All,
ll I may have opened a can of worms here, but I was just wondering how many of you on this Forum are members of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). No hidden agendas, no judgements, no gotchas. Just curious.
For the record, I was, then I wasn’t, currently am again. …in the interest of full disclosure, of course! [X-)]
30 years!!!
Not interested, I’m too far out in left field with my large scale indoor layout for them to be of any use for me or me for them.
I’ve considered for about A year becoming one, but it always seemed alittle expensive and I’d rather spent the money on the trains[:D][:D]. But Iguess here is the place to ask, What all does the NMRA offer? Would there be anything that would interest a 12 year old like me[?]
Noah[:p][8D][:D]
Ditto to Noah. What does the NMRA offer to younger people (I’m 13)? Would the TAMR be better for a guy like me and Noah?
i’m not a member, and same with big boy and noah, i am 16 so i have no purpose to join. Sure, if it weren’t for the NMRA there would be problems with coupler heights, track with, wheel with, etc would be a nightmare, but i have no intention to join.
As for TAMR, it costs money, isn’t one of the features of becoming a member tips on how to make things on a low budget?
I have been a member for over thirty years.
Enjoy
Paul
Been a regular member since 1973 and a lifer past five years. To answer some of the questions about what does the NMRA have to offer me. I have to ask what do you want? The NMRA has many programs available to members, research, photos, insurance on layout and equipment, division meets, regional and national conventions, AP program etc. What you get out of it is totally dependant on you. I suggest that you go to http://www.nmra.org and scroll down the page to member benefits and see what the NMRA can do directly for you.
All,
Joined in 1961. Became Life Member in 1963. The gentlemen that mentored me were members, so I followed their lead. One benefit is that it helped me stay in touch with the hobby while I was stationed overseas with the USAF, even though mail delivery was sometimes erratic. Have found the Kalmbach Memorial Library to be a very useful research tool in recent years. In the interest of full disclosure, and as a possible example for others, I decided to add my membership status to my forum responses. Enjoy.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543
The NMRA doesn’t really have anything to offer me that is worth that much money. I’ve never been in it and I don’t intend to.
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rules!!![;)]
Wabash RR rules![;)]
EVERYWHERE WEST/WAY of the ZEPHYRS!!![8D]
Noooo nooo nooo not me!!
Not that I don’t appreciate what work they have done for determining standards for track, DCC and other stuff. However, everytime I try to engage a member to try and explain to me why I should join, I get the same response every time.
“We got standards!”
Why should I pay regional and national dues?
“We got standards!”
Whats in the Bulletin that I can’t get out of MR?
“We got standards!”
What is in the NMRA Library that I can’t get online?
“We got standards!”
What has the NMRA done new lately?
“We got standards!”
How do you se the hobby maturing?
“We got standards!”
It might sound funny to you, but 5 years ago I was approached, as the then President of the FCSME to talk to an NMRA rep who was trying to recruit the aid of the local clubs to try to bolster the then failing health of the local chapter of the NMRA. It was a joke. I might as well have been talking to a parrot. The local chapter is now defunct.[V]
Never again.
[#ditto]
I don’t have time nor the money right now to belong the NMRA
Gordon
I’ve been a member of the NMRA for about five years now, and plan on re-upping when my dues are due again (2006). Mostly, I’m a member because I’m fortunate to live in an area that has a very active, dynamic and FRIENDLY division (RRVD).
To you younger guys asking if the NMRA would be a good “investment” for you, I’ll say “maybe”. I’ve found that the biggest benefit to the NMRA is the people you meet locally. The NMRA may have a lot of faults, but it’s the best way for model railroaders to meet and get to know each other. If you’re interested in seeing other people’s layouts, learning from more experienced modelers, and having the opportunity to operate on other layouts (or even becoming part of an op group), then going to NMRA meetings and “hooking up” is the best way to go. I’ve operated on some of the best layouts in the country because of the people I’ve met through the NMRA. I’m returning the favor by “adopting” two younger modelers (12 and 14) through encouraging them to build Ntrak modules. Whenever we operate our club Ntrak layout, they take an active role in all aspects of it’s setup and operation, and get to run the show as much as the rest of us. I also have a walkaround throttle that I’ll hand off to kids during a show to let them actually run a train (see any other Ntrak layout do that!).
Some areas don’t have an active NMRA club. Some local NMRA clubs are filled with old nasty grouches. The only way you’ll find out, however, is to let your parents know that this is something you really do want to try, and have them take you to a few meetings. If the club is any good, they’ll soon warm up and fight over who gets to take you under their wing (one of my adopt-a-modelers has been stolen from our group, and is now operating on several local layouts!)
I am a member off the dutch NMRA “contact group”
they have about 200 - 300 members overhere
does that count?
Originally posted by kbfcsme:
Noooo nooo nooo not me!!
Not that I don’t appreciate what work they have done for determining standards for track, DCC and other stuff. However, everytime I try to engage a member to try and explain to me why I should join, I get the same response every time.
“We got standards!”
Then you are talking to the wrong people. Yes, without the Standards and RPs, the hobby would be far different and you would probably not be in it unless you felt like making everything yourself. St&RPs allow your equipment to run on the other guys layout.
Why should I pay regional and national dues?
“We got standards!”
Fellowship and local assistance both given and received. Assuming that you are willing to share your hobby with others.
Whats in the Bulletin that I can’t get out of MR?
“We got standards!”
Scale Rails/Bulletin is NOT MR or RMC. It is not supposed to be. It is the NMRA’s contact with the membership. In many respects, it is more technical than MR.
What is in the NMRA Library that I can’t get online?
“We got standards!”
Absolutely thousands of things that you will never get on-line. The NMRA Kalmbach Library has a fantastic amount of materials and photos that NO ONE else has. And you don’t even have to be a member to take advantage of it. But you do have to pay for the research. The Library also publishes books and reprint on railroading to help the hobby. Anyone can buy them, but members get them for a little less.
What has the NMRA done new lately?
“We got standards!”
We absolutley have Standards. DCC to be specific. It is the latest big step forward in he hobby and is so good that a manufacturer is attempting to claim that DCC is theirs and theirs alone.
How do you se the hobby maturing?
“We got standards!”
I see the hobby as getting more
A member for over 30 years and it’s money very well spent.
I have to agree with what Roger stated about the division going under and I enjoyed the visit to the CID website. I guess that in all the years I have been in the NMRA I have always been fortunate to be in an active region and division. My local division , Steel City of the SER is hosting the 2004 SER (SouthEastern Region) convention here in May. We are trying to have a real bang up convention and the prices are pretty reasonable. http://scd-nmra.org Click on convention information
Sounds like you got the “standard” answer! [;)]
I see Roger H. found this thread. Was hoping he would. He’s a good “apologetic” for the NMRA.
Hope you keep an eye on this thread, Roger, to give good, sound and ACCURATE info out to those who need it on the organization.
Best to you,!
Paul - “The CB&Q Guy”
– Modeling the CB&Q and its fictional Illiniwek River Sub/Branch in the 1960’s. –
aka…
Paul Kossart - “The CB&Q Guy” - Peru, IL USA
NMRA Illinois Valley Division TIMETABLE Newsletter Editor