While looking around the room at last nights meeting of the modular club I’m a member of, I realized that only about 1/4th of the people there actually had a home layout. That’s not surprising given it is a modular group and virtually all have built modules that connect to the groups large layout when on display. But, it got me to wondering what percentage of model railroaders there is, overall, that don’t have a layout of any type, not that it’s a bad thing or a good thing. There were 20 people at this particular meeting and 4 have a home layout, that makes close to 75% that don’t. Is this about average throughout the hobby, or is it more like half do and half don’t, or higher? I realize everyone doesn’t have the space for a layout and that is the good thing about modular clubs.
I would have to say that that probably is about the same % of folks in my MRR club who have a home layout. Even a small home layout (4 x 8 or smaller) is better than no layout at all.
Well, I’ve got one. But, I’ve got a large house. Even so, the women-folk are jealous of my space, even though I’m quite happy to let them turn the rest of the place into shrines to Martha Stuart.
I’ve visited a club down in Florida, where my in-laws live. There, almost none of the members have the space for a layout, since they’ve all downsized in their retirement. Remember, in South Florida almost no one has a basement.
I would guess that the number might be a little distorted. After all, I’m sure the reason many join a club is they don’t have the time, space, or money to build their own layout. Still, it is clear from these forums that there are a lot of armchair modelers who might be planning or dreaming of a layout but have yet to build one. If I had to guess, I’d say the ones who don’t have a layout might slightly out number the ones that do.
I have three, two that are pretty well completed. The other is just benchwork with some track and two switches that are going to be ripped off for my other two layouts benifit. I don’t belong to a club layout because the nearest clubs are 35 miles away, but there are two that are 35 miles away.
I currently have a (small) 8x10 layout in a corner of my basement, this being the first I’ve had in quite a while due to apartment living with no space in the past. I also belong to a modular club and just as you stated about your own, not many members have true home layouts. There are several that have their own modules, and I believe two that have or are building a layout but most just have equipment they bring to use at the club or at others’ homes for ops sessions.
I’ve got one. I’ve always tried to make sure I had room for one where ever I’ve lived. Only exception was seven years in Florida. No room or basement and I was more into boats and snorkling back then. Wish I had the $$$ I spent on the boat to put into my layout.
I have had a few small layouts in the past, but since joining my club 15 years ago, I find that most of my time and effort is put into the club layout.
We are about 1/3 completed with the proposed 5000sq ft monster.
Of the 60+ members a good 20-25% have some sort of layout at home. A couple have basement size, some moderate and the rest small or shelf.
Apparently they join the club so they can use a layout and run some trains!. I have little space, but have found a way to eek out a small layout. I do not yet belong to a club, but thinking about it.
We have a fantastic club layout in my town, but I’ve never joined because I DO have my own 11X7 layout and felt that I would rather spend my time and talent on it. Someday I do hope to joint though once my layout is near completion.
Hobby time (and money) is finite. If you don’t have a layout, you spend it working on (and operating) the club pike. If you do have a layout, your personal modeling assumes a higher priority - especially if you have lone wolf tendencies. I would expect to find more layouts owned by the less sociable among us (“Guilty as charged!”)
Had to chuckle about the comment on downsizing homes after retirement. My wife and I did - into a house with half the square footage, but with a 2-car garage. After some negotiations, I ended up with the garage - far more square feet than the not-quite-12 by 12 bedroom I had in the much larger house. We downsized homes, and tripled my layout space!
Now all I have to do is make some serious progress on the layout!
Yes, I’m one of the few members in the modular club that doesn’t have a module… yet. I’ve been spending all my time and money on my own layout. But, this summer I do want to build my module.
Seriously, depending on how one defines a layout I could have from zero to five. I’ve got the modular units (two different sets) that could be assembled and called a layout. My son abandon his 4x8 so I suppose I could count that. Then I have an elaborate test loop, a “coffee table” set up, and a switching puzzle mounted on a board. ?!?!
Yes, I’d say our club percentage is similar, i.e. much less than half have a layout. Several are like me, planning on one in the future, procuring our loco and rolling stock rosters and running our locos at the club. A lot bigger layout there than I’ll ever be able to do at home, but nonetheless I would like to do both–my own personal layout, but I also think there’s a lot to be gained from being in a club, particularly as a newbie but also as we gain more experience there’s still something to be said for the interaction with other modelers. My 2 cents.
Ok…Heres a shocker…I am a member of 3 clubs 2 HO and one N Scale.
The findings.
HO Club #1.
47 members.90% of the members doesn’t have a layout.Their operation is on the club’s point to point layout twice a week.
HO club #2.
17 members. 4 has operating layouts the 5th is being built.12 operates on the modular layout once a month.
N scale club 21 members.6 layouts.The majority operates on our point to point One Track modulars once a week…The club meets twice weekly with operations every Thursday night…