Members of the Garden State Model Railway Club benefit from open train running on our large DCC layout, participation in structured operating sessions, and opportunities for hands-on learning through work sessions and clinics. Additionally, the club fosters a strong community through social events and regular public open houses.
Prospective members may apply as Full, Associate, or Junior members. Full membership applicants serve a probationary term of one year after which the individual may be voted in as a Full member. Read more about our Membership types below.
A unique benefit to joining our club is the opportunity to work on our new layout currently under construction. Read more about our layouts.
Active participation is a requirement and the club is not just a place to run trains! We track your attendance to monthly business meetings and open houses as well as your committee involvement. Lastly, as a social club, you need to get along with others. Members are expected to be respectful towards each other.
Membership Benefits
- Fellowship and friendship – The club is not just a place to run trains, but a place to make new friends. You’ll find other members at the club every day! We also gather for an annual holiday party and summer BBQ.
- Open train running (NCE / DCC) – We pride ourselves on letting our members run anything they want. You can run your DCC locomotive around our entire mainline.
- Operating sessions – Organized operating sessions allow for the serious rail enthusiast to feel what running a real railroad is like. Learn about waybills, car routing, timetables, and radio communications.
- Work sessions – Learn about scenery, wiring, signaling, track, maintenance, or troubleshooting.
- Club trips – Destinations include museums, other club’s layouts, railfanning locations and train shows.
- Clinics – Learn a particular skill or technique such as weathering, resistors, decoder installation, and more.
- Library – Borrow from our large collection of model railroading books and videos.
Membership Types
Associate
Dues: $120 per year due January 1st , pro-rated for mid-year applications
This class of membership is for someone relatively new to the hobby or those who are not ready to commit to a Full membership. Associate members are required to actively participate by observing or assisting at work sessions, serving on committees, helping prepare for and operate our open houses, and attending business meetings. Associate members who wish to become Full members at a later date must still serve one year of probation (details below) in order to be elevated to Full membership status.
Full
Dues: $300 per year, or $25 per month due on the first of each month
Full members are required to assist at work sessions, join at least one of our working committees, and help prepare for and operate our open houses. Full members are issued keys to the club, which may be used to gain access at any time. Full members are also given a vote to cast on club business and are required to attend monthly business meetings. All prospective Full members are required to serve a one-year probationary term. This allows the existing Full members to get to know you, monitor your involvement level, and build trust so that you may be issued keys. After serving one year of probation, the current Full members vote on whether to elevate a prospect to Full status. View a checklist you will be required to complete during your one-year probationary period.
Junior
Dues: $60 per year due January 1st, pro-rated for mid-year applications
This class of membership is for anyone who is at least 11 years old or has completed 5 th grade, and is under the age of 18. Junior members under 15 years of age require an adult sponsor who is either an Associate, Full, or Probationary member, and who will accompany them at all times. Junior members are encouraged to become fully involved like Full members, learning all aspects of the club and the hobby.
Note: Membership dues are subject to change at any time. Please check back for updated fee schedule before applying.
How to Apply
- Visit us at the club any Tuesday or Friday nights between 6pm-9pm. Introduce yourself and express your desire to join our club.
- Request an application and fill it out. You must attend our next business meeting (3rd Friday of every month) to introduce yourself and formally submit your application.
- At the following business meeting after submission of your application, we will vote on approving your application as a Junior, Associate or Full (Probationary) member. If accepted, please be prepared with your initial dues payment. The one-year probation period for prospective Full members officially begins at this point.
More Information
E-mail Info@GSMRRClub.org with any questions about club membership, or simply stop by to pick up a membership application at one of our open houses or on any Tuesday or Friday evening between 6pm-9pm. We always welcome visitors!