Tempus edax rerum. 'Time devours everything.'
Interest wanes, maybe permanently, finances change for the worse, health problems, new directions, evolution and growing out of a venue with improvements in one's ability, refinement of interests and narrowing such that another site takes precedence, marital breakdown and emotional instability, new squeeze who is somewhat....uummm....needy, property/domicile changes due to catastrophe, death.
If you'd like a trip down memory lane, do a search at right on a commonly popular and recurring topic, and scroll well down, even pages, to get to one of the very early threads from 10 years back, or more. Look at the names. If that doesn't give you a pang of nostalgia and missing old friends, you don't have a pulse.
I've certainly reduced my contributions in recent years, but that's largely due to a fairly fully realized layout where there isn't that much to document from week to week. I've been trying to do a bit more recntly and as the winds cool towards the last part of the year I'm hoping to be more productive.
I'm a member of a couple of other forums, but haven't posted to them in years. While there are some "personalities" here, they are mostly bearable and not nearly so thick as in other places.
I don't see any net in worrying over the future of the forum, it's more important to do what I can to help ensure it's future, even if it's an admittedly weak effort at times.
Anyone who'd like more of what I do can PM me for Zoom details of a every Wednesday night at 6-8pm (Central time) Train Talk. It's a great little group that welcomes all, even those who hate the word w**k. We talk about models, the prototype, and just a little about why we may be looking particualrly old this week.
Otherwise, you can find me hanging around here and, with a little better effort, contributing more.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Hello Crew
Imho, this forum is still valuable.
I'm a member of several other forums, but stopped posting on them due to, what seems to be: opinions, disagreements, or information presented in a condescending manner (why?). But, rather than withdrawing my membership or arguing, I now "lurk" as sometimes valuabe topics and info pop up on them. However, I let modelers know that if I can be of help to send me a PM or contact me, off list, on my email.
This forum and the Atlas Rescue are my FAVORITES and I certainly hope that they will be around for years to come. It's nice to see that there are a good number of passenger train modelers here (Pre-Amtrak, Amtrak, Commuter, Subway, Trolley, Light Rail). I really appreciate the passenger rail related topics and posts as we are already a "subgroup" within a larger group that's primarily freight rail-oriented.
I have seen a few negatives comments on this forum before; but guys please don't stop posting. Not downplaying your thoughts but the terse blowtorch flaming that come up on other forums makes the ones here look like the minor annoyances that we see between the crew on "King of The Hill". My approach now is something along the lines of "Hey Sam, why the nasty reply? Come on relax; lets continue talking trains". I've found that approach to work well the majority of the time here.
I'm slowly working on metalizing a group of passenger cars in ACL, SCL, and the RF&P schemes. I hope to post a thread in the near future with photos and details.
BTW, for the person that asked: CedarwoodRon is a friend of mine. He is Ok, but has been busy at home with family. He has worked on his layout on and off. I'll send him an email and kindly "remind him" to check in here from time to time .
HoN30Critter, Paul3, Doc Wayne, SeeYou190, MLehman, GMPullman, Sheldon, Broadway Lion..........and the rest of "ya'll".......stay here and keep making this an enjoyable forum.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
AntonioFP45BTW, for the person that asked: CedarwoodRon is a friend of mine. He is Ok, but has been busy at home with family. He has worked on his layout on and off.
That is good to hear.
When I was working in Tampa I sent him a PM and asked to meet up and talk trains one evening, but I never received a response.
Thanks for the update.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
BigDaddyBigDaddy wrote the following post 38 minutes ago: So, I guess the question I’m asking is, do you have (even if it is for the far distant future) a notification system in place? We've successfully steered away from that question
mlehmanOtherwise, you can find me hanging around here and, with a little better effort, contributing more.
Mike
Water Level RouteThat's good to hear Mike. I always enjoy your photos and posts. Very neat railroad you have.
Absolutely! +1.
BATMANThat 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?
While it's off-topic, I personally am happy with the moderators here.
This has started me thinking about when I leave.
Should I tell my wife to post something?
Should I assume I won't even be missed until eight years later?
Should I write my obituary now so that I know it contains what I want, and have it somehow linked to my forum info?
Maybe I'll just continue to post from above.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
York1Should I tell my wife to post something? Should I assume I won't even be missed until eight years later? Should I write my obituary now so that I know it contains what I want, and have it somehow linked to my forum info?
John,
I think the new forum software upgrade is supposed to included all those features...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
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.
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.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
tstage York1 Should I tell my wife to post something? Should I assume I won't even be missed until eight years later? Should I write my obituary now so that I know it contains what I want, and have it somehow linked to my forum info? John, I think the new forum software upgrade is supposed to included all those features... Tom
York1 Should I tell my wife to post something? Should I assume I won't even be missed until eight years later? Should I write my obituary now so that I know it contains what I want, and have it somehow linked to my forum info?
Cool!!!
I will definitely be having my written "forum obit" a full "railfan send-off" then! Only proper y'all remember fellow Forumites (or is it Forites?) that way.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
ricktrains4824" a full "railfan send-off"
You just gave me another idea! This is the Royal Hudson running up the coast walking distance from the Point Atkinson Lighthouse. If I could get my ashes blown out of the smokestack of the Hudson with a slight Easterly I would still land in the chuck. What a sendoff that would be!
SeeYou190 I am sure there are more. These are just some people that I usually conversed with when they posted, that I have not seen for a while. I figured the MIA dates using the forum search function, sometimes I know it is not completely accurate. -Kevin
I am sure there are more.
These are just some people that I usually conversed with when they posted, that I have not seen for a while.
I figured the MIA dates using the forum search function, sometimes I know it is not completely accurate.
I am Flying Scotaman. I have had 5 or 6 profiles on this forum since the very early 2000's.
What always happens is that I lose the ability to post pics. Tried all the clearing cookies and what have you (actually workwise that doesn't really suit me TBH) and I am no slouch on cross platform working which I have to be as a consultant with plenty of overseas contracts. This one has me foxed though!
I ought not to be too bullish though - I'm in my mid 50's so let's be honest anything could happen at any minute.
One thing I would say is that I found a post of mine when searching for something recently, from 2005 or 2006 maybe, and I do think the interaction / comments back then were kinder between members.
I cannot post pics now BTW so I will probably re-incarnate myself sometime soon.
One reason for me to be an on / off contributor is that I often work in the Middle East or Asia for a few months or a year or two at a time and so other than what I take with me to keep me occupied - a couple of years ago I was in Kuala Lumpur for a few months and i took some Walthers passenger cars to detail a little as an example - it's all a bit out of sight out of mind.
In the event I do pass on I will try and let you all know in the form of an un-tracable short circuit, or an unfathomable intermittent de-railing passenger car.........
Nice to be missed though. Seriously.
TheFlyingScotsmanI can help here! Although I must admit reading this sent a shiver through my spine I am Flying Scotaman.
Glad to hear all is well.
I'm still around. I'm not on here much during the summer season, too much going on out side, with building projects and such.
I scroll through here a few times a week.
No particular posts or threads have jumped out me, to point that I need to respond, or give my thoughts.
Wishing a safe and fun 4th of July to all!
Mike.
My You Tube
When I first got back into the hobby about 10 years ago I looked around for forums where I could ask questions about building a new train layout. I found a number of them, and a number of them offered a variety of contributors and ease of use.
This forum was one of the top choices of some of those I visited, and I got a lot of interesting advice here. BUT there were a few items that discouraged me, and finally ended up in my withdrawing from participation.
The primary problem I had with this forum was their insistence on their singularity,...NO references allowed to other forums or discussions on those forums. It not as if all the definitive discussions/opinions would occur ONLY on this forum. Rather there was a wealth of info to be gathered from other forums, and thus brought into any discussions of any subjects, regardless of the forum they were occurring on. I did not appreciate this one sided view.
The second problem I had with this forum was that they refused to host the photos of subjects under discussion. This made it necessary to go to a third party to host the photos, then link them to this forum. Of course many recall the incident with the very popular site that decided to change their rules,...and subsequently ruin a lot of history of subjects on this forum,...and others. Most of the other model railroad forums host the photos of members,...and I feel that photos are a VERY IMPORTANT element of forum discussions.
Less important, but still a factor was their software problem that use to notify a poster if a new posting was added to a discussion he/she had contributed to. That disappeared.
Then there was the lack of a manner in which to make reference to a particular posting as opposed to having to reference the entire thread.
I finally had to retreat to other forums.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
Brian,
I have missed your contributions.
If I remember correctly, Steve O made explanations for the reasons the forum operates like it does for all the concerns you listed.
Hopefully, you will share more updates of your interesting layout and projects with us.
railandsail When I first got back into the hobby about 10 years ago I looked around for forums where I could ask questions about building a new train layout. I found a number of them, and a number of them offered a variety of contributors and ease of use. This forum was one of the top choices of some of those I visited, and I got a lot of interesting advice here. BUT there were a few items that discouraged me, and finally ended up in my withdrawing from participation. The primary problem I had with this forum was their insistence on their singularity,...NO references allowed to other forums or discussions on those forums. It not as if all the definitive discussions/opinions would occur ONLY on this forum. Rather there was a wealth of info to be gathered from other forums, and thus brought into any discussions of any subjects, regardless of the forum they were occurring on. I did not appreciate this one sided view. The second problem I had with this forum was that they refused to host the photos of subjects under discussion. This made it necessary to go to a third party to host the photos, then link them to this forum. Of course many recall the incident with the very popular site that decided to change their rules,...and subsequently ruin a lot of history of subjects on this forum,...and others. Most of the other model railroad forums host the photos of members,...and I feel that photos are a VERY IMPORTANT element of forum discussions. Less important, but still a factor was their software problem that use to notify a poster if a new posting was added to a discussion he/she had contributed to. That disappeared. Then there was the lack of a manner in which to make reference to a particular posting as opposed to having to reference the entire thread. I finally had to retreat to other forums.
Brian, I understand your frustration with all these items, but...
Bringing info from other sources is one thing, linking large discussions directly is another......
I know I hold the unpopular view about Photobucket, but eventually everything on the web is becoming fully monetized, look at youtube? NOTHING is free.
I still have Photobucket, they backed off the high price, every picture I have ever posted is still here.......
I pay to be on a user owned forum for tractors, yes they host pictures, but they did not at first. I still have photobucket pictures there too.
We all find what works for us, we all make choices. While I am still here, I post in dramaticly fewer threads these days........
Sheldon
Thanks Mike!
And Kevin, too!
I'll likely have a pic for WPF this week, after investing in my only "fancy" car this year.
I'll also work on ideas on how to depict some of the less photogenic things I tend to do, like operations and maintenance in pics. I've been doing a lot of video work lately and shifting my old brain cells to it leaves only so much for anything else. It's heck getting old, but as this thread shows, it beats the alternative.
Kevin ..... Now, I am remembering another member who has not been in the forum for a long time. ... Tom White (twhite) if my memory is correct.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Heartland Division CB&QKevin ..... Now, I am remembering another member who has not been in the forum for a long time. ... Tom White (twhite) if my memory is correct.
I see Tom popping up elsewhere, every once in a while.
Heartland Division CB&QNow, I am remembering another member who has not been in the forum for a long time. ... Tom White (twhite) if my memory is correct.
It looks like he went missing a couple of years ago.
SeeYou190
Continuously being shouted down by a know-it-all who can't even figure out how to wire or operate an Atlas Controller, but constantly tells the experienced helpful people they are wrong, has taken a brutal hit to the helpful advice provided here.
Yup, listening to one guy lobby his views constantly and downplay anything outside his comfort zone got old, and I suspect ran many off to greener pastures. I hardly come here at all anymore as it seems stale. I spent time on other forums and Facebook. The huge advantage to FB is you can simply block a user you dont want to see, read and hear.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Geared Steam The huge advantage to FB is you can simply block a user you dont want to see, read and hear.
The info on FB is amazing, however, if I could not block the friend's things I would not go near it. I participate a little on FB but under an alias and I thoroughly enjoy it. I mostly just soak in the photos and learning.
The Facebook thing sounds all fine and dandy, but what about those of us that don't use it? It's nice to have a forum like this where the conversations are normally cordial and the atmosphere is inviting. I believe the trouble makers of the past have moved on and that makes me check in here more often.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
I see I made enough of an impact here to make it on to Kevin's list. I was waffling on whether to comment here, but seeing as I have been considered of value, I think its only fair to explain...
For me personally it was not intentional. Once I hit college classes and picked up significant work hours, this completely fell off the radar. I'm still into the hobby, still trying to get models out of my 3d printer (latest model would be 3d printed wheels, hopefully I can print the trucks too at some point)
The upside of the job hours is I have more money for hobbies. The downside is I have more hobbies I can afford now that all want my money...
I'll try and get back on here, most of my use will be from the technological and 3d design side, as I spend a lot of time on the computer and that is what I am most familiar with as well
I for one, am not yet lost. Hopefully that gives a ray of hope.
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
Facebook problems
Perhaps I am just 'old school', but I have a number of problems using Facebbok. Maybe someone can educate me?
Facebook bounces one around so much I have a hard time following it?
Facebook is CONSTANTLY sending me multitutes of stuff (sometimes unrelated crap) that just fills up my email box !!
Why is there at least 6-7 diiferent HO for sale list on FB. One or 2 isn't enough??
just a few questions of mine. I'm off to a WWll aircraft show
xboxtravis7992Huh look, that's my profile picture.
BNSF UP and others modelerI see I made enough of an impact here to make it on to Kevin's list
Thanks to both you guys for checking in.
My list was mainly people whose posts I enjoyed reading, but had not seen lately.
Your inclusion on the list was based on nothing more.
Hope to see more of you.
This forum in no different than any other forum. People come and go, but there are always a few regulars that frequent everyday. I don't have that kind of time.
This is just a hobby. Not a lot of people have a ton of time to dedicate to hobbies. Between family, work, taking care of things around the house, and other hobbies, I don't have time to visit here often. I generally visit here when I'm looking for a solution to a modeling problem or I have a question. I don't feel qualified to give much advice
Semi newbie HO scale modeler coming from the O scale world