All clubs are different and many are dominated by one or two individuals who guide the club in their favourite direction but not all. If the club you are in seems to offer little look around there are a lot of other clubs and organisations. I am not a member of a local club but am a member of DEMU which although it is a national based organisation is very much a supportive and helpful organisation. if your local model railway club isn't giving you the help and support change clubs or join an organisation more specific to your chosen modelling area it is surprising just how many clubs and other railway modelling organisations are out there
Club v Stand alone
Is it worth belonging to a model railway club? Let the debate begin…..
Have you found the 'Club clique' extremely hard to break into?
I do wonder, as sometimes encountered, the 'old club members' who don't want newbie's or aren't to pleased to pass on their skills etc.
While the overall picture is one of gaining vast expertise from those who have been club members for many years, in reality often it is found that your efforts are scorned upon as being 'below club standards' etc.
You can often be placed under pressure to give up your weekends to help out with layout operations and use your car as a vehicle for club use in transporting layouts and members to from exhibitions etc.
As a 'stand alone' modeller one can gain information, expert advice and even watch demonstrations etc.
Magazines, books, videos/DVDs and the internet all offer a wealth of help guidance and knowledge.
What a stand alone doesn't have is first hand one to one debates, but even this is now taken care of via forums like this one!
So, is club life worth the hassle??
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Have you found the 'Club clique' extremely hard to break into?
I do wonder, as sometimes encountered, the 'old club members' who don't want newbie's or aren't to pleased to pass on their skills etc.
While the overall picture is one of gaining vast expertise from those who have been club members for many years, in reality often it is found that your efforts are scorned upon as being 'below club standards' etc.
You can often be placed under pressure to give up your weekends to help out with layout operations and use your car as a vehicle for club use in transporting layouts and members to from exhibitions etc.
As a 'stand alone' modeller one can gain information, expert advice and even watch demonstrations etc.
Magazines, books, videos/DVDs and the internet all offer a wealth of help guidance and knowledge.
What a stand alone doesn't have is first hand one to one debates, but even this is now taken care of via forums like this one!
So, is club life worth the hassle??
1 - 2 of 48 Posts
1 - 2 of 48 Posts
