Club takes the fun out of it

J911 Sep 4, 2014

  1. J911

    J911 TrainBoard Member

    496
    31
    10
    Hello,
    Just wanted to see if anybody else has faced these issues by joining a club I just joined.

    -Model railroading is no longer fun
    (No more run nights for months)

    -If your under 60 years old you and the younger members oppinions do not count.

    -Anti Dcc and an upgrade in technology.

    One member in particular makes being apart of this club feel like a job vs. A hobby and if you speak out your told to come work more. (Mind you im at every meet puting in my share)

    -bad manners, most the members how should I put it? Don't know how to aim proper or how to close a door when doing their business......

    Did I just happen to join a doomed club? Stick it out or move on?
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,733
    653
    This can and does happen.

    Are they actually "Anti-DCC and upgrade in technology"? Sometimes there is a real cost factor holding them back.

    You can't allow them to do this to your enjoyment of the hobby. I really doubt you can change what is likely a long time entrenched bureaucracy. Fight it if you feel there is a chance, and are strong enough to endure without it destroying things for you. Most people don't have the will power which would be necessary. Myself, I'd just move on.
     
  3. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

    2,176
    98
    26
    If the majority of the members are analog, and the layout is fully wired and blocked, there is no reason to do the dcc bit. Cost for converting all of those, and the systems to run them, just ain't worth it if the system you have functions. It also makes all those folks who want to run an analog loco happy, as they aren't stuck with zero bit stretching, hum and heat.
    I have ONLY analog locos, Varney, English, Penn Line, Mantua, even early Athearn, and no desire to join a club that mandates dcc.
    If the club coffers are full, maybe, but most are not. So, conversion to suit some new, younger members is not on.
     
  4. J911

    J911 TrainBoard Member

    496
    31
    10
    The system in place is over 80 years old and majority have dcc locos. Its just some have a control issue.
     
  5. Helitac

    Helitac TrainBoard Member

    670
    325
    31
    Here it's DCC. Most members I've met are older, (35+) but are techno savvy. Manual switches, DCC locos. (Roots are a modular club.) Bobby. And no space alien crash sites.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 4, 2014
  6. J911

    J911 TrainBoard Member

    496
    31
    10
    There is only about 5 guys that are anti dcc and either have little to no equipment at the club. The rest of us are pro. We have familys and jobs so cant at the drop of a hat just appear at the club. Half of it is starting to already go DCC due to proving the point that without younger blood and losing a member every 6 months due to death or other circumstance, its not going to last much longer. It just really made me feel like I was back in the grind. I work 12 to 24 hours in emergency medicine. This was to relieve my stress and have a good time not make me feel like I picked up a second job im paying money to experience.lol
     
  7. Helitac

    Helitac TrainBoard Member

    670
    325
    31
    ^ you make a good point here. I could barely afford the initial outlay to go DCC. I was lucky to see a club that had already gone to wireless. At home I don't have that luxury. NO WAY I'd go back, it's only my opinion but when I get the chance it's wireless. If it doesn't work for you, (politics, money, that rivet counter,) it's still your hobby and you do what makes you smile. As long as they run, you smile and the time and money equation works out. I've spent a lot of years as a "Lone Wolf" and don't get the satisfaction as a couple of hours just running trains and sharing that time. That said, it's not worth a bunch of rules. SEE RULE #1 Bobby
     
  8. J911

    J911 TrainBoard Member

    496
    31
    10
    EXACTLY lol I just don't get the control issue. If you don't have equipment how can you dictate a change to a new technology from an obsolete one?
     
  9. Helitac

    Helitac TrainBoard Member

    670
    325
    31
    I don't have a big fleet, but when I put that sucker in reverse and it dings, it's worth it. Some people are afraid/unfamiliar with what's new. I'm not a Luddite but I kinda' stay with what I know. Take it in small bites, save a place for the old guys, They have their place, patience grasshopper,are those enough platitudes? Sometimes when I'm a little frustrated with it I just ask myself, could I have this much fun anywhere else? Where else can I run this train on a main like this? IT'S LATE, Bobby
     
  10. wm-webb

    wm-webb TrainBoard Member

    152
    15
    24
    Hasn't DCC been around for twenty years? When does it stop being "new technology"?
     
  11. Helitac

    Helitac TrainBoard Member

    670
    325
    31
    Soon, give us a break, it "used to be ", expensive. And required a certain amount of bravery or technical training. Bobby
     
  12. Helitac

    Helitac TrainBoard Member

    670
    325
    31
    Remember DOPPLER? Now it's common. I'm not arguing that it's better or worse , it is what it is. some people have the advantage of better technical training. Radar used to be such. Now we go faster, but we don't do a good job of training. LEARN ONE, DO ONE,TEACH ONE.

    Bobby
     
  13. J911

    J911 TrainBoard Member

    496
    31
    10
    But what gets me is all the insults though. "Get your butt down here and work, we don't need to run" well puting in 10 hour days on my day off I guess isn't enough to certain members. You also give them books or offer to teach about new technology and your shot down. In the age of cellphones but still using telegraph and crank phones.
     
  14. Helitac

    Helitac TrainBoard Member

    670
    325
    31
    And if you're feeling trapped in that place GO, It's been my experience, you're probably not alone, LA is a BIG place, this is probably not your only option. (I'm sorry I type so slow but I have an OLD GUY problem, I didn't pay attention when I was younger. Bobby And OH by the way . membership is not required except kinda' here. You know I just had a second thought, a person could start their own club, a city that size........
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 4, 2014
  15. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

    4,333
    5,037
    93
    Why are you still there? It sounds like you would have plenty of help moving on.

    Posting in the Inspection Pit would also be more appropriate for this discussion.
     
  16. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

    3,527
    2,337
    81
    -Model railroading is no longer fun, (No more run nights for months)

    I have too have experienced this in prior clubs I've associated with. Run night can't be every week, but at the very least once a month....

    -If your under 60 years old you and the younger members oppinions do not count.
    Yes I have also experienced this, more below.

    -Anti Dcc and an upgrade in technology.
    Both clubs I associated with were on DCC. One ran Digitrax and no one cared to explain how to run a digitrax system to an NCE guy. The other club ran NCE but had constant troubles due to incompetence.

    One member in particular makes being apart of this club feel like a job vs. A hobby and if you speak out your told to come work more. (Mind you im at every meet putting in my share)

    One club I was a member of was at least 50% retired guys. They often met at weird times; I would routinely be asked, "Hey, we're meeting at the club on Tuesday at 10 AM, can you come?" Uhh, hello??...I have a job, I'm neither a worthless bum nor retired! Then after 6 months probation, they pull a BS move to keep me from enjoying full member benefits because they required 50% attenance record. That was an easy club to walk away from.

    The other club was 80% guys between 40-60, all DCC-savvy. There was a vote to expand the layout, the 2/3 majority voted in favor. I voted against with about 4 or 5 other guys as the existing part of the layout was only 15-20% scenery covered. I ended up moving out of the area, but after that vote I was a castaway for the most part. Invitations stopped, social aspect diminished. Soem of the primary offenders have left the club, I've considered visited and explore rejoining but they are now a 100 mile round trip..... can't afford that weekly.
     
  17. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

    5,677
    580
    82
    This kind of mentality isn't just found in model railroading. Start doing any hobby and the uber power nerds take control and ruin everyone's fun.

    I've never felt the need for a support group. It's why I have my running layout and act like a kid at my own house.

    My advice is to meet another local model railroader or two and just have fun. Maybe you can build modules and get together for module night in someones garage or back yard. Or do a round robin running group. Small friendship circles are much more about spending time with good friends than being under some loser's dictatorship.

    My model railroad buddy moved away, sometimes instead of playing with trains we would go railfanning together or just end up sipping beers and talking crap. It was awesome.
     
  18. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,733
    653
    I do disagree with using the word "obsolete", when referencing analog. It is still readily available, being manufactured and sold. Motive power without DCC is still being commonly manufactured and sold.
     
  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,733
    653
    Under such conditions, I'd have been gone the very first day.
     
  20. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

    2,267
    3,219
    70
    Box, And of course you are entitled to your opinion. lol What if you woke up tomorrow discovered that your straight razor has actually been improved upon?

    Anyway, I've found that clubs are generally something that should be avoided. All the reasons above are valid and the only folks that are happy with their clubs are probably the 'problem.'
     

Share This Page