Paul,
As another "Away" member from Virginia, I welcome you to the "amalgamated volunteer railroad workers from Away" fold. There are quite a few of us who travel from Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, and other places who are joined by the "nearly Away" folks from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and other nearby states.
The rewards of joining our band of railroad volunteers will provide you with three major things. First, being with a great group of friendly men and women with common goals. Second, you will learn first hand how "real railroads" lay track, maintain roadbeds, fix rolling stock, maintain railroad facilities and, over time, operate trains. Third, this will enhance the HOn3 side of your hobby activities. Your new knowledge may enable you to become one of the "authorities" in the suburban Milwaukee model railroad arena on how it's really done.
Welcome,
Bill