Is this a worth while thing to do? The price seems kinda steep, $45 US but if its worth while and if it has a source of information for a new modeler then I think I’ll join. Any feedback will be appreciated,
Dave
You can get practically all of the same information free from various sources on the Internet, even from the NMRA Web site, so whether or not you think it would be worth the cost of membership is solely your decision.
I belonged to the NMRA for over 10 years but let it expire this year because it has become too oriented toward overly praising a few select members and ignoring everyone else.
We’ve batted this around many times (pro vs con NMRA). It’s a personal decision. Try it, see if you like it. If not, just let it expire.
The conventions and regionals and local chapters make it well worth the price (IMHO).
So how does that work. In order to join the region section you have to be a member of the “big one” or what?
Noah
Yes, Noah, you must join the National before you can officially become a member of a Region or a local Division (usually at extra cost). Changes are afoot to create a single dues structure so that one annual fee covers membership in all levels but the process will almost certainly result in a further rise in dues, whether you take part in these subdivisions or not.
As to TA462’s question, if you happen to live in an area with an active Region and a nearby local Division and you choose to participate in these, you may feel you are getting your money’s worth. In many areas of the country this will not be the situation. Unless you are willing to travel long distances and spend big money to attend the conventions, you won’t get very much return on your dues dollar from the National.
I was a member for many years but dropped out at the time of the last dues hike for a number of reasons, including not liking the way the National was handling financial matters.
CNJ831
I might consider joining too as I’d like to belong to the local division. Although the price is high, I might try it for a year or two.
Noah
Although I am not a member, I think some of the greatest benefits that have come from the NMRA are the industry standards. This has been a great benefit for consistent track standards and DCC standards among manufacturers.
However, I think some new blood with an eye toward growing the organization and changing paradigms would be in order. I think the “Worlds Greatest Hobby” campaign was a fresh idea which has helped to grow the hobby. I think the NMRA could use some fresh ideas.
I have been a member for over 30 years. I think it is worth it, for the standards work that they do plus the couple of division meets I have been to have been fun. I also like the special car series they are doing. They have also set up a library of railroad books which will provide information for authors, model makers, etc.
Enjoy
Paul
I have been a member of the NMRA since 1980 and have watched a number of changes take place. Some were for the worse and, lately, there have been great efforts to revitalize the NMRA.
My opinion? I am in a very active division that reaches out to all modelers whether NMRA or not. The result is that after a low of about 275 members in the division, we are now back to over 300 even as the total membership has declined slightly. This in spite of people leaving the area due to moves, death or just dropping the hobby. Our division charges no dues. As long as you are a member of the NMRA, you are a member of the CID (Central Indiana Division). We stress modeling and fellowship, meet other people who share you interests in model railroading.
Why support the NMRA? Because the NMRA supports the hobby and has worked and continues to work toward seeing to it that your locomotive and rolling stock will work on virtually any model railroad built to interchange standards.
I originally joined the NMRA to support the hobby and return something to it by supporting the NMRA. Yes, I realize that this doesn’t mean anything to someone who expects to get an immediate return for the money spent. It just doesn’t work that way with the NMRA or the ARRL or any group like this. I was very surprised when I received a newsletter from my division after joining. I didn’t even know that there were divisions! It was great then and still is today!
To see what some divisions in the NMRA are like, take a visit to the CID at: http://cid.railfan.net/ and spend a few minutes looking over the Meet Photo albums, the Rusty Spike archives and the Tips and Techniques section.
Lastly, there is Layout Insurance that you just can’t get anywhere else and a web site ( http://www.nmra.org/ ) designed to help you whether ot not you are a member. Of course, there are some things that you can’t get for free and must be a member like the insurance.
There is the monthly Scale Rails ma
Why not? You have plenty to gain. New friends, you get to see what others are doing, model contests, clinics on how to do things, Regional conventions, and yes the NMRA standards and recommended practices to help you with your model building. If your so inclined you can become more invloved in helping the division and region by volunteering to do things.
As stated there are new changes afoot within the NMRA to make the organization better and more member friendly. I joined to help make things better for everyone.
Bill Shanaman-Secretary-Rocky Mountain Region-NMRA
Thanks everybody, I’m going to sign up after I’m done surfing here.