Why do people join model railway clubs in 2017

[TEAMYAKIMA]

I realise that there have been similar questions before, but I want to ask the question in a slightly different way.

 

I am aware that most model railway clubs are finding it difficult to attract new memebers - and that goes for many other 'traditional' hobby groups.

 

I am aware that the average age of us modellers is getting higher and higher and that has a bearing with regards humping baseboards layouts around if you have to set them up and take them down each week - assuming you don't have permanent layouts and a permanent clubroom.

 

I am aware that much info that used to be gained on club nights from other club members can now be obtained far quicker via the internet.

 

So why do people still join clubs?

 

Some suggestions.....please add your own

 

1. To join a team building a 'high class' exhibition layout that will be exhibited around the country. Maybe a large layout that would be too ambitious for a lone modeller.

 

2. To operate a layout not on the exhibition circuit but in the clubroom. Maybe a permanent layout that doesn't need setting up and taking down each week

 

3. Purely social - to meet and talk to fellow modellers in the flesh rather than via the web.

 

If you have joined a club recently what was it that made you take the plunge?

Edited July 25, 2017 by TEAMYAKIMA

[jjb1970]

When I was in a club it was a combination of 2 & 3, I had zero interest in 1. That caused friction in the club as membership seemed to be split between those who wanted the club to concentrate on a club layout that members could use and others who viewed the layout purely as an exhibition layout.

[TEAMYAKIMA]

When I was in a club it was a combination of 2 & 3, I had zero interest in 1. That caused friction in the club as membership seemed to be split between those who wanted the club to concentrate on a club layout that members could use and others who viewed the layout purely as an exhibition layout.

Very interesting comments - thanks

[chris p bacon]

The club I belong to is based on Option 1 although 3 plays a big part.

 

New members are made aware that we only do 'club build' and apart from an odd one it seems to work ok.

['CHARD]

 

I am aware that the average age of us modellers is getting higher and higher and that has a bearing with regards humping layouts up and down.

 

 

I think there are pills now that take care of this pastime.  

[black and decker boy]

3 and as time permits 1 plus learning skills etc for my own exhibition layout

 

Definitely not 2

[Dungrange]

As the secretary of my local model model railway club, we have members that fit into all of these categories.  We don't have a permanent layout and all layouts are built in the club rooms with the intention of exhibiting them. However, we tend to have a layout erected in the club rooms most of the time either for testing or repairs prior to exhibiting or if there is no upcoming exhibition, purely for operating sessions.  Some of the membership actively participate in construction, whilst others tend to focus on socialising.  Some members tend to frequent the club rooms when a particular layout is erected and much less at other times.

 

My primary reason for joining the club, albeit about 15 years ago now, was the opportunity to run trains on layout far bigger than I'll ever have at home.  Yes, my stock is out of period, but that doesn't matter on a testing / operating sessions in the club rooms. 

[bike2steam]

I realise that there have been similar questions before, but I want to ask the question in a slightly different way.

 

I am aware that most model raiulway clubs are finding it difficult to attract new memebers - and that goes for many other 'traditional' hobby groups.

 

I am aware that the average age of us modellers is getting higher and higher and that has a bearing with regards humping layouts up and down.

 

I am aware that much info that used to be gained on club nights from other club members can now be obtained far quicker via the internet.

 

So why do people still join clubs?

 

Some suggestions.....please add your own

 

1. To join a team building a high class exhibition layout that will be exhibited around the country. Maybe a large layout that would be too ambitious for a lone modeller.

 

2. To operate a layout not on the exhibition circuit but in the clubroom. Maybe a permanent layout that doesn't need setting up and taking down each week

 

3. Purely social - to meet and talk to fellow modellers in the flesh rather than via the web.

 

If you have joined a club recently what was it that made you take the plunge?

At Blandford it's definitely 1 & 3, but substitute 'high class' (sounds a bit elitist) with 'presentable and operationally interesting', 2 is just a useful test track for those without a layout who want to run their locos. Our club also arranges days out and film/slide shows and not always just railways.

[The Johnster]

I joined a club many years ago for some of the above reasons, but also to be able to avail myself of a wider set of skills and abilities than I had myself to assist in the construction of my own layout.  The club, a very small one that soon after more accurately began to describe itself as a group, were willing to accept me on that basis as i had skillsets of my own that I could 'trade'.  There was also a mutual benefit in the sharing of tools and equipment; a power jig saw, for example, was not worth buying for the small amount of work I had at home for it on the layout, but the club owned one.  There was an understanding that a layout that the group had helped to build, while belonging to and the property of an individual member, would be available for exhibition as a group layout, and in due course my layout was so built and exhibited. I was with this group for some 15 years.  So much for why I joined. 

 

I left for different reasons; I found exhibiting not only very hard work but very stressful and mentally exhausting, and the prime purpose of a hobby is to have fun, which I wasn't.  On a personal life front I was entering what I will describe here as an unsettled period which led to my not being an active modeller for a quarter of a century while I carted a residual collection of models around a variety of greasy bedists and dodgy flats, to take up the reins again last autumn.  A change in direction of group policy and a minor personality clash meant that I would probably have left not long after I did anyway.  I have set ideas about how a layout should be operated which were at variance with those of the main body of group members'.  At the time, the group's premises were a bit rough, and unheated in winter, something I was no longer prepared to accept; they moved to better ones shortly afterwards, and are still going and exhibiting, but I believe do not have premises at the moment.

 

I have no interest in or desire to be involved with a club whose sole purpose is to construct and and exhibit a layout while building the next one whose sole purpose is to be exhibited; it feels too much like a treadmill to me.  I would be interested in joining a club for socialising with fellow modellers, and availing myself of a club library, facilities, and jointly owned tools and equipment, but as far as I am aware no such club exists in my area.  Premises are the big problem, of course, and my ideal club would have permanent, comfortable ones, with a lounge/library research area, workshop, and a permanent test track which could be a permanent layout for operating sessions.  It would have sufficient members paying subscriptions to not be dependent on exhibiting, but could have an exhibiting section if it wanted; it would also have sufficient members for only those members interested in exhibiting to man the exhibition transport, setting up, operation, and taking down; I've done my share and want no more...

 

As I say, such a club is not available to me and I have no expectation that one will be; I am quite happy with this state of affairs and plod on with a layout whose purpose is to satisfy my own requirements and to have fun with.  This forum provides some of my desired 'perfect club' functions to an extent.

Edited July 24, 2017 by The Johnster

[TEAMYAKIMA]

The club I belong to hires a scout hut once a week and so has no permanent layout and so any layout has to be taken out of storage, set up, wired up and the opposite 90 minutes later.

 

With our aging membership (like most clubs I believe) I could imagine that clubs with a permanent layout would do well - just turn up, turn on and run.

[Guius]

Johnster,

I hope you have a more settled life now and enjoying your modelling once again.

 

Best wishes to you

 

Guy

[darrel]

I think there are a number of reasons,

the social aspect meeting like minded people.

Being able to build and operate a much larger layout than most of us could build in the house

Learning new skills

Sharing skills to build a layout. In our club some people are good at electrics others are good at scenery, others at kit building etc.

[TEAMYAKIMA]

I think there are a number of reasons,

the social aspect meeting like minded people.

Being able to build and operate a much larger layout than most of us could build in the house

Learning new skills

Sharing skills to build a layout. In our club some people are good at electrics others are good at scenery, others at kit building etc.

 

As the OP, I guess it's coming down to what role a permanent layout might play in attracting new members. At 64 I'm getting to the point where a club with a permanent layout is quite attractive to me - no setting up and taking down.  A big test track type layout in OO with some typical scenery would suit me nicely - I'll do better and more location/period specific at home, but a non-specific large tail-chaser that's just RTU (ready to use!) would suit me at this time in my life.

[Happy Hippo]

I joined a club to get modelling motivation and to improve my modelling skills.

 

I left the club when I realised that I was spending most of my time trying to motivate other members to improve their modelling skills.

 

I'm now a member of a small group of like minded modellers who are striving to motivate each other and and improve our existing skills.

 

And we are having fun and enjoying ourselves.

[w124bob]

Option 4, to escape from SWMBO! It helps that I live less than 10 mins walk from the hall. I have no connection with any of the layouts so mostly it's just a social thing for me.

[NoelG]

The success of forums such as this, and youtube may be a contributory factor why less folk join clubs.  Folks can get easier access to modelling information and skills knowledge online.  Not quite the same as 'hands on' or the social aspect for some.

[Zomboid]

Option 2 for me. I've no interest in exhibiting, and I'm not outgoing enough for it to be about socialising. The club I attend does a modular setup most months, which means that I can play on a much bigger train set than I can at home, and the modular nature means it's a different layout every month which prevents it getting stale (even though I recognise most of the components from one month to the next - my current project is something to contribute to the setup).

 

The club also has a large roundy layout where huge trains can circulate, but I'm not into that kind of thing so I don't get involved with it.

 

I used to go to a different club who were building an exhibition layout, but I didn't have much in the way of skills to offer, and never really felt like I was contributing much, so when life got in the way and I couldn't go for a while I never found the motivation to go back when I did have the time again.

Edited July 25, 2017 by Zomboid

[The Johnster]

Johnster,

I hope you have a more settled life now and enjoying your modelling once again.

 

Best wishes to you

 

Guy

 

I have and I am, Guy, thank you for your good wishes.  It was a long struggle, but things are much better now.  A lesson in never giving up, perhaps, not that I am especially determined or stoic, more too stupid to realise when I'm beaten.  Your support is appreciated; have you perhaps 'been there'?  Not wishing to pry, but if so glad you are in a more settled situation as well, brother.

[Edge]

I tired to join a club in my area, and unfortunately found it full of factional crybabies who actually threw things about when they lost two inches from the backscene depth of their layout to allow for wheelchair access. At this point, I decided that this wasnt for me.

[bike2steam]

I tired to join a club in my area, and unfortunately found it full of factional crybabies who actually threw things about when they lost two inches from the backscene depth of their layout to allow for wheelchair access. At this point, I decided that this wasnt for me.

Seems somewhat a little extreme, I'm glad to say having been a member of clubs in Ongar, Chelmsford, Wimborne, and now Blandford, I've never experienced such juvenile behaviour, and I'd certainly let them know if I did.

[David Bigcheeseplant]

I have been a member of the Risborough & District MRC from 1980 when I joined as a junior member, like anything it has changed and developed over the years and now has the largest membership in its history and has just been granted charitable status.

 

I am involved with a club layout but also do my own thing too, I have made a lot of good friends over the years and as a club we do socilise well too go for meals drinks etc.

 

We also run courses for members like DCC, weathering, hand built trackwork, I ran a course of 3D design last weekend and I think these corse benifit the membership if there is something that intersts you.  

 

David

[Andy Hayter]

I am not sure that I am fully qualified to answer given that I have not just recently joined a club.

 

I was ( and still am as a notional country member) a member of a club and left (as full time member) purely due to geography ( a posting abroad).  My current options present a club that is a two hour round trip to attend which is a bit much.  So I am currently a notional member of a UK club but in reality am a sole modeller.

 

One aspect not specifically mentioned - and probably a sub-set of option 2 - is the ability to run more scale length trains than you can at home.  How many have a King, an A4, A Duchesse etc who at home can at best run a 4 coach train (and probably only 3 coach).  The club layout may well give the option to hook up all of those coaches and run something closer to reality.

 

I always found exhibitions interesting and worthwhile to build layouts for; but I will accept that they can be (usually are) stressful and very tiring - so now 20 years on from my last one, perhaps would be a bit much.  Not so sure about that since my OH and I do exhibit at our village fete.  But whether you enjoy or not exhibiting is going to be a very personal thing.  

 

At my old club the pluses where the crack, learning form others, teaching others, and having joint projects that we could collectively progress.

[Horsetan]

.....why do people still join clubs?

 

Some suggestions.....please add your own

 

1. To join a team building a 'high class' exhibition layout that will be exhibited around the country. Maybe a large layout that would be too ambitious for a lone modeller.

 

2. To operate a layout not on the exhibition circuit but in the clubroom. Maybe a permanent layout that doesn't need setting up and taking down each week

 

3. Purely social - to meet and talk to fellow modellers in the flesh rather than via the web.

 

If you have joined a club recently what was it that made you take the plunge?

 

None of the above. I was press-ganged by the then Chairman into joining after turning up to an Open Day.

 

I tried to make a point of going to the meetings which involved modelling activity, i.e. bring your current work / project / disaster (delete that which does not apply) with you and see if you can advance it a bit further, rather than talks or film shows.

 

The Group only meets once a month but, increasingly due to work commitments, I am having difficulty even meeting that modest requirement of turning up on a Monday evening.

[locomad]

The success of forums such as this, and youtube may be a contributory factor why less folk join clubs.  Folks can get easier access to modelling information and skills knowledge online.  Not quite the same as 'hands on' or the social aspect for some.

Quite agree forums and YouTube are available 24/7, your stuck doing something at 1 in the morning quick check on forum ( chance has it someone else has same problem as fixed), or someone put the problem on YouTube and solved it.

 

It's the DIY tube clips which is interesting far more easy to follow than say something written down or in a book.

[Suzie]

I find that for me joining a club is about meeting people who are doers with a range of skills. I can turn my hand to a lot of things, but unless it involves electricity I tend not to be in the skilled class. It is nice to be part of a team that is achieving something way beyond what an individual could achieve and I think it is the teamwork that motivates me to join a club.

 

I would not join a club that was either luddite (clockwork/pushalong/DC etc.) or one that was primarily a social gathering.