I happened to look at the dates on the threads (and the extremely low reply count) of the "Where are the MR Anniversary Box Cars?" Forum- like walking through a cemetary- all the dates are old! Might it be more advantageous- and useful- to treat this one forum as a major continuing thread (as is the "Diner" thread in the general forum) within the general forum and use the "Where are.." forum for tips and tricks/methods of work- as was the function of the old "kinks" section in the monthly magazine back in my younger days? That way, many repetitive topics- and many of us who search for previous information on particular things- painting techniques, wiring solutions, model repair and restoration info- could more easily find answers to our questions, etc.?
Then, MR would have a new feature without the need for editorial oversight, other than current forum IT supervision!
Just a thought- but a significant one!
Cedarwoodron
Good thought!
The Anniversary thread had its time and needs to be replaced. Another thought for a thread would be a track plan thread, something like "Show us your track plan". Lots of posts are about track planning issues and such a permanent thread could act as a think tank for many of us.
I agree..IIRC one of those anniversary boxcars(WSOR 503149) has been sent to the scrapper.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
No, let's keep it so I know where the Anniversary Boxcar is at any given moment throughout each day.
Alton Junction
richhotrain No, let's keep it so I know where the Anniversary Boxcar is at any given moment throughout each day.
I agree, it's a treasure trove of useful informaiton.
Jim
Doesn't everyone check that forum at least four or five times a day so we all know exactly where each car is?
Isn't that boxcar thread scheduled to be replaced by the "Where are the Model Railroader Anniversary non-upgraded DOT-111 tank cars hauling Bakken light crude" thread later this year?
I believe the last several posts were in jest, but that track plan forum idea is also worth considering- certainly as a more descriptive adjunct to the track plan database presently available on the main MR page.
I recall the "kinks" column because I still have a copy of that "764 Helpful Hints" Kalmbach book that was derived from the hundreds of Kinks ideas publiched over the years. Again, as a modeling resource, it would be valuable.
cedarwoodronThat way, many repetitive topics
I would rather leave the General Forum as it is. Then, to reduce the clutter, I would have the new forum dedicated to topics that tend to get out of hand, or are basically non-relevant....such as:
Ebay
Paypal
Track Shortage
"I want to complain about this"
"I want to complain about that"
"Their warranty is bad"
Plus a few others that will eventually come to mind.
NO! We must keep this thread going. Rumour has it that "the ghost of the MR Anniversary Box Cars" will soon rise from their unfortunate demise and start rolling the rails in their ghostly form. How else will we be able to report these ghostly sightings?
http://www.examiner.com/article/ghostly-trains-and-haunted-rails-the-ghost-train-of-marshall-pass
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMAN NO! We must keep this thread going. Rumour has it that "the ghost of the MR Anniversary Box Cars" will soon rise from their unfortunate demise and start rolling the rails in their ghostly form. How else will we be able to report these ghostly sightings? http://www.examiner.com/article/ghostly-trains-and-haunted-rails-the-ghost-train-of-marshall-pass
Yes! I'm told those cars will be added to the Lincoln Ghost train..
maxman cedarwoodron That way, many repetitive topics I would rather leave the General Forum as it is. Then, to reduce the clutter, I would have the new forum dedicated to topics that tend to get out of hand, or are basically non-relevant....such as: Ebay Paypal Track Shortage "I want to complain about this" "I want to complain about that" "Their warranty is bad" Plus a few others that will eventually come to mind.
cedarwoodron That way, many repetitive topics
How about a all modeling forum filled with "Atta boy!" replies?
Sounds decent enough I think and would work for those that don't want to read the topics on your list..
Shortly after joining the forums I concluded that the Where Are... forum was like Antarctica - I know it's down there, but not worth a visit.
A thread conversion should go in the Prototype Information... forum, where it will gurgle a few times and sink from sight (like the several N-specific threads and the Beer Barn in this forum.)
As for what should replace it?
One thing I would like to see is all the new wiring, DCC and so on threads moved to the wiring forum when they show up elsewhere. Same for track plans and prototype information. A lot of things get dumped onto the first screen that opens - which, unfortunately, is seldom the appropriate one.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
tomikawaTTShortly after joining the forums I concluded that the Where Are... forum was like Antarctica - I know it's down there, but not worth a visit.
Amen to that. It could be called the Whimsical Thread and Other Controversial Topics Forum.
Other topics that come to mind are: The Future of the Hobby, The Demise of the LHS, and The New Software.
Rich
BATMAN NO! We must keep this thread going.
NO! We must keep this thread going.
If they drop that marvelous Where Are The Anniversary Boxcars Now Forum, I will submit my Forum Membership resignation letter immediately. The wherabouts of the Anniversary Boxcars is absolutely critical to me.
The problem is we only have the 70 and 75 year cars to track.Now if we had 71,72, etc we would have more reports.
And more reports = more happiness
richhotrainAmen to that. It could be called the Whimsical Thread and Other Controversial Topics Forum. Other topics that come to mind are: The Future of the Hobby, The Demise of the LHS, and The New Software.
I knew there would be a few I forgot.
Oh, and I do like that proposed title.
You are not allowed to resign. Who else will keep Frank in line?????
Laping into the fray........I want to complain about the suggested inclusion of an "I want to complain about this" and the "I want to complain about that" forum idea.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
I'd rather see a "classifieds" section.
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
How about a "When Are We Gonna See Any Atlas Track?" thread? I'm sure that one would have a thousand replies a day...
BATMAN Rich You are not allowed to resign. Who else will keep Frank in line?????
Fear not, Brent, that is the only that I still hang around.
Another thing they could do to rationalize the forums on this website is rethink the purpose of the "Trains.com" forums, which are not the same as the Trains magazine forums. There are things posted in the Trains.com forums which clearly belong in the Model Railroader, Trains Magazine, or other magazine-specific forums.
By the way, how many of us still have our "Trains.com Forum Member" t-shirts that Erik Bergstrom ordered for us years and years ago? I still have mine. Now and then I wear it to Trainfest in Milwaukee.
Dave Nelson
Speaking of Bergie, maybe someone should send him a PM about the 75th boxcar sightings concerns expressed here - Wait a minute; neither Bergie or Private Messages are on the forum any more (PMs are now Conversations).
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I agree that it might be time to retire the boxcar sighting discussion. A products, product reviews and comments discussion might make a good replacement.
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
Good thread.
I've been a member since 2003 and admit that I had completely forgotten about the "Anniverasary Car" forum. Whenever I log in, I look at General Discussion first then jump to Layouts, then Electronics.
I like the idea of a products review and comments section. But if that idea is implemented we would still have to exercise caution regarding the temptation to flame products. Lately just about every new locomotive, freight car and passenger car that has hit the market has had some type of issue (body detail, color, price tag, mechanism, etc) that has annoyed some modelers to the point where they vent it in a hot fashion on the forums. Nothing wrong with critiquing products that we buy with our hard earned dollars, but it should be done in a clean, civilized manner. Stating comments such as "This engine is a piece of trash!" benefits no one.
Critiques should be constructive and beneficial, especially considering that manufacturers reps do read threads on these forums.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
dexterdog How about a "When Are We Gonna See Any Atlas Track?" thread? I'm sure that one would have a thousand replies a day...
Now, I really like this suggestion.
The renamed forum could be titled Where Is Atlas Track Today.
Members could report sightings of flex track and various types of turnouts.
AntonioFP45But if that idea is implemented we would still have to exercise caution regarding the temptation to flame products.
And probably each other as a rivet counter etc..Not good.
However...
That would be a excellent forum for personal reviews followed by questions about the product including fixes if any.
Of course tight guidelines would need to be establish and followed and the reviewer must use clear photos and close ups of the reported flawed area.Running issues could be shown with a video.
And all replies must stay on topic with no "I won't buy a Botchmann","cost to much" and other like off topic replies.
It can be done.
Well, perhaps there is a need for a "Complaint Dept" Forum all by itself??????