Do you belong to the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)? Vote then share your comments below.
National
Meanspirited
Rivitcounters
Association
I guess you’d be a “no”, then…[:P]
When I get more serious and actually start building again, I plan on joining - to have access to all the information that is available through the NMRA.
But up until now - I haven’t felt a burning desire. I just don’t see huge advantages to joining… unless I’m missing something.
Rob
I used to be a memeber, but let my membership lapse when I was going through some financial difficulties.
Outside of Getting the Data Sheets and the recommended practices sheets, the discounts on the books they reprint, and perhaps getting on the mailing lists of the local chapters, I really can’t see a big benefit to joining.
I am a member and although I have not used the many services available at the National level, I am very active at the Division level. A group of local modelers decided to start our own division as we were situated at the extreme ends of 3 Regions. We felt that it would better serve the modelers in the area if we were all in one Region and Division.
It required quite a lot of work but it finally hapened 10 years ago. A lot of people were sure we would never make it but we are celebrating 10 very short years.
One of the many benefits of the NMRA at the Division level is visiting the members layouts and seeing what they are building and getting to operate. I always pick up some new idea or an easier way to do some project when I visit.
We also have our own Jamboree each year to try and get a lot of closet hobbiests to get to know the group and learn new ways of modeling with the many clinics we put on.
Now I have not even talked about the Region or National. This is a whole different area that has their own conventions, which brings together many more modelers. So I feel that the NMRA just provides the basics of getting together and exchanging ideas as well as making new friends.
BOB H Clarion, PA
Seems to me belonging to anything to do with my hobby would be work. I dont do this for “work” I do it for fun. I like to build my stuff and run my trains.
I am with train wreck2 on this subject. It was tempting last year, but I enjoy working on my layout and working things out on my own. Plus I can buy a new car or loco for the same price…
Like any organization, it is only as good as its “active” members. Those who sit on their hands and do nothing but complain … well enough said.
I seldom get to regional events, drive time and weekend work schedule usually interrupts. But I have been to most Nationals in the last 20 years, including Toronto. Each and every convention has been well work the money it costs to belong. The opportunity to tour layouts, attend clinics where I can learn how, talk with manufactures and vendors at the show make it all worth while. And this doesn’t even consider the many many friends I have made by belonging.
Doug Harding
I would like to but being disabled and retired I simply cannot afford it. I had to quit buying items for my model railroad due to the high price of my medicine, so I certainly can’t afford the dues. Oh well, that’s life!!
Some model railroaders have called NMRA the “National HO Scale Society”. As a modeler in a minority scale, I am far more active in a “scale specific” organization than in the major all-scales club. I do, however, rejoin NMRA once or twice a decade (for a year at a time) when it will be convenient to attend the national convention.
I’ve only been a member for a couple of years. So, I haven’t availed myself of the library services as yet. I like the bulletin, though they just re-named it. As far as membership benfits go, I would like to see retailers offer a discount to NMRA members. All of the Specs. are nice to have also.
If this is the World’s Greatest Hobby, then we should try to find ways to work together towards that goal instead of nitpicking or rivet-counting for that matter. Sure, it can be serious but also should be more fun in the long run in order to pique the interest of the next generation.
Harry Bendtsen
I have been a member for many years and, although I don’t take advantage of the large number of benefits available, I decided a number of years ago to become a life member. The organization has and still does so much for the hobby, I believe they are worth supporting. If it hadn’t been for Model Railroader and the NMRA, our hobby would not be the amazingly great hobby it is today. Standards set across the board allow us to buy things from just about any manufacturer today and know that they will all work together. The recent standards for DCC are just one example.
Plus, getting to meet some of the finest model railroaders in the world at conventions, etc., has greatly benefitted my modeling skills. Besides, it’s fun!
Thanks NMRA!
Bill Eubank
I am a member of the core group so that I support the standardization of products within the hobby. I have worked on several events. I have been a contest judge and Regional Committee Chairman. I have noticed that the sloppy folks complain about rivet counters but DO NOT SHOW! I am trained as a civil engineer in water supply and sewage disposal so I have been overqualified at processing the complaints from the cheap, inactive chewers and spitters who complain about the effort of many others to entertain them.
Lindsay Smith
I joined the NMRA to find out what others were doing. I not only found great modelers, but more so, great friends. There are very few rivet counters, so that argument doesn’t hold much water for me. I enjoy the Division meets, the Region meets, and the National meet as much as the non-NMRA clubs to which I belong. The NMRA pulls it all together for me.
I am a registered member of this list, but, for some unknown reason my vote did not register. So I’ll let er rip:
I have been in the hobby for more than 40 years. I have seen so many changes (most for the good, some bad) that it almost makes my head swim!! When first exposed to the NMRA, I felt then it was a “good ole boys network” and sadley today I still do. IMHO the NMRA is one of the things that hasn’t changed in 40+ years.
Regards Tim
In my opinion, the social interaction with other MRRs is the biggest benefit of NMRA membership. I live in an area with an active division that meets almost every month so I get to meet people, see layouts and models and just generally have a good time. The annual jamboree is an all day event and then there are regional and national conventions when time and money permit.
You can also get more help from the people involved than from just the publications.
All in all, I’d say NMRA membership is one of my most valuable hobby activities.
NMRA needs to provide more ‘tangible’ benefits for its members, if its membership is to grow very much. I was disappointed in the bulletin and declined that when there was the option to do so.
I am an NMRA member although only for the past couple of years. I have been a model railroader for the past 25+ years. The NMRA does need some work and it is making an effort to be more user friendly. IMHO the proposed changes to the NMRA that are posted on the NMRA website are a step in the right direction.
Through my membership in the NMRA I have gained access to some great model railroaders and lots of great people too (those great model railroaders I have meet are also great people). My access has been gained via regional and divisional meets. Also I have found newsletters from my division and region a great aid in keeping up with hobby developments.
The thing about getting services from the NMRA is to go out and get them. Those services are there for the asking.
Been a model railroader for 15 years. Was into R/C previous to this. To fly, a person had to be a member of the AMA for the liability coverage. I like the idea I can enjoy my hobby without needing to be a member of a national org. However, I have always wondered if there are benefits to being a member, that exceed the cost of membership? I live in a remote part of the state. Any NMRA activity would likely take place 200 miles away.