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Blogs
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, June 25, 2021 8:59 PM

I have noticed when swapping between Classic Trains and this forum that the Blog entires have basically dried up.  Two of the catagories have had nothing new for over two years.  One category has only had one addition this year and the fourth category has had multiple articles this year.

Just sayn'

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Convicted One on Friday, June 25, 2021 9:40 PM

I've often thought  you  should have a blog, Balt.

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, June 25, 2021 11:22 PM

Convicted One
I've often thought  you  should have a blog, Balt.

Not my cup of tea - I can answer questions that involve the areas in which I have some knowledge, but I am not knowledgeable in ALL the areas of the railroad BUSINESS.  In fact I am totally deficient in the 'business' and how things are priced and those charges end up being brought down to the bottom line.

My experience is more involved in actual operations.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, June 26, 2021 6:47 AM

That doesn't stop some people.

It amazes me how some hams can "rag chew" for what seems like hours.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Backshop on Saturday, June 26, 2021 8:39 AM

Yeah, the blogs should have a "drop off" date.  Of course, that would make that whole page a lot smaller.

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Posted by zugmann on Monday, June 28, 2021 3:03 AM

I've tried doing blog-type stuff in the past here, but response was always lackluster at best.  Was kind of discouraging (maybe I just suck at writing?).  I thought of starting it up again - but I don't know if it's worth the effort for it to quickly drop to the bottom of the page with 16 views.  

Videos and photos always seem to do better.   *shrugs*.  

 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by diningcar on Monday, June 28, 2021 7:36 AM

Enjoy your retirement Fred Frailey, but we sure miss you here.

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Posted by MP173 on Monday, June 28, 2021 5:32 PM

Yeah, bring back Fred!

 

Ed

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Posted by Overmod on Monday, June 28, 2021 5:45 PM

zugmann
I thought of starting it up again

I for one would read it if you did.

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Posted by MP173 on Monday, June 28, 2021 6:51 PM

zugman:

Never knew you had one...would read it if you did.

Here is another proposal....we all seem to miss those great blogs.  The discussions which followed were very educational and entertaining.   The blogs and discussions truly were the best part of the Trains website (in my opinion).  Years ago before people were either forced away or decided they had enough, there were incredible discussions (often emotional) about the industry....Michael Sol, futuremodal, and Ed (RIP) I am thinking of you.  

What if we had a self administered blog on this forum?  While most of us (perhaps all of us) are not professional writers, most of us can put a couple of sentences together that make sense about this industry.  Many here have experience in the operations of railroads.  Others have strong ideas (Greyhound) of how to grow the industry.  Others have railfan experiences....etc.

The Men's group I belong to at our house of faith has a similar situation in which we take turns making presentations and not always religious.  Yesterday's was on nuclear power, presented by a retired nuclear engineer.  

Just a thought as I miss Fred's blogs (and others) and he is probably not coming back.

Ed

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Posted by zugmann on Monday, June 28, 2021 8:06 PM

MP173
What if we had a self administered blog on this forum?  While most of us (perhaps all of us) are not professional writers, most of us can put a couple of sentences together that make sense about this industry.  Many here have experience in the operations of railroads.  Others have strong ideas (Greyhound) of how to grow the industry.  Others have railfan experiences....etc.

Kind of a take on the ol' Reddit-style AMA (ask me anything)?

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, June 28, 2021 9:04 PM

zugmann
 
MP173
What if we had a self administered blog on this forum?  While most of us (perhaps all of us) are not professional writers, most of us can put a couple of sentences together that make sense about this industry.  Many here have experience in the operations of railroads.  Others have strong ideas (Greyhound) of how to grow the industry.  Others have railfan experiences....etc. 

Kind of a take on the ol' Reddit-style AMA (ask me anything)?

Truth is - virtually every thread is some form of a question and threads progression becomes the answers - if anyone wants to take the efforts to read through it and evaluate each of the posts to the thread.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by SD70Dude on Monday, June 28, 2021 10:33 PM

That "String Lining" thread that ran for a few years was sort of a blog for NDG's reminisces, and had acquired a decent following of forumites.  But all good things eventually come to an end.  

Of course the subject matter in that thread became quite varied, which is probably one of the reasons it lasted as long as it did.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, June 28, 2021 11:11 PM

SD70Dude
That "String Lining" thread that ran for a few years was sort of a blog for NDG's reminisces, and had acquired a decent following of forumites.  But all good things eventually come to an end.  

Of course the subject matter in that thread became quite varied, which is probably one of the reasons it lasted as long as it did.

Threads are 'conversations' among the participants in the thread.  Despite whatever the title of the thread may be - just like in 'real life' conversations go where they go without any necessary requirement to repeat the start of the conversation.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, June 28, 2021 11:48 PM

I would opine that the problem with a blog is that it's going to include opinions.  And opinions evoke reactions - sometimes not the best reactions.

We've seen what has happened in such threads, which is why certain topics are verboten (and some forum members aren't with us any more).

That said, it might be possible to have blog-like posts right here on the forum.  Some ground rules might be in order, lest things get carried away, and perhaps the word "blog" would need to be part of the title.  Maybe responses would be limited - if you want to discuss something in depth, start a new thread.  

Just thinkin' out loud.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 5:52 AM

zugmann

I've tried doing blog-type stuff in the past here, but response was always lackluster at best.  Was kind of discouraging (maybe I just suck at writing?).  I thought of starting it up again - but I don't know if it's worth the effort for it to quickly drop to the bottom of the page with 16 views.  

Videos and photos always seem to do better.   *shrugs*.  

 

 

Do you mean that you wrote a blog which was hosted elsewhere, and you posted links here?

Still in training.


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Posted by zugmann on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 7:38 AM

Lithonia Operator
Do you mean that you wrote a blog which was hosted elsewhere, and you posted links here?

No, that would be against the rules.  Nah, it was just some thoughts I typed out here in blog form.  Didn't really get much attention, so it was kind of a wasted effort. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 8:15 AM

zugmann
 
Lithonia Operator
Do you mean that you wrote a blog which was hosted elsewhere, and you posted links here?

 

No, that would be against the rules.  Nah, it was just some thoughts I typed out here in blog form.  Didn't really get much attention, so it was kind of a wasted effort. 

 

Have to disagree. As one of the 16 views, I found it interesting, but really had nothing to add.

The way I see it, a blog is like a one way conversation. For example, today I will talk about clouds. When I get done, there's not much to add other than "I like clouds". A thread is more along the lines of "Some weather we've been havin'. Think it's gonna rain?"

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 8:18 AM
 

MP173

zugman:

Never knew you had one...would read it if you did.

Here is another proposal....we all seem to miss those great blogs.  The discussions which followed were very educational and entertaining.   The blogs and discussions truly were the best part of the Trains website (in my opinion).  Years ago before people were either forced away or decided they had enough, there were incredible discussions (often emotional) about the industry....Michael Sol, futuremodal, and Ed (RIP) I am thinking of you.  

What if we had a self administered blog on this forum?  While most of us (perhaps all of us) are not professional writers, most of us can put a couple of sentences together that make sense about this industry.  Many here have experience in the operations of railroads.  Others have strong ideas (Greyhound) of how to grow the industry.  Others have railfan experiences....etc.

The Men's group I belong to at our house of faith has a similar situation in which we take turns making presentations and not always religious.  Yesterday's was on nuclear power, presented by a retired nuclear engineer.  

Just a thought as I miss Fred's blogs (and others) and he is probably not coming back.

Ed

 

Fred is retired from the blogs. Those who wish to contact Mr. Frailey can find him on Linkedin.

 

 
Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 8:37 AM

Blogs have comments sections, right?

I don't see how making a thoughtful post here, followed by our discussion, is any different.

Still in training.


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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 9:57 AM

zug, I guess I don't get what you mean by "blog format." What does that mean to you?

Still in training.


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Posted by Convicted One on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 11:02 AM

Lithonia Operator
I don't see how making a thoughtful post here, followed by our discussion, is any different.

 

Not to say that authoritative  threads do not deserve recognition too, but personally I tend to give a little more credence to a source that bothers to set up shop, actually reserve some dedicated server space, and say "this is my blog".

That doesn't mean they are all unimpeachable. Some outright hacks run blogs.  But I believe that their actually bothering to set the stage makes them more "watch worthy".  jmho

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 11:30 AM

Okay, got it. Thanks, CO.

Still in training.


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Posted by rrnut282 on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 11:54 AM

zugmann

 

 
Lithonia Operator
Do you mean that you wrote a blog which was hosted elsewhere, and you posted links here?

 

No, that would be against the rules.  Nah, it was just some thoughts I typed out here in blog form.  Didn't really get much attention, so it was kind of a wasted effort. 

 

Maybe I missed it, but could you provide a hot link to one of them.  Maybe I didn't recognize them as blogs.  And most of us could use an example to further the discussion.  

Mike (2-8-2)

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