11-03-2010, 08:02 AM
I hear you Squid can certainly appreciate your point of view.
I've wrestled with the question, "What can I get out of this?"
Last night I dropped in again and hooked up with a couple of different fellows there. I had a good time talking and joking with the guys while they "tried" to have an ops session without a guy running dispatch.
They were having fun. Fun is one thing I would like to get out of it. At home, by myself, I can get bored. To be honest, sometimes, its not fun. It feels like work. So one reason I can see for joining a club is to break out of the basement and get out there and have a good time with some like minded individuals. And, while the home layout is for my personal enjoyment, what good is it really if I can't share my work with others who can appreciate and enjoy it as well. I get great personal satisfaction when other people enjoy the work I've put into something.
They called their monthly meeting after 8 and I was left to scrutinize the layout in detail without anyone else in the room for about 45 minutes. Hands in my pockets, (I didn't want to touch anything...feel with your eyes.) I looked around. I did however break my rule if only to pick up small clip boards with switch lists attached to them. It dawned on me how little I really know about operations. At best, I have a vague notion about how a real RR would operate and go about setting out cars, picking up cars, building a train, sending it to a destination, delivering empties/goods to a customer...etc. This is something I sorely need help with. Reading about it puts me to sleep honestly. I need hands on. I think this is where I will most benefit from a membership. I hear these guys talk and I can tell they "know" how to run their railroad. Meanwhile I listen and try to remember which way is "East".
Actually I do, but its a little tricky to explain, so you'll have to believe me when I say that, well... I do.
As for the membership dues, I've decided that if I do join, and they accept my application I will sign up as an Part Time Member to start. The Full Time dues are a little hard to justify and I have too much going on in my life right now where one night a month is more then enough for me to handle.
So until next week...
I've wrestled with the question, "What can I get out of this?"
Last night I dropped in again and hooked up with a couple of different fellows there. I had a good time talking and joking with the guys while they "tried" to have an ops session without a guy running dispatch.
They were having fun. Fun is one thing I would like to get out of it. At home, by myself, I can get bored. To be honest, sometimes, its not fun. It feels like work. So one reason I can see for joining a club is to break out of the basement and get out there and have a good time with some like minded individuals. And, while the home layout is for my personal enjoyment, what good is it really if I can't share my work with others who can appreciate and enjoy it as well. I get great personal satisfaction when other people enjoy the work I've put into something.They called their monthly meeting after 8 and I was left to scrutinize the layout in detail without anyone else in the room for about 45 minutes. Hands in my pockets, (I didn't want to touch anything...feel with your eyes.) I looked around. I did however break my rule if only to pick up small clip boards with switch lists attached to them. It dawned on me how little I really know about operations. At best, I have a vague notion about how a real RR would operate and go about setting out cars, picking up cars, building a train, sending it to a destination, delivering empties/goods to a customer...etc. This is something I sorely need help with. Reading about it puts me to sleep honestly. I need hands on. I think this is where I will most benefit from a membership. I hear these guys talk and I can tell they "know" how to run their railroad. Meanwhile I listen and try to remember which way is "East".
Actually I do, but its a little tricky to explain, so you'll have to believe me when I say that, well... I do.
As for the membership dues, I've decided that if I do join, and they accept my application I will sign up as an Part Time Member to start. The Full Time dues are a little hard to justify and I have too much going on in my life right now where one night a month is more then enough for me to handle.
So until next week...