Every time I see pictures of you guys it makes me wish there was a way to do something similar near me (or that I was closer!). But to pull it off, this takes a concentration of modelers with prototype knowledge, quality construction and scenery skills, plus agreement on what general area to model. There frankly isn't enough people like that near me to be able to do that.
And I suppose it helps that mainlines in Modutrak territory were double tracked. Would the general public be as interested in a Southeastern prototypically single tracked layout, where you only occasionally saw a moving train? I would, but I predict I'm in the minority.
We kinda thought the same thing starting out... maybe we build a couple modules with friends. This past weekend we had 53 modules and 16 scale miles of mainline.
The internet really opened up a wider net for us. We're from Chicago, Milwaukee, Racine, Madison, Twin Cities, even Washington State. Our forum keeps us connected between shows, and with the wide geographic area, really allowed those that "get it" to find us. At the end of the day, we're friends not club members, and equally enjoy watching a hockey game or eating good food together. And the Better Modeling Through Peer Pressure... keeps folks trying new things.
So yes, if you want to see something come together, start building it. Folks will get inspired and want to be part of it most likely.
