Running Bear's September 2025 Coffee Shop

[kbkchooch]

NMRA has been a joke for years and though President Gordy has tried nothing really has changed. Change in the NMRA has to come from the local and regional chapters and that’s where the crusty old timers are entrenched. I’ve followed the various attempts over at the MRH forums where it starts off as a decent conversation where it evolves to getting the thread locked. Joe Fugate, owner of the MRH borg has tried a few times in those threads to pump up participation into the NMRA but most of the responders are in the old crusty age group that has been in the NMRA and left never to return again. ( like me) The digital magazine versus the paper thing was a topic at MRH and other places and that always confused me. Why in this day and age would you want a paper monthly magazine that is a drain on resources of the group ( NMRA) you want to support? After all those forums are digital. Personally I think if the NMRA had a forum they’d be better off.

Karl, I was going to respectfully disagree with you on the MMR degree program. But after re-reading your statement I can’t totally disagree. I personally know 3 local MMR degree holders and 3 others I know as Facebook friends that I have met at least twice including the most recently past president of the NMRA. None of them are self absorbed a..holes. They are wonderful gentlemen that would go out of their way to help someone on model railroading. They want to help if you ask for help. They do not come across as know it alls! I have met a few others online that use the MMR initials in their signatures and I just laugh at that. Those are the self absorbed a..holes that come across as better than you and me. I stay away from involvement with them. My wife has a PhD and you would never know it as except in professional educational settings she doesn’t use it.

Has the NMRA outlived its usefulness? I’m not sure but I don’t spend much time thinking about it except when reading threads and replying like this about it online. I did not renew in 1976 because at age 24 I was told by the local Chicago area district I belonged to I “ needed to earn my stripes” before I would be listened to.

Tom,
Just like any other group, company, club or political organization, there are good eggs and bad apples. The NMRA MER (mid east region) was the division I was with. my MMR coordinator was Kurt Thompson and we got along great. It was others that pushed my buttons. Different folks, different strokes you know. I earned my Author certificate back in 2009, and probably have done enough to complete the Master Builder cars, motive power, scenery , and soon my Golden Spike Certificate, but why? As Louis so kindly pointed out, I'll let my modeling speak for itself.

 

[chadbag]

Is you daughter better?

Yes. She was feeling better yesterday but stayed home from school and continued with the jello and dry toast until the end of the day to make sure. She’s at school today.

It appears it was some sort of GI virus. Since she hadn’t eaten anything the rest of us hadn’t eaten we ruled out a food poisoning incident.

Thanks for asking.

 

[chadbag]

I'm confused. Who was promoting Bud Light and Target? the NMRA? Are those businesses? or 501 organizations with conservative agendas?

No the bud light and target specifically pushing liberal agenda items in their advertising and social media. That’s what I think Willie is referring to.

Again it’s a rhetorical question.

 

[bnsf971]

Comments about the NMRA have gone over into Poo-litics. Please refrain from continuing, I’d rather not have to start deleting posts.

 

[RhB Michael]

I don't

I don't know about Target, but Bud Light had a questionable advertising campaign push a progressive agenda that cost them the spot as the number one selling beer in America.

Amazing that it is the #1 selling beer in the States and one of the worst tasting. I'm of the opinion though, that if anyone thinks this is great tasting beer, they have never tasted great tasting beer.

 

[Bruette]

I'm watching Frosty the Snowman!

I hooked up my old Toshiba DVR/VHS, and the Frosty tape was handy. The back of the box says 1993 and it still looks great!

 

[troyphoto]

I'll stick with whiskey/whisky and tiki drinks.

Never been a fan of beer. Sorry to disappoint Ben Franklin.

 

[Bruette]

Never been a fan of beer.

As my great Aunt from Ireland was known to say "Nothing goes better with whiskey than a good beer"

 

[NorthBrit]

As my great Aunt from Ireland was known to say "Nothing goes better with whiskey than a good beer"

A whisky chaser.

 

[NorthBrit]

As mentioned previously I am expecting five books from the U.S.A..
They are now in Paris?
At least they have crossed the Pond.

 

[DeaconKC]

Good afternoon now, finally got some rest last night/this morning. Than had the pleasure of talking on the phone with a gentleman from a local train club who has been fighting cancer [and winning!]. Had some leftovers for lunch and am now finishing off the first pot of coffee.
@Patrick I can understand about folks worrying about their kids. Let me explain...I am a retired Field Parole Agent who spent the last 13 years of my career working a high risk unit that supervised nothing but sex offenders and those violent enough to be on satellite tracking. Our sex offenders were not allowed to go into places with kid's playlands. One day, tracking one of my parolees, I saw him stopped at a Burger King [Carbondale Illinois] for about 20 minutes. He was a convicted kidnapper and child rapist. I was nearby and went in and he was sitting at a table in the play area itself, watching the kids. When working, I was in an armored vest, duty belt, badge, etc. and just told him to cuff up or I would do it the hard way. [Yes, I was ticked off] He cuffed up and I was taking him to my cruiser when the Manager came out wanting to know what had just happened. I explained, giving him the name of the parolee so he could look him up on the State website. He went straight back to prison.
Things like this are why folks are worried for kids.

 

[truckdad]

Good afternoon now, finally got some rest last night/this morning. Than had the pleasure of talking on the phone with a gentleman from a local train club who has been fighting cancer [and winning!]. Had some leftovers for lunch and am now finishing off the first pot of coffee.
@Patrick I can understand about folks worrying about their kids. Let me explain...I am a retired Field Parole Agent who spent the last 13 years of my career working a high risk unit that supervised nothing but sex offenders and those violent enough to be on satellite tracking. Our sex offenders were not allowed to go into places with kid's playlands. One day, tracking one of my parolees, I saw him stopped at a Burger King [Carbondale Illinois] for about 20 minutes. He was a convicted kidnapper and child rapist. I was nearby and went in and he was sitting at a table in the play area itself, watching the kids. When working, I was in an armored vest, duty belt, badge, etc. and just told him to cuff up or I would do it the hard way. [Yes, I was ticked off] He cuffed up and I was taking him to my cruiser when the Manager came out wanting to know what had just happened. I explained, giving him the name of the parolee so he could look him up on the State website. He went straight back to prison.
Things like this are why folks are worried for kids.

@DeaconKC Thank You for your service.

 

[TLOC]

Tom,
Just like any other group, company, club or political organization, there are good eggs and bad apples. The NMRA MER (mid east region) was the division I was with. my MMR coordinator was Kurt Thompson and we got along great. It was others that pushed my buttons. Different folks, different strokes you know. I earned my Author certificate back in 2009, and probably have done enough to complete the Master Builder cars, motive power, scenery , and soon my Golden Spike Certificate, but why? As Louis so kindly pointed out, I'll let my modeling speak for itself.

And your modeling speaks very highly for you.

I know lingering feelings are bad especially since 50 years have passed. I tried in 2014 to re-join the NMRA to see how the area around Madison is (highly respected I was told). Went to 2 meetings, told them why I was there and basically was ignored. Just before COVID I joined an operating group and they were a wonderful group of modelers that operated on I think 15 layouts at the time. Most of them were anti NMRA and the others were members. It was only mentioned on the rides home with the guys I went with. The 2 Crew Van drivers are very pro NMRA but had similar experiences over the years to what I had and understood my reluctance. The MRH forum discussion threads have turned me again completely away from joining. 3 of the regular responders live in the Dane County area I live in. They are local to me and have membership positions in the local Division. I know these are generalizations but when burned once as Todd wrote why go again.

My filter button is strong on the IPadPro but in person not so much. So I will stay away

Life is short enough

 

[RhB Michael]

Good afternoon now, finally got some rest last night/this morning. Than had the pleasure of talking on the phone with a gentleman from a local train club who has been fighting cancer [and winning!]. Had some leftovers for lunch and am now finishing off the first pot of coffee.
@Patrick I can understand about folks worrying about their kids. Let me explain...I am a retired Field Parole Agent who spent the last 13 years of my career working a high risk unit that supervised nothing but sex offenders and those violent enough to be on satellite tracking. Our sex offenders were not allowed to go into places with kid's playlands. One day, tracking one of my parolees, I saw him stopped at a Burger King [Carbondale Illinois] for about 20 minutes. He was a convicted kidnapper and child rapist. I was nearby and went in and he was sitting at a table in the play area itself, watching the kids. When working, I was in an armored vest, duty belt, badge, etc. and just told him to cuff up or I would do it the hard way. [Yes, I was ticked off] He cuffed up and I was taking him to my cruiser when the Manager came out wanting to know what had just happened. I explained, giving him the name of the parolee so he could look him up on the State website. He went straight back to prison.
Things like this are why folks are worried for kids.

That is too close to home here. We have our share around these parts, but not many with that sort of sheet.

 

[troyphoto]

I know lingering feelings are bad especially since 50 years have passed. I tried in 2014 to re-join the NMRA to see how the area around Madison is (highly respected I was told). Went to 2 meetings, told them why I was there and basically was ignored. Just before COVID I joined an operating group and they were a wonderful group of modelers that operated on I think 15 layouts at the time. Most of them were anti NMRA and the others were members. It was only mentioned on the rides home with the guys I went with. The 2 Crew Van drivers are very pro NMRA but had similar experiences over the years to what I had and understood my reluctance. The MRH forum discussion threads have turned me again completely away from joining. 3 of the regular responders live in the Dane County area I live in. They are local to me and have membership positions in the local Division. I know these are generalizations but when burned once as Todd wrote why go again.

I joined in hopes of finding a knowledgeable teaching community.

In our area there are three main groups: The NMRA local, the HO modular Club, and the N-scale modular club. I'm not real interested in building and operating modular stuff. I'm sure they're knowledgable, but my weekends weren't open for the travel. too busy with gaming, but that's changing.

And the few I went to as a spectator were at the Kid's Science Museum and such with a population of little fingers I want to start smacking as they reached for stuff on the modules. Parents were mostly good on intercepting those. So I kept my mouth shut. Reminded me I'm not a kid person.

So the NMRA and the HO club have some active member crossover. I might start going to the HO club monthly, since that's more of in-person than the monthly NMRA (zoom 2 mos, then in person 1)

 

[Marlin39]

Unfortunately I was never a team player. I was in individual sports (wrestling & competitive shooting) and commissioned outside sales the majority of my working. I liked being a cowboy left alone to do what was expected of me.

The same goes for model railroading. I wouldn't mind helping out fellow modelers, but the 2 clubs that I know of appear to be good ole boy clubs. I get it though....their club, their rules... I really don't get along with nit picking, "prototype Pete's". It's a freakin hobby, model what you like and how you like.

 

[Jaz avalley]

OK, rant over. The world of toy trains is returning to normal. Glad it's over.
[/QUOTE]

I might or might not agree with her sentiments…(not getting into poo lotics (love that btw)
But I agree totally with your stance
She could, in fact, should have ranted on her personal page
And in no way what so ever used her professional linked one
Which frankly she has bought into disrepute by its misuse
Also blocking someone (politics aside) from calling on her on it
I also agree saying she won’t do it any more, but then leaving comments/rants which she should have just lifted and moving to her personal page if she wanted…thereby getting her away from a politically charged situation
Is also off, she has embedded those beliefs in the professional linked arena
I have my beliefs, and facts or future events can sway my opinion although I suspect my beliefs are pretty much set in concrete
I am saddened by the ill will and down right evil of some individuals (on both sides)
But the fact the association did not ask her to stay politics free is in my opinion a major oversight.

I have seen too many companies picking up causes, throwing them on the wayside, with no thought to their influence, and they do have a political influence and should

Comments about the NMRA have gone over into Poo-litics. Please refrain from continuing, I’d rather not have to start deleting posts.

Apologies
I did not read the afternoons comments and replied earlier but not posted
If you have to delete this because it still oversteps can I please apologise
I am in no way taking sides on her comments I just believe that Troy has a fair point, and with an even hand ignoring politic stances I can understand his ‘rant’
He may have indicated his preference but did ride the edge, his point however is salient in my opinion.
free speech on one’s own pages yes, on a Company that is not a specified political affiliated company is nor fair.
I think blocking Troy (as I am guessing him to be far too smart to give them legitimate reason to do so) is not fair.
I have my opinion, but it is mine and not something I think is appropriate to force others to have to listen to on a non poo litical forum.


I so love that pooo….I am stealing it and using it at the first opportunity. if asked I will give credit.
Not a suck up to avoid being deleted, delete if I have overstepped. Your rules your forum.
Just…..no nmmmm zippped.

 

[Jaz avalley]

Unfortunately I was never a team player. I was in individual sports (wrestling & competitive shooting) and commissioned outside sales the majority of my working. I liked being a cowboy left alone to do what was expected of me.

The same goes for model railroading. I wouldn't mind helping out fellow modelers, but the 2 clubs that I know of appear to be good ole boy clubs. I get it though....their club, their rules... I really don't get along with nit picking, "prototype Pete's". It's a freakin hobby, model what you like and how you like.

I agree, there is so many facets available to this hobby
Scale,country,level of realism, level your willing to play outside the box, having a vanilla setup with optional tutti fruitti themes, weathering, graffitti it’s real it’s there like it or not, do you want your kids or grandkids to engage, cost,time,space,physical fitness, and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
Surely we are allowed our own slice of the cake to enjoy.We May even admire another’s cake choice, but not necessarily have a taste for it personally.
Aaaah cake and maybe a touch of icecream, yum yum
Oh boy…..excuse the …I cone from a town down under…hopefully normal viewing will eventually return…l (pun= ice cone)

 

[Jaz avalley]

Good afternoon now, finally got some rest last night/this morning. Than had the pleasure of talking on the phone with a gentleman from a local train club who has been fighting cancer [and winning!]. Had some leftovers for lunch and am now finishing off the first pot of coffee.
@Patrick I can understand about folks worrying about their kids. Let me explain...I am a retired Field Parole Agent who spent the last 13 years of my career working a high risk unit that supervised nothing but sex offenders and those violent enough to be on satellite tracking. Our sex offenders were not allowed to go into places with kid's playlands. One day, tracking one of my parolees, I saw him stopped at a Burger King [Carbondale Illinois] for about 20 minutes. He was a convicted kidnapper and child rapist. I was nearby and went in and he was sitting at a table in the play area itself, watching the kids. When working, I was in an armored vest, duty belt, badge, etc. and just told him to cuff up or I would do it the hard way. [Yes, I was ticked off] He cuffed up and I was taking him to my cruiser when the Manager came out wanting to know what had just happened. I explained, giving him the name of the parolee so he could look him up on the State website. He went straight back to prison.
Things like this are why folks are worried for kids.

Good call on your part. And thank you for your services.

 

[Jaz avalley]

Amazing that it is the #1 selling beer in the States and one of the worst tasting. I'm of the opinion though, that if anyone thinks this is great tasting beer, they have never tasted great tasting beer.

The smell puts me off too yeasty, now a nice cocktail
Singapore sling with Benedictine! ,pina colada, mai Thai, Harvey wallbanger not fussed over vodka like Galliano, an odd blue lagoon, b-52 although all 3 ingredients perfectly good on their own,
Whatever’s at the front has obviously been recently hit, we get through a baileys each Xmas