members in florida

Check with my friend Nick( pc9850).

There are lots of members in Florida.  I’m near Orlando but there is a club in Ocala that sets up a 3-rail O Gauge layout at several of the shows around here in Central Florida.  They often set up at the show in Deland which is coming up in early July.  I just googled and found this site with some info about the Ocala club: http://www.trainboard.com/rail.../showlink.php?l=1938 .

 

We also have a very active TCA Division in Florida and just recently had a meet in Jacksonville with meets scheduled later this year for the Sarasota area and Orlando area.

 

HTH,

 

Bill

thanks for the reply guys hope to see you guys at a train show in the future

There is going to be a train show at The Villages in August. There is the Ocala 3 railers club. I've seen them setup at the Lions Club train show at the NG Armory. Only once have I seen an o gauge 3 rail layout at the DeLand show. It wasnt the Ocala crew. I would love to see an o gauge club get started in Jacksonville area.

Yep, I'm 20 and getting ready to head back to the University of Florida in Gainesville, not all that far from Ocala I think. Only trouble is, I'm returning to a full course load and also getting a new dog, so trains are getting put on hold for a good while.

well at least your a o scale guy so i wont hold the uf thing against you. but goodluck with school.

Go Gators!! What kind of quantity and quality In O gauge stuff is available at the DeLand show?

It’s a show that covers the total spectrum of the railroading hobby with all gauges plus memorabilia, books, videos, etc. but with plenty of vendors selling new & used 3-rail O.  I’ve gotten some real good deals there coming home with a full trunk load and other times have come home with nothing but some light bulbs and other replacement parts.  The January and October shows are usually better than April and July.   

 

HTH,

 

Bill

I live 78 miles N. of Ocala, in Lake City and I am building a 24'x52' layout, I know three more guys that they building theirs layouts, so far I am the only one with Legacy and DCS.

Churu,

so far I am the only one with Legacy and DCS.

I also run both DCS and Legacy. I'm in Sanford, about 20 minutes North of Orlando on I-4.

Barry: I think you live close to my place, how about if we meet in my place or your place?

Churu,

 

If you're 78 miles North of Ocala, you're probably a couple of hours from my home. I'm about 5 miles West of downtown Sanford, about 3 miles West of the Autotrain station, off Route 46 West.

im in the middle of both of you im just south of ocala in belleview

 

I'm here in Ocala. I am one of the founding members of the Ocala Three Railers. I have a small (10X12) conventional layout. It would be neat to get together.

   Ed

I am in Brandon FL (outside Tampa), always welcome to visit our layout. DCS and Legacy.

July is too hot. My son lives in Orlando so I may have to plan a trip in October. That would be a perfect weekend! By the way Barry, I went to Sanford Naval Academy when I was a kid. I won't divulge which century or decade though.

I live near Jacksonville. I keep a couple of conventional train sets (for holidays - Halloween, Christmas)here. My layout, however, is in NC (running Legacy).

 

Bruce

Lots of folks in Florida as lots of hobbyists eventually show up here to retire from Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc etc.

 

Architecture is not our friend however. No basements, scalding hot attics with no room for anything and the garage is usually already taken by workshop, lawnmowers, storage, exercise equipment - everything BUT cars, let alone a train layout. Most folks end up with spare bedroom layouts. 

 

The heat - while no hotter than other parts of the country in the dead of summer - is oppressive just because it is relentless. We have 90 degree weather from March to November (or so it seems) yet I don't think I have ever seen 100 degrees, or 96 for that matter, it's just ALWAYS 92,3,4,5.

 

There have been a few efforts to gather people into some sort of organized group, not so much to have a club with a location, but at least to  a bunch of people who all know each other and can stop in when you're in the neighborhood. This is a big state. I know a couple of people who live nearby within 30 or so miles. But if you spread out beyond that, from me, members in Tampa/Bradnon/St Pete, etc are all probably 60-70 miles. Ft Myers - 70 miles, Naples - 100 miles, Orlando 150 miles, Brookesville 100 miles, Ocala 160 miles - Tallahassee is a seven hour drive. Jacksonville is probably six.  Personally, I would be up for it, but I think it's a tough job.

 

 

 

I just moved from Minnesota to Spring Hill, FL. I have a 10x15 climate controlled storage unit completely filled with trains. No place in our two bedroom house for a layout. Would like to see some type of club to keep involved.

Most recent the attempt of a club meeting at The last Train show at the florida fair ground, 5 people only meet.

 

The interest of people to meet and  share the love for O gauge Hobby is their, rounding them up to meet at a layout, restaurant  is hard to make happen.

I plan to retire to the Fort Myers area in the not-too-distant future and will likely wind up with a layout in a spare room.  Any OGR Forum members and or O Gauge clubs in that neighborhood? 

I wouldn't mind meeting up with some of you guys and checking out your layouts

My native Port Charlotte is about 45 minutes from Fort Meyers, but like I said I'll be up in Gainesville for the foreseeable future. Maybe one day.

 

I remember the last real attempt at kick-starting an O-Gauge club in the Tampa area sort of fizzled out over meeting location debate and poor timing with the York show.

The next Southern Division TCA Meet is in Venice, FL on September 8^th.  The meet is open to the public.  That would be a good reason for O gauge fans from the Tampa Bay to the Naples area to get together.  

 

HTH,

 

Bill

HAY Joker , I live east on 25 in OCKLAWAHA area. I am older than you  but have been trains since I was 4! JUst moved here afew months ago trying to work on layout and get moved in . Always ready to talk trains with another train person. Check profile for INFO..

I am on Sanibel Island, which is near Fort Myers and North of Naples.

Hi from Boynton Beach. I'm on the east coast, 10 miles south of West Palm Beach.

Unfortunatly, the drive to Orlando is 3 hours, Tampa maybe 2 1/2. Would go to a Tampa area show some time. Florida is huge and driving anywhere is somewhat boring! Good luck to all of you trying to get together. Like Harry writes, "its a tough job"

Joker

 

I am in Brandon, when you want to visit let me know.

 

I wouldn't mind meeting up with some of you guys and checking out your layouts

Sounds good to me zigmont. I will let you know when I have some free time

How about Lake Worth FL, near WPB. For any that live around here, like Boynton Beach, there should be a TCA train show at the Polish American Club on Lake Worth Road in August, don't know the date yet.

Also Ft. Meyers has a train show in November, possibly a two day event, Scale Rails is the outfit that puts it on.

Another one is in Deerfield Beach in the fall and winter off of Hillsboro Blvd. east of I-95. They used to be at the Amtrak Station a few years ago, now I think it is off of 3rd St. Right around the corner from McDonald's, two streets past Mcd's on the right at a public park in the auditorium.

 

Lee F.

The SD TCA meet in Venice replaces the Lake Worth meet.  The WPB area still has the Stuart meet every March.

 

Bill

I have free time  for those who would like to visit and see what I am up to...

 

Reply by joker34

Sounds good to me zigmont. I will let you know when I have some free time

Bill,

 

Not everybody knows where Venice FL is located, especially me!

To far to drive from the sound of it, is it near Tampa?

 

I would rather go to the Deerfield Beach or Ft. Lauderdale train shows then to drive to Venice FL.

 

Lee F.

Venice is South of Sarasota, where I live - probably 15-20 additional miles. You can probably do Tampa to Venice via I-75 in about 90 minutes. You can cut some time off that if you do 275 to Skyway and then navigate to I-75 after crossing the Skyway.  

Lee:

 

Venice is on the West Coast of Florida about 20 miles south of Sarasota.

 

Bill

zigmont i will have to see how much time i have. i only have weekends to go places but we have bben pretty busy at work and working weekends.

do you have to be a TCA member to goto meet in venice. i wouldnt mind going i love going to venice.

Didn't know for sure where Venice FL was. I could take SR 80 across the state to Ft Meyers then go to Venice, I live near PBIA airport. A little humor here, maybe I could borrow a lion from Lion Country Safari(about 11 miles away) and ride it over to Venice.

 

Lee F.

No, the meet opens to members at 9:00 AM and then opens to the public at 10:00 AM. 

 

HTH,

 

Bill