The unwritten backstory is the administration, planning, and cooperation. It doesn't just "happen." I wonder how everyone was on the same page and how the work got done. Not to mention $6000 a year is a LOT of money for housing a train set. This is one whopper of a layout, to boot. I was in a club for 25 years. It was never easy. The scenery, by way of example it flew from Sinoloa (of cartel infamy) to East Texas Hill Country, back to El Paso, the Sea of Cortez, and forming a backdrop of the Northern Rockies. Finally, it dawned on me that nothing was going to change, and I resigned my post just as Covid was taking hold. Don't miss it. No one asking me back, either, so guess the door swings both ways.
Clubs definitely ain't for everyone. I helped get the club in Livingston, MT going years ago. We had a small core group of guys that had a similar vision of what we thought we wanted to see. The Depot gave the club access to the old baggage room basement and all of the old teak wood pallets there from the shipping containers that the bricks came in! The only caveat is that the club has to be open to the public whenever the Depot has there annual 'train show and swap meet. In 2019 they were there yet and still going strong. A TB member is a part of the group, 'Montanan.' Members come and go, sometimes the group changes vision or dynamic. I guess as long as the layout remains viable and functional and is a good piece for the public to see, it has to be ok.
Don't hear much from Chet these days. Do you know how is doing? Hope all is well and please tell him I said 'hello'!
I haven't heard anything from him either, he was getting along in years . . . I will ask the guys in Livingston next month at the show. But, we went to Billings for a dr. visit, and were able to catch up with a friend at the club, so I was able to capture a couple of videos. Was going to edit them, but still just can't find time to figure that out. So, enjoy some raw video, of an NP F unit rolling around.
And the third of three videos. It is always fun to see the changes here, and listen to the guys talk about club dynamics and 'politickin.' Which can usually be interesting. Clubs do require a lot of compromises to keep members, and keep it open. Here's the last of three,
Chet retired. Moved to Libby and bought a small townhouse home. Is pretty much out of the hobby. Last I heard (this past summer) he was going to be selling off his stuff on that big on-line auction site.
Talked with Chet a couple of days ago. I have seen him on another forum and he has been kinda selling stuff on it. I say kinda as he selects whom he wants to sell to; vs a post in the forsale section. A few months ago he made me a price I could not refuse. So, the Logan Valley power ( well, most of it ) and some additional rolling stock is gonna live again on my layout. SantaFeWillie ( other forum ) got a big box of structures and is currently playing with them and putting on his layout in TX. Chet and I are about 2 miles apart and he is welcome to come here and help with my build. I am actually almost ready to start benchwork. Life ( and Wife ) has gotten in the way which slows me down. Wait, ima slow anyway. I kinda think that he is getting 'the bug' again although the layout would be much smaller than his last. He has a 2BR Condo in town, and I think that the slightly smaller bedroom will be the location. Room for a L-Shape; maybe 10ft one wall, 8ft the other. Dang door(s) always seem to get in the way. Later
Glad to hear he is still kicking around! And that his RR stuff is going to good homes. I do miss seeing him here on the forum. And at the Livingston show, which is coming up soon. We plan to go do both shows, Livingston and Helena this year, just going to kick around out tht way and chase MRL around a bit before it is gone....
Good to hear he might be getting the bug again. For some reason, (health, work, life), I just have not been over that way in ages. (I am in the Flathead.) Maybe this summer, as I need to do some railfanning. I want to finally catch some action around Kootenai Falls, etc.....
I believe Livingston is the week before Helena. Helena has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064661233118
Yeah, the Livingston Depot has a memory glitch, and scheduled theirs a week early. I plan to do both, and hope to take the week in between to chase a little MRL action, and maybe some RARUS in Butte and Anaconda. And definitely some time at White Sulphur Hot Springs. Maybe we may even head up towards Flathead and catch a Boxcab......
