I understand the seasonal ebb and flow, having been on the forum for 8 years now, longer than most, but it does seem to be much slower than in past years. I do find it curious that if Kalmbach wants to promote the forum that they have made it less easy to find. Anyway, just an observation on my part. Was curious if others noticed the same trend in activity? I would be curious to see if new registrations for the forum have dropped off since they eliminated the forum links from the home pages?
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
@Simon:
I've been around a bit also and have also noticed the decline in activity. I think that you may be partically correct in that a link to the forums is rather important to have on the main page :)
For me, however, the new forum software (community Server) was a mistake. I run/admin many other forums and the feel/ease of navigation to CS just isn't there. Speed is down also. Seems slower since the switch.
Dave Loman
My site: The Rusty Spike
"It's a penny for your thoughts, but you have to put your 2 cents in.... hey, someone's making a penny!"
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a short stack of buttermilk pancakes (leave the real maple syrup please), and a cup of dark roast coffee in a R&GV RR mug. Thanky Ma'am!
Another hot one here i the Finger Lakes! Already 81°F..... Don't think it got below 70° last night. left the air conditioners on all night, so the house is cool at least. I should be w*rking outside on gardening projects most of the day... Should be, that is. May decide to disappear into the train rooms down cellar instead.
Simon, I am a member of 3 MR forums... This one is the busy one! Another I used to spend much more time on doesn't seem to be doing any moderating these day judging by the insulting, political, racist crap some people are posting over there..... I don't spend much time over there these days. The other one is over across the pond and has had 3 new posts in the last week....... I spend most of my online time here as it is the best one I have found to date. That said, at times the speed is lacking here and may have an influence on how many posts we are getting..........
Ulrich! Hey guys! Ulrich is making an escape!!! YES! Congrats on being kicked out of the high rent district. Prayers for your continued recovery!
Todd, you got it wrong.... The guy who died was the librarian..... He was originally a Social Studies teacher who decided to keep the books.... The female dog was his assistant. She had a tough life so we all just put up with her nastiness as it was her way of coping. She had 2 children, both of whom died young.... She could be very helpful as well, but just had a very short fuse which some teachers liked to light at times... should we say?
So..........??? Where are we? Guess we will have to wait until Galaxy gets home from all the medical stuff to find out...
Later!
73
P.S. - Curt, see, look right below in my signature.... My name should be right there.....
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Morning Folks
Flo, scrambled eggs, side of bacon and toast and a diet dew.
Ulrich Glad you are on your way home. Ulrich told me having a bird dumping on me was good luck. Well, we will see. I think in China if a cricket gets in your house it means good luck as well.
Simon The site is way slower than when I joined 6 years ago. Have no real idea why, I found this site, it was and still is easy to use. Most of the people back then where helpful. We had some trollish people but they have been pretty much banishes from the site.
My self, I read the main section some, but not like I did. Part of the reason there are fewer new people to help, and I pretty much have the learning curve down and have few problems theses day's that You Can't Fix!
See you all later.
Ken
I hate Rust
Good Morning All!Not much to report from the land of Buckeyes on this sunny Wednesday other then I am liking the way the new Slate Creek is shaping up.May not be as much switching action when compared to N Scale but,will keep me busy enough..My main focus will be on something I haven't done since the late 70s..Attention to details such as modern concrete buildings,trash hoppers,weeds,fences etc..I also want to focus on weathering my cars and structures.I may equipped my cars with #58s or 158s and shelf couplers on my tank cars...Hey! I might become a real modeler yet! I shall have a cup and look over the forum.Have a good'un!
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Good morning Diners: I'll have the Garlic sausage, tomatoes, mashed and peas, with black tea please.
On the subject of dinosaur infested layouts, do you recall this from Coffee Shop days? LOL
...and for all you car enthusiasts, here's something for your retirement dreams...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrpq5A-KAoA
sfb:
der5997: Thanks for the flashing welcome. That was cool
Is there delivery for lunch?
Simon:
Are we talking natural seasonal ebb and flow here, or do you think Kalmbach is allowing this to fade and die?
I see Dave has some knowledge of how this goes - OBH's changes of things like servers etc. are not always for the better
by Ray Ulrich! Hey guys! Ulrich is making an escape!!! YES! Congrats on being kicked out of the high rent district. Prayers for your continued recovery!
TTFN
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
I am home!
Made the escape from the medical GULAg in time for tomorrow´s holiday!
Petra made a nice cake to welcome me home, so I´ll have a slice and share the rest with you chowhounds!
Yummy!
RE: MR Editorial Staff.
You notice they mentioned them in the Editorial this month. Rest assured though they are quiet, they are here listening and watching. Keeping tabs on what’s going on now in the hobby. A very good thing if you ask me.
But every now and then "Smiling Andy" pops in to clarify a situation or a fact. And we welcome him....
Johnboy out....................................
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
claymore1977 I've been around a bit also and have also noticed the decline in activity. I think that you may be partically correct in that a link to the forums is rather important to have on the main page :) For me, however, the new forum software (community Server) was a mistake. I run/admin many other forums and the feel/ease of navigation to CS just isn't there. Speed is down also. Seems slower since the switch.
There has been a definite decline in activity in the last year. I usually attribute this to things like Facebook and Twitter but there's also the fact that the link for the forum is a bit tricky to find. I have my own small forum to look after so I know how important easy accessibility is. For someone coming here for the first time it takes a bit of hunting to find the link to this forum. That's not good.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Not wanting to belabour the issue here are a couple more ramblings... I'll have a cup of good strong coffee while I'm at it!
If you were to arrive at www.trains.com knowing that there was a forum that you wanted to check out, then in all likelihood you would find it. If you arrived on the web site with no prior knowledge then I think it is unlikely that you would find it, or even have your interest piqued to look at it.
By its very nature this forum is a much more general forum. Focus tends to be on more entry level subjects and questions, and to that end it does a decent job. What I have found is that as I came back into the hobby my interest became more specialized, and so I drifted away to more focused forums on the web that better met my interest level. I suspect a lot of folks drift through here and then find their real home on more specialized sites?
Yes the forum software changed and since we don't handle change very well as a species, then off went quite a few members. But also, things like the Joe Fugate eZine and associated forums took off and I suspect siphoned off a good number of folks. It seems to me that with the departure of Joe from these pages that a number of the so-called-experts drifted away as well.
Again, these are just personal observations not rooted in factual data, but based on how the forum seems to have changed.
Anyway, the cup is empty and I need to turn my attention to work...
See ya later....
Hi al...its about exactly nearly about noon here, so I will tell you where we are:
With all the heat attacking the eastern half and southern western half of the USA I took a hint..and moved us ....to Nova Scotia. It's a bit cooler there for now anyways. We are still "out of the country" but on our own continent once again. This is for all those Canadian National and Canadian Pacific and other Canadian RR's fans!!!
Got rain coming in and getting a Migraine. Took my migraine neds and will soon be in bed and hopefully it will go away. I have a feeling it is attached to the storm of rain moving in.
Tomorrow I go for another followup MRI for my back, and for injections once again....I will be "crippled" with pain for about a week then...but they do seem to help. They just don't eliminate 100% of the pain like the Dr. would like. SO would I.
SIMON- Yes, this time of year the forum slows down. The people are out in force doing "other outdoorsy things" and don't take the tiem to post. Also I think the number of posts are down because there are fewer new people repeating old thread topics, and perhaps more of them are doing the reasearch by "searching our community" instead fo just posting away frustrationg the older members of the forum {those who have been here a long time}. Me? Oh, I've been here lets see now 6 YRS I think...
WEll I go lay down MOH is taking a nap before wo*k and my migraine stuff will make me sleepy...
TTYALLL8R
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Ulrich- Welcome home, I look forward to your modeling photos, what better way to recuperate than to do MRR'ing?
Simeon- I think your assessment is on the mark. I use this forum for basic construction type info and of course the companionship at the Diner (wherever it is today), but I use a PRR Modeling site for specific info on the best RR there ever was....OK, OK some of you may feel differently
We just had a heavy rain cell go through here. It is supposed to rain during the late afternoon. I'm glad we are finally getting rain in infernoland
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Normally, because f time constraints, I just go on by the diner. Don't take the time to read any of the posts or post myself. Today, however, with extra time, I thought I would stop and have a look around. I have read all 42 posts so far and can honestly say "you guys are something else". You talk to each other like you known each other for life and I can see that you are from all different parts of the country/world and that makes it even more interesting.
I come to the forum quite often and look for answers to questions I have. I do use the look-up feature and if I find what I need, I don't post a question. I have gotten some great advice from the forum though and really appreciate seeing photos of what some are doing.
That coffee smells pretty good, think I could get a cup. Down here at the end of th RC.
I had a garage layout for a number of years and then in 2005 we moved. I have been rebuilding since. This was to be my retirement project, but retirement never happened. Still w**king. Just part time now, but still w**king. Maybe another year.
Graduated in '61 and this last weekend had our 50 year class reunion. Was great to see most of the old gang.
Coffee was good but got to go now. Covering for vacationers in Florida and Iowa this week and next so am keeping busy.
Will stop back again sometime.
The DINGER line Free Lance Steam to Diesel
Hey guys
Just switched out the trunk weatherstriping in my car. Boy it is hot out today. I have to pressure wash at work today too.
I managed to get one of my McKean/Frontrange centerbeams together. Lots of fiddly and rougly cast bits, but a fun kit. One comment and nitpick is it is VERY LIGHT, like 20' flatcar light. Need to add some weight and a load (Balso from AC moore)
Ulrich, Good to see you're out of the medical gulag. lol
Curt, Share the rain with the other end of Florida. lol
Ken, I'm one of those that would kill to get 500 a week. I'm making roughly 2-3/5 that. Kind of crappy with the bird, but that's why I don't like them. They keep targeting my car, but I guess that better than being target by cops, vandals, etc. I'll PM you the pics that were on the auctions. It's just the GP30s I'm trying to get rid of.
Galaxy, Dude, where's my (diner) car? I don't recall seeing the location disclosed.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Curt: Sorry, I don't know how to upload photos. Just imagine the best layout you have ever seen...
Man, feels like infernoland moved up to the Northeast, with the weather today!!! It is supposed to cool off eventually...which means next fall for all I know!!!! I was really hoping to dullcote that hopper!!!!
Speaking of which, could I get an iced tea?
Thanks, sfb
Packer Galaxy, Dude, where's my (diner) car? I don't recall seeing the location disclosed.
Yep, ya missed it... scroll back about 3 or 4 posts you will see:
galaxy Hi all...its about exactly nearly about noon here, so I will tell you where we are: With all the heat attacking the eastern half and southern western half of the USA I took a hint..and moved us ....to Nova Scotia. It's a bit cooler there for now anyways. We are still "out of the country" but on our own continent once again. This is for all those Canadian National and Canadian Pacific and other Canadian RR's fans!!!
Hi all...its about exactly nearly about noon here, so I will tell you where we are:
Migraine taking hold, bad news for me...
We had some rain roll through here but not much...we have SOOOOOO appreciated teh sun around here haven't seen much of it these past 2 months with rain nearly every single solitary day!!!
well I go now for a nap I think...rest my head...
EDIT: I got "top honors" so it is my turn to buy dinner for all you fine folks! Lemme warm up the CC before I take a nap...
Afternoon everyone. Flo, I'll have some of Ulrich's cake and a RBF to wash it down.
Been pretty quiet around here the past week or so for a change. Guess the ex finally realized since the divorce is final I can kick her out anytime with just 15 days notice. She has been real nice to me lately.
to the new folks. For sfb, the diner was at Rockhill Furnace and the East Broad Top earlier this year. You just missed it.
I'm heading for the shore after work on Friday. Wildwood, NJ to be exact. With everything going on around here I decided a weekend away will be nice.
whew! Thanks for saving me from TOPS, galaxy
Geepers, the Diner moves to a new location and just like that, I'm pages behind. Now that I'm here, a strong coffee in a UNION PACIFIC mug, please. Say, with all the free publicity I give U.P. by drinking out of a mug with their namesake on an almost daily basis here in the Diner, don't you think they should buy me an N scale U.P. locomotive...or at least send me a free U.P. mug?
Have a great day y'all. Rob
Careful, Rob, you might have to pay them royalties for using their name.
Attaboy I'm heading for the shore after work on Friday. Wildwood, NJ to be exact. With everything going on around here I decided a weekend away will be nice.
Attaboy: Have fun at wildwood. I went there once, and it was great. One of the few reasons I would ever go to New Jersey.
sfb
Oh, and a steak on Galaxy
***Attaboy & SFB: I was born in New Jersey. Only spent the first 2 weeks of life there before moving out west where I became a happy desert rat. And on the U.P. royalties, if they pulled that cra* here, I would switch to BNSF and use all my U.P. locos to model train crashes on my layout. Rob
Could I have a lemonade in a CPR glass please. The heat has been killing me the past few days. Though it beats the rain. Galaxy, I don't think CP is in Nova Scotia anymore. About the forums being slow, last time I checked, life isn't all about model railroading.
Lone Geep
\
Man, this is a buisy place. Only 4:42 in the afternoon on June 1st, and there is already 4 pages.
I can't say there's too much going on with me (although it seems like I can't be as active here as I use to) Main thing is that final exams for my school are next week. Good news though, is that all of the final exam days are early dismissal days, and next Wednesday is the last day of school.
Weather right now, in Sunny Florida: mid 90's, with no chance for rain in sight
I'm not complaining about the heat, but we need rain SOON The fire danger for my area has been in the red (i.e. lit cigarette thrown from moving car = big forrest fire really fast) and burn bans are in effect for all of the counties around me. Someone mentioned the idea of "Infernoland" last month, right before the Dinner moved. Well, if everyone in my area ain't careful, Infernoland would be an accurate statement
Let's see now, Today is Wednesday... That means that I only have 1 week left of school (technically, with the 1/2 days for exams, it's more like 3.5 days)
Good afternoon.
Galaxy ... Thanks for handling the diner move to Nova Scotia. Looks like we had yet another damage free move.
Ulrich ... Thanks for the cake. It is terrific. Complements to Petra. Glad you are home and pray for continued recovery.
Bama .... Good to see you again. I have spent lots of time in your state this year so far.
WELCOME !!!!!!! To "SFB", "dygnrr", and to Dave L. .... Great to see you here!
SFB ... I have a steel mill as part of my layout.
Barry .... is that a photo of a replica of the "Best Friend of Charleston" ?
Speaking of Nova Scotia, below are pictures I took in NS from a Park series dome-observation car on VIA's "Ocean" train in 2001. It was quite a trip. Shelley and I flew to Halifax, NS a few days before the 9-11 attacks, and we were stranded there for several days due to the attacks. The "Ocean" trip was about 6 days later, and it went to Montreal. Next, we rode another VIA train to Toronto. Then, we rode Amtrak's "International" (Now discontinued) to Flint, MI. We rented a car, and we drove it to Nashville, TN airport where we picked up our car to drive home.
We'll not forget that trip.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Heartland Division CB&Q SFB ... I have a steel mill as part of my layout.
You have pics?
Good afternoon. It's 97° and mostly cloudy. There's a 1-% chance of rain after midnight.Went to town this morning to pay the bills that can't be paid online then went to Circle-K for gas then to Wal-Mart to buy the groceries. Filled the tank at Circle-K (9.821 gallons at $3.659 a gallon) but the gauge only read 1/2 a tank (3/4's of a tank). I already suspected a stuck gauge so I pounded the dash once right above the gauges and the gas gauge went up to 3/4's (full tank). The weird readings are due to a 18 gallon sending unit being in a 24 gallon tank. When the gauge reads empty there's still a 1/4 tank left. After I finished loading the groceries I went to go around the back of the van to the drivers side and found a woman standing behind it just yakking away on a phone. I told her she needed to move as I was going to back out and headed for the drivers door. I fired it up and checked the mirrors and didn't see anything right behind me. I started backing up and heard this loud 'HEY!!'. I stopped took a look in the left mirror again and there was the SAME woman still with the phone on her ear walking up to my door telling me I should have TOLD HER that I was going to back out. I had done just that and you would think she would have gotten message from the roar of the pipes. Dual exhaust from a V8 with a 15" cherry bomb is very loud at close quarters yet she said she didn't hear it. She was probably too busy telling the other party to speak up because there was too much noise. I didn't bother telling her what I wanted to do with her phone.
"Wherever you go, there you are...."
Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood afternoon everybody, and a late welcome to the new guys.
ULRICH: Glad you're on the mend and THAT they booted you out! By the time I got in here, looked like just crumbs left of the cake...
CUDAKEN: Man, there's just something about having a lousy day and getting it capped-off by having a bird "deposit" on ya....
OK, I'll admit it...I laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Then Rerun came in to see what was so funny. I told him...and he laughed.
Ya can't tell me dogs can't laugh!
CURT: Getting dumped on by a bird is good luck???? Never heard THAT one before. Sounds like maybe somebody down there needs to wear SCBA more often...must be gettin' into some "good" smoke... Haven't seen anybody get "birded" on a run, but had a guy get...a brown substance...on his pants from a puker-pooper call
Summer has arrived in Iowa. 80s and HUMID. Great for the corn crop, lousy for me! Which reminds me, who was it saying they had to cover for people vacationing in Iowa??? People come to Iowa for vacation???? The heck you say!
Had an eye-opening experience today. For THAT Editor, I went to the new tattoo shop in North Liberty. "Stingray" forgot I was coming however, so will have to re-schedule. But, in the half hour I spent waiting for Mr. Ray, or Mr. Stingray, or Stingray... I was talking with the inked and pierced dude behind the counter. Nice guy, but I wouldn't stand too close by him when lightning is about! He was so proud of his latest tat, he suddenly dropped trou so I could see his latest addition on his upper thigh. I thought it was gonna be "Weinergate" (no apologies to Rep. Anthony Weiner). Like Dr. Seuss said: "oh the places you'll go...oh the things you'll see..... He mentioned a ring he had attached to a particular "pair" in the nether regions...I politely declined a viewing of THAT...
Tomorrow, it's State High School Soccer Tournament action. Last night was a baseball double-header.
With THAT, I oughta see about getting the write-up from last night's game finished up. Still need the captions, THAT will be easy enough. I should also finish the package from Clear Creek Amana High School's graduation: captions and small "blurb." I know I won't feel like it tomorrow night when I get back home.
Here's another shot of the CCP yard I "should" be able to modify to fit.
Have a good day folks!
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Afternoon guys.
NS huh, climate's a bit better. Now where'd I leave those hi-rail wheels off my Jeep at? Seeing as I won't need the hull anymore.
Dropped off an application at a dealership for a Porter position today. With any luck I'll land the job and be able to take a week off to go to Michigan wheeling with my quad in the dunes.
Urlich- You back. I remember when my dad had his stent put in he was still awake and he told me the last thing he wanted to here was 'Opps' At least you were probably knocked out Then again you Germans are a good 10 to 15 years ahead of us Americans in medical technology.
If you can read this... thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english... thank a veteran
When in doubt. grab a hammer.
If it moves and isn't supposed to, get a hammer
If it doesn't move and is supposed to, get a hammer
If it's broken, get a hammer
If it can't be fixed with a hammer... DUCK TAPE!
Evenin' folks!
Flo, I'll have the Turkey Club Sandwich special, and a Dr. Pepper for supper tonight. I'll go sit and relax for a few minutes in the back.
Got quite a bit done outside today. Hot but windy here today, so I didn't really mind the mid 80° temp. Mowed half of the lawn.... (Yep, again....) Swept up and disposed of all the sawdust and little wood scraps filling most of the side driveway, sprayed roundup on some weeds, and rototilled the garden. garden can be classified as Mud City right at the moment. Will have to go over it several times to mix in the yard clipping and break up the soil this year. Hopefully it will dry up in the next few days if the big round yellow thing hangs around.
Still waiting for the Key for the mower to appear. The Black and Decker website is one of the worst company sites I have ever seen. If you want to send them a message about an order, you have to pick the brand of the equipment in question. It lists DeWalt and a dozen or so other brands to pick from.... Remember this is the Black and Decker Website! Guess which brand is not listed at the Black and Decker website... Three guesses! The first two don't count..... When I ordered it it was listed as "in Stock" and should ship within two working days and arrive in 5 to 7 days.... I ordered it on May 24th. It still lists the order as "processing".........??? They haven't billed my Credit Card yet.... Wonder if they are located in Joplin??? I will call the (not so) Local Service Center if nothing changes tomorrow.
I have a Scout District Committee and Roundtable to go to tonight. Might be a good change from gardening. I hope.
Catch you all leter!