I believe it was Neal Young how said: "it's better to burn out, than to fade away ... my my hey hey."
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
To those missing who have dropped in, thanks for allaying others concerns. xboxtravis7, yes, I would not be asking questions pertaining to OO9 here, even though it’s a scale/gauge that I’ve been collecting bits for...
A nice looking locomotive, xboxtravis7. Well done.
A decent selection of 009 items here in the UK made by Peco and Bachmann.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
xboxtravis7992I am enjoying and my biggest piece of progress is kitbashing a Bachmann Skarloey into a well weathered take on the Talyllyn locomotive
Wow, good job on the conversion work. It looks great.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
To answer the original question...
I have my e-mail on my profile page.
( not that I bother to check it very often ... about every Three weeeks.)
I also belong to several modeling forums, and have a few contacts that I converse with outside the forums. So, if I had an "accident", or died under " mysterious circumstances" , some one would probably post it here, and on the other forums.
Plus, my wife knows how important you all are to me, so she would definitely let you guys know by posting for me.
P.S.
Just for the record, I have been working a LOT of overtime lately ( 14 hour days hauling asphalt in a non- airconditioned truck when the weather outside has been 108 for the past few weeks.)
So, I'm not avoiding you.... I'm saving up to buy mor stuff my wife says I dont need ..... because, I already have 12 of those, and 8 of them, and 20 of this , and .........
Rust...... It's a good thing !
I am one of those youngsters, being aged 27. I havent disappeared, as I promised myself I would start taking action in the hobby by starting small (building freight car kits, settling on an era to model, figure out my interests in the hobby etc) after asking so many questions etc, as actions do speak louder then texted words.
I do find myself on the Facebook groups slighty more, because of the ease of message and reply notifications, etc, so I hope the Trains Forum devs work on that.
So no I havent.
Thanks for the responses.
xboxtravis7992 ...and my biggest piece of progress is kitbashing a Bachmann Skarloey into a well weathered take on the Talyllyn
That's nice.
Cheers the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
JaBear,
I have the honor of making the 100th reply to your thread. I have never been so excited. I am here. I never left.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrainI have the honor of making the 100th reply to your thread.
OMG, I am so undeserving!
But, I will take it.
Is there also a cash prize?
Rich Hot Rain
richhotrainIs there also a cash prize?
Bear, thank you for AirDropping my cash prize.
Hey guys,
I just remembered that one of our missing members is Union Pacific passenger car guru "DC Fixer". His posts featured his talents in creating detailed interiors for his passenger car fleet, including lighting. It's been several years since his last post.
I found him on YouTube and sent him a message, hoping that he's well and willing to respond.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
BATMAN ucf_knight BATMAN That being said I really value my privacy. If I type my name in Google absolutely nothing comes up and I would like to keep it that way. If I find my days on this planet are coming to an end, I will most likely be one of those that has slipped off in the night. If you go missing, should we start looking in Abbotsford, South Surrey, or Tsawwassen? Well, if I am not seen at Costco in Abbotsford or at PWRS in South Surrey or catching the ferry in Tsawwassen, you can check the greek restaurant or the Boathouse in White Rock. If you cannot find me, then I will be here. This is where I told the wife and kids to dump the ashes on the outgoing tide so I can continue to see more of the world. My wife and kids loved it as I spent a lot of time sailing off the point or walking the dogs in the park in my first 40 years. A good place to rest my weary bones. So come on by and set a spell.
ucf_knight BATMAN That being said I really value my privacy. If I type my name in Google absolutely nothing comes up and I would like to keep it that way. If I find my days on this planet are coming to an end, I will most likely be one of those that has slipped off in the night. If you go missing, should we start looking in Abbotsford, South Surrey, or Tsawwassen?
BATMAN That being said I really value my privacy. If I type my name in Google absolutely nothing comes up and I would like to keep it that way. If I find my days on this planet are coming to an end, I will most likely be one of those that has slipped off in the night.
If you go missing, should we start looking in Abbotsford, South Surrey, or Tsawwassen?
Well, if I am not seen at Costco in Abbotsford or at PWRS in South Surrey or catching the ferry in Tsawwassen, you can check the greek restaurant or the Boathouse in White Rock.
If you cannot find me, then I will be here. This is where I told the wife and kids to dump the ashes on the outgoing tide so I can continue to see more of the world. My wife and kids loved it as I spent a lot of time sailing off the point or walking the dogs in the park in my first 40 years.
A good place to rest my weary bones. So come on by and set a spell.
Beautiful point of land,...and I will join you in that sailing trip. Haven't been sailing in a long time, and for a number of years it was my center of existence.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
riogrande5761 With the way things are going with this magazine, I wouldn't be surprised if this forum gets the axe.
With the way things are going with this magazine, I wouldn't be surprised if this forum gets the axe.
Are you are saying that it is going very bad with the Model Railroader magazine?
southernpacificgs4 riogrande5761 With the way things are going with this magazine, I wouldn't be surprised if this forum gets the axe. Are you are saying that it is going very bad with the Model Railroader magazine?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mr. B: Previous post to yours was October 2012, not October 2022.
I miss talking to our friend Ulrich and care just the same for his lovely wife Petra over in Germany.
TF
Track fiddlerI miss talking to our friend Ulrich over in Germany.
I don't think he can really count as a "missing" member.
He's missing to me in my world. Ulrich Hosted the Diner multiple consecutive months for years and posted so many delightful videos every day.
It was like a big empty hole of our Forum Family was missing after he wasn't here anymore.
The man was as genuine as I can profess. I offered to send him money when he and Petra was down and out when Germany was all messed up.
He wouldn't even consider it.
This has been an interesting read. It's a shame that posters disappear - some for the very worst reason (passing away).
However as a newbie, I'm troubled by several of you who seem to think that resurrecting old threads is a nuisance. No. The forum is above all else, a database. Every one of you - especially the senior posters - have an investment to protect in this forum. Those old posts become resources. You're not just here to answer current questions that come up.
Yes, I can see if someone pulls a years-old thread and simply adds a comment to the OP's original post. That could be called a nuisance and on some forums with new member grace periods, is a way to cheat the system.
However, forums can also be used for DIY how-tos, references, and historical context. Yes, the Model Railroader Forum search is pretty bad (this forum is not alone in that), but Google comes up with multiple references to the MR Forum on just about every model railroad subject I search.
So if someone like me, getting back into the hobby after the 70's-80's and trying to catch up, asks a pertinent subject question in an old thread, please don't regard it as a problem or nuisance.
IC_TomHowever as a newbie, I'm troubled by several of you who seem to think that resurrecting old threads is a nuisance. No. The forum is above all else, a database.
I agree with this entirely.
I am also aggravated by the complaints of bringing back older threads. These are usually the same people that complain about repetitive topic postings.
They complain if an old thread gets brought back, and they complain if a new thread is opened with the same topic.
IC_TomSo if someone like me, getting back into the hobby after the 70's-80's and trying to catch up, asks a pertinent subject question in an old thread, please don't regard it as a problem or nuisance.
I won't, and thank you for joining us.
You are quite correct and I still use this forum in such a way. I have Googled a problem I have been having on several occasions only to be led right back to this forum where the answer was presented.
I have been around a while and in the earlier days when the PM part of the forum was working well, I would get PMs from members complaining about other members on the forum. They would seem to be wanting to recruit people in a tribal manner to gang up on whoever they had a personality clash with like a bunch of school girls in the cafeteria at lunchtime.
Be it a personality clash or an old post being resurrected, I just tell people to scroll on by if it/they bugs them, but some people just have too much time on their hands.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
IC_TomHowever as a newbie, I'm troubled by several of you who seem to think that resurrecting old threads is a nuisance.
Hi IC-Tom,
I used to be bothered by those people who felt that they had the right to denigrate any members, new or otherwise, for resurrecting old threads or duplicating previous threads. Now I simply take the time to tell the person who has been criticized that they have done nothing wrong.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I may be feeling a little defensive this morning, but I feel that I am being called out but not named directly as one of the "complainers" who detest the revival of old threads.
richhotrain Someone mentioned the revival of old threads. I readily admit that I for one detest this practice. How often have I started to read a thread by clicking on the most recent reply only to realize that the thread is from 2005 or 2008 or 2011. Why not just start a new thread and link to the old thread in the initial post? A lot of these revivals are to provide an answer or comment to a thread last posted over 10 years ago. I think by now that the OP has had his answer.
Someone mentioned the revival of old threads. I readily admit that I for one detest this practice. How often have I started to read a thread by clicking on the most recent reply only to realize that the thread is from 2005 or 2008 or 2011. Why not just start a new thread and link to the old thread in the initial post? A lot of these revivals are to provide an answer or comment to a thread last posted over 10 years ago. I think by now that the OP has had his answer.
IC_Tom This has been an interesting read. It's a shame that posters disappear - some for the very worst reason (passing away). However as a newbie, I'm troubled by several of you who seem to think that resurrecting old threads is a nuisance. No. The forum is above all else, a database. Every one of you - especially the senior posters - have an investment to protect in this forum. Those old posts become resources. You're not just here to answer current questions that come up. So if someone like me, getting back into the hobby after the 70's-80's and trying to catch up, asks a pertinent subject question in an old thread, please don't regard it as a problem or nuisance.
Thanks for the lecture. As a senior poster, let me explain my stance on the revival of old threads.
SeeYou190 IC_Tom However as a newbie, I'm troubled by several of you who seem to think that resurrecting old threads is a nuisance. No. The forum is above all else, a database. I agree with this entirely.
IC_Tom
However as a newbie, I'm troubled by several of you who seem to think that resurrecting old threads is a nuisance. No. The forum is above all else, a database.
SeeYou190 I am also aggravated by the complaints of bringing back older threads. These are usually the same people that complain about repetitive topic postings. They complain if an old thread gets brought back, and they complain if a new thread is opened with the same topic.
Let me explain myself and take the liberty to speak for the other "complainers" who take issue with reviving old threads. I don't feel that it is irrational or mean spirited to object to the revival of old threads. I will use myself as an explanation for my objection. I am permanently signed into the forum, and when I click on the link to the forum on my computer, it takes me directly to Your Discussions. There I am able to review recent postings to threads that I have either initiated or otherwise previously responded to. Every once in a while, the latest reply is to a revival of an old thread. I will explain my objection in a moment.
After reviewing Your Discussions, I click on the Home link to review the most recent postings on the forum. Sometimes, I review a thread of interest based upon the subject title and I start at the beginning of the thread. Other times, I recognize the thread as a somewhat recent post that I have already read and I click on Order Descending to review the most recent reply first and then work backward if desired.
Here is the source and nature of my objection to a revival of an old thread.As an example, the most recent reply may be something like "You can try to locate a dead spot with a voltmeter". It turns out that this is a ten year old thread in which the OP inquired "I am having a problem with my locomotive constantly stopping at the same point of my layout, and I can say with certainty that it is not a short. Can anyone help?" Ten years later, the OP is long gone and the 100 or so ten year old replies have long ago provided the same answer as well as another 100 suggestions for what the problem might be. So, who revives a thread like this? Typically, it is a first time poster who conducted a search for locomotives suddenly stopping and comes up with a link to the ten year old thread and reads the initial post.
Another example would be the most recent response to an old thread that might read something like "I have the same issue. I simply cannot find an EJ&E switcher. May I ask where you found yours?" I review the next prior post in which that latest poster had said "I finally found the EJ&E switcher that I have been looking for." That reply was posted in 2009.
So, my suggestion, which will never be implemented, is to lock older threads, particularly those that have not received any replies for some period of time. Pick a date. All threads started over 3 to 5 years ago? All threads with no reply in the last 3 to 5 years. A poster could still provide a link to the old thread by including the link in a new thread.
As a senior poster, I have become addicted to the forum. I read it each day, sometimes multiple times where the forum activity is hot and heavy and filled with interesting discussion, although that is not always the case. My continuing interest in the forum is two-fold: to pick up new ideas and suggestions that help me to improve my modeling efforts and to offer suggestions, advice and answers if and when I know what I am talking about from personal experience.
I don't complain about other forum members who use the forum as a blog or a running commentary on building their own layout or other special project. Many of those threads are interesting. So, I don't know why some forum members object to someone like me who objects to the revival of older threads in a civil manner which I what I try to do. I usually say something like "This is a 10 year old thread. I am sure that the OP has his answer by now." Or, "The OP came and went back in 2009, not be to heard from since".
There is an implicit suggestion elsewhere in this thread that "complaints" about reviving old threads drive new members away. Give me a break. Anyone that thin skinned shouldn't be joining Internet forums like this one. There is no flaming or name calling when a member cites an objection to the revival of an old thread. The real problem is that first time posters, whether reviving an old thread or starting a new thread disappear as fast as they first appeared instead of managing their new thread or reviving an old one.
An excellent recent example was a parent seeking advice on train sets and layout configurations for a preteen son. Excellent advice was offered by one and all. Yet, the OP fell off the radar screen and has not been heard back from for weeks. It is disappointing and a bit aggravating to spend time and effort to respond to inquiries and never learn the poster's reactions or outright actions taken as a result of the responses.
But, I digress. Back to the issue of revival of old threads. They are most often a nuisance because the revivals add nothing to the original discussion.
Rant over!
It sounds as if you're referencing nuisance threads as simple Q&A, instead of the ones you are calling "blogs" or "special projects."
That doesn't necessarily justify ignoring an "old thread," though. Someone may ask, "How do I attach a Kadee coupler to a 70's era Rivarossi locomotive?" Or, "How do I strip the paint from an Athearn bluebox so I can paint it with my roadname?" Questions like that always have relevance, but I'd never describe them as "blogs" or "special projects." A newbie might very well be looking for an answer to those questions, regardless of the date of the original threads. Dismissing either as old threads would be a disservce, IMHO.
The problem is that none of the previous posts in this now 4-page thread were specific with regard to the type of older posts they're complaining about.
Your posts, Rich, are some of the most helpful I've read - and so are many of the other posters' in this thread. I just hope that future judgment on on a thread's age or relevance is a bit less harsh than what's been described here.
How about this -
I responded to the very same "Mom" thread you cited 8 days ago. Why? Because I think it highlights a huge issue for newbies right now: Atlas track plan books are woefully out-of-date relative to DCC and wireless throttle control.
Yeah, someone replied and stated that an Atlas track plan can easily be converted to DCC with little effort. That's missing the entire point.
If I had picked up an Atlas track plan and started building The Big Panhandle or Oregon Pass Lines as soon as I got back into this a year-and-a-half ago, I'd be really, really disappointed right now.
Instead, I was lucky enough to be delayed in obtaining a room. In the meantime, I continued studying and learned all about walk-around wireless control, staging and multi-level layouts, and using vision blocks with no passing through the same scene twice.
That Mom's question (and the thread) has relevance right now.
I admit that I don't post as often as I used to as I don't think about checking regularly and other times there's nothing that I can contribute to with any knowledge.
I will agree with the point that just because something is old (whether it be a post or a model railroad item), it isn't useful. I have a few old (older than I am) AHM U-25Cs that are for coal operations. Some people may eschew them because of age, but at the time I bought my first two, they were the only 25s I could find and the modern ones were too expensive for my budget anyway. (I'm up to four currently.)
richhotrainRant over!
richhotrain Rant over! Gee Rich, why don’t you tell us what you really think???!!! To be fair though I do agree with you over the lack of response from an OP who you’ve done the courtesy of offering advice; but then we’ve both been around long enough to know it’s, unfortunately, nothing new. Cheers, the Bear. PS, Isn’t the weather in the Dearborn Station area still good enough so you can go and take out your frustrations by whacking the snot out of a small white ball!!
richhotrain Rant over!