ALSAGER RAILWAY ASSOCIATION, near CREWE, CHESHIRE - N gauge, 0 gauge and 00 gauge model railway club and layouts.

F A Q ' S

Q1	Which nights do the different groups meet ?
Q2	How much does it cost in real terms ?
Q3	What does the Club own and pay for ?
Q4	What are the mix of members between the gauges ?
Q5	Are there any age limits for junior members ?
Q6	Who decides what happens on each layout ?
Q7	What's the 'tea duties' all about ?
Q8	Does the club have any social events ?
Q9	Is there any limit on the number of members ?
Q10	Can we run our own rolling stock on the layouts ?
Q11	What does the club expect of the members ?
Q12	What can the members put on their web pages ?
Q13	Is the Club layouts Analogue or DCC controlled ?
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A1	Which nights do the different groups meet ? The main club night is every Friday night from 7:15 pm, but members can come any other night as long as there is at least 2 members at all times for safety reasons.	top
A2	How much does it cost in real terms ? In addition to the annual membership subscription, members also pay a fee of £1 for standard members, and 50p for senior citizens and juniors, for the first visit in any one week, and a further 50p for members and 25p for senior citizens and juniors for any subsequent visits in the same week.	top
A3	What does the Club own and pay for ? The money that is collected from the subscriptions and from the weekly meetings and any additional visits, goes towards the purchase of the materials, equipment, track, points etc. for the club layouts, and towards the upkeep of the club premises and payment of any additional costs for the benefit of the club.	top
A4	What are the mix of members between the gauges ? There are currently around 50 members, and these break down in percentage terms to the following, N gauge = 50%, 0 gauge = 20%, 00 gauge = 20% and Junior (00 gauge) = 10%. However there are several members who model in more than one gauge, so these figures should only be seen as a rough guide.	top
A5	Are there any age limits for junior members ? The age limit for junior members is xx, this it to ensure that the members treat the layout with care, and not just as a pure 'toy', also we require that junior members of xx years and under are brought and collected by a parent/guardian, but may be left in the care of club between dropping off and collection, providing that there are more than 2 adult members there at the time.	top
A6	Who decides what happens on each layout ? Each Layout has what is classed as a 'Layout Manager' which is really only a 'voice' of the group members at the main clubs committee meetings and to 'chair' any discussions within the groups, but ALL decisions about a layout are discussed and agreed by the group as a whole.	top
A7	What's the 'tea duties' all about ? The club has a small kitchen area where members can sit and talk and have a cup of coffee, tea, chocolate, and a selection of chocolate biscuits, crisps etc., this area is 'staffed' on a rotational basis by each adult member on a weekly basis, hence every member carries out 'tea duties' and clears away the rubbish, washes up etc. about twice a year.	top
A8	Does the club have any social events ? The club do have a few social events, the main one being the Christmas dinner, with our spouses and partners, this is generally planned to coincide with our annual model railway exhibition, and so we invite several of the dealers along. Other social events include .... Take a look at our Calendar And Events for further details.	top
A9	Is there any limit on the number of members ? There is not a specific limit on the number of members as the association has effectively broken down into several groups or gauges, with each group having several members that come at various times etc. so based on the fact that not all members come at the same time, the club is never 'full'.	top
A10	Can we run out own rolling stock on the layouts ? The club itself does not own any locos, engines or rolling stock (Other than some that has been donated by various members of the public or club members), only the layout itself, so it is dependent upon the members using their own engines and rolling stock to 'bring it to life' and gives far more variety and interest for other members and visitors, and generates various and interesting conversational points.	top
A11	What does the club expect of the members ? Nothing more than to join an existing, enthusiastic and lively club of like minded people to exchange idea's and views and to get 'involved' to a level that they wish to. Many members do not have layouts of their own and so use the club layouts, and there is always a good mix of experience, knowledge, information, advice, but the main outstanding facet is enthusiasm.	top
A12	What can the members put on their web pages ? Every member can have a website area that is by default (but is not limited to) 10 photographs with associated text area's, which can contain anything you wish, as long it is related to railway modelling in general. Remember, this area is for the club, by the club, so its content makes the club more interesting to other members and visitors alike.	top
A13	Is the Club layouts Analogue or DCC controlled ? No club layouts are DCC controlled, but DCC loco’s that are chipped can and are run on the layouts under Analogue power control. It would cost far too much to ‘DCC chip’ all of the members analogue powered loco’s etc. The track power / control for all of the layouts are analogue with the clubs own digital electronics for the control of points, signals, sections etc. These are under constant development and are part of the fun element for those interested in Model Railway Control and electronics etc.	top

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