Off the Rails

Participation vs Interaction

We have a need for more members to take the next step to helping out.  The NMRA is many things, amongst of is officially providing a vital link between manufacturers and the hobbyists to ensure compatibility and quality between products, as we all know.  Another important thing about our organization is that its about a group of people sharing a common interest. Think back to when you joined this national organization; were some of the primary reasons to meet other modelers, to see and understand what they were doing, to show and tell what you have been doing?  That probably applies to most of us, and that was my primary motivation.

If you have been attending a lot of Division meetings for quite a long time, have been sitting back, primarily being “entertained” and inputting only the minimum - perhaps it is time for you to take the next step.  Several Divisions will be soon holding their fall or winter elections and looking for new blood to take on some responsibilities, to give the Division a fresh look and some of the old guard a chance to rest and take a break.  There are several benefits in taking on a new role, as uncomfortable as it may be at first.  A new role for you and your group allows you to participate in a new way, you will get to know people from a different perspective and interact differently.  You will get to know everyone you interact with in a new light and will get to know them better.  With more interactions, you will find that your experience with the group will grow and you will notice that your friendships with others will strengthen, be more enjoyable, and make your overall experience in the hobby be better than ever.  All Divisions can only get stronger from the increased participation of its members.

Likewise, the Region has several open positions and another annual election this winter.  Soon, several of you will be contacted for running for RMR Board positions, as well.  I hope you take advantage of a nomination, whether it be at the Division or Region level.  The opportunity to work with others will surprise you later in what intangibles you gain down the road.  I have had the fortune of working at a Region level for quite some time now, and have got to know so many talented people all over and now have a lot of friends I may never have had.  To me, that is why someone should join the NMRA, because it is the people you interact and work with that makes it unique and fun.  Take advantage of an opportunity, take the next step, don’t worry about the job that you do may not be as polished as the previous occupant of a position.  Do it the way you think best and the best that you can, balancing all other life obligations.  We are all different individuals with as many backgrounds and responsibilities as there are different railcars in a yard, but we all love the hobby or we wouldn’t do it.

The Home Front

If you have not been attending your local meetings, in my opinion, you are missing out on what the best part that NMRA offers you.  This where you meet the guys that you see at all your local train shows and swap meets, where you find out where all the upcoming train shows and swap meets are,  who has operating sessions that you can participate in, and whose layouts are open for open houses.  If your Division has a pretty good program, you may get to learn tips from featurettes/clinics/programs presented by your fellow modelers.  If you get the opportunity to present something at your Division, I hope you take up that gauntlet.  If you have anxiety presenting in front of a crowd, do not worry, every single other person did the first few times themselves, and believe me, no one in any Division is grading anyone on their presentation skills (no one really cares about that, for one thing) – but you can bet everyone will be interested in the subject of whoever’s doing the talking/sharing.  We all learn different ways to do just about everything, for what works best for each of us.

National Model Railroad Month

With November being National Model Railroad Month, hopefully there will be an opportunity for you to do something new and find a way to share the hobby with someone who may be hobby deficient.  What does that mean?  Maybe someone who has a lot of potential interest with getting involved in modeling, but has lost their way, hopelessly (mindlessly) engaged in video games, fantasy leagues, or some other non-tangible accomplishment, could use a little push.  Perhaps you know someone like this.  Perhaps you can show them, how over time, how you started from nothing (like where they may be now), and and how you have improved/developed your skills to what you have been able to accomplish recently.  You never know, you may draft a friend, grandkid, niece, or co-worker or whoever into the hobby.  Just think back to the people you first knew when you started in the hobby?  Did you have much help?  Did it seem daunting?  Thinking back, were there obstacles you had that you could have used a little help with at that time?  Would that have made a difference to where you are today?  This is what we are able to accomplish by having our NMRA activities with each other.  Try sharing that mentality with a novice, beginner, on non-model railroader this November.  You may just change somebody’s life!

Region Website - http://www.rmr-nmra.org/