I would like to know what fellow modelers would want to see in a nationwide model railroading organization? What kind of member services, benefits would you want? What would that Group offer that would make you join? What would keep you being a member over the long term? What would you be willing to pay for those service/benefits? Etc. Etc. Looking for constructive opinion and ideas. Many thanks in advance for your time, consideration and reply. MRH
Yes and no. @RGW - I have to ask why do you ask? I am not a joiner of anything in particular. but given an opportunity to to create something in my own image it would likely be very self serving. I'm not greedy but at 60yo I want what I want.
Because there is a vast array of model railroaders who choose, for whatever reason, not to be a part of any current association and I want to see if there is a format that would entice people to join a new group if it were made in a different image, different focus, different priorities.
It would be an organization dedicated to better consumer-oriented standards, like printing the minimum curve radius on the box of every locomotive and rolling stock, for instance. Or having a standard-sized draft gear box for N scale body-mounted couplers.
Humm, I'm thinking I should probably stay out of this one. Some may not want to hear what I have to say. Well, I mean I've been asked to stop beating my war drums by some of the best. Allow me to beat those drums once again while I step up on my soap box. If I had the power and persuasion to start another model railroading organization. I'd be looking for numbers with membership from as many model railroaders as we could muster. I would push for a prototype group that would use the verbiage and lingo of the Rails. Recognizing that not all layouts are built in the USA and may indeed reflect the country the owner lives in. Encouraging such participants to learn the lingo of the Rails in the country they best represent. However, it would not allow Rail Lingo from one country to over lap into another. IE., Turnout, it's not called a turnout by American Rails, it is a Switch. For those who wish to operate like the real railroads then let's operate and sound like the real railroads. Lingo it's all about lingo. We would be a group that got rid of the minimum tight radius curves and promoted correctness in scale when it comes to tracks and the degree of curves used by the 1:1 foot scale. Leaving the tight radius curves to the toy train enthusiast. It would recognize modelers in the prototype circle for their accomplishments without the need for builders categories, IE., Master..... Changing gears: Now for the Toy Train enthusiast, anything goes. Recognition for three rail layouts and tight radius curves. But let's not mix the two up. On the flip side, we could be: Those that recognize that in today's world of trains any train we operate on a wide variety or assortment of layouts are nothing more then toy trains or at best caricatures. To encourage all forms of Toy Train Layouts and Model Railroads. Recognizing all degrees of transition from one to the other as toy trains to model railroading. Downside: If you are serious about organizing another Model Railroading Group. Consider that the waters divided may lead you across the river but leaves the waters muddied and diluted. There is strength in numbers and that's what's worked so well for the NMRA. Just my two cents worth. Looks like I need to duck and run.
Thanks Rick. The NMRA doesn't have numbers, and what it does have is slowly eroding due to age, disinterest.
Agreed!!!!!!!!! NMRA has served well to set standards and act as an advocate for the hobby. BUT balked on to many occasions with various issues failing to move forward. The NMRA president has said in several of the NMRA wig wags that he us unhappy with the direction the members want to take it. Not sure what direction that is but there are those in their ranks that want change. I would be a NMRA member if I could first but afford it. Being on a set income limits my budgeting options. Next if they would recognize the youngsters and allow them full fledgling membership and not just a Jr. Membership. The future of this hobby rests in their hands. Numbers, you may have numbers on your side and organizing this may take time. We could set up districts as do the real railroads and start with the grass root modeler/hobbyist. Keeping things simple and not stupid. Count me in... if as a group we decide to move ahead.
I think the days of dues paying member orgs are largely dead and gone. Why bother when we have the Internet? Sure we lose the standards setting, but the average MRR doesn't even understand that NMRA does that.
Any organization which exists needs to acknowledge communications from members. And do so as soon as possible. If the activity volume is such that they fall behind, they are understaffed. Paid, or "volunteer". I know of many times someone joined, and never heard another word. No publication received, no answers to inquiries.... This spells trouble, and evolves into bruised reputation. Also, as I mentioned the word "volunteer", the definition of that word needs to be thoroughly understood. You are an uncompensated worker, where "work" equals "job". You have taken on a job. Just like any other job, if you have an assigned task, it needs to be done expeditiously.
Yoho, I disagree. One of the strong points of association is bringing like minded and diverse people together to enjoy the hobby. To share experiences, work the hobby together, enjoy the fruits of the labor. Going to others layouts, helping or being helped to build yours/theirs. There is much to be said and done to enjoy the hobby in person that cannot be achieved electronically.
Again I agree with Michael H. The camaraderie of the small group of BVMR's here in Big Bear Country has added much to the enjoyment of the hobby. We get together at any number of home layouts and either have a work bee or operations night. Loads of fun and the advice runs freely. Some of it accepted, some ignored and some cast aside and maybe resurrected later. One other thing I'm not at all happy with is the toy train and model railroad wig wags (magazines). They keep moving away from railroading to create their own sub-culture. That's fine for the toy train enthusiast but for those of striving to duplicate in miniature the real railroads. Aii-yii-yii! The internet is not the answer but a good place to start. We need meets, open houses, rail tours, work or mainteance nights and of course those operations nights. We don't have to all agree 100% of the time and we can agree to disagree without being disagreeable. I hope! Where do we go from here?
You misunderstand. I agree with you that such orgs have value. I'm just saying that the bulk of people don't see it that way. They don't understand. Of course, it helps if the org moves a little faster. Where is the NMRA on n-trak, t-trak and fremo. Standards which did not come from their standards committees.
Those are all independent groups, whose standards evolved outside of anything NMRA. All being very successful, I doubt they'd feel any need to associate with, or become part of another organization.
Yoho, simply put, they are struggling to find a way to work with any of those you mention. They have so many self created challenges there, I'm unconvinced they'll figure it out.
Ken, therein lies the ultimate point. The org needs to be responsive and proactive to the needs/wishes of the membership. Absent that it has no principle worth discussing.
May I add my half pennies worth as a noob? So far you guys each put up great talking points. I think the fear is that the hobby is in decline. I wouldn't say it's in decline, more in a flux. I have to agree that it feels as if the nmra and its partners. The magazines, etc are going in a different direction, slowly abandonning it's charters in which it was founded, as well as increasing the "exclusitivity," of it's targetted choice of members, leaving many out in the cold. The nmra did some great things for the hobby by holding manufacturers of the products we use to a standard. Thats no small, nor inexpensive feat. I only hope either they, or a new, burgeoning organization can do the same, if not more. Growing our youths interest and passion in the hobby is a must. As it was said, plain and simple... They are the future of the hobby. Sadly... if you have read some comments in other forums. I haven't seen any comments like these on this one yet, but... Alot of the older generation really shows some disdain towards the young kids either in the hobby, or.. future young kids that may take an interest. One of the comments that struck me: "They are clueless as to what this hobby represents or what it's about." In my opinion... That's a very self serving, arrogant comment to make. Any reasons to get into any hobby are numerous. As you all know. I'm not sure I'd make a "toy train," category though.. lol! We all know it is but that label alone is one that will kill interest I think. Remember not all of us have the room to make the nice, big layouts where we can model a true prototype. Maybe call it freelance, or, non-protypical. I for one would be kind of insulted, having thrown a bunch of money on something to be considered a toy train... I might as well be modeling thomas the tank in that case. It would be far less money! I think a new organization would be a good thing, but... A whole pile of work. To increase the member base would require not only lot's of advertisement, (which isn't free.) A lot of leg work contacting existing local clubs to drum up their interest, possibly organizing new clubs, etc... I see quite a few from my state and even a few locally just on this forum alone. Yet there are only 2 clubs here in the springs. One HO... which I've been to on their meeting days. They aren't real friendly, nor are they real enthused to help much less talk to noobs in the hobby. The other is a n scale modular club. I'm nowhere near the point of doing that. I'm cutting my teeth on this layout, learning from my noob mistakes and asking lot's of questions here. Noob questions albeit, but questions nonetheless, to learn and hopefully mitigate mistakes. I'm a member of a couple of clubs in other hobbies. The tropical fishkeeping hobby is just as in as much flux as this one. It's hard to get people of any age enthused about tropical fishkeeping. And at least 3 of the reasons parallel the train hobby. time, space, and most of all, cost. My other club is going very strong, with new members by the day, they have even subdivided into smaller clubs. Mustang Club of America, for Ford Mustang owners. The smaller club of that for me is the Grey Mustang Registry. Both have yearly dues, both offer great percs to members. Percs that save money. So if you use those percs, it pays for the membership quite quickly. Now, back to the young folk... Our gaming generation. Some may hate me saying this but I think the technology is going to be the most interesting thing to a majority of them. I'll freely admit the capabilities of dcc was part of what drew me back. Huge leaps since 1978! Anyway that's my opening comments. Feel free to tell me to remain silent!! Lol
Two thoughts on the thread so far. To the point of standards, the average modeller may not be well acquainted (or even familiar) with them, but I'd counter, sort of, that the manufacturers are aware and that's really the point. The ability to take any two pieces, from any manufacturer, and plunk them down together is not to be underestimated. As for NMRA, never having been a member I can't speak from "inside." There is a tendency, though, for any such grouping to become hide-bound over time. Groups of people are no different from individuals in this regard, becoming set in their ways over time.
