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."
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?
Water Level RouteThat's good to hear Mike. I always enjoy your photos and posts. Very neat railroad you have.
Absolutely! +1.
-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
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.
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!"
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
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.
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 and onto whether the forum will survive and forum members we don't like.
If someone went through my password manager that might think I participated in 40 or 50 forums. Most I joined to see a picture or read directions or ask a question, once.
As my interests or hobbies changed, so did my participation in various forums. I never said goodbye, I just stopped reading the forums.
Facebook forums were unsatisfactory because their algorithm for showing you a thread also prevented you from seeing or searching for a particular thread, even if you started it.
At any rate I don't expect my wife to post my obit in any forum. She is going to have enough problems with my departure. I hope she cancels my Facebook account because getting notices "Today is so and so's birthday, when they are dead is creepy. Though not as creepy as some of the birthday wishes that follow.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I try to pop on daily as a great break from that four-letter work you used. Certain topics veer to the contraversial or outlandish. The lack of civility sometimes get crazy, but I think if folks think before sending a post, that helps greatly.
Overall, I appreciate the advice here greatly. With so many STILL running rains (like myself), it hearing from others with helpful suggestions happens fast. I tend to let some posts go a bit before responding. This allows time for me to hear from others.
I despise FB, so I come here, and to "the other" forum.
I have left a few clues here and there, and anyone who views "full screen" any of my pics or vids gets my full name.
Anyone could, based on those clues and my name, find any "news" should something occur.
As someone who "disappeared" a while back due to taking a break from people, over some issues that occurred elsewhere, (So called "Friends" who became angry I lost my job bc of pandemic), I get why some others may simply stop posting, for various reasons. W*rk, family obligations, busy with "other" interests, etc... are all valid reasons to "disappear" from posting here for a while.
But if this forum ever ends, I will never be found on FB.... I really despise it that much.
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.
SeeYou190riogrande5761 Atlas shut theirs down in 2012. With the way things are going with this magazine, I wouldn't be surprised if this forum gets the axe. Atlas is a manufacturing company that had a forum. It did not fit.
With the way things are going with this magazine, I wouldn't be surprised if this forum gets the axe.
Atlas is a manufacturing company that had a forum. It did not fit.
It fit for around 18 years. I was on that forum starting in 1994. It was made pretty clear that shutting the forum down was a cost cutting measure as the factory closings and recession had hit Atlas pretty hard in the preceding years and the maintenence and upkeep and moderating was something they decided, as you would say, didn't fit. It was basically an upkeep and budgetary decision.
The way I see Model Railroader Magazine, what with the drying up of ad revenue, fewer and fewer pages, lower circulation, things don't really look that differently to me. This is a magazine comapany that has a forum and eventually they make look at it as an unnecessary burden for the very same reasons, upkeep, maintenence and moderation. I'm not seeing a huge difference. Mainly timing. But as Sheldon used to often say, what do I know?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 BATMAN Jim secretly likes them. You wish! I think you just keep them to uglify the room for me! But praytell, whey were you be giving into the scwartz and remove them?
BATMAN Jim secretly likes them.
You wish! I think you just keep them to uglify the room for me!
But praytell, whey were you be giving into the scwartz and remove them?
HA!.... That only took 10 minutes and four seconds for a response. Slowing down in your old age or you couldn't let go of that piece until the glue dried.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Lastspikemike Facebook.
Facebook.
No thanks. I had a FB account for a very short time around 7 years ago and disabled it pretty quickly and never went back. I let me wife do all the stuff that is advantageous on FB - mainly FB Market Place to find good deals.
BATMANJim secretly likes them.
Having been around here for a while, the amount of useful modeling information has declined significantly, and some of the most prominent posters fall into two caregories: this is how I did it in the '70s, and this is how I will do it if I ever build a railroad. Never-ending discussions about prices and the NMRA don't interest me at all. My local NMRA is a small-circle of hardshell old-timers, and I just spend what I think I can afford. For topics like signalling or other specific prototypeinformation, there are more productive groups and forums that are not hard to find.
SeeYou190My favorite posts of yours are where you show off your layout (and the curtains), and describe your techniques. -Kevin
Thanks Kevin
The curtains may actually disappear soon, even my cousin commented on them and that is not something she would normally do.
I cannot imagine how disgusting they are after the big reno.
Classic!
Jim secretly likes them.
BATMANI have never felt qualified to give advice, however, I do respond by saying this is what I did, or this is how I do it, and leave it at that
My favorite posts of yours are where you show off your layout (and the curtains), and describe your techniques.
I have never felt qualified to give advice, however, I do respond by saying this is what I did, or this is how I do it, and leave it at that. They can take it or leave it.
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.
SeeYou190 trwroute I do belong to a couple different forums, but I don't post enough for anyone to miss me. You would be missed, at least by me. I recognize your avatar and read all your posts. -Kevin
trwroute I do belong to a couple different forums, but I don't post enough for anyone to miss me.
You would be missed, at least by me. I recognize your avatar and read all your posts.
Thanks for the kind words, Kevin!
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
NorthBrit SeeYou190 I have also 90% stopped offering advice/solutions/help to people in this forum. I communicate via email with four other regulars that have done the same thing for the same reason. 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. -Kevin I too have stopped giving advice (unless specifically asked me). The last twice what the OP wanted was not what he asked, yet 'blasted' contributors for 'giving the wrong information'. Having said that, I like this Forum and read most threads. David
SeeYou190 I have also 90% stopped offering advice/solutions/help to people in this forum. I communicate via email with four other regulars that have done the same thing for the same reason. 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. -Kevin
I have also 90% stopped offering advice/solutions/help to people in this forum. I communicate via email with four other regulars that have done the same thing for the same reason.
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.
I too have stopped giving advice (unless specifically asked me).
The last twice what the OP wanted was not what he asked, yet 'blasted' contributors for 'giving the wrong information'.
Having said that, I like this Forum and read most threads.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
I don't mind if conversations veer off target but sometimes the moderators come on and nix them, even when it is not off target saying move along. I think a lot of people don't like this as the computer has given us all a sense of freedom and trying to take that away offends many Americans, even those that are less than patriotic. This forum could be a goldmine in stearing people to this companys product, but mis handled and the oposite is true. Kalmbach sees the trees instead of the forest. Evolve or perish is what all the techies live by, Kalmbach could own the media of model railroading space if they wanted to and pick up other assets for little money.
SeeYou190Continuously 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.
Endorse.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
SeeYou190 wjstix I think some folks just want to be trolls and argue with whatever anyone says, or put out obviously untrue statements just to see how long they can get people riled up and responding. The latter example is severely detrimental to these forums. -Kevin
wjstix I think some folks just want to be trolls and argue with whatever anyone says, or put out obviously untrue statements just to see how long they can get people riled up and responding.
The latter example is severely detrimental to these forums.
I have curtailed forum activity lately. It has become tiresome.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
In the convesation about MIA's I am remembering "Grampy's Trains" AKA DJ. He posted great pictures in Weekend Photo Fun of his very nice PRR layout. Suddenly, he quit posting at least 4 years ago now. Nobody was able to find out what happened to him.
In the Diner, we are wondering about John Boy AKA Last Mountain and Santa Fe who quit posting over a year ago. We know he had healthe issues.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
One morning I expect to wake up, grab a coffee, sit down at the computer and find this forum no longer exists. In the sixteen years, I have been here I have had a lot of enjoyable conversations both on the forum and through the PM option. I miss many of those that are no longer with us, many of them guided me through my return to the hobby.
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.
I find myself on FB a lot more as it is a cornucopia of photos and other info. I came across one group that I joined that talks about nothing but how to detail track. Who knew?
FB has a global audience and the modeling is stunning and the specialized groups are the ultimate reference. People talk about not being able to go to the local hobby shop and talk to the owner. Well, a lot of manufacturers are on FB and often show up to chat. The boys from Rapido have gabfest and I have participated a few times and have gotten a lot of good answers to my inquiries live and in colour!
To be honest, I am on this forum out of habit, I joined 16 years ago because I was looking for help and enjoyed the interaction I found with the members and I still do. I don't find myself asking for help here much anymore as FB is a Quantum Computer compare to this old beat-up "how-to" book. I think this forum is withering on the vine, but I'll hang around till the end. When that happens I am easy to find on FB as I post the same pics over there.
At some point in the last 6 months, I lost the ability to post as Tin Can; hence the Tin Can II avatar. I have also retired in Texas, moved to a rent house in Kansas, started a challenging new job, made numerous trips back to Texas as part of the final move, bought a house in Kansas, moved into the house in Kansas, begun renovations of said house in Kansas. Very little time for hobbies, although the Kansas house has a large basement with an incredible space for a layout/workshop. I may pop in once a day to this forum, and rarely post.
wjstixI think some folks just want to be trolls and argue with whatever anyone says, or put out obviously untrue statements just to see how long they can get people riled up and responding.
To be honest, I can see how someone can get frustrated with these forums and give up. Topics often veer off course into politics, so a question like "why does Amtrak use this-or-that piece of equipment" will inevitably have mixed in with actual / factual answers several "government can't do anything right so what do you expect?" answers.
Other folks can't wait to show their detailed knowledge of railroad trivia, so a question like "what did railroads use as switchers in the steam era?" will elicit a quick answer "steam switchers were typically 0-6-0 or 0-8-0 types" which should suffice, but instead will then be followed with a reply of "you're forgetting the Yooperland Central, a three-mile shortline in Ishpeming Michigan, that used a 2-4-2 as a switcher from 1899 to 1903...don't you know anything?".
I think some folks just want to be trolls and argue with whatever anyone says, or put out obviously untrue statements just to see how long they can get people riled up and responding.