Which National Association?

T

Trainman 864

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I'm hoping to spend less time in the workshop in 2018 - and more time out and about running trains.

My main interest (apart from gauge 1) is 16 mm live steam running on sm45 track - although I do have some sm32 stuff as well.

My thoughts were to join either the 'Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers' or the 'G Scale Society' - so I was wondering what the members here might think was the organisation most suited to someone with my interests.

Are there any other alternatives that I might consider?

Many thanks.

BTW- I'm located in W Sussex.
 
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Trainman 864 said:
I'm hoping to spend less time in the workshop in 2018 - and more time out and about running trains.

My main interest (apart from gauge 1) is 16 mm live steam running on sm45 track - although I do have some sm32 stuff as well.

My thoughts were to join either the 'Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers' or the 'G Scale Society' - so I was wondering what the members here might think was the organisation most suited to someone with my interests.

Many thanks.

BTW- I'm located in W Sussex.
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16 mm Society without a doubt, plenty of lines about that are also 45, quite a few 45 Types (but not all) get a bit fussy about messy Live Steam on their track plus you would need insulated wheels on your live steam to be compatible without causing shirts on electrified track. Though many Live Steam have Insulated Wheels these days. It is of course also possible to gauge change some 45mm Live Steam to run on 32mm Track.

Local 16mm Groups are a friendly crowd and a good source of open days. Though expect some friendly ribbing about your main choice of Track Gauge!
 
The majority of G Scale Society members run track power and not all track powered lines welcome live steam (though some do). I would have thought that the 16mm Association was the best fit for you (and the SMT is a very good quarterly mag). It seems to vary by area but locally we have about equal numbers of 45mm and 32mm lines.
 
I would say the 16mm assoc as well if only for the insurance you get for third party liability for running live steam.

Shaun
 
I beg to differ but then I don't do live steam. The views on the 16mm is it's live steam on 32mm track..the g scale society is for all.. 45mm 32 mm live steam and battery along with track power..we are a open and freindly society for all..the Choice is yours
 
The ideal answer would be "both if you can afford it", but if you have to choose one then for your specific needs and areas of interest then it's really got to be the 16mmNGA.

As you asked for other options, there is the ALSRM (Association of Large Scale Railway Modellers) which would cover some of your Gauge 1 interests, but I'd suggest it only as a possible third group to join after the 16mil and the GSS......

Jon.
 
mike said:
I beg to differ but then I don't do live steam. The views on the 16mm is it's live steam on 32mm track..the g scale society is for all.. 45mm 32 mm live steam and battery along with track power..we are a open and freindly society for all..the Choice is yours
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Mike, my experience of the 16 mm NGM the past 9 years is one of total acceptance of those of us who run on 45 mm track gauge.The society is very broad church these days that encourages both 32 mm and 45 mm operators, primarily live steam and battery power and mostly, but not exclusively, scales from 1:13.7 - 1:22.5. And it does not matter if what you run is "prototypical" or "freelance",

Yes, within some local groups there may be some die hard purists that can give a negative impression to those who take a broader approach to their garden railway hobby but I think that is not what the society is about these days.Then again nothing wrong with those who want to remain true to this part of the hobby's roots. Things though have moved on since its formation 40 years ago. Probably driven by the manufacturers wanting to capture the maximum sales and making most product easily adjustable between the two commonest "garden" gauges.

I run 16 mm NGM society "steam ups" on my 45 mm code 332 rail DC line and I, and others, get no back chat when we run a mix of 15 mm Climax & shay, Spur II Saxaon's, 7/8th" Hunslets, various "nominally" 16 mm "freelance" UK outline steamers and "diesels". I've even seen a 10 mm "finescale" Jubilee being run and only getting admiring comments. Max
 
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I don't, I could, maybe I should............

..but this 'ere forum does it for me :nod::nod::nod::nod:
 
16mm the one to go for, if not both as previous posts. Although most 16mm folk do use 32mm there's a lot of 45mm lines around. As you have both, you'll be welcome anywhere
 
Well it seems pretty clear from all the replies to my question, that the '16mm Association' is the one to go for - So I've duly signed up and am now awaiting my membership pack.

Many thanks to those who expressed their opinion.

BTW - I had a great day on Sunday running 16mm live steam indoors at the model engineering show at the Grange Center in Midhurst - did anybody else here go to that show?
 
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