and he notes - This discussion has gone on and on for decades. When I was President of the Association there was a movement to change the name to National Association Of S Scalers, leaving the Flyer and Hi-Railers to find another group. It didn't happen. It became quite apparent that without them the Association wouldn't have had enough members to fill a tour bus let alone put on a convention and the Dispatch would be little more than a mimeographed sheet of paper. There may be more scale members now but I would venture a guess that if the non-scale members took a powder the same would occur.
I like the idea that the Association promotes 3/16ths Model Railroading and is not limited to precise scale modeling or for that matter Tinplate operating (and all points in between). And (I'm sure the 'Scale" manufacturers will agree) the freight for exact scale models is paid in part by Hi-Railers. Without them I doubt if much of our scale models available today would exist or what little there was would cost an arm and a leg! As for the 'image' of S Gauge being a toy train gauge, the 0 and H0 enthusiast I know are familiar with how much scale stuff is available. The Association does promote scale model railroading and could do much more if and when more scale enthusiasts become members. It's much better to work from within than be critical from without. My opinions of course, Rollie Mercier Past President, NASG At 08:58 AM 9/18/2010, Christopher Borgmeyer wrote: > > >Bob, > >I understand where you're coming from and let me just say I >understand many S scalers have a long association with and >involvement in the NASG and I'm sure, not too many years ago, "all >us" 1:64 types had to stick together. As someone without that >history, I look at the NASG and see a bunch guys playing with >American Flyer trains and an organization focus mostly on the toy >train history of S. None of that holds any interest for me. >Additionally, and again my personal opinion here, I believe the >NASG's continued promotion of Flyer or Flyonel seriously hampers the >scale side of 1:64. Until we shed that image of S as a toy train >gauge we'll never attract scale modelers in any serious numbers from >the smaller scales (or even a few from the larger.) In marketing and >public relations perception is everything. I guess, in that light, >the organization's name says it all. > >Now, whether that impression is correct could be a matter of debate >but I'm saying as an outsider coming in to S that is how things look >to me. If there was a real S scale movement and a national >organization of scale and proto 64 modelers was founded I'd be one >of the first to join. Viva la revolucion! Until then, I will not >support an organization that does not support me and a real future >for the scale outside of the toy train collector/operator niche. > >-- Let's not get moderated on this one. This is the scale group >after all. We're not here to defend Flyer or S gauge. Just >explaining my position and maybe giving the NASG leadership some >food for thought. -- > >Chris Borgmeyer > >Re: The NASG Dispatch >Posted by: "adguytrains" ><mailto:robert_hogan%40bellsouth.net>[email protected] adguytrains >Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:22 am (PDT) > >Chris... > >So why is that a reason no to join? There are plenty of us >like-minded "scale, rivet counting, prototype nuts who run (BUILD?) >models in 1:64" and belong to the NASG. You'll find good company and >develop an appreciation for great modeling in all forms of "S". > >Bob Hogan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
