JDstucks YouTuber Meet-Up

Having FOMO (fear of missing out) over here! Looks like you had a great time my dudes!!

Looks like a great time! It's great to see that the future of our hobby is in the hands of guys like all of you.

A great group of guys and some fantastic ambassadors for our hobby!

Nice tour!

I remember making road trips like that when I was younger. The layouts are amazing and Norm’s layout is like one that I aspire to build someday.

Great stuff!

Tom

Great pics......and, it looks like you fellows had a blast!

Peter

And a good time was had by all.

Thanks Jason. Looks like fun.

@MichRR714 posted:

A great group of guys and some fantastic ambassadors for our hobby!

I’ll double down on that, …..and add, we’re looking at the future of this hobby right before our eyes, ……and it sure is bright!…looks like a good time!..

Pat

Looks like a great time was had by all.  You even had SIR JAMES a smiling in his short sleeved shirt.  👍👍

Good to see all the positive energy and fine fellowship.  Thanks for taking the time to share. Much appreciated.

Looks like a lot fun. Clyde seems to be on the road to recovery.

What a great trip with friendship, fun and trains!

Thanks for sharing.   

@jdstucks  JD thanks for posting the images. Its great to see a bunch of young guys excited about the hobby. 

BTW - happened to run across one of your $10 off codes for TRAINZ.  Worked great - Thanks - Jeff

@ScoutingDad posted:

@jdstucks  JD thanks for posting the images. Its great to see a bunch of young guys excited about the hobby.

BTW - happened to run across one of your $10 off codes for TRAINZ.  Worked great - Thanks - Jeff

Glad you were able to get a few dollars off and thanks for using my code!

- Jason

@jdstucks posted:

This weekend, three of my fellow YouTube friends made the trip to Detroit, MI for a fun filled weekend of trains. @Sid's Trains, RJ's Train's (@RJ I) , and Chris's Train & Things (@Cmontagna) all flew out for the weekend.

...

...

A big thanks to everyone who opened their doors for us and thanks again to Sid, RJ, and Chris for making the trip out.

THIS IS WHAT THE HOBBY IS ALL ABOUT!

- Jason

Looks like great fun - thanks for sharing.  The last line of your post is so true.

Along with @Chris1985 (and sorry if I'm leaving anyone out), how many of you are going to step into leadership positions in TCA, and how soon?  TCA needs your attitude, energy, and ideas.  Seriously.

Hey @NOT LionelLLC - How can we get these guys into leadership?   

Looks like a great time!!   I can only echo many comments.  You guys are the new crusaders in the hobby.  (  Chris too even though he didn't make it haha)  I love the comment about you dudes getting active in TCA.  We certainly DO need new blood in leadership.  Older leaders did a fine job indeed,  but new life makes the hobby live on.

Thanks for all the positivity! We had a wonderful weekend celebrating the hobby, visiting layouts, and catching up as friends. These weekends tend to be very busy, but the best parts are just relaxing at Jason’s and catching up. This hobby has helped me gain some wonderful friends, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful. We certainly missed @Chris1985.

I have a few videos that will be hitting my channel in the next few weeks, all from this weekend.

Looks like a great time had by all. Can't wait to see more of what you all are up to in the future.

And people are lamenting that young people aren't interested in model trains!!!  This is a prime example to prove that isn't the case.  What a great time you fellows had!  I enjoy all of your great work on top notch videos as well!!!

The enthusiasm is catchy. Appreciative of the videos all these guys make and the way they share with the broader community.

@Mallard4468 posted:

Hey @NOT LionelLLC - How can we get these guys into leadership?   

Office Term limits? 🤣

Hey…if you guys ever plan a trip to eastern PA, drop me a line. I am always open for visitors.

Donald

Looking forward to more videos from these guys soon. Man, I wish I could have joined the group. For now, I will continue watching your videos. Awesome layouts, Jason, Chris, Sid, RJ, Norm, Chris1985, and others.

You're all too kind. I know the TCA has been very excited to see some young people get into the hobby lately. We're just enjoying the hobby that we love and trying to spread some inspiration in the process.

- Jason

@BobbyD posted:

Office Term limits? 🤣

Sorry to hijack... TCA, especially the national BoD and division folks who run York (ED), is too much of an "old boys network" that is resistant to change.  At the local level, we also see the same faces in the same roles year after year, but that's partially due to a lack of people putting themselves forward for leadership positions - that's pretty much what killed the local chapter in my area.  At the presidential level, the term is actually too short IMO - by the time that the officeholder gets the ball rolling, their term comes to an end.  And the president's influence is weak - most control rests with the BoD.

I'm hoping that Stu Rankin will run again as soon as he is eligible.

My local NMRA division faced similar issues - lack of wide membership engagement, same faces in the same positions, etc.  We elected a new superintendent (local president) who brought enthusiasm and new ideas, and he spoke with individual members about their concerns - there's been a huge increase in participation.  The big difference is that he was elected to a 3-year term, so he had time to see his initiatives through to completion.  TCA president Stu Rankin is cut from the same cloth, but isn't given enough time.

@jdstucks posted:

You're all too kind. I know the TCA has been very excited to see some young people get into the hobby lately. We're just enjoying the hobby that we love and trying to spread some inspiration in the process.

- Jason

Yeah, you all inspire us older folks with your exciting vibes. I still have to catch up on quite a few videos including see things from Mr. Muffin's. Keep up the great work.

Hey, Jason. I noticed that your backdrops are installed! They really add some dimension to your layout. Now you need to get the roundhouse and turntable area finished and some scenery added. Looking forward to the next update videos. Keep up the good work, man.

@Dylan the Train Man posted:

Hey, Jason. I noticed that your backdrops are installed! They really add some dimension to your layout. Now you need to get the roundhouse and turntable area finished and some scenery added. Looking forward to the next update videos. Keep up the good work, man.

It takes time to get things done and correctly done on a layout.  Jason's layout is shaping up to be fantastic!

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Yeah, you all inspire us older folks with your exciting vibes. I still have to catch up on quite a few videos including see things from Mr. Muffin's. Keep up the great work.

I’d drink to that, …..these guys should and could be office holders in the TCA, …I’d think it’d bring a lot of eyes on what’s becoming a dull drum organization…….IMO ….given these fellas backgrounds, it’d be pretty cool to see some technical advances brought to the table …….

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

I’d drink to that, …..these guys should and could be office holders in the TCA, …I’d think it’d bring a lot of eyes on what’s becoming a dull drum organization…….IMO ….given these fellas backgrounds, it’d be pretty cool to see some technical advances brought to the table …….

Pat

Having met Jason, Chris1985(RBP Trains), unofficially RJ I think, and Sean of Sean's Trains at York last October, these guys have got that great train vibe that just gets you excited. I remember before joining the forum I ran across Jason's channel and was sucked in. Granted, Jason doesn't run a lot of steam(that will have to change, haha), but he is very charismatic just like the rest of them. They should definitely run for some TCA offices, they all have a great fascination like we all seem to do as well, that captivates their YouTube audiences.

Dave, charisma besides a love of trains!  Yes they have it.  

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Having met Jason, Chris1985(RBP Trains), unofficially RJ I think, and Sean of Sean's Trains at York last October, these guys have got that great train vibe that just gets you excited. I remember before joining the forum I ran across Jason's channel and was sucked in. Granted, Jason doesn't run a lot of steam(that will have to change, haha), but he is very charismatic just like the rest of them. They should definitely run for some TCA offices, they all have a great fascination like we all seem to do as well, that captivates their YouTube audiences.

@harmonyards posted:

I’d drink to that, …..these guys should and could be office holders in the TCA, …I’d think it’d bring a lot of eyes on what’s becoming a dull drum organization…….IMO ….given these fellas backgrounds, it’d be pretty cool to see some technical advances brought to the table …….

Pat

I also met Jason and Chris in October, and agree 100%.  In addition to enthusiasm and technical knowledge, what sets them apart is their communication skills - their videos don't waste a lot of time, and the narration is crisp.  I'm also impressed by their energy level - they have demanding jobs, Chris has a family, and Jason has other hobbies and a girlfriend - great juggling acts.

Hey, some of the meet up is on YouTube now per @Cmontagna Chris's channel. I thought there was another one, but that might be what I saw briefly last night before bed. Maybe Chris will highlight on here somewhere.

Here is my highlight video from our weekend! Enjoy!

@Krieglok posted:

Nice tour!

I remember making road trips like that when I was younger. The layouts are amazing and Norm’s layout is like one that I aspire to build someday.

Great stuff!

Tom

Tom from the looks of your projects and the paint projects you've done for me, I'm sure your future layout will be awesome!

Love the camaraderie ....

Looking forward to seeing the other videos. The sound from the 6 steamer lash up is amazing!

Great video CHRIS!!!! 👍👍. Glad you met with the DETROIT 3RAILERS, and met the one and only SIR JAMES.  Great guy!!!!

I really like the take on Norm's layout, how it is very photogenic. One thing I have noticed after watching quite a bit of Norm's videos, it always seems like you see something new. I have noticed that just the small areas, seem so much larger when you look at all that is happening in them. Got to see more of what was under that bridge. Heck, I thought there was some water under there, nope, a bunch of junk rusting away.

All the other spots were great too. It is always a good thing to see other places you haven't seen. I like the rest of the folks will be waiting for some of the other videos to come out. I sure hope that big lash up of engines was hauling more than just a few passenger cars.

I finally finished Chris' video.  Excellent job on the video!  That was a fantastic trip for sure!

@Mark Boyce posted:

I finally finished Chris' video.  Excellent job on the video!  That was a fantastic trip for sure!

I'm glad you enjoyed it!