Scottish Area N Gauge group

Started by scottishlocos, June 22, 2017, 07:38:16 PM

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scottishlocos

Quote from: Arrachogaidh on June 26, 2017, 03:59:47 PM
If I remember correctly a Mr Grant ran an N Gauge Society Scottish Area Group for many years but it didn't seem to do much as far as meeting.

I stay in Larbert and don't mind a bit of travel, but yes, Dumfries is nearer the North of England than me.

Cheers.

There's a few guys on the real railway forums/gen sites that call Larbert COFU centre of the universe

The Q

I'd of thought that as you are not that far from Glasgow or Edinburgh. if there aren't in those cities you've not a lot of chance of a single gauge club.
I've lived everywhere from the Hebridies to Inverness to Wiltshire and am currently shunted into a siding in Norfolk, I've not come across a single gauge club in reasonable travelling distance.

Deerhounds, a bit taller than the Rough Collies we used to breed and show. It was Fun carting six of them up to Bo'ness, where most of my family live, yours must be even more fun to transport.  We're down to a single Border Collie now, a lot of excersize required....
We were up there over the weekend for a nephews wedding.

scottishlocos

Quote from: The Q on June 29, 2017, 02:15:28 PM
I'd of thought that as you are not that far from Glasgow or Edinburgh. if there aren't in those cities you've not a lot of chance of a single gauge club.
I've lived everywhere from the Hebridies to Inverness to Wiltshire and am currently shunted into a siding in Norfolk, I've not come across a single gauge club in reasonable travelling distance.

Deerhounds, a bit taller than the Rough Collies we used to breed and show. It was Fun carting six of them up to Bo'ness, where most of my family live, yours must be even more fun to transport.  We're down to a single Border Collie now, a lot of excersize required....
We were up there over the weekend for a nephews wedding.

Exactly why there should be one and a group is a bit different from a club i have had a look and there appears to be an N gauge group in most areas and even some tiny places so hopefully we can get one going here build it and they will come!

ScottishModeller

Hi all,

Some informal discussions have been taking place 'Off Forum' regarding this idea.

As a result there have been some questions, ideas and comments raised.

Questions:-

Is there really the demand for a Scottish Area Group?

This arises as amongst the people thie idea has been discussed with there is a feeling that it won't be worth the effort involved in setting one up.

Of course this provoked other comments and questions!

If there was a Scottish Area Group - What would it's objectives be?

If there was a Scottish Area Group - What are the benefits for it's potential members?

If there was a Scottish Area Group - What would be the potential financial implications?

If there was a Scottish Area Group - What form would it take? Real time live meetings or virtual clubroom (or both)?

Thanks
Thanks
Phil Holman

MJKERR

Quote from: ScottishModeller on July 02, 2017, 08:44:05 PM
If there was a Scottish Area Group -
What would it's objectives be?
For those living in Scotland, or
For those with an interest in Scottish locations, or
For those with an interest in Scottish rail operations,
in order to complete their N gauge model layout

Quote from: ScottishModeller on July 02, 2017, 08:44:05 PM
If there was a Scottish Area Group -
What are the benefits for it's potential members?
Knowledge participation

Quote from: ScottishModeller on July 02, 2017, 08:44:05 PM
If there was a Scottish Area Group -
What would be the potential financial implications?
Not likely to be any

Quote from: ScottishModeller on July 02, 2017, 08:44:05 PM
If there was a Scottish Area Group -
What form would it take? Real time live meetings or virtual clubroom (or both)?
Most likely to be virtual, as there are many, many clubs but not specialising in N gauge
Possibly meeting as part of other clubs on a rotational basis

ScottishModeller

Hi Marcus,

Thanks for the responses - much appreciated.

Anyone else want to say anything?

Thanks
Thanks
Phil Holman

maridunian

I'd be very supportive of the idea, but, errm, I'm about to move to Wales!

Mike
My layout: Mwynwr Tryciau Colliery, the Many Tricks Mine.

My 3D Modelshop: Maridunian's Models

scottishlocos

Scottish Modeller

As the OP I will respond to your points

If there was a Scottish Area Group - What would it's objectives be?

For likeminded N Gauge modellers living in Scotland to discuss and meet up to further N Gauge here.

If there was a Scottish Area Group - What are the benefits for it's potential members?

Share knowledge and information for example one person who I have been chatting to has no layout but has it planned on anyrail perhaps they could show those who don't know anyrail how to use it and others could help with that person with layout.

If there was a Scottish Area Group - What would be the potential financial implications?

None its a group and not a club.

If there was a Scottish Area Group - What form would it take? Real time live meetings or virtual clubroom (or both)?

Both Virtual with bi-monthly meetings moving to monthly eventually. Also with the long term aim of having a Scottish N Gauge show

See links below if these places can have an N Gauge show then there is no reason why we cant get one going here

http://engaugeshow.weebly.com/

http://ngaugesocietynorthwalesareagroup.weebly.com/

Dave




scottishlocos

Guys

Also some of the N Gauge shows appear to be people from the local area group with their own layouts in the local church/community centre etc. This is the model of what we would be looking to do possibly cost of hall would be met by charging the traders.

In addition we could invite people from other area groups who have a Scottish themed layout. Not trying to put on TINGS or Model Rail Scotland but something for Scottish N Gaugers is needed.

Dave

ScottishModeller

Quote from: scottishlocos on July 04, 2017, 06:43:51 PM
Guys

Also some of the N Gauge shows appear to be people from the local area group with their own layouts in the local church/community centre etc. This is the model of what we would be looking to do possibly cost of hall would be met by charging the traders.

In addition we could invite people from other area groups who have a Scottish themed layout. Not trying to put on TINGS or Model Rail Scotland but something for Scottish N Gaugers is needed.

Dave

Dave,

This is why I raised the question about financial risk.

If there was to be a Scottish N Gauge Exhibition.......

There is the risk which needs to be addressed.

You don't get venues for free or on the cheap these days!

Unless someone was to come forward who is willing to take the financial risk themselves or is able to get sponsorship - then it won't happen.

Even if a group of us were to get together and agree to cover the cost of holding an event by spilting the cost between us, there is still a financial risk.

In the late 70's I did this and ended up over £200 out of pocket, unrecoverable expenses as not enough people came through the doors to cover the costs incurred. However, I was lucky and a group of the various layout owners decided to donate monies back to me so that I was not out of pocket.

In this day and age, I don't see that happening!

So, before there is any chance of a Scottish N Gauge Exhibition - the money side of it needs looking into, then a search to see if there are any sponsors who would support the exhibition financially.

Thanks
Thanks
Phil Holman

scottishlocos

Thanks

Sorry to hear that you lost out yeah that's why we need meetings to get something going then with a long term aim of a show as i said traders usually pay and an entry fee we need people with this experience on board and to start it will be a small show

Regards

Dave

TykeInExile

All

There are almost 300 NGS members with postal addresses in Scotland, so theres probably scope for more than one areaa group (other than Dumfries and Galloway. The breakdown looks like this:
Post code   Postal area   Members
EH   Edinburgh   64
G   Glasgow   29
KY   Kirkcaldy   29
AB   Aberdeen   25
KA   Kilmarnock   23
PA   Paisley   22
DD   Dundee   20
FK   Falkirk   19
DG   Dumfries   17
PH   Perth   13
TD   Galashiels   12
IV   Inverness   11
ML   Motherwell   8
KW   Kirkwall   5
ZE   Shetland   1
HS   Western Isles   0

Also, has anyone contacted the NGS Area Group Co-ordinator? Not only will he give advice, but there will be an annual support grant available for an area group within NGS.

Adrian

MJKERR

Quote from: TykeInExile on July 07, 2017, 08:58:33 PMThere are almost 300 NGS members with postal addresses in Scotland, so theres probably scope for more than one areaa group (other than Dumfries and Galloway. The breakdown looks like this:
Post code   Postal area   Members
EH   Edinburgh   64
G   Glasgow   29
KY   Kirkcaldy   29
AB   Aberdeen   25
KA   Kilmarnock   23
PA   Paisley   22
DD   Dundee   20
FK   Falkirk   19
DG   Dumfries   17
PH   Perth   13
TD   Galashiels   12
IV   Inverness   11
ML   Motherwell   8
KW   Kirkwall   5
ZE   Shetland   1
HS   Western Isles   0
Interesting statistics, but it does not appear to be many people
I was a member of the NGS for one year, but did not renew for all kinds of reasons...
I would rejoin if there was a Scottish Area Group affiliated to the NGS, and that might be a better method of supporting both which would then determine if there is demand

ScottishModeller

Quote from: TykeInExile on July 07, 2017, 08:58:33 PM
All

There are almost 300 NGS members with postal addresses in Scotland, so theres probably scope for more than one areaa group (other than Dumfries and Galloway. The breakdown looks like this:
Post code   Postal area   Members
EH   Edinburgh   64
G   Glasgow   29
KY   Kirkcaldy   29
AB   Aberdeen   25
KA   Kilmarnock   23
PA   Paisley   22
DD   Dundee   20
FK   Falkirk   19
DG   Dumfries   17
PH   Perth   13
TD   Galashiels   12
IV   Inverness   11
ML   Motherwell   8
KW   Kirkwall   5
ZE   Shetland   1
HS   Western Isles   0

Also, has anyone contacted the NGS Area Group Co-ordinator? Not only will he give advice, but there will be an annual support grant available for an area group within NGS.

Adrian
Hi Adrian,

Thanks for providing the membership breakdown.

This appears to support what I said about the potential group members being well spread.

I think - someone correct me if I am wrong - the thread is for gathering enough information about the viability of such a group, before going to the NGS Area Group Co-ordinator.

Looking at the figures indicates - to me ate least - that there could potentially be several area groups in Scotland.

There is already the Dumfries group, but they seem to be a bit quiet and I'm not sure of the precise position they are in or if they are a viable area group?

Thanks
Phil H
Thanks
Phil Holman

Carmont

I think we need to be careful using postcodes for the purposes of perceived proximity of members. In Scotland, the population is much less dense than it is many of those in other parts of the UK.

For instance, PH, is ostensibly a Perth postcode. However, the PH postcodes reach as far west as the isles of Rum and Canna, as far north as (beyond) Aviemore and as far south as Blackford and Gleneagles. So the problem is that those 13 members could all be hundreds of road miles apart. Aberdeenshire (AB) and Paisley (PA) are similar.

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