Train Group / Club
The original intent for this layout is to take to local meetings with my train group. We have been meeting for the better part of a year and can't seem to make any decisions, including the name of the group. Everybody has been a member of past groups where there were too many rules and so now everybody in the new group is too afraid to make decisions and keeps using the too many rules as an excuse.
I hope this layout will get some creative juices flowing when I take it to the next meeting, and maybe we can decide on a goal and start actually doing something.
Dave
Hi Dave,
Some suggestions to get your group going.
Someone needs to step up and take a leadership role. It looks like you are the guy to do it.
Lay out some basic ground rules and a plan and then stick to your guns. Have them follow or drop out to go their own way.
It's no fun just sitting around and spinning your wheels.
A Club would suggest renting or buying a facility and building a permanent empire railroad.
Have everyone do a "Givens and Druthers" list to decide Theme, Era, Prototype and operations orientation (Switching or Continuous running) etc...
Along with your choice of scale and gauge.
See what comes up most often and have a vote.
This way you can find out if you are all on the same page.
For a lower level of commitment, you could decide to go modular and then you don't have to worry about a permenant location.
With modules, you can set up at local train shows and meets. Or else you can rent a hall once or twice a year for set-ups.
I belong to the Narrow Gauge Madness Gang. We all do different things. We get together a couple of times each year.
We bring mini/micro layouts and other models for show and tell.
We also participate with our show and tell at a couple of local train shows each year.
Once a year we rent a hall and have a narrow gauge only train show for the public.
Just some ideas for you to get your group going. announce1
Good Luck. :thumb: