New Member Who'd Like to Help With Constructing the New Layout

[Doug Chartier]

Hi guys,

I recently joined the club.  I loved model trains as a kid but eventually forgot about them as I grew up.  After my son was born and showed an insane love of trains, my own model train obsession was rekindled.  

I'd love to help out with the new layout.  I don't have any serious layout construction or design skills, but I'm happy to help out with any tasks and would like to learn the tricks of the trade.  What would be the best way for me to introduce myself and get my hands dirty with the layout?

Many thanks, and I look forward to meeting all of you!

Best,

Doug

[Mark Drury]

Great to hear from you, Doug, and, yes, new members with an interest in helping to build the layout are always welcome!  Please note that joining this online network does not constitute membership in the WBMRA -- to become a member of the club you merely need to attend our monthly business meetings (8pm second Wednesday of each month) for three consecutive months and are then voted in.

We typically work on the layout each Wednesday evening (7-10 or so) and most Saturday afternoons (12-4 or so) and you're more than welcome to show up at those times, meet some of the members and learn what we're doing with the new layout.  There's still a lot of work to do and we could certainly use more help!

Let me know when you think you might visit the club and I'll try to be there, so I can show you around and introduce you to other members.  Hope to see you at the club soon!  Regards,

Mark Drury

[Doug Chartier]

Thanks for the information, Mark!  I'm happy to help out, and it'd be great to attend your monthly business meetings.  How about I drop by next Wednesday at 7 pm or so?  I look forwarding to meeting you and the other club members and helping out however I can.  

Again, thanks for welcoming me, and I look forward to getting to know all the members!

Best,

Doug

[Nick Iaconis]

Hi Mark,

Not sure how much has been done since October, but then there always seems to be something more to do when it comes to model railways. I'm in a similar position as Doug was: interested in helping out and learning, but without much experience. I see that to become a member I will need to attend three business meetings in a row, and that the group normally works Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Are working sessions restricted to members only? Or can I start attending/contributing before being voted in?

Thanks,

Nick

[Mark Drury]

Hello Nick,

Great to hear from you and thanks for joining our network!  Yes, you can begin helping with the layout immediately and that's a great way to get to know the membership and our plans before committing to joining the club, of course.  I won't be at the club this Saturday but I should be there next Wednesday or the following Saturday, I think.  If you're eager to take a look this Saturday please feel free to do so as other members should be there round noon or so.  All you need do is introduce yourself and let them know you're interested in helping with the layout and possibly in joining the club, and someone should show you around.  If Doug is there he'd be a great person to give you the new member perspective, as he joined a few months ago and has been actively working on the layout even before he became a member.  Hope to see you soon and please let me know if you have any additional questions.  Regards,

Mark Drury

Nick Iaconis said:

Hi Mark,

Not sure how much has been done since October, but then there always seems to be something more to do when it comes to model railways. I'm in a similar position as Doug was: interested in helping out and learning, but without much experience. I see that to become a member I will need to attend three business meetings in a row, and that the group normally works Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Are working sessions restricted to members only? Or can I start attending/contributing before being voted in?

Thanks,

Nick

[Doug Chartier]

Hi Nick,

Good to hear from you!  I agree with everything Mark said.  I helped out with the layout a little bit before I became a member and found it to be a very fun experience with a great bunch of guys.  I encourage you to stop by and assist.  I'll be at the layout this Saturday, though probably not until 3 pm.  I'll look around for you when I arrive.

Best,

Doug