4-12-2,
I hope that you don't stop posting. We're here because we enjoy this hobby as well as helping and encouraging modelers to continue having fun and develop their modeling skills. Win-win.
Now, I guess I'm a bit naive. IMHO, the Atlas Rescue Forum, of which I'm a member of, is generally friendly with an occasional "disagreement" once in a blue moon. I agree that on the old Atlas Forum there was more flaming, but no more than here. I'm sure some members here remember the "forum battles" that often flared up here between 2006-2008 when Bergie was our moderator. I was "flamed" several times and stopped posting for a few weeks. Some members left, some were "shown the door". But eventually things moved forward, for the better.
My personal concern: I've stated this before..........I know for a fact that manufacturers' reps regularly check out MRR, Atlas Rescue, Prototype Modelers, Railroad Line, Railroad Net, the Yahoo Groups, and the now popular MRH Forums to get a general feel of "what's cooking with model railroaders" in all scales. Gleaning info by scanning the forums is now one of the contributing factors as to what helps influence which products will be developed. The manufacturers don't rely solely on sales transaction information to hobby distributors and local businesses; they can't afford to. My point: It doesn't help them, or us, when we bicker like 3rd graders.
There was a civilized disagreement over on the Atlas Rescue Forum regarding the potential for the SDP40F. A manufacturer was actually considering the potential for the model (and hopefully still is). Yet, I'm concerned now that the barrage of negative posts by a modeler regarding its potential may have caused some damage......and I feel bad as I may have unintentionally contributed to it. I should have stopped early on instead of pushing my point. I now know that sometimes it's best to "leave well enough alone" and move ahead, instead of engaging in back & forth unproductive arguments that benefit no one.
As for the ignorance, yes it can be bliss. If a modeler states info that is inaccurate, then he/she should be corrected "cordially" by the reader that catches the ignorance or improper information. "Cordially" meaning a humble approach...not a "Hey you don't know what you're talking about!" approach. If the modeler being corrected acknowledges it, then there is a benefit. If the modeler reacts like an alligator being poked with a cattle prod, then it's best to leave him/her be. I've been corrected a few times over the years and certainly have appreciated it
But life is too short and we should enjoy the benefits that forums like this one bring. I never imagined that after I found this forum by accident in December 2003, that I'd be posting on it nearly 10 years later or that I would benefit a good deal from the excellent info and photos that have been posted here over the years. The benefits outweigh the occasional "incursion".
UP 4-12-2 The negativity is not pervasive here. This is and has been one of the "nicest" forums by comparison to all other train forums I have tried. However, I spend far too much time posting stuff, etc. and it seems as if now will be a good time for me to stop. I'm not sure that my posts added all that much value anyway. The negativity was only one aspect of the forums I left--the blatant ignorance was part of my leaving too. As I had indicated, there are a few people on the Atlas Rescue Forum (who were also on the Atlas Forum) that don't know anywhere nearly as much about model trains or train manufacturing as they claim to. The sad thing is some of the masses don't know the difference and apparently look up to them as being "knowledgeable". These forums have been relatively civil by comparison to the Atlas, and BLI, and Atlas Rescue Forums (two of which were shut down by the manufacturers at least partly due to the lack of civility, and the third is privately run). C ya--
The negativity is not pervasive here. This is and has been one of the "nicest" forums by comparison to all other train forums I have tried. However, I spend far too much time posting stuff, etc. and it seems as if now will be a good time for me to stop. I'm not sure that my posts added all that much value anyway.
The negativity was only one aspect of the forums I left--the blatant ignorance was part of my leaving too. As I had indicated, there are a few people on the Atlas Rescue Forum (who were also on the Atlas Forum) that don't know anywhere nearly as much about model trains or train manufacturing as they claim to. The sad thing is some of the masses don't know the difference and apparently look up to them as being "knowledgeable".
These forums have been relatively civil by comparison to the Atlas, and BLI, and Atlas Rescue Forums (two of which were shut down by the manufacturers at least partly due to the lack of civility, and the third is privately run).
C ya--
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
jeffrey-wimberly My posts don't always contribute a lot either but why should I let that stop me from having some fun. True a lot of my posts don't have all that much to do with model railroading but I also help other modelers whenever I can. That has to count for something.
My posts don't always contribute a lot either but why should I let that stop me from having some fun. True a lot of my posts don't have all that much to do with model railroading but I also help other modelers whenever I can. That has to count for something.
Of coarse it does, What you can do w/ seriously bashing a "Franken-diesel" whether to fit a shell or rework a drive- believe me I think you've done it, and you can pass it on to help out quite a few in the same boat. Some may not like your methods, but it sure is some insight for a starting point. Lots of great info and a lot of good folks here, just take away what you want and/ or need to help you with the hobby.
I'm far from any expert, regardless of how long I've been at this, there's just so many ways to accomplish the same goal. I'll pick and choose from so many and see what works best for ME.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Soo Line fan I don’t always create a bio, but when I do it is on the Model Railroader forum Keep running trains, my friends Even his enemies list him as their emergency contact number. Every time he goes for a swim dolphins appears. He can identify UFOs. He has crossed the point of no return – on several occasions. He has won the lifetime achievement award, twice. He is fluent in all languages, including three that he only speaks. He is the reason those nine ladies are dancing. He lives vicariously through him self. He once challenged his own reflection to a staring contest. And on the third day he won. His charm is so contagious vaccines have been created for it. He is the life of parties he has never attended. His legend proceeds him the way lighting proceeds thunder. His passport requires no photograph. His personality is so magnetic he is unable to carry credit cards. His reputation is expanding faster than the universe. His shirts never wrinkle. His words carry weight that would break a less interesting mans jaw. If he were were to mail a letter with out postage it would still get there. Mosquito's refuse to bite him purely out of respect. Once while sailing around the world, he discovered a short cut. Panhandlers give him money. Some say he found the fountain of youth but didn’t drink because he wasn’t thirsty. When he drives a new car off the lot, it increases in value. He is the most interesting modeler in the world
I don’t always create a bio, but when I do it is on the Model Railroader forum
Keep running trains, my friends
Even his enemies list him as their emergency contact number.
Every time he goes for a swim dolphins appears.
He can identify UFOs.
He has crossed the point of no return – on several occasions.
He has won the lifetime achievement award, twice.
He is fluent in all languages, including three that he only speaks.
He is the reason those nine ladies are dancing.
He lives vicariously through him self.
He once challenged his own reflection to a staring contest. And on the third day he won.
His charm is so contagious vaccines have been created for it.
He is the life of parties he has never attended.
His legend proceeds him the way lighting proceeds thunder.
His passport requires no photograph.
His personality is so magnetic he is unable to carry credit cards.
His reputation is expanding faster than the universe.
His shirts never wrinkle.
His words carry weight that would break a less interesting mans jaw.
If he were were to mail a letter with out postage it would still get there.
Mosquito's refuse to bite him purely out of respect.
Once while sailing around the world, he discovered a short cut.
Panhandlers give him money.
Some say he found the fountain of youth but didn’t drink because he wasn’t thirsty.
When he drives a new car off the lot, it increases in value.
He is the most interesting modeler in the world
Nice take-off on those enjoyable and imaginative commercials.
Wayne
Sheldon
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
UP 4-12-2The negativity is not pervasive here. This is and has been one of the "nicest" forums by comparison to all other train forums I have tried. However, I spend far too much time posting stuff, etc. and it seems as if now will be a good time for me to stop. I'm not sure that my posts added all that much value anyway.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Jim
Why no bio? I've already shared too much.......
UP 4-12-2, Opinions about conditions are based on personal experience. Obviously, mine is different than yours.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
NP2626 UP 4-12-2 Attention: NP2626-- For the record, I meant nothing personal or heated about any of my replies above. I was providing very sincere answers regarding why I am not able to post a bio. Not everyone will agree with them, and that's ok. I was responding to what I read without considering who wrote it or anything remotely like that. To All-- I learned that it does not appear to be possible to change or replace your screen name on here without lying. You can link a new email address, but they ask for a street address--and there is no place that I am able to find anywhere on the site that allows one to change or replace one's screen name short of a fake address--and I don't really need Kalmbach junk mail going to my 80-year-old parents' home. From now on I will pass into the "reading only" category. Best wishes to all. No harm or malice was intended to anyone by my recent posts. UP 4-12-2 I do not recall; or, see where I took issue with anything you personally have said. Have you talked with a moderator about changing your name? Ask Blownout Cylinder or Jeffrey-Wemberly for help. I too, have considered changing my name here at the Model Railroader Forums and starting over with a "clean slate". However, I don't think it would take to long, before who I am, would come through in my posts. I think your post is a sad commentary on the state of affairs on this Forum, at times . Obviously, you are someone who struggles with the negativity that seems so pervasive here and I would remind you that 50% of the public has below average intelligence!
UP 4-12-2 Attention: NP2626-- For the record, I meant nothing personal or heated about any of my replies above. I was providing very sincere answers regarding why I am not able to post a bio. Not everyone will agree with them, and that's ok. I was responding to what I read without considering who wrote it or anything remotely like that. To All-- I learned that it does not appear to be possible to change or replace your screen name on here without lying. You can link a new email address, but they ask for a street address--and there is no place that I am able to find anywhere on the site that allows one to change or replace one's screen name short of a fake address--and I don't really need Kalmbach junk mail going to my 80-year-old parents' home. From now on I will pass into the "reading only" category. Best wishes to all. No harm or malice was intended to anyone by my recent posts.
Attention: NP2626--
For the record, I meant nothing personal or heated about any of my replies above. I was providing very sincere answers regarding why I am not able to post a bio. Not everyone will agree with them, and that's ok. I was responding to what I read without considering who wrote it or anything remotely like that.
To All--
I learned that it does not appear to be possible to change or replace your screen name on here without lying. You can link a new email address, but they ask for a street address--and there is no place that I am able to find anywhere on the site that allows one to change or replace one's screen name short of a fake address--and I don't really need Kalmbach junk mail going to my 80-year-old parents' home.
From now on I will pass into the "reading only" category. Best wishes to all. No harm or malice was intended to anyone by my recent posts.
UP 4-12-2 I do not recall; or, see where I took issue with anything you personally have said.
Have you talked with a moderator about changing your name? Ask Blownout Cylinder or Jeffrey-Wemberly for help. I too, have considered changing my name here at the Model Railroader Forums and starting over with a "clean slate". However, I don't think it would take to long, before who I am, would come through in my posts.
I think your post is a sad commentary on the state of affairs on this Forum, at times . Obviously, you are someone who struggles with the negativity that seems so pervasive here and I would remind you that 50% of the public has below average intelligence!
Huh Here I thought the correct answer was because we were model railroaders and we hide in our basements and play with trains and no one is supposed to know we exist. If we had biographies, then we would exist and that frightens us!
Robert H. Shilling II
UP & NP,
Once you've gotten established on the forum (i.e. you have more than 5 posts), there isn't a way to change your profile name unless you close your current forum account and start over with a new one. That keeps possible trolls from changing their identity on the fly. If it's under 5 posts or so, Customer Service can help you with that.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Carl
Beautiful, Carl. Can I include snippets of that on my own profile page? I'm with Brian. My life has been mundane compared to yours.
Okay. I give up & will cave to all the pressure & controversy that this thread has created. Anything to keep the peace & advance the brotherhood of model railroading to it's rightful place in society. So, I will post my biography here for all to read.
I was born in a little log cabin that I helped my father build. I never really knew my mother, as she had left the family years before I came along. My school years were frought with anxiety, as I was only able to beat the crap out of 9 of the 11 players on the 1st string football team, so I was thus looked upon as a sickly child and often scorned by my peers. I would take solace in my love of hunting. On weekends I would often load up my 30-30 and go down to the beach to shoot some clams.
By the time I completed high school, the tensions in Europe and the Pacific had reached a boiling point. Duty called. I enlisted in the Navy, serving as a gunner on a Heavy Cruiser in the Pacific Fleet, where I was credited with shooting down 4 Japanese planes. Unfortunately, this was in 1975 and our Captain, a higly nervous and easily agitated man, took exception to my accomplishments. So, after a challenging 3 month psych evaluation and a hasty discharge (for reasons that are still unclear to me) I decided to try my hand as an entrepenuer.
I will be the first to admit that not all of my ventures were immediate successes. The banana plantation in Skagway failed in less than a year and the alpine ski school in Key West didn't fare much better. It was at this time that I entered a rather dark & troubled period in my life, but I won't bore you with the details of that. To make a long story short, I ended up joining an interesting and rather exclusive society of gentlemen with similar life experiences, living in a very communal & fraternal encampment in the woods just east of the Illinois Central line outside of Peoria. I enjoyed the comraderie & especially the frequent travel to exotic locations like Newark, Paducah and Duluth, and even proposed that we invest in building a train station there, hoping to expand the community and make it more attractive to business, but the idea seemed to invoke little more than hostility & suspicion amongst my peers.
Even upon the near unanimous request that I be voted out of the society, I was undaunted. For I had now found a sense of direction and purpose. I had found my love of trains! It came down to 2 options: Get married, get a job, buy a house and build a model railroad layout or become a golf pro. As I have never liked those polo shirts with the little alligator above the pocket, the choice was not too difficult.
So, here I am & now you know more about me than even I do. And you probably wish by now that you didn't. I know I certainly do.
"I could never belong to any club that would have me as a member."
BATMAN According to my friends and family my 56 years reads like a Forrest Gump novel. Though my IQ is 2 Points higher. So no one would believe me anyway.
According to my friends and family my 56 years reads like a Forrest Gump novel. Though my IQ is 2 Points higher. So no one would believe me anyway.
Well now your just showing off Mr.Smarty Pants
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
AntonioFP45Just let it ride............
Love that old classic rock and roll (B.T.O.)
tomikawaTT "I yam what I yam," Popeye. If Retired USAF Master Sergeant, ex-USMMC engine Cadet-Midshipman and having a Japanese wife doesn't tell you enough, then you're too *** nosy. I don't blow my own horn, The people who know me know why. The people who don't know me, don't need to.
"I yam what I yam," Popeye.
If Retired USAF Master Sergeant, ex-USMMC engine Cadet-Midshipman and having a Japanese wife doesn't tell you enough, then you're too *** nosy.
I don't blow my own horn, The people who know me know why. The people who don't know me, don't need to.
I agree...........you will know what I want YOU to know about me.
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
the gentleman above me puts it better than me
tomikawaTT Biography? "I yam what I yam," Popeye.
Biography?
the thing with Biography's online is not everyone is happy or comfortable with putting personal information on the internet no Mine says what you need to know which is that i am Englishman abroad i am looking at US Model railroads not British stuff
Apologies in advance for any use of UK RailRoad Terms
"there is the wrong way the Right way and then there is Great western railway Way"
If Retired USAF Master Sergeant, ex-USMMA engine Cadet-Midshipman and having a Japanese wife doesn't tell you enough, then you're too *** nosy.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
NP,
I'm surprised that you state that you're thinned skin. I assumed that you as a gentleman that served honorably in the US Military (thank you for your service to our country) that you've seen and heard your share of disagreements and arguments. Soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen, have to be thick skinned. No disrespect to you but most Korean War and Vietnam era vets that I have conversed with, metaphorically, are about as thick skinned as that Pennsylvania GG1 that crashed through a wall. They "shake it off" and move ahead at track speed.
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/gg101.jpg
You've attempted to provide thought provoking threads on this forum.........and you have! I've responded to some of your threads. But then you react in a wounded manner if someone disagrees with you. Except for one past thread, I haven't seen any posts where the brethren here have attacked your dignity, and/or openly disrespected or torpedoed you.
Think about that, I know that a number of us here have been torpedoed-flamed at one time or another. I have and I know that Jeff has. But guess what........we're still here because it's a good place to be. No one is chasing you away and no one here is perfect. But if you receive some sincere critiques, take them for what they're worth, respond if it's helpful, ignore if it's the best thing to do.....and move ahead.
Now, let's enjoy our hobby. I don't know about you guys, but I'm working on some passenger equipment that I hope to post about soon.
High Greens, NP
BRAKIE Guy Papillon I have been on this forum long enough to know which poster I like to read and which I prefer to avoid. Yes,I've been around here since 2001 and learn quickly who was blowing smoke and who wasn't..
Guy Papillon I have been on this forum long enough to know which poster I like to read and which I prefer to avoid.
Yes,I've been around here since 2001 and learn quickly who was blowing smoke and who wasn't..
So true, Larry. And I must add that I have to appreciate your input and expertise from all your years of working in the "real world" of trains. This is especially true as a good potion of my modeling is the Chessie era. I don't care if you can't wire a DPDT switch, I still have trouble changing an decoder address w/o a cheat sheet!
Bio is to each his own, some safeguard any and all personal info and others will give a "life" story (even embellished) to some extent. Makes no difference to me, I can learn more about the hobby and a person as how/ what they post "relating to the hobby"..
The location and join date did help on countless occasions w/ my replies to a poster. Would identify a "newbie" or at least "new" to the Forum (replies tailored to a novice) and or a location many times helped to answer questions about layout location (basements, garages, attics etc) as methods vary to geographic area. Recommendations to railfanning locations, local clubs, LHS and shows that may be nearby.
blownout cylinder You really really really really would not want to know....
You really really really really would not want to know....
NP2626 I am "Thin skinned", there is also a fairly strong likelihood that if something can be taken wrong I may very well do that. Some people seem to consistently want to crap on my parade and I get tired of their immature rhetoric! I've been told a few times: "Don't feed the Trolls"! It has gotten to the point for me, that I doubt there to be much value in participating here! I have attempted to provide, what I think are thought provoking and insightful threads when I post. But, they always seem to provoke rancor and discord! Yes, it is my reaction to the Trolls that causes my problems! I certainly am not "Perfect" and the Perfect ones will let me know about it!
I am "Thin skinned", there is also a fairly strong likelihood that if something can be taken wrong I may very well do that. Some people seem to consistently want to crap on my parade and I get tired of their immature rhetoric! I've been told a few times: "Don't feed the Trolls"!
It has gotten to the point for me, that I doubt there to be much value in participating here! I have attempted to provide, what I think are thought provoking and insightful threads when I post. But, they always seem to provoke rancor and discord!
Yes, it is my reaction to the Trolls that causes my problems! I certainly am not "Perfect" and the Perfect ones will let me know about it!
Actually, NP, your original post was a reasonable inquiry. I think had everyone ultimately agreed with you, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. However, some gave their reasons why they didn't/wouldn't include a bio in their profile and you got bent out of shape.
I've been a member here since 2002 and active since 2004, when I first started working on my layout. I have rarely bothered to read anyone's bio but I have gotten to know a number of the regulars (and irregulars) here on the forum by interacting with them, working with them as mods, discussing things via PM, or meeting them in person. Some I know little about; some I know more than I realize.
Enjoy the difference of the forum - even those who don't have the same view point as yourself. As with anywhere, you can learn from those who don't cross their eyes or dot their tees the same way you do. Other than politicians, I think even Samuel Clemens might agree with that.
The best way to handle a troll is to not even try. Just ignore, ignore, ignore and go about your business as if he/she is not there. Please use the 'Report Abuse' function (yellow triangle with exclamation at the bottom left of each post) so the mods/admins know what's going on.
NP2626Yes, it is my reaction to the Trolls that causes my problems! I certainly am not "Perfect" and the Perfect ones will let me know about it!
Those of you who think you are perfect are bothering those of us who are!
Go with the flow, and illegitmi non-carbonundum.
Come there to relax, learn a little and stuff like that. If not it is fun, why torture yourself.
LION thinks you are one of the good guys, so do not take the small stuff to heart (here or anyplace else for that matter.)
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS