For the Administrators

[tommann]

Hello;

How about scale specific forums? I was greatly taken to task by one of your members when I posted a generic title that didn't indicate that I was looking for N Scale specific info. As such ,I very seldom use this forum any more. I think it would be helpful for evreyone to be able to go to an N, HO, S, O or G Scale forum. Your thoughts, please.

Tom Mann.

[trainboyH16-44]

I kind of like this particular style, as much advice can work in many scales.
matthew

[egmurphy]

Tom

This subject has come up as a suggestion several times. If I recall correctly (not a sure thing) I believe the general consensus was to keep it a mixed scale forum.

There are already a number of websites with scale specific forums, including The Railwire, Atlas, and TrainBoard, just to mention a few. I, for one, think it's nice to have a general forum as an option to the scale specific ones. I think I've picked up a number of good ideas here from people who don't model in my chosen scale.

Sorry about your previous experience here. Unfortunately there are a few jerks to be found on almost any website these days. There's no call to be rude in a response, no matter what the question.

jmho

Ed

[jfugate]

I prefer not to splinter up the audience too much or you lose the synergy of ideas.

If someone gets wrapped around the axle about a scale issue, then I just keep in mind that there are rude people in just about every venue. They generally treat everyone that way, so I've learned to not take it personally.

[tstage]

Tom,

Joe and Ed are right. Every once in a while you run across someone who is abrasive or doesn't know how to tactfully "educate" newcomers to the forum.

I understand where you are coming from on the scale-specific inquiry. However, many tips and helpful hints on things that we do on our layouts (e.g. scenicing or model building) isn't necessarily scale-specific and helpful to everyone.

Tom, we hope that you'll feel welcome to spend more time here in the future.

Tom

[IRONROOSTER]

I, too, like the current format . A lot of the info is not scale specific and frankly there aren't enough S scalers to have a separate forum. The G folks already have their own forum as do the toy train enthusiasts. Also, since I used to be in HO, sometimes I can contribute to the HO topics. Besides I dip into all of the forums anyway.

The only time I raise the scale issue is when the topic starter doesn't specify and it makes a difference in my response - then I just ask what scale are we talking about.
Enjoy
Paul

[FCnota]

I agree with the mixed format. Many things discussed, scenery for example, can cross over the scale lines. I've also noticed that if you have a scale specific issue, just add that note to the header. I model HO, but read almost everything, regardless of scale. You never know what you might learn.

[Anonymous]

I Run HO. But I look at everything in the forums.

I would hate to have to click forums, then scale then suboptions and climb back up to cross over to another scale and repeat. Bleah.

There are many forums out there are are scale specific. I like it when we all can talk trains as one family. (Not necessairly agree on this and that)

[jeffshultz]

What I'd like to see is to keep the General Forum, but add scale specific forums as well. Scenery is cross-scale, but the Tower55 releses certainly aren't...

[simon1966]

My preference would be for the mixed forum format. There are other segments that might make sence to split off, like DCC for example. Obviously we would not want an HO DCC forum and an N DCC forum. I have contributed to several threads on N scale and had several people who are N scalers contribute to threads with an HO bias. I think that there is a lot to be said for making the subject for a thread really specific as folks with non broad band access can be more selective about what they go into.

[Anonymous]

I like the forum the way it is. If we all split into N, HO, O, G ect., we'd never talk to each other as much or share our ideas with other scale modelers.

[selector]

[#ditto] what the others have said, including regret for your experience, Tom. There are all types of characters, backgrounds, personalities, and levels of competence in this hobby forum. Some are quick on the trigger, and forget that their own introductions to model trains required patience and repetition on the part of several doting adults. Please don't take the darts personally.

I would welcome you any time, especially since we need new members, and because I am positive you have it all over me in some areas, whether related to trains or something else. [:)]

[jeffshultz]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

I like the forum the way it is. If we all split into N, HO, O, G ect., we'd never talk to each other as much or share our ideas with other scale modelers.

We woudn't? You don't think that we'd still hang out on the General Forum as well? Heck, if a few of our more knowledgable posters kept putting material there (Hi Joe!) I'm sure that people would hang around.

[Anonymous]

Most questions are general enough that every one can contribute or would benefit from the answers. Specific questions like the best radii for curves, track spacing, the pros and cons of certain locomotive performs should have the scale included in the subject. Most people catch on to that. Hopefully they are gently guided to that standard and not beaten into submission.

I would hate to see the talent and knowledge on this forum carved up into small denominations. The whole is truely greater then the sum of our parts.

Yes I have an entire dictionary of cliches.

[Anonymous]

I have never understood the war of the gauges. I can see very little gauge specific in most of the posts on this forum. Scenery, weathering, kitbashing, detailing and on and on can be adapted to any scale. Certainly, once in a while an article is released in a specific scale and draws considerable comment. So ignore the stuff you have no interest in if it bothers you. I model strictly steam, but I find no offense in reading the posts that deal with diesel locomotives and modern freight cars. I like to know what the hobby is doing and the trends that are developing. I find these on the open format in these current forums. I, for one, would like things to remain as they are. Those that are offended by an open format can, as respondents indicate, can find multiple gauge specific sites if they desire. Scale preference is not a be a big thing with me. Sharing a hobby we all can enjoy seems to be the key point to me. This is just my own opinion.

Tom

Tom

[cacole]

Hey, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it! Trying to break this forum down into sub-categories according to scale would create a real mess. If you want to see an example of what could happen, just browse through the G-scale area of E-Bay some time -- I find more N, HO, O, S, and every other scale listed there sometimes than G-scale items.

I would not want to have to wade through 12 menus to try to find something.

[tommann]

Oops. [:D] Sorry guys. I guess I was being oversensitive at being yelled at. I agree that a lot of the posts are viable for all scales. And, as such, will withdraw my suggestion. As someone above said: "If it ain't broke...." As for myself, I like to read about stuff in all scales 'cause I might get an idea or be able to translate it to my scale (N).

Tom Mann.[8D]

[Pruitt]

N Scale, Tom?! Yuck!!! You shouldn't even be here!!!

JUST KIDDING!

[:o)]

Don't let the curmudgeons keep you away - they are few and far between here. Very few folks here are rude or obnoxious on purpose, and Bergie takes care of problem posters pretty quickly in any case. Some of us may be pretty crusty, but we all have the best of intentions.