to. But for now I still pay rent, and am in the process of rebuilding my career yet again.
Having that home for a layout has become irrelevant for me. Sure I loved the freedom of having everything my way, but for me virtual railroading does plenty to cure that. But there was something else I thought at one time was next to impossible. At least so that is what it appeared to me, and that was being able to operate on a club layout.
Now I seen clubs like the Chessie System and others that I remember but can't come to mind over the years. I wasn't aware of any clubs in my area at the time, and thought that it was something that was few and far between. Then I learned indeed there were clubs in my area, but were they like what I've seen or at least did they come close? I thought everyone must want to be in one and though I have belonged to clubs that imposed waiting lists, most clubs are always looking for new members for the very purpose of filling positions in sessions and filling up the bank to build more.
The first club I joined was out of Fenwick and still operates today. Even back then it was nearly 100% finished, had no card or signal system, but ran reasonably well. As I was serious into both operations and signals I could see were both would fit in. The club was a freelanced style club with a loose regional system with an operating yard, industries, and a good amount of staging. I helped bring in a computer switch list system and they still use it to this day. Had the chance to build a signal for them, though it never went beyond it after I left.
Due to transportation issues, I decided to join another club I had found out about. It was modeling Niagara prototypically but there was a strong divide in the club as to what era they were running. Eventually the politics were too much and a few of us were kicked out, and eventually others came with us to form a new club. But it too suffered in direction and politics. I came to the conclusion that there was too much politics involved in clubs, and decided to leave the hobby all together and stick to V-Scale.
Oddly enough I had the chance to visit a club an hour and a half away from me years ago on a layout tour and was impressed with what I seen. I later met online a member of that club and he told me that I should come down and operate with them. So I looked a little bit into what they were about, and I was pleasantly shocked.
I always thought that I couldn't belong to a club that was too far away because with work, going to a club in what few hours I had on their weekly meeting would be too much. Worse if they were a weekend running club, would I want to give up every weekend to run trains that far away. But I learned that this club did things a little bit differently.
This was a club that not only had weekly meetings on weeknights, but actually ran their sessions once a month. That operating session runs on a 4:1 fast clock at 24 hours which gives 6 hours of running not counting the 1 hour supper break. They operate early fall to late spring, and use the summer for major construction and maintenance. There is also a designation of associated or distant members for those outside of the local area. I've been an associated member with the Waterloo Regional Model Railroaders for just over 2 years. My memberships are half of full members, and though I don't have voting privileges my opinions do count. I've operated every position in the club. We also have an open house each year, and take part in the annual Doubleheaders Tour for the Kitchener/Waterloo/Guelph area.
As far as politics yes it happens. But not nearly as much as I have seen in past layouts. We run the CP Sudbury Division in the 1970's. Now unlike other clubs I've belonged to where it is more open, or transition era etc. to try and please everyone the prototype is standard here. We have a junk night once a year where we can run anything out of era or prototype. Members are always welcome to test out equipment outside of the sessions as well. We've got a long way to go, but we've come a long way too. Also to note we offer a 2 month trail on members to see if the club is for them. Some have never operated before, and our sessions are relatively relaxed. Being the most prototypical club I've belonged to I was surprised at how less stressful this was and was an easy choice for me to join.
Now I personally don't know of any other clubs that do this at least within reasonable distance. Considering one member travels 6 hours one way to get to a meeting, I would think probably not in Southern Ontario, and certainly not closer to me.
Our sessions are like events. For me it is easily with travel an 11 hour day, but I eat well both at the take out in the town of Maryhill for our supper break (an order is placed, and a member available will go pick it up). I usually have a snack on the way up and on the way back. We start at 4pm and usually are finished by 11pm.
So if your a modeler who is looking for a club in your area, you never know if you look around what you will find. As for other clubs, consider this an alternative. Commuting is our world seems to be getting more and more common. If your looking to grow your membership, this may be an alternative for you to entice other members to join your ranks. It's a good business model, and the standards and purpose for me takes away from politics, and lets us have fun operating our layout, and building it to the next levels.
For more information on how our club operates check out http://www.wrmrc.ca
Thanks
Sean
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Comments
My old joke comes to mind
What do you have when you have three model railroaders in one town?
TWO CLUBS!
Bruce Petrarca, DCC Impulses columnist
Learn about DCC at Mr. DCC's University:
www.MrDCCU.com
Food For Thought
Just what the doctor ordered! A most interesting article as I am the club publicity chairman here in Mechanicsburg, PA (Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society). We, too, have a once-a-month operating session and three Monday evening work sessions. Now that we finally have air conditioning and decent heating, we operate year round. Membership (active individuals) is dwindling and although we appreciate the $10 dues from non-active members, the work comes down to 8 - 10 individuals with the "hangers on" showing up for an open house but NOT volunteering to do anything and just leaving when they feel like it.
We've got to do something new and this article has prompted some critical thinking. If anyone else has other suggestions or comments, drop me a line. Many thanks.
Dave C.
Chief Operating Officer
The Greater Nickel Plate
That's hitting way too close to home...
What do you have when you have three model railroaders in one town?
TWO CLUBS!
Bruce Petrarca, DCC Impulses
So true, so true...
Modeling northern Minnesota iron ore line in HO.
Been their done that
Great comments, it almost sounded like I was talking to my self. I have always had some form of home layout only difference. I too belong to a club that is hour and a half from home. The key take away is you never stopped looking for what you wanted and reach that gold.
Art Houston
Grande Pacific RR
ahouston3@charter.net
chance encounter may have missed out
Actually if I never met up with alcoted on some of the virtual rail forums I may have never given the hobby a second chance. Now it's been over a couple years later.
It's just amazing what is out there when you look far enough. Honestly a week ago I didn't know how powerful this group was for information for the hobby.
You tend to get comfortable in what your doing and leave things in auto and the world might pass you by.
Perhaps you would of been just as happy, but your always glad the experience found you.
Thanks
Sean
Visit the HO CP Sudbury Division: www.wrmrc.ca
Railroad Transportation Simulator: railroadtransportationsimulator.webs.com