Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2019 0:57:31 GMT
Several years ago a man called me on the phone and asked if I was becoming a TCA member. He had seen my application notice in the mailer. I said yes, that's true. He then told me about a group of 15 guys who live in RI and how they all shared O Gauge trains as a Hobby. I thought that was pretty neat and he went on to tell me that they meet together in the winter every other Tuesday night from October to April. Would I be interested in coming to a showing on Tuesday night. I said, sure I would, how much are the dues? He laughed and said NO dues, No grand Pupaw, just fun and conversation. They rotate between member layouts and if I wanted they would come to visit my layout. That's when I got scared. 
They primarily met as TCA members in York, a lot of them are vendors. They traveled together and talked a lot about their riches, selling at York. As time has gone on and the truth comes out about how little they make at York, they continue to visit each other's layouts and have become steadfast friends. Needless to say, it has been tons of fun and a great learning curve for me.
It is surprising to me that within 20 miles of my house there are so many beautiful O gauge layouts. I always thought this was a basement hobby and nobody would understand the level of interest and what the joy of modeling trains would mean to a person. These men are very accomplished individuals and have terrific backgrounds. They range from a Navy Captain, Electrical/mechanical engineers, a history professor, Farmer, Plumber, Truck Driver and one of the kindest men is a retired Navy Seabee. Most are retired but several are still working. It is such a gift to meet members in your community who share the hobby. After five years I might be the newbie, but they sure took me into there group.
Last night I hosted the first of this year's bimonthly meets and you can judge by yourself the level of fun and food we had.
They primarily met as TCA members in York, a lot of them are vendors. They traveled together and talked a lot about their riches, selling at York. As time has gone on and the truth comes out about how little they make at York, they continue to visit each other's layouts and have become steadfast friends. Needless to say, it has been tons of fun and a great learning curve for me.
It is surprising to me that within 20 miles of my house there are so many beautiful O gauge layouts. I always thought this was a basement hobby and nobody would understand the level of interest and what the joy of modeling trains would mean to a person. These men are very accomplished individuals and have terrific backgrounds. They range from a Navy Captain, Electrical/mechanical engineers, a history professor, Farmer, Plumber, Truck Driver and one of the kindest men is a retired Navy Seabee. Most are retired but several are still working. It is such a gift to meet members in your community who share the hobby. After five years I might be the newbie, but they sure took me into there group.
Last night I hosted the first of this year's bimonthly meets and you can judge by yourself the level of fun and food we had.
