If you are interested in joining me for a Mastermind group, but can't make the time mentioned (second Tuesday of the month, 8PM ET) leave a comment to let me know what time zone you are in and suggest a time and day of the week (or two) when you'd be able to meet. That way I can put a list together and see when there's a good overlap.
Although my home layout has been a solo project (except for operating sessions), I belong to a working group and recognize the many benefits. Our current group is a carryover of core members from an earlier group that lost our layout and mentor at his passing in 2015. We simply moved to another fellow's layout and kept the camaraderie and friendships going. We even met on the same day of the month for several years, although that has changed now. During Covid restrictions, we met monthly via Zoom to keep things going. As a side note, I thought I was pretty good at the hobby, but when I started hanging around those fellows almost 20 years ago, it was like taking graduate courses in model railroading.
When I saw the thumbnail, I thought you were going to tell me I needed to work on my layout “Eight Days a Week”! I’ve been at it for a while, tried the club thing and I’m quite happy as a lone wolf. Great video.
Eight Days a Week might be _too_ much. The group thing isn't for everybody. The benefit of a modeling group over a club is you get to say who is part of the group. Minimizes the personality clashes. 🙂
Joe, these are some great ideas and it sounds like a plan. I’ll be there Saturday and I chose, Paint the fascia, so please remove all of the post it notes. Place wonky symbol that you use for sarcasm here. If it helps I can paint the fascia in Post it colors so you feel more comfortable.
Very interesting topic and I love how you are bringing project management methodologies to model railroading. After your no excuses video to begin the year I downloaded PM software and have been using it to stay on point with my small O gauge layout, so far so good. Keep the great content coming!
Joe, your videos are quite good, but this one really hit home. Years ago I took on building and running a display layout in a preserved Burlington Route depot. I am now 71, and even though I am retired, my attention mostly focuses on my home layout. I need to obtain some help, but I was burned out by the structure, politics and bickering in the local club. I really like your idea of a "modeling group" to reinvigorate the projects. I am going to seriously look at this approach. THANKS!
Great video. I like that little band you mentioned...and the shot of Genesis looking partied out.... Some folks talk a good game...but in both group you're looking for results. As your notation system suggests, STICK TO IT! Now it's off to work on a goal I've been putting off since October. Thanks Joe.
How does a person reach out and propose to start a round - robin group and meet any modelers in your local area please ? What if you are busy and can only do this once a month ? What if you are more interested really in smaller projects rather than so much into the layout type thing ?
It is tougher if you don't already have a group of modeling friends, so finding those friends is really the first step. If you have a local hobby shop (which I know is becoming increasingly rare) you can ask there about locals or people who have op sessions, and then see if you can visit to meet people. Or, if there is a MR club in the area, you could try to meet some people there. If you're creating the group, you set the schedule. If you can only meet once a month, that's your schedule. All that said, this tends to work better for a project that has a larger scope. I think you'll find that having a lot of people attempting to work on a small project or in a small space will be difficult.
@@ThePixelDepotLLC Actually there is one local to me and a couple more both north and south of me. It does seem likely since I have been seeing more British Railway layouts at shows. Case in point I saw a micro layout showing a mineral quarry at Trainfest. So it wouldn’t too niche to no doubt try.
@@roguerailroader4132 Give it a shot. I know in my area there's a group devoted to European Railways, so there are some groups out there not modeling the US.
You assume that people want to be sociable and want to help each other out. It doesn’t seem likely especially since the serious modellers are already in a club and not really welcoming to newbies despite what they say
Seems like you’ve had a bad experience with a club. But in my experience the vast majority of modelers are pretty good people who *are* sociable and want to share the hobby. Clubs and people like you describe do exist. I’ve seen and met them. But most aren’t (again, in my experience) and I don’t think it’s fair condemn everyone with a blanket statement.
If you are interested in joining me for a Mastermind group, but can't make the time mentioned (second Tuesday of the month, 8PM ET) leave a comment to let me know what time zone you are in and suggest a time and day of the week (or two) when you'd be able to meet. That way I can put a list together and see when there's a good overlap.
Although my home layout has been a solo project (except for operating sessions), I belong to a working group and recognize the many benefits. Our current group is a carryover of core members from an earlier group that lost our layout and mentor at his passing in 2015. We simply moved to another fellow's layout and kept the camaraderie and friendships going. We even met on the same day of the month for several years, although that has changed now. During Covid restrictions, we met monthly via Zoom to keep things going. As a side note, I thought I was pretty good at the hobby, but when I started hanging around those fellows almost 20 years ago, it was like taking graduate courses in model railroading.
It’s amazing what you can learn from the others. I learn new things every time!
When I saw the thumbnail, I thought you were going to tell me I needed to work on my layout “Eight Days a Week”! I’ve been at it for a while, tried the club thing and I’m quite happy as a lone wolf. Great video.
Eight Days a Week might be _too_ much.
The group thing isn't for everybody. The benefit of a modeling group over a club is you get to say who is part of the group. Minimizes the personality clashes. 🙂
Your videos are superb!
Thank you so much!
Joe, these are some great ideas and it sounds like a plan. I’ll be there Saturday and I chose, Paint the fascia, so please remove all of the post it notes. Place wonky symbol that you use for sarcasm here. If it helps I can paint the fascia in Post it colors so you feel more comfortable.
The bright orange color is the best. I think that one will be the least distracting. 😆
Joe, I really like your thoughtful videos!
Glad you enjoy them!
I'm in!
Very interesting topic and I love how you are bringing project management methodologies to model railroading. After your no excuses video to begin the year I downloaded PM software and have been using it to stay on point with my small O gauge layout, so far so good. Keep the great content coming!
Thank you very much! It's just something that seems to make sense to me. So I thought I'd give it a shot.
Joe, your videos are quite good, but this one really hit home. Years ago I took on building and running a display layout in a preserved Burlington Route depot. I am now 71, and even though I am retired, my attention mostly focuses on my home layout. I need to obtain some help, but I was burned out by the structure, politics and bickering in the local club. I really like your idea of a "modeling group" to reinvigorate the projects. I am going to seriously look at this approach. THANKS!
Glad it was helpful! I wish you luck in your search for a group to help you out!
Great video. I like that little band you mentioned...and the shot of Genesis looking partied out....
Some folks talk a good game...but in both group you're looking for results.
As your notation system suggests, STICK TO IT! Now it's off to work on a goal I've been putting off since October. Thanks Joe.
Let me know when you get that goal taken care of. 😉
How does a person reach out and propose to start a round - robin group and meet any modelers in your local area please ? What if you are busy and can only do this once a month ? What if you are more interested really in smaller projects rather than so much into the layout type thing ?
It is tougher if you don't already have a group of modeling friends, so finding those friends is really the first step. If you have a local hobby shop (which I know is becoming increasingly rare) you can ask there about locals or people who have op sessions, and then see if you can visit to meet people. Or, if there is a MR club in the area, you could try to meet some people there. If you're creating the group, you set the schedule. If you can only meet once a month, that's your schedule. All that said, this tends to work better for a project that has a larger scope. I think you'll find that having a lot of people attempting to work on a small project or in a small space will be difficult.
Hmmm would be interesting if I could get enough folks around here to start a British Railway group
Do you have a local hobby shop? If so, maybe ask around there?
@@ThePixelDepotLLC Actually there is one local to me and a couple more both north and south of me. It does seem likely since I have been seeing more British Railway layouts at shows. Case in point I saw a micro layout showing a mineral quarry at Trainfest. So it wouldn’t too niche to no doubt try.
@@roguerailroader4132 Give it a shot. I know in my area there's a group devoted to European Railways, so there are some groups out there not modeling the US.
Reality melts away at 3:41.
I really, really tried to find a picture with a bunch of older guys around a small train layout, but Google Images was not forthcoming.
🎼🗣🎶Joe Cocker, too
Yes, but the original is the best, IMO.
You assume that people want to be sociable and want to help each other out. It doesn’t seem likely especially since the serious modellers are already in a club and not really welcoming to newbies despite what they say
Seems like you’ve had a bad experience with a club. But in my experience the vast majority of modelers are pretty good people who *are* sociable and want to share the hobby. Clubs and people like you describe do exist. I’ve seen and met them. But most aren’t (again, in my experience) and I don’t think it’s fair condemn everyone with a blanket statement.
Creates more problems than solves them. People, who needs 'm....
I can’t tell if you’re being cheeky or not. But if not, we’ll have to agree to disagree. 🙂
@@ThePixelDepotLLC Try introvert at 59. I'm pretty much done with people by now. Okay, we agree to disagree, which is fine by me.
I can't get my girlfriend on board, she's got a ticket to ride but, she don't care. We can work it out though
It’s a long and winding road. But remember, all you need is love.