I’ve already posted this in CTT, but in case anyone here would like a chance to work with a large “O” layout, or help with starting an “HO” or “N” subdivision of our club, I thought I’d post here. Thank you
As stated in my many post I’m working on a club layout. It’s a nice large layout in an easy to get to location. A mall in Frackville PA. It currently is all 3 rail trains. We expect later to add some “HO” and “N” seperate layouts as time and membership allows. I know from talking to many people, that there are those out there, like me who don’t have room for a sizeable 3 rail layout in their house. The layout is far from finished, but there is enough there that people can bring and run their equipment, and can practice or learn any Model Railroading skill they’d like.
I have posted announcements on all the Model Railroad boards, we have signs up at the mall and at area hobby shops, we talk to everyone who comes in on the weekends to see it run. For the life of me we can’t get any new members. Is this a normal problem ? The closest active clubs are about 25-30 miles away and they are HO. I’m going to try to get a story in the local newspaper. Any other ideas or advice you can give me. We initially set dues at $20/month which we thought was reasonable. We do have expenses like electric, insurance, and all the various parts you need to make and maintain a layout. Right now the money is all coming out of the pockets of 2-3 members. We figure you can pay weekly if you’d like. Thats only $5 a week which is like a pack of smokes or a 6 pack bottle of beer. We do and will offer lower rates to students and seniors, and lower the dues when we have a larger membership base. People tell us they are interested and then we never hear from them, or we get the kiss of death “I need to ask my wife”
I think that unfortunately you simply have a problem with population density. Four core members may just be all you can get in that area. You might consider moving the whole club to one of the nearby cities or merging with one of the clubs already in those cities.
My wife and I used to stop at Frackville for a meal on our many trips to Syracuse from Washington, DC. What impressed us most there was the number of houses flying the American flag. I stayed at a motel there one night when I got totally rained out on my motorcycle returning from Syracuse (no wife that time); with all the trucks kicking up spray, I simply couldn’t see. Wonderful town, wonderful people.
I have read your postings and thought, how nice. The problem(s) is(are):
I do HO and N, so O/O27 not really my thing.
I live in Binghamton, NY. Though you are a drop down 81, you still are twice as far as Scranton(which is 1 1/2 hours). Being at a club late in the evening and driving back may not be so fun. Particullarly in our questionable weather, and along the 81 ridge.
There is a club here if I wanted to join one. I haven’t because I have heard the “core members”, (maybe like yours), apparently are stick-in-the-muds, exhausted and not really helpful to new members who may not know much. Apparently, if you can’t wire up a nuclear sub control panel, engineer a bridge to cross the Gibralter Straights (and in light of current events, won’t collapse), or scratch build a 16,000 square foot Victorian Mansion complete with accurate interior in 3 different scales, they may not treat you well.They seem to consider then that you have little to bring to the table, so to speak. I have heard this about this club several times from different people and in more than one place, town, county, or (local) train show.
You also look, like where I live, to be in the middle of nowhere, PA. WIthout a larger area to draw from, the club may naturally be small. I don’t know how many would make the drive from Lancaster, Reading, Harrisburg, or even Allentown/Philly, let alone Binghamton.
I would suggest adding HO an N in a hurry if you want the club to grow. If you had that, I, and perhaps others, might be more inclined to consider the drive. One scale may be a limiting factor.
Print up some fliers and drive around to any LHS’s or hobby shops with train sections. Ask the owners if you can leave a few fliers where people can see them. Check out upcoming train shows within your recruiting area. Some of them have tables at the entrance with all sorts of club fliers and announcements. Consider putting together a small photo display that can sit on a table unattended to draw attention to your fliers.
The good thing is that your members don’t sound at all like those in point 3 of galaxy’s post.
$20/month dues sounds reasonable to me for any group that has to maintain a space.
Three-rail O is somewhat of a niche interest. It’s more expensive to get into, unless you happen to have some Lionel gear sitting around. But it’s also what the existing members want, so I wouldn’t argue for jettisoning it. But it is an argument for having at least a small test layout in HO, N or both.
I agree, your distance and interest don’t make you a good candidate. But our club possibly had that reputation in the past. But we took over with a brand new crew since last January. If you breath, have an interest in learning and working, can play well with others your in. If your a prima donna, a rivet counter, or just like to argue points or stand and watch, keep on walking we don’t need your stinkin help. Thanks for your input. Wish you lived closer. Maybe I need to move my “N” scale layout to the mall. Dave
Thanks for your input. Wish you lived closer. Maybe I need to move my “N” scale layout to the mall. Dave