So I've been noticing posts from younger Gaugers--student-types--asking for advice on building starter layouts and that sort of thing. I just want to say to anybody who's in that position, if you can find a modular group anywhere near where you live, give serious thought to joining.
Even though I'm nearly 31, I'm in school full-time at the moment and finding my model railroading time severely constrained. Worse still, I'm living in an apartment I don't expect to be still in by this time next year, and I've lived in four different places in the last three years.
Despite all that, I got to spend a good chunk of last weekend running trains at my club's most recent setup. My own modules are sitting in the storage locker, but I can reasonably hope that they'll be part of at least a few weekend setups in the coming year (assuming I can find at least a bit of time to work on them in the meantime). When I move, the modules can move with me just fine.
Best of all, I don't have to worry about trying to accommodate big steam or diesel power and 89' cars on 18" radius curves on a 4x8 sheet of plywood or a shelf layout. I can say with confidence that any model I own now or buy in the future will run on the club's layout, every six weeks or so when we set it up.
Seriously, if you're a student, or just someone with limited time or resources, or living in an apartment, or you move around a lot, a modular club is really a great way to stay in the hobby. It would have been really hard for me to stay connected with model railroading these past years if it hadn't been for the club, but here I am.
Can't say all the above without making the obligatory plug:
www.hotrak.ca
Andrew
Even though I'm nearly 31, I'm in school full-time at the moment and finding my model railroading time severely constrained. Worse still, I'm living in an apartment I don't expect to be still in by this time next year, and I've lived in four different places in the last three years.
Despite all that, I got to spend a good chunk of last weekend running trains at my club's most recent setup. My own modules are sitting in the storage locker, but I can reasonably hope that they'll be part of at least a few weekend setups in the coming year (assuming I can find at least a bit of time to work on them in the meantime). When I move, the modules can move with me just fine.
Best of all, I don't have to worry about trying to accommodate big steam or diesel power and 89' cars on 18" radius curves on a 4x8 sheet of plywood or a shelf layout. I can say with confidence that any model I own now or buy in the future will run on the club's layout, every six weeks or so when we set it up.
Seriously, if you're a student, or just someone with limited time or resources, or living in an apartment, or you move around a lot, a modular club is really a great way to stay in the hobby. It would have been really hard for me to stay connected with model railroading these past years if it hadn't been for the club, but here I am.
Can't say all the above without making the obligatory plug:
www.hotrak.ca
Andrew