Club(s): There are a few in the Los Angeles area, so I’ll visit them during an operating session and get a feeling for the vibe
Trains: Primarily C&O’s George Washington (I know it’s not prototypical for California) and/or Santa Fe’s Chief , but something new may pop up down the road
As far as my railroad (The California & Pacific), well, it’ll take a little longer than expected to get that up and running. Not having an airbrush can really halt progress.
I think just getting RTR locos and cars are better for me at the moment.
Is the dream dead? No, in fact, I’m doing as much research that I can to prepare for my first kitbash, which may happen next year. Only time will tell!
Maybe I’m a little too ambitious? Eh, you always need something to look forward to!
May I advise that you not make your first visit to a club during an operating session, or an open house, if you want to get the vibe get contact info find out when the meet (weekly, biweekly, monthly) and go then it will be much less hectic and they will be more capable to have a conversation with you, I joined a second club around October/November and they had a open house and the place was packed with non modelers (families with wee ones who don’t understand the hobby just think the trains are cool) and basically all members including myself were pretty preoccupied with any operation mishaps.
During op sessions or open houses unless they have a “guest relations ambassador” or person to talk to the visitors they will probably hand you a sheet of paper that’s the application and tell you the dues.
It is not the Seminole and Gulf, but I still found the name funny just the same. The city of Seminole, Florida is practically on the Gulf of Mexico, so the Seminole Gulf sounds like it would also be a very short line.
