Any Chicago area layouts looking for visitors?

[Peter Amling]

Hi all,

 I'm new to the forum but not to the hobby. I got back into N scale two years ago and have been amassing a good collection of locks and rolling stock. Right now they are on display on my bookshelf. The only problem is I don't have a layout and am itching to run.

I would like to meet folks in Chicago or nearby suburbs who have a layout in need of visitors. I can bring some rolling stock and a few cold ones for a running session or just to watch and socialize.

 I'm on the north side of the city and would prefer folks who are not too far away.

Thanks,
Peter

[sp org div]

Welcome to the forum.

I know its too far for now, but look me up if you are ever in SoCal...
cause I like cold ones.   

Jeff
http://espeeoregondivision.blogspot.com/

[peteski]

Peter,  you might be able to locate and contact a local NTRAK club - they are usually quite friendly to the visitors.  I started just like you - I had an Amtrak train sitting on a shelf and took it to a local model RR show where there was an NTRAK layout. They let me run and then ended up joining Northeast NTRAK (and I'm still a member - close to 30 years later).

[Cajonpassfan]

Welcome to the forum Peter!
I'm not much help to you, also being in SoCal (and also occasionally enjoying a cold one), but this makes me wonder why we don't have our places of residence, or at least general areas, shown in our profile. Or is the info available somewhere and I'm just not aware of it? It would seem like a good way to meet local modelers....
Otto K.

[garethashenden]

Welcome to the forum Peter!
I'm not much help to you, also being in SoCal (and also occasionally enjoying a cold one), but this makes me wonder why we don't have our places of residence, or at least general areas, shown in our profile. Or is the info available somewhere and I'm just not aware of it? It would seem like a good way to meet local modelers....
Otto K.

You can enter it in your profile, but it doesn't show up in posts. So one would have to click on every member's username and hope that both they've entered the information and they live close by.

[mcjaco]

Peter, look for Northwest NTrak.  They attend a show at Harper College the first weekend in March, along with Modutrak (some of us post here). 

[Peter Amling]

Jeff and Otto,

Believe it or not I travel to SoCal once or twice a year. My wife's family live in the SF Valley. So if you're nearby I will definitely look you up the next time I'm in town. I may even bring some cold ones from Chicago.

[Peter Amling]

mcjaco,

Thanks for the tip. I will be attending the Harper College show next month and look forward to checking those out.

[casmmr]

Peter, go to the ntrak.org web site and look for n-trak clubs in the Chicago area.  Also, try t-trak wikidot for Chicago area t-trak clubs if any.  Also, google n scale clubs in north Chicago and see what you get.  Good luck in your hunting for a club.