HI Chris -- I will not dispute your summary of the NASG with regard to the non-scale participation (about 70%), but the remaining 30% is still a pretty significant number. I will dispute that the NASG PRIMARILY serves to promote or represent the non scale side of S. Additionally, now and for at least the near future, the NASG cadre (BOT and chairs) are largely scale modelers, and there are indications that the overall composition of the NASG and the overall S market are slowly shifting towards scale. When you consider the scale projects that the NASG has sponsored over the years, they are far more significant in their impact when it comes to the overall development of S than the annual AF car program.
I do suspect you are correct re: the TCA/TTOS and NMRA and how they relate to the general membership. While I have no data to back this up, I suspect that a large percentage of the scale side of the group are already members of the NMRA (I am a life member from WAY back), and just as (un)certainly, a large portion of the AF side are members of the toy train groups. That does not diminish Brooks’ and others comments about S modeler’s participation at NMRA or other model train events. I would also add that is does not diminish the need for S modelers of all persuasions to participate in the NASG, if they want the organization to survive and be a force for the advancement of the scale. Have fun! Bill Winans NASG western VP -------------------------------------- This is a pretty self explanatory issue in my mind. Most NASG members are American Flyer toy train collector/operators. The NASG primarily serves to represent or promote that segment of the hobby. Most NMRA members are scale modelers. The NMRA almost exclusively promotes scale model railroading. They don't really have much in common or much to offer one another. Not that they should. I would think most NASG members would feel more comfortable with and find collaboration easier with the TCA, for example, then the NMRA. More of the same mindset, target audience and goals. I suspect we would find better participation in TCA events by S Gaugers then NMRA events and scale train shows. I think we get stuck in this mindset that just because we're talking about trains we must all have something in common, similar ideals, similar goals, etc. but that's just not the case. Ultimately, one needs to align him or herself with the organization where they feel most comfortable, find individuals with like interest and goals and find the resources to accomplish what they want to accomplish in this hobby. For some that will be the NASG. For others, the NMRA. The two don't have to be mutually exclusive but will probably rarely mix. Chris Borgmeyer
