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Twitter and model railroading

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  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, September 23, 2018 6:10 AM

gmpullman
 
richhotrain
How does Twitter have the potential to greatly benefit the popularity of model railroading? 

I come across some MRR manufacturers that have no web presence other than Facebook*. I don't go there and as far as I can tell, they're losing business, at least mine, anyway.

*not really related to the twitter question, but you get my drift, I hope.

Ed  

I do.

As a non-user of social media, I get my info from my wife, three kids and six grandkids. Social media seems to work well for those who are looking for constant contact on everyday blabber or as a source of update info on daily comings and goings. But, that seems to be about it. My impression is that a forum like this one works much better for the exchange of information about model railroading activity.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by bearman on Sunday, September 23, 2018 5:53 AM

1.  No way

2.  Yeah, it won't work.

Bear "It's all about having fun."

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, September 23, 2018 5:49 AM

richhotrain
How does Twitter have the potential to greatly benefit the popularity of model railroading?

I come across some MRR manufacturers that have no web presence other than Facebook*. I don't go there and as far as I can tell, they're losing business, at least mine, anyway.

*not really related to the twitter question, but you get my drift, I hope.

Ed 

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, September 23, 2018 5:44 AM

I have to return here with a question for the OP.

How does Twitter have the potential to greatly benefit the popularity of model railroading?

Can you give some examples of how Twitter would be used in this regard?

RIch

Alton Junction

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, September 23, 2018 5:36 AM

 

#noway @ twitter

I have used several photo-hosting sites over the years. Some have fizzled out (Picasa) some have made bad management decisions (Photobucket). I will occasionally comment on someone's photo at the one main site I now use, Flickr, but that's about it.

I have some Youtube videos posted. My grandson was looking over my shoulder once and saw that I had some fifteen thousand views on one of the videos and he was amazed. You could be making some money there! said he. Nope, not interested. I did have many commenters thank me for providing memories for them. A couple of Erie-Lackawanna employees re-united by commenting on one of my videos. When something like that happens I'm grateful.

Any other "media" social or otherwise, I have no need or use for. Even texting. I've never sent or recieved a text in the past 62 years. Sometimes my wife will be caught up in a texting volley and I'll say, why don't you just call the person and get the whole conversation over with at once?

Guess I just don't understand.

A few other friends of my sons use several Facebook and Twitter kinds of things. I don't really get it. Mostly mindless drivel. 

I believe part of the attraction to this stuff is the "cloistered" lifestyle so many people lead these days. We used to have bowling leagues, card games, dances, picknicks, gee, even going to the shopping mall is becoming a thing of the past. So I guess this is the new way to "socialize".

RR_Mel
There is an up side to social media, law enforcement and attornies think it's great because it helps them in court cases.

You mean like the girl that went to the Police station for her probationary drug test, passed it, then went out to her car — still in the police parking lot — and tweeted to her friends how she scammed and cheated the test.

Police were knocking on her window within two minutes. Yes

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, September 23, 2018 5:34 AM

NO, NEVER, NYET, NADA

Alton Junction

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Sunday, September 23, 2018 5:21 AM

Maybe it's an old people vs young people thing.  I'm in the older people category and don't really see the need to tweet.  Forums have always worked well enough.  FB seems mostly a means to connect with others (to both good and bad effects) or advertise company activity and get a little feed back from interested parties. 

Back on topic, I've never seen a purpose to getting a Twitter account and start tweeting.  I mean, what for?

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by RR_Mel on Sunday, September 23, 2018 5:16 AM

Count me in with the above no go guys.  There is an up side to social media, law enforcement and attornies think it's great because it helps them in court cases.
 
 
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by mobilman44 on Sunday, September 23, 2018 5:02 AM

Nice to hear others seem to feel like I do......

I have no interest in "social media" whatsoever.  I do enjoy communicating with email, and I have found huge benefits with YouTube.  But the facebook, tweets, and whatever else is out there is just not for me.  

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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Posted by tstage on Sunday, September 23, 2018 2:50 AM

gpharo

1) Anyone here have a Twitter account?

2) Anyone have thoughts on this topic?

A: Nope.  I have no desire for one and really don't see the appeal or benefit to one.  I find this and my groups.io forums are quite adequate for garnering "community".  In fact, a number of the members here on this forum cover quite a few time zones around the world.

I do have a FB account, my own website, and also belong to a decent-sized train historical society.  I think that's as much socializing as I need at the moment.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Sunday, September 23, 2018 1:14 AM

gpharo

However, I feel that Twitter is under-utilized, it has the potential to greatly benefit the popularity of model railroading and create a greater community among modellers world wide.

And how did you come to that conclusion?

gpharo

1) Anyone here have a Twitter account?

2) Anyone have thoughts on this topic?

Pablo

I have a youtube channel. That way I can share information and techniques through visual stimulation. I don't have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or any other social media.

I don't think I'm missing out on anything by not having social media accounts. I know lots of people who have deleted their accounts or wish they didn't have them.

Maybe if more people spent LESS time on social media and MORE time actually doing things (like going to a train show or railroad prototype modelers meet instead of waiting for it to appear on social media), they might get more out of the hobby.

Terry

Inspired by Addiction

See more on my YouTube Channel

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Sunday, September 23, 2018 12:50 AM

Call me "old school" or "dinosaur", but I don´t do Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any of those not so social media. This forum (and a few selected other ones) fulfill my communication needs 100%. I don´t need thousands of virtual "friends" to follow me whatever I may be doing, nor do I believe my tweeting or chirping it will save the world.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, September 23, 2018 12:34 AM

gpharo
1) Anyone here have a Twitter account?

Count me as no, not now, not ever, never.

gpharo
2) Anyone have thoughts on this topic?

I don't think it is practical.  I believe that each "tweet" can only consist of so many words; probably not enough to ask an intelligent question, certainly not enough to give an intelligent answer.

  • Member since
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Twitter and model railroading
Posted by gpharo on Sunday, September 23, 2018 12:12 AM

I have noticed that YouTube and Facebook are popular with this hobby, especially YouTube.

However, I feel that Twitter is under-utilized, it has the potential to greatly benefit the popularity of model railroading and create a greater community among modellers world wide.

1) Anyone here have a Twitter account?

2) Anyone have thoughts on this topic?

Pablo

 

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