Why do most of you never say what scale you are talking about?

[Jimmydieselfan]

I get really tired of reading through a thread or a post  talking about this loco or that boxcar etc. and they never say what scale they are talking about. They just assume this is a HO only forum. Sad.  Atlas has scale specific forums , why not here?

[ChadLRyan]

I see your point, & I have stated in my early posts what I model, however I have let it drop off after that.  I guess I feel that people who look at my items may 'know' what scale I model.  I guess I should contine to add a more thourough description.  On the other hand, it is also fun for me to 'guess' the scale of posts, I enjoy looking at grab irons & couplers to guide me to what size it may be.  I have to say, N scale is getting harder to determine, & that is great!  I work on HO (&n3) & Z gauge, & find both rewarding,  I'll try to be more thoughtful in my posts, as I forget that someone new may be seeing it for the first time.  I appreciate the feedback & the suggestion! 

[CTValleyRR]

Not to disagree with your basic premise -- most people don't mention what scale they're modeling, and sometimes that's critical information to answering the question.

OTOH, it is the most popular North American scale, so many people assume HO unless stated otherwise.

I don't think we need scale-specific forums, because many of the topics discussed are NOT scale-specific, and moreover, just because someone is modeling in N scale (I'm in HO) doesn't mean I can't learn from him.

Atlas manufactures scale equipment -- the scale question is an essential part of their products.  Here, we're talking about the hobby.  Only if a specific item comes up do we need to deal with scale.

[IRONROOSTER]

CTValleyRR

...

I don't think we need scale-specific forums, because many of the topics discussed are NOT scale-specific, and moreover, just because someone is modeling in N scale (I'm in HO) doesn't mean I can't learn from him.

....

I agree.  I'm in S scale, but a lot of the topics aren't really scale specific.  And even the ones that are, are sometimes interesting to those in other scales.

Usually, you can tell pretty quickly if the thread is product specific and skip on to the next topic that looks interesting.

Enjoy

Paul

[wm3798]

I don't mind the general nature of this forum.  What drives me up the wall is when someone asks a very N scale specific question and the first 5 replies are from busy bodies who start by saying "Well, I model HO, but here's my opinion about your very N scale specific question"...  I guess it's not just limited to these types of topics...  But please, if you don't know what you're talking about, please scan through the topics until you find one where you do!!!

Lee

[Jimmydieselfan]

wm3798

I don't mind the general nature of this forum.  What drives me up the wall is when someone asks a very N scale specific question and the first 5 replies are from busy bodies who start by saying "Well, I model HO, but here's my opinion about your very N scale specific question"...  I guess it's not just limited to these types of topics...  But please, if you don't know what you're talking about, please scan through the topics until you find one where you do!!!

Lee

I also get tired of the blowhards that feel the need to comment on just about every thread. I swear they do it to boost their post count up so people think they are experts. Most experts aren't wasting their time here , I guarantee.

[BRAKIE]

wm3798

I don't mind the general nature of this forum.  What drives me up the wall is when someone asks a very N scale specific question and the first 5 replies are from busy bodies who start by saying "Well, I model HO, but here's my opinion about your very N scale specific question"...  I guess it's not just limited to these types of topics...  But please, if you don't know what you're talking about, please scan through the topics until you find one where you do!!!

Lee

I agree simply because  N Scale isn't like HO in many ways and many modeling techniques works in  N may not work in HO and vice versa..

[blownout cylinder]

It would be nice if there was some sort of scale based sub-forums. I model both N and HO here..due to client being HO based and mine N scale....

[cjcrescent]

Jimmydieselfan

I get really tired of reading through a thread or a post  talking about this loco or that boxcar etc. and they never say what scale they are talking about...

 

They could also put their scale into their signature. But I do like the idea of scale specific sub-forums as well. Every one of the other forums I frequent has them. Why not here?

[Jimmydieselfan]

cjcrescent

Jimmydieselfan:

I get really tired of reading through a thread or a post  talking about this loco or that boxcar etc. and they never say what scale they are talking about...

 

 

They could also put their scale into their signature. But I do like the idea of scale specific sub-forums as well. Every one of the other forums I frequent has them. Why not here?

I am not the Lone Ranger.

[tomikawaTT]

cjcrescent

Jimmydieselfan:

I get really tired of reading through a thread or a post  talking about this loco or that boxcar etc. and they never say what scale they are talking about...

 

 

They could also put their scale into their signature. But I do like the idea of scale specific sub-forums as well. Every one of the other forums I frequent has them. Why not here?

Because when a forum gets broken up into too many little pieces, the little pieces die off.  For a painful example, check out the, "Where are the heritage box cars?" forum.  Two threads in three months, last time I looked.

In the past, a few people tried to mount, "All things N scale," and "All things HO scale," threads.  After initial bursts of enthusiasm, they curled up and blew away.

Also, I really don't need a whole forum all to myself.  I model in a real minority scale - 1:80, aka HOj.  The only other person on this forum who modeled in the same scale was a certain abrasive Australian who was banished by Bergie clear back when.

One last query.  Jimmydieselfan, what scale do YOU model in?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[Jimmydieselfan]

Bad example , lame forum in the first place . What  scale am I in? Check my sig Bud.

[selector]

I'm defiintely with Chuck on this one....the forum would lose a ton of critical mass if we broke it up into scales.

That said, a bit of history and theory:  way back in 1906, an American sociologist by the name of William Sumner coined the term 'ethnocentrism'.   That's the little bit.

In our daily lives, we tend to let our internal biases influence how we behave and how we view and describe the world around us.  It is no less a tendency here.  We get busy, hurried, focused, and sometimes in a bit of a panic to get a question out to the forum before we remember that other people have different biases, preferences, and world-views.  Years ago, the phrase would have been, "taking things for granted."

Boiled down to three words, "It's human nature."

Crandell

[simon1966]

Jimmydieselfan

 lame forum in the first place

I don't think anyone is forcing you to spend time on this forum? If you don't like the format, the blowhards, and the lack of a scale specific section, I can't imagine anyone would mind if you drifted off to one of the more N scale orientated groups on the web.

[Jimmydieselfan]

Sidestep the issue if you must  Selector.

[Jimmydieselfan]

simon1966

Jimmydieselfan:

 lame forum in the first place

 

I don't think anyone is forcing you to spend time on this forum? If you don't like the format, the blowhards, and the lack of a scale specific section, I can't imagine anyone would mind if you drifted off to one of the more N scale orientated groups on the web.

I was speaking of the boxcar forum. Read the post blowhard.

[simon1966]

Jimmydieselfan

 

I was speaking of the boxcar forum. Read the post blowhard.

Thanks, gives me a chance to boost my post count in reply.

[blownout cylinder]

....and downhill the conversation goes.....

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I don't find it necessary to state in my posts what scale my models are as that information is in my signature. However I do sometimes come across the odd bird who asks before looking.

[selector]

Jimmydieselfan

Sidestep the issue if you must  Selector.

Hold on there, pardner.  I answered academically, and also practically,  If the answer doesn't sit well with you, have the good manners to deal with it civilly.  Try it, you'll like it.  If I am wrong, you probably don't belong here.  Others have learned that the hard way, too.

[tstage]

S'cuse me, sir...Can I see your ticket, please?  Ahhh - It looks like you're in the wrong section.  N-scalers are in the area between Section Z and Section HO.  If you would be so kind to follow me, I'll be happy to escort you there myself...

[blownout cylinder]

[citylimits]

[vsmith]

Need to put some popcorn into the microwave to property enjoy this thread

[secondhandmodeler]

What a Jackass.  I'm embarrassed you're from Minnesota.  Oh, I model HO!

[blownout cylinder]

Oh boi....

i guess this will become more entertaining as the evening devolves....

[AntonioFP45]

Jimmy,

Not being a blowhard, but "modeler to modeler" if I may: 

You asked a legit question, but why get upset with answers you don't like? 

Look at the title of your thread: "Why do most of you never say what scale you are talking about?"

Think about it.......does it not come across as a bit abrasive?  Naturally it's going to put other forum members on the defensive.

Supposed you had titled it:

"Respectfully Requesting: Please, indicate which scale you're referring to".

Then, in a civil tone, express your feelings regarding how you become frustrated as some of the info presented won't help you in N scale.  I'm very certain that you would have gotten a good number of positive, supportive responses.  Good manners, even in frustration go a long way (that's what got me a number of cab rides back in the day). 

Conveying your thoughts in a respectful tone on any forum is not sucking up, but instead gets you assistance a lot faster from forum members that will likely be willing to help you with your future inquiries instead of dismissing you as a nuisance.

High Greens

HO - SCL, New Haven

[wholeman]

Let's all try to be a little civil here, please.

I sometimes wonder what scale some people are talking about when they have a question.  When this happens, I will respond with a question of what scale.  I will admit that I have not listed what scale I model whenever I post a question.  In my experience on these forums, most of the time some things can be used in HO, N, S, or O.

I really don't mind if someone doesn't specify what particular scale.  I have been on these forums enough that I have a general clue which specific members on here model what such as (forgive me guys if these are wrong):

Selector: HO, Tstage HO, Brakie N

I could list others, but you can see my point.  I don't try to remember everyone's personal preferences, but when I'm on here, my memory gets jogged.

[Truck]

My wife sometimes walks into the room when I am reading the forums. She will read them from behind me. She can read really fast. She has asked me " how old are those kids?"

  Truck.

[Lake]

Truck, my wife thinks like yours when she reads or I tell her about certain post.

Will, Brakie also does HO if i remember correctly.