BRAKIEEd, Several small cities that sees a lot of railfan action decided "Thar's gold in them there railfans" has turn to building rail parks and usually with the blessing of the involved railroad(s).
I agree the parks are a safe way to enjoy train watching. I've been to a few myself although my interest in present day railroading is barely a shadow of its former self.
The rail parks are a good compromise.
Here's a popular one that has been around a while:
RR_views_0018 by Edmund, on Flickr
Here's how it used to be...
8x10_BnO145-10 by Edmund, on Flickr
Actually, it is pretty amazing that more people didn't get hurt back then.
Thank You, Ed
gpharo...and create a greater community among modellers world wide.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
doctorwayne maxman doctorwayne I can think of at least one Twit whose over-utilised Tweeting I could do without. Wayne I dunno...if you do, it's a misperception....not a jealous bone in my body. I'm not, however, an admirer of inanity. Wayne
maxman doctorwayne I can think of at least one Twit whose over-utilised Tweeting I could do without. Wayne
doctorwayne I can think of at least one Twit whose over-utilised Tweeting I could do without. Wayne
I can think of at least one Twit whose over-utilised Tweeting I could do without.
Wayne
I guess that means you wouldn't want any happy meals to use for bait.
gmpullmanYears ago there was certainly a more casual attitude toward the "daisy-pickers" hanging around railroad property. Due to so many unfortunate incidents, the trend now is a much more strict policy on behavior at railroad events weather on-board or visiting the property. Cheers! Ed
Ed, Several small cities that sees a lot of railfan action decided "Thar's gold in them there railfans" has turn to building rail parks and usually with the blessing of the involved railroad(s).
IMHO its a win for all involved.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
zstripe I was wondering how You were able to take that video without wacking Your head on the passing bridge beams?......LOL.
I've been riding in open "Dutch doors" for a long time now, Frank.
When somebody yells "DUCK!" don't stick your head out farther to get a better view
Years ago there was certainly a more casual attitude toward the "daisy-pickers" hanging around railroad property. Due to so many unfortunate incidents, the trend now is a much more strict policy on behavior at railroad events weather on-board or visiting the property.
Cheers! Ed
I have a FB account I use for communication with the manufacturers and seeing what some of model train clubs are doing.
NWP SWPMy point was people get stupid when they get attention, social media gives that's attention and therefore people do and say stupid (hurtful) things to complete strangers for no good reason.
You need to understand that conversation does not need to be hurtful to be "stupid".
These days I think that potential employers are all over the social media looking for how possible future employees represent themselves. When I was a lot younger were were told that sex, religion, and politics were hot button topics that should be avoided. And it was in one's best interest to keep our mouths shut rather than discuss any of those.
Back then anything said stupidly, or "without thinking" was generally confined to a limited population. Then we graduated to email, and folks would type something stupid and "reply all", forgetting that their boss would see it and probably be unhappy.
Now we have Twitter, and someone with 2 million followers can instantly send out whatever crazy thought that pops into his/her head without any thought of the consequences.
Now, I have to say that I do have a Facebook account. However, there is nothing there, and all the settings are set to private anyway. The only reason I have that is because there was some correspondence regarding my high school reunion and I had to have an account to access it.
Other than that, I like my privacy.
gpharo I have noticed that YouTube and Facebook are popular with this hobby, especially YouTube. However, I feel that Twitter is under-utilized, it has the potential to greatly benefit the popularity of model railroading and create a greater community among modellers world wide. 1) Anyone here have a Twitter account? 2) Anyone have thoughts on this topic? Pablo
I have noticed that YouTube and Facebook are popular with this hobby, especially YouTube.
However, I feel that Twitter is under-utilized, it has the potential to greatly benefit the popularity of model railroading and create a greater community among modellers world wide.
1) Anyone here have a Twitter account?
2) Anyone have thoughts on this topic?
Pablo
Facebook is where a lot of the current attention is, forums like this are pretty outdated, most you will see is the same old names repeating the same thing over and over.
The best thing here is the electronics forum, but you have to resist believing everything you read from the fanboys of certain manufacturers, they don't seem to understand that what works for them doesnt mean it applies to everyone.
A lot of us know how to tweak CV's to get the performance we want.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
NWP SWP I think social media has a good AND bad side. And that's because no matter how much education we get we're all really stupid.
I think social media has a good AND bad side. And that's because no matter how much education we get we're all really stupid.
Some more than others. In my occupation, it's better to not have an active social media account so it's probably good I shut down my FB account some 7 years ago. Actually for a lot of occupations judging by what I've read in the news over the past year or so social media can be a bad idea; people posting things and then losing their jobs.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
OK perhaps that came out wrong. My point was people get stupid when they get attention, social media gives that's attention and therefore people do and say stupid (hurtful) things to complete strangers for no good reason.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
NWP SWP And that's because no matter how much education we get we're all really stupid.
Really?
I've seen it myself and I'm of the social media generation.
Another great platform would be Instagram, why? Because it's for photos so it'd be great for sharing layout and modeling photos.
gpharoPossible examples of tweets include: -When Youtubers have a new video -When manufacturers have a new product - when a model railroader just did work on his or her layout and they just want to share a picture - when there is a new podcast episode
-When Youtubers have a new video
-When manufacturers have a new product
- when a model railroader just did work on his or her layout and they just want to share a picture
- when there is a new podcast episode
Based on the above responses, this would not work effectivly because few of any in our (limited) group would not be listening. I have no interest in a Twitter account. We do have Facebook but use it to keep in touch with family; no need for hundreds of followers.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I get where you're coming from, Terry. Some are old acquaintances from HS and I do enjoy hearing some of their news. It's the endless political links and/or unfounded stories or stances that cause me to put the on the "short leash". Only recently have a few become "repeated offenders"...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage And, sadly, there are a few friends that move from one snooze "session" to the next one. Tom
And, sadly, there are a few friends that move from one snooze "session" to the next one.
hmmm, that's not my idea of a "friend".
Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
gpharo Maybe Twitter would just benefit model railroading. Possible examples of tweets include: -When Youtubers have a new video -When manufacturers have a new product - when a model railroader just did work on his or her layout and they just want to share a picture - when there is a new podcast episode - announcing/advertising a train show -when an online store is having a big sale -when a magazine has a new edition To me this is not about Twitter versus forums, or Twitter versus YouTube or any other social media. I for one think it needs to be better utilized as one more tool to share information about the hobby we love.
Maybe Twitter would just benefit model railroading.
Possible examples of tweets include:
- announcing/advertising a train show
-when an online store is having a big sale
-when a magazine has a new edition
To me this is not about Twitter versus forums, or Twitter versus YouTube or any other social media. I for one think it needs to be better utilized as one more tool to share information about the hobby we love.
It just seems like one more interruption into one's life that might already be bombarded with too many texts and emails and visual stimuli.
Do you know how difficult it is to find a restaurant that does NOT have a TV or bank of TVs? Then you throw in cell phones with all their inducements and distractions and carrying on a conversation with someone can be a losing battle. Even some self-serve gas pumps pummel you with useless advertisement and "information". The latter I just walk away.
I don't need or see the need to be up-to-date "in the moment" for EVERYTHING in my life. Emails can satisfactorily supply me with the above information you've posted. Or, I can just find that out when I visit a forum, someone's website, or a manfacturer's webpage.
For my Groups.io groups, I opt out of all but the announcement email notifications. If I want to visit and read some of the topics then I can do that when I want rather than wade through a bunch of emails.
One of the best recent additions to FB has been the "snooze" feature. If a friend posts way too many links to articles or tells me EVERY facet of their day, I can simply snooze them for 30 days with a few clicks of the mouse. And, sadly, there are a few friends that move from one snooze "session" to the next one.
I am very aware of social media. No I do not have a twitter account, why learn how to use a dead company. Why dead you ask, they haven't made any money, nor will they as they have lost too much over the years (plus a lot of other reasons which you would have to really be into tech to get the full feel of, pluss way off topic).
gpharo Ps. PennCentral99 thank you for your video on LED upgrades, it really help me.
Ps. PennCentral99 thank you for your video on LED upgrades, it really help me.
You're welcome. Glad it helped and thanks for watching!
It sounds like Twitter is just being used as a news wire for announcements.
.
I have never used it, so maybe I just do not get it.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
First and foremost, thank you to all who responded, I did not think there would be so many responses in so little time. I think it’s fantastic.
Secondly, I want to clarify my opening statement that I made. I stated that Twitter would greatly benefit model railroading, now that I think about it, I should have changed my words. Maybe Twitter would just benefit model railroading.
richhotrainNO, NEVER, NYET, NADA
Add me to the "No Way, No How" list with Rich.
I have a Facebook account that my wife made me. I log into it once a year or so when there is something on Facebook I just need to see. Very rare. Other than that, I have no use for these things.
I'm an old guy and I have a twitter account. I trade stocks and when there is a big move in a stock, with no news, the news is often on Twitter. Usually an upgrade/downgrade or take over rumor.
To do that, I have to wade through a lot of garbage. There are bots, a computer program that operates as hundreds or even thousands of "individuals" tweeting exactly the same thing. If I search CSX's stock symbol, $CSX, I may see 20 posts from different sources all with some trivial news and a link which is spam for a newsletter. Another 20 that just use stock symbols to try to sell you bitcoins.
Dilbert cartoonist, Scott Adams, makes best use of it by doing one or two daily live broadcasts. He makes his money by selliing books, and other ventures. So he gets his face in front of the public every day.
However there is too much anonymity, and too much hate if you venture into politics or current events.
The bot problem has gotten worse, despite what you read. Then there is the censorship issue. No I am not going to use Twitter for MR
Facebook has some interesting things. I belonged to a forum and was active in it for a while. The problem was the algorithms constantly change what you see. If this thread was on a Facebook forum, you might comment on it, click on a friends webpage, come back to this forum and not see this thread again for hours or days no matter how you searched for it. You see posts from some of your friends everyday and others almost never.
There is a lot of room for improvement in the Internet. The retail industry, the smaller companies, have done themselves a disservice by having terrible websites. We were talking about NJ International last night in the forum. Links that don't work and pictures of the products so small, they could be posters for your z scale layout.
I was on the Arizona Rock and Mineral site. The sell a couple dozen "powders" only listed by number no description of color. No explanation on how best to use these powders. Rocks with no picture or description. Yet they are very active on their Facebook site.
A retail store, near me, has the March 2010 Model of the Month featured on their homepage. That doesn't inspire confidence in the customer who isn't sure that the store still exists.
Nick and Nora Design is a husband and wife team that does laser buildings. It's my idea of a nice website
http://www.nickandnoradesignsstore.com/main.sc
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
As has been mentioned, twitter seems to invite a quick hitting type of banter that I think doesn't suit model railroading. The other allow for pictures and videos, and youtube allows for lengthy explanations which fosters more deep understandings.
Of course, some are better than others in producing their videos and presentations.
- Douglas
gpharo...I feel that Twitter is under-utilized....
Gmpullman,
Ed,
I watched one of Your Youtube videos a couple days ago.....crossing the Macarthur bridge in St. Louis, I believe it was on an Amtrak coach. I was wondering how You were able to take that video without wacking Your head on the passing bridge beams?......LOL. Great video though......not much of a rail fanner Myself.......
Although I was leased to and worked for the CSX railroad a number of yrs. But that was Intermodal.
Take Care!
Frank
gmpullman #noway @ twitter RR_Mel There is an up side to social media, law enforcement and attornies think it's great because it helps them in court cases. You mean like the girl that went to the Police station for her probationary drug test, passed it, then went out to her car — still in the police parking lot — and tweeted to her friends how she scammed and cheated the test. Police were knocking on her window within two minutes. Cheers, Ed
#noway @ twitter
RR_Mel There is an up side to social media, law enforcement and attornies think it's great because it helps them in court cases.
You mean like the girl that went to the Police station for her probationary drug test, passed it, then went out to her car — still in the police parking lot — and tweeted to her friends how she scammed and cheated the test.
Police were knocking on her window within two minutes.
Cheers, Ed
All of these social media sites remind me of buzzing beehives-lots of noise! Maybe it's the lone wolf in me but I can live my hobby life quite fine without the need to have x number of "followers" of anything I say. This back and forth forum is sufficient to solicit advice, offer suggestions and remains on point at all times (except when I'm fooled by a 10 year old post that is resurrected). I see many companies with that "follow us on facebook" request in their advertising. If you have nothing else in the world to do with your time, by all means indulge yourself. I just hang around here - on my schedule- and live life more meaningfully!
Cedarwoodron