Any O Gauge Clubs around Tampa, Florida?

Ive been thinking the same thing. I just moved back home to Hernando from San Diego and want to find or start a club closer then Broward. There was one in ocala but I cant get a hold of anyone to see if they still run.

Never has been. Only trains are here...  https://www.finescalemodeling.org/

@Sportdiver007 posted:

Ive been thinking the same thing. I just moved back home to Hernando from San Diego and want to find or start a club closer then Broward. There was one in ocala but I cant get a hold of anyone to see if they still run.

Ah okay, I'm just a little north of Hernando up in Citrus County! I've tried to contact the club that was in Ocala a few times in the past as well, but from what I've been told they're no longer around. Other than them the only other O gauge club that I know of is down near Miami, but that's way too far lol. Modular O Gauge clubs/groups seem to be the best bet here in Florida!

Hi guys, I'm in Beverly Hills FL ( Citrus County)  and looking to join a 3 rail club, if you start one I'm in. Also I try to go to the TCA York show so if anyone interested email me, my email is in my profile.

I agree Florida seems to be mostly vacant of O Gauge 3 rail.  I'm in the Cape Coral-Ft. Myers area and haven't been able to find anything.  I'm trying to see if I can find a way to fit a layout in the garage and still have room to park the car.  Problem with Florida is all the junk goes in the garage since there aren't any basements which leaves limited room to work around the car.  I'm open to discussing a solution with anyone who might be in the area.

I think you guys above are just a bit too far north to make something work.

I’d be down to start a modular group! Been wanting to for a while and three people would be enough to get something started I think 😄

Modules would be fun but I love the permanent layout. I'm gona look at a shed in jan once my VA stuff is done an holiday hangover is gone. Here's a look a friend in the SD3R club in his garage. Pretty cool 2 lines an sidings.

That’s an awesome layout! When I first moved down here I had something similar in size in my garage. After a couple years though I really needed the garage space for other things so I had to take it down before it got to the scenery phase unfortunately. That’s when I got the idea for the shelf layout I currently have which has gotten me by in terms of not having to run trains on the floor, lol.

I am not in the LCCA, but I am a member of the TCA! (train collectors association).  I live in Tampa and have a layout, which is quite eclectic.  The layout is "high rail", three rail, etc.  Trains from all era's with "whimsy" thrown in for good measure.  Basic theme is "New York to Tampa".....but very loosely portrayed.  Mostly MTH trains,  of which I have many from all time periods.  In addition, to the "American" models, I have several MTH "European" models. (I also have some older Lionel, some Weaver, some K Line, and a few Williams models.  But mostly MTH trains.)

I looked awhile ago for a three rail O gauge club in the Tampa area, but as previously stated here by the original post.....there does not seem to be one here in Tampa for 3 rail O gauge, that I am aware of.  If someone is forming a "club", let me know....I could be interested!  Cheers !

All -

I think you might be missing an opportunity here.  I found a great group of O-Gauge guys with an active club and large layout just north of the Sarasota Airport on rt 41.  They go by the name of RealRail.  They run Lionel Legacy.  They are open on Saturdays 10-2pm.  Stop by and visit.

Old railroad stations...if held in some regard locally and maintained...seem like possible locations for a club layout.   Sometimes they're more of a seasonal opportunity...like these current holidays.  But others have been given space to reflect the importance of the railroad to the town's history. 

Re Florida, for instance...  There's a really sizeable preserved station in Punta Gorda...

Never been inside.  Don't know what's available re historical displays, retail, etc..  The adjacent track is 'active'...serving local industries, only, it seems.  But perhaps they have space and would be amenable to club/layout presence.  Wouldn't hurt to ask, I suppose. 

There may be other depots in the greater Tampa area that could provide space for a club/layout activity.

Of course, there are those obligations and expenses that go with this sort of arrangement.  Not the least of which is c-o-m-m-i-t-m-e-n-t...time/talent/treasure.   Support of the facility's goals...community, visitation, history, maintenance, etc..   Hey, I'm no expert on such matters, but I can well imagine that this sort of  opportunity is probably more than a casual substitution for lack of a residential basement.

Seasonally, though, there should be no shortage of expertise...of the old phart snowbird variety...like me/spouse.

Just a suggestion...

KD

@Gpritch posted:

All -

I think you might be missing an opportunity here.  I found a great group of O-Gauge guys with an active club and large layout just north of the Sarasota Airport on rt 41.  They go by the name of RealRail.  They run Lionel Legacy.  They are open on Saturdays 10-2pm.  Stop by and visit.

Ah interesting, I haven’t heard of them before. Sarasota is pretty far from me though, but perhaps I’ll check it out sometime

@dkdkrd posted:

Old railroad stations...if held in some regard locally and maintained...seem like possible locations for a club layout.   Sometimes they're more of a seasonal opportunity...like these current holidays.  But others have been given space to reflect the importance of the railroad to the town's history.

Re Florida, for instance...  There's a really sizeable preserved station in Punta Gorda...

Never been inside.  Don't know what's available re historical displays, retail, etc..  The adjacent track is 'active'...serving local industries, only, it seems.  But perhaps they have space and would be amenable to club/layout presence.  Wouldn't hurt to ask, I suppose.

There may be other depots in the greater Tampa area that could provide space for a club/layout activity.

Of course, there are those obligations and expenses that go with this sort of arrangement.  Not the least of which is c-o-m-m-i-t-m-e-n-t...time/talent/treasure.   Support of the facility's goals...community, visitation, history, maintenance, etc..   Hey, I'm no expert on such matters, but I can well imagine that this sort of  opportunity is probably more than a casual substitution for lack of a residential basement.

Seasonally, though, there should be no shortage of expertise...of the old phart snowbird variety...like me/spouse.

Just a suggestion...

KD

That’s a good idea, I haven’t thought of that! Come to think of it I do know of two restored train depots close by in Brooksville and Inverness that were former Atlantic Coast Line stations back in the day. Not sure if the Brooksville depot’s size, but the Inverness one is a pretty good size. Probably could look into that and see if they’d be open for a club layout or something!

Still no train clubs BUT there is a meet on Jan 22nd at the Hernando County Fair Grounds in Brooksville.

I have friends in the Tampa area. About 8 years ago I was sent a link to a Fox 13 news show. Charley Belcher was the host and they interviewed a builder of a layout. It was being built in a Quonset hut. On a visit our friends pointed out the hut on the side of the highway. Didn’t see a way to access it. The layout was only being built in the hut. It was of modular design but it was very highly detailed with craftsman like construction. More in line with a 3RS layout. It was going to be moved to a permanent location.

I did a goggle search and only come up with a Facebook link. Not being a member it ended there. Wondering if anyone has any info as to what became of it.

I did a little more digging. The layout was in Tarpon Springs.

I found a sight.  www.fowlerdreamlayout.com.   Lot’s of photos of many completed scenes. 40x80 footprint. Hard to believe all the work put into it and it just vanished.

@Dave_C posted:

I did a little more digging. The layout was in Tarpon Springs.

I found a sight.  www.fowlerdreamlayout.com.   Lot’s of photos of many completed scenes. 40x80 footprint. Hard to believe all the work put into it and it just vanished.

It's all still there.  Tom and company continue to work on the layout.  It is quite impressive.  They now have trains running.

@Gpritch posted:

It's all still there.  Tom and company continue to work on the layout.  It is quite impressive.  They now have trains running.

Ah, interesting! I remember they used to have a Facebook group that they posted progress to, but then it suddenly one day changed to being a South American rail fans group for some reason :/ Are there any plans of this being a club eventually? It looks to be more of a private layout with volunteers helping with building.

Well if anyone lives near Citrus County and is interested in either starting a modular club that can move around to different locations throughout the year or something more permanent in a set brick and mortar location, feel free to send me an email through my profile! I know LennyJ and SportDiver007 mentioned they could be interested so far, plus anyone else who is within a decent driving distance that’s looking for an O Gauge club. Perhaps a meetup could be arranged soon if enough people are interested! 🚂

Best wishes in your endeavor......we started in Richmond VA.....3 guys got together to form a modular club and I was invited in as the 4th.

Now we’re 40 members and have 3 modular layouts......and, it has been a blast..... more knowledge shared, new friendships, and just more fun!

Good luck! Get it going, it’s worth doing!

Peter

@N&WGuy posted:

Well if anyone lives near Citrus County and is interested in either starting a modular club that can move around to different locations throughout the year or something more permanent in a set brick and mortar location, feel free to send me an email through my profile! I know LennyJ and SportDiver007 mentioned they could be interested so far, plus anyone else who is within a decent driving distance that’s looking for an O Gauge club. Perhaps a meetup could be arranged soon if enough people are interested! 🚂

I am in Clearwater you are out of luck, it would have to be a new club

@Gpritch posted:

It's all still there.  Tom and company continue to work on the layout.  It is quite impressive.  They now have trains running.

Not gone just not a club

@ThatGuy posted:

Not gone just not a club

Do they take calls? I'd love to go see it and see if they have some insight to help maybe start a new club up here in Pasco/Hernando.

@Sportdiver007 posted:

Do they take calls? I'd love to go see it and see if they have some insight to help maybe start a new club up here in Pasco/Hernando.

They do have a phone number on their website, it’s 727-942-0715! Also Tom Fowler’s email is listed as TCFOWLERSR@GMAIL.COM

It’s too bad that O Gauge doesn’t seem to be as popular down here as it is in most other states... It’s kinda surprising especially with the amount of folks we’ve had moving down here in the last couple years!

@N&WGuy posted:

It’s too bad that O Gauge doesn’t seem to be as popular down here as it is in most other states... It’s kinda surprising especially with the amount of folks we’ve had moving down here in the last couple years!

Spent 30 years in that area, never was any O. You'll have to go out to the modelers in Odessa. That's a big place where I might join and set up the modular layout.

Video HERE- https://youtu.be/5PmSaZT0Pkk

No room, garages are too small and too hot. If I move back down, I will insulate and add A/C to the garage.

We have the same issue in SOUTH Carolina. There are 2 clubs here. One in Myrtle Beach the other in Charleston. Both have O gauge layouts, the one in MB is Small and kind of toy like for the kids. The Charleston club has a big O gauge layout that looks pretty cool from the pictures I’ve seen. There is a small group of us that are slowly organizing an O gauge club. You might want to try that if you can’t find a club. Good luck! On a side note Fowlers Layout is gorgeous. I’ve been following that build for a while.

I've been looking for some sort of O Gauge club in the Cape Coral or Ft. Myers area.  You would think there would be something in or around Cape Coral, with 210,000 citizens and the largest city between Tampa and Miami but nothing. 

I've solved the problem of where to put a layout in Florida.  Since there are no basements and garages can be stifling hot, especially in summer, my wife mentioned that we NEVER use the dining room.  So that's where it is.  5x10 layout in a 8x12 room so not too bad.  Now if I could just find some folks to share it with and maybe work with them locally on their layouts, it would be great.

LionelFlyer

Born and raised in Ocala. I’ve been blessed with many close lifetime friends. But a loner in the hobby. My wife is cool enough to let me have a switching layout in the living room. I would be interested in a club to attend and participate as well. A move around modular, or a permanent spot.

Good looking setup. I'm interested to see if maybe we can get the old ACL building in brooksville to let a layout be set up. I was up there last weekend but didn't have a chance to stop in. Hopefully I can get up there and see it to talk to someone and maybe ask the right questions. We may have to start a club and go that rout with them just providing the space. I'll let yall know when I have a chance to stop in.

@Sportdiver007 posted:

Good looking setup. I'm interested to see if maybe we can get the old ACL building in brooksville to let a layout be set up. I was up there last weekend but didn't have a chance to stop in. Hopefully I can get up there and see it to talk to someone and maybe ask the right questions. We may have to start a club and go that rout with them just providing the space. I'll let yall know when I have a chance to stop in.

That’d be awesome to check out! There’s also another station up in Inverness in Liberty Park that was recently renovated that I’d like to check out as a possible club location. Never been inside of it yet, but it almost looks like a brand new building. They even have an old ACL caboose outside!

Since I stay in Venice Florida during part of the winter, I am interested in finding a club layout to visit/participate in when I'm there. To that end and after reading this thread, I goggled Real Rails mentioned above. It came back that they have a three rail layout and they are in Sarasota. I sent them a message looking for more info and whether I  could visit there. I will respond here when I gat an answer. Bill Park

Ya it looks good. Drove by there a weeks ago comming home from rainbow river. Guess I need to get the harley out an take a ride. I'm tied up this week but its on the schedule for sure. I've got some engines I love to run so I'd like to find a good size layout for them. I miss the club in San Diego for sure.