Missing Forum Members?

[richhotrain]

JaBear,

I have the honor of making the 100th reply to your thread. I have never been so excited. I am here. I never left. 

Rich

["JaBear"]

Thanks for the responses.

xboxtravis7992

...and my biggest piece of progress is kitbashing a Bachmann Skarloey into a well weathered take on the Talyllyn

That's nice. 

Cheers the Bear. 

[Engi1487]

I am one of those youngsters, being aged 27. I havent disappeared, as I promised myself I would start taking action in the hobby by starting small (building freight car kits, settling on an era to model, figure out my interests in the hobby etc) after asking so many questions etc, as actions do speak louder then texted words.

I do find myself on the Facebook groups slighty more, because of the ease of message and reply notifications, etc, so I hope the Trains Forum devs work on that.

So no I havent.

 

 

[Little Timmy]

To answer the original question...

I have my e-mail on my profile page.

( not that I bother to check it very often ... about every Three weeeks.)

I also belong to several modeling forums, and have a few contacts that I converse with outside the forums. So, if I had an "accident", or died under " mysterious circumstances" , some one would probably post it here, and on the other forums.

Plus, my wife knows how important you all are to me, so she would definitely let you guys know by posting for me.

P.S. 

Just for the record, I have been working a LOT of overtime lately ( 14 hour days hauling asphalt in a non- airconditioned truck when the weather outside has been  108 for the past few weeks.) 

So, I'm not avoiding you.... I'm saving up to buy mor stuff my wife says I dont need ..... because, I already have 12 of those, and 8 of them, and 20 of this , and .........

[SeeYou190]

xboxtravis7992

I am enjoying and my biggest piece of progress is kitbashing a Bachmann Skarloey into a well weathered take on the Talyllyn locomotive

Wow, good job on the conversion work. It looks great.

-Kevin

[NorthBrit]

A nice looking locomotive,  xboxtravis7.    Well done.   

A decent selection of 009 items here in the UK  made by Peco and Bachmann.

 

David

[xboxtravis7992]

 To those missing who have dropped in, thanks for allaying others concerns. xboxtravis7, yes, I would not be asking questions pertaining to OO9 here, even though it’s a scale/gauge that I’ve been collecting bits for...

To further clarify the choice to switch to OO9 was realizing I still lacked the space or funds to fulfil my HO dreams. My in development OO9 set up is a a 48" by 26" layout, several switches, DCC equipped all with a minimum 9" radius curve. Its compact, light weight, and the type of thing perfectly suited to easily moving it around. I definately would recommend other people try it out sometime, especially with the scale becoming more populated with Ready to Run rolling stock and the absurdly affordable international shipping from the UK to the US (about $14-$15 dollars for most shipping fees, which is comparable to the cost to ordering from domestic train stores). It is certainly a neat little passion project I am enjoying and my biggest piece of progress is kitbashing a Bachmann Skarloey into a well weathered take on the Talyllyn locomotive: https://twitter.com/JacobLyman7/status/1410704267468369920/photo/1

But also, I think it shows why I am not hanging around here to much. Its a niche scale, that is being foreignly imported and doesn't have a huge US based following. So yeah, Facebook and Discord are just the fastest way to directly troubleshoot ideas and get fast feedback while I am working on the project. 

[riogrande5761]

I believe it was Neal Young how said: "it's better to burn out, than to fade away ...  my my hey hey."

[richhotrain]

So, I guess the question I’m asking is, do you have (even if it is for the far distant future) a notification system in place? That is if you even care. 

I believe that it was General Douglas MacArthur, while attending an NMRA Convention, who once said: "Old Model Railroaders Never Die, They Simply Fade Away".

Rich

[snjroy]

Well, to answer your question, I don't know anybody in my circle of MR friends who is a member of this forum. And I don't have any emails from forum members. However, if something predictable was to happen, I would probably send a PM to a few folks here who would recognize my name. 

Simon 

["JaBear"]

gregc

are you suggesting this forum software ping (email) members who haven't responded in a while (e.g. 6 months)  and if there's no response, indicate on their profile that the member is no longer responsive?

That’s far too technical for me Greg!

I was thinking more along the lines of do you, figuratively speaking, interact on a personal basis with another Forum member, or have a family member, who could notify the Forum.

With the slow (?) degradation of the Forums operating system, I’m not sure it could handle your suggestion!!

Cheers, the Bear.

[gregc]

So, I guess the question I’m asking is, do you have (even if it is for the far distant future) a notification system in place? That is if you even care.

are you suggesting this forum software ping (email) members who haven't responded in a while (e.g. 6 months)  and if there's no response, indicate on their profile that the member is no longer responsive?

["JaBear"]

Geez Rich, if you’re going to take the mickey out of me, at least do it in a decent size so we can all see it!!!

 

RCB by Bear, on Flickr

[richhotrain]

[NorthBrit]

To those missing who have dropped in, thanks for allaying others concerns. xboxtravis7, yes, I would not be asking questions pertaining to OO9 here, even though it’s a scale/gauge that I’ve been collecting bits for, however as evidenced by the number of views of NorthBritDavid’s Leeds Sovereign Street & Clarence Dock - a UK based layout, there appears to be an appetite for something different. Geared Steam, it’s good to see that the rebuild of J. Neils Shay is still progressing, even though at a slow pace.

  

Cheers, the Bear.

 

 

Somehow I get a mention on the 'Missing Forum Members'  thread   even though I haven't left.   Only Bear could do that.      

 

David

[richhotrain]

Well, it certainly didn’t take long for this to go off topic!!! And as a result, I’ve struggled how to reply, so after several rewrites, here goes… 

richhotrain

But, this one surprised me because I didn't think that this thread had gone off topic. So, I went back to see what the OP originally asked, and to my surprise the OP was you. in your initial post, you asked: 

Rich, though I’m cut to the quick over your surprise that I was the Actual OP   ,  I’ll take some responsibility for the apparent confusion my original post has engendered though the actual question was right at the bottom!! 

 

 “So, I guess the question I’m asking is, do you have (even if it is for the far distant future) a notification system in place? That is if you even care.”

 

Yes, Sheldon, “The old thread issue is an interesting double edged sword.”. To quote Dave Nelson “…the photo hosting issue which has made many great old postings useless…”, though to be fair the other forum who tolerates my presence had a software(?) hiccup several years ago, which corrupted all the photo files. I don’t object to a thread to be revived, (a tip to Rich, take a look at the start date before diving in with a reply!!  ), as long as the thread wasn’t of the whining variety. There is a heck of a lot great information in the archives, though, and it’s my pet peeve, the Forums “search function” isn’t worth a cup of cold sick!!

 

First of all, congratulations, Bear, you have just produced the longest reply in the history of the Forum, and it didn't even include one of your imfamous photos with BearSpeak!!!  

["JaBear"]

Well, it certainly didn’t take long for this to go off topic!!! And as a result, I’ve struggled how to reply, so after several rewrites, here goes…

 

First up, an apology. In certain “polite society” work is viewed as a BAD word, so that’s why I used w**k. I wasn’t playing with your head, Jim. In fact, I quite like work as it helps fund my hobby participation, not so good for allowing hobby time though!

 

Another pre-emptive apology, if I may. A long time back, by using a forum member by name, as an example, I inadvertently offended him. it was not my intention then and either is it now. I’d rather mention by name instead of fflokes second guessing themselves, however if I don’t mention you personally in this reply, I have read all the posts to this thread, at least twice, to try and come up with effective responses, though it’s going to be a long one!!

 

richhotrain

But, this one surprised me because I didn't think that this thread had gone off topic. So, I went back to see what the OP originally asked, and to my surprise the OP was you. in your initial post, you asked:

 

Rich, though I’m cut to the quick over your surprise that I was the Actual OP   ,  I’ll take some responsibility for the apparent confusion my original post has engendered though the actual question was right at the bottom!! 

 

 “So, I guess the question I’m asking is, do you have (even if it is for the far distant future) a notification system in place? That is if you even care.”

 

I won’t edit my original post because doing so now would make most of the reasoned and well thought replies appear as nonsense but if I was to start again, without the preamble, it would be something like...

“The recent passing of Randy Rinker, Pastor Bob, and tomikawaTT has had me wondering about other forum members who no longer are posting. So, if you die, do you have some means of notifying the Forum so we can offer our respects or simply raise a glass? That is if you indeed care!”

 

Now the Bear has a fairly thick skin, but I can only endorse AntonioFP45s sentiment “I have seen a few negatives comments on this forum before; but guys please don't stop posting.”  Ill-conceived comments from oiks, are exactly that and should be treated with the contempt they deserve. So, please realise that a lot other ffolkes do appreciate your threads/replies, and the Forum will be a poorer place without them. That said, I must admit that having spent time doing the research to answer, or attempt to answer a question asked on the Forum, a simple thanks from the OP would be nice, even if I do the research to practice my own ability to phrase search questions for my own projects.

 

However, at the risk of now being an oik, myself; Brian, as I recall Sheriff Steve Otte gave you a clear explanation as to why your threads were over the line, so I do not appreciate you banging your drum here! I am not as sympathetic as Kevin or Sheldon, besides others including myself have linked to specific parts of other forums in answering relevant questions.

 

trwroute Chuck, apart from ucf_knight a very new member (a very belated ,BTW) I do recognise all the respondents, though to be fair I’m not sure how quickly I’d notice everyone’s absence.

 

To those missing who have dropped in, thanks for allaying others concerns. xboxtravis7, yes, I would not be asking questions pertaining to OO9 here, even though it’s a scale/gauge that I’ve been collecting bits for, however as evidenced by the number of views of NorthBritDavid’s Leeds Sovereign Street & Clarence Dock - a UK based layout, there appears to be an appetite for something different. Geared Steam, it’s good to see that the rebuild of J. Neils Shay is still progressing, even though at a slow pace.

 

As for the Forums future, I don’t have a working crystal ball and therefore won’t discount the thinking of the respondents who have commented on this subject here, however as an optimist I do have to look on the bright side, though that is gradually becoming harder to do. Modern Management Gurus insist that business models change with the times, but the axiom “the customer is always right” still rings true, (though anyone who has run a business knows that that is not always true!) However, with the aid of the 75^th anniversary Model Railroader Collection, I am quite sure that Al Kalmbach would not be happy with the current state of the company that bears his name. They appear to have dropped the ball in a BIG way!

 

Yes, Sheldon, “The old thread issue is an interesting double edged sword.”. To quote Dave Nelson “…the photo hosting issue which has made many great old postings useless…”, though to be fair the other forum who tolerates my presence had a software(?) hiccup several years ago, which corrupted all the photo files. I don’t object to a thread to be revived, (a tip to Rich, take a look at the start date before diving in with a reply!!  ), as long as the thread wasn’t of the whining variety. There is a heck of a lot great information in the archives, though, and it’s my pet peeve, the Forums “search function” isn’t worth a cup of cold sick!!

 

Batman, while I respect your anonymity, starting at PWRS I’ll get the boys to fly a survey line along 49°2.6’ N till the Batcave is spotted, I’ll bring the Appleton’s!

 

I feel that I’ve wittered on long enough, but would like to end by quoting selector, whose succinct turn of phrase captured the mood I was in writing the introduction to this discussion.

 

 “If you'd like a trip down memory lane, do a search at right on a commonly popular and recurring topic, and scroll well down, even pages, to get to one of the very early threads from 10 years back, or more.  Look at the names.  If that doesn't give you a pang of nostalgia and missing old friends, you don't have a pulse.”

 

Thanks to all who have made a measured contribution.

 

Cheers, the Bear.

[SeeYou190]

richhotrain

Here is my beef about reviving old threads. Revival most often occurs by newbies, typically their first post.

It seems that whenever a newbie revives an old thread as their first post, they are never heard from again.

-Kevin

[maxman]

snjroy

there is nothing wrong with repetition.

There is when it becomes preaching.

[snjroy]

mlehman

I've certainly reduced my contributions in recent years, but that's largely due to a fairly fully realized layout where there isn't that much to document from week to week. I've been trying to do a bit more recntly and as the winds cool towards the last part of the year I'm hoping to be more productive.

I'm a member of a couple of other forums, but haven't posted to them in years. While there are some "personalities" here, they are mostly bearable and not nearly so thick as in other places.

I don't see any net in worrying over the future of the forum, it's more important to do what I can to help ensure it's future, even if it's an admittedly weak effort at times.

Anyone who'd like more of what I do can PM me for Zoom details of a every Wednesday night at 6-8pm (Central time) Train Talk. It's a great little group that welcomes all, even those who hate the word w**k. We talk about models, the prototype, and just a little about why we may be looking particualrly old this week.

Otherwise, you can find me hanging around here and, with a little better effort, contributing more.

 

Mike, there is nothing wrong with repetition... I always enjoy looking at your HOn3 equipment and other odd accessories and flying objects.

Simon

[richhotrain]

Great Divide

For many of the best contributors it is more of a task than it is worth to stay with a group when a few of the less than generous, more or less take over.  

That is such a great point that I wish that I had said it in my earlier post. There are small group of forum members who have achieved 'revered status' in my view. Each and every one of their posts are constructive and helpful.

Frequent posters should keep this in mind. It's not the number of posts but the quality of the posts that matters.

Rich

[richhotrain]

Lastspikemike

 

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

The old thread issue is an interesting double edged sword.

I agree, a thread totally untouched for years should likely be left that way.

On the other hand, the tractor forum I participate in has threads that have actually remained current for a decade or more, never dropping more than a page or two off the front page.

Sheldon  

I found old posts useful as I re-entered this hobby.

If you google a model railroading topic that's what pops up most often: old cstrains  threads.

The double edged aspect of posting new items to old threads is the benefit of adding to an already discussed topic but at the risk of distracting regular posters.

Much of this thread describes the latter phenomenon. My use of the forum supports the former. 

There is cetainly nothing wrong with old threads. As you say, if you Google a model railroad topic, what pops up most often is old trains forum threads.

Here is my beef about reviving old threads. Revival most often occurs by newbies, typically their first post. Speakin for myself, I often don't realize at first that the reply is to a 5 or 10 or even 15 year old dormant thread.

What I always advocate is to start a new thread and link the old thread in your initial reply. That way, none of the older, perhaps useful, information gets lost.

But, what most often happens is that the newbie reviving the old thread offers a comment that relates to a 5 or 10 or 15 year old thread. And that comment is quite often not substantive.

Rich

[richhotrain]

Ja Bear, we often agree, rarely disagree. But, this one surprised me because I didn't think that this thread had gone off topic. So, I went back to see what the OP originally asked, and to my surprise the OP was you. in your initial post, you asked:

 

So, I do respect ffolkes who do value their privacy, but of late, I’ve been perturbed by Forum members whose valued contributions, be they helpful/ interesting/ controversial/ other or a combination of categories, have, for the want of a better word, stopped!  

A fair number of responses have dealt with the issue, why frequent posters no longer post.

Rich

 

["JaBear"]

Derailed by Bear, on Flickr

[SeeYou190]

selector

What I mostly wanted you to know is that a forum will ebb and flow in various ways over time. 

Very true. Very rare are discussion forums that stick to core rules as well as this one does.

-Kevin

[selector]

York1

...

2.  Quite a few comments say that the forum has changed, and that it was better years ago.  Since I've only been on here for several years, I can't comment on that.  But I can say that I consider this forum to be one of my favorite internet sites.  I've gotten a lot of helpful layout information, and I have made internet friends that I wouldn't know without the forum.

I hope it continues.

 

York1, when I joined 16 years ago+, the forum was in a sad state.  It had a staffer doing all the monitoring/moderation, and it began to go downhill.  Tom and some others volunteered to act as member/moderators, and with the powers granted to us at the time, we managed to change the culture more to what the majority of members AND OUR HOSTS wanted.  Tom returned to volunteer a few years back, a task he shares mostly with Steve Otte who is on staff.

What I mostly wanted you to know is that a forum will ebb and flow in various ways over time.  Members come and go, themes come and go, software for the forum changes, hobby currency comes and goes...nothing is static for very long.  It flows.  

I'm sure Tom and our hosts are grateful that they manage to keep a number of people happy with this place, and that you are among them. 

[York1]

1.  However it could be done, I wish there was a way to answer the question of where a forum member has gone.  As I said, my first thought is that something bad happened to their health.  Second, I worry that someone (maybe me) said something that drove them away.  I don't know what the answer to this is.

2.  Quite a few comments say that the forum has changed, and that it was better years ago.  Since I've only been on here for several years, I can't comment on that.  But I can say that I consider this forum to be one of my favorite internet sites.  I've gotten a lot of helpful layout information, and I have made internet friends that I wouldn't know without the forum.

I hope it continues.

[maxman]

richhotrain

There are few members who seem to relish making glib remarks for no apparent reason.

Sorry.  I guess I resemble that remark

[BigDaddy]

tstage

I find it less and less interesting to browse and the topics more and more complaint-oriented as the years go by. Perhaps that's just the sign of the times

Here Here !!   We need a Grumpy Old  Man Person Sub Forum.   People can complain about costs, shipping, Ebay, lack of variety and stuff that breaks.  Then I can easily miss all those threads.

[tstage]

Randy,

Thanks for your [earlier unedited] post.  I agree with most of what you say. 

I'm always saddened that folks here don't share more personal "how tos" on the forum, as this would really be beneficial to those interested in honing their modeling skills, or learning a new or different way of doing something.  Wayne (doctorwayne) and Ed (gmpullman) are probably the exceptions and always willing to share their knowlege and experiences (and failures) for those who are interested in learning from their posts.

As you alluded to, however, the reality of it all is that forum users join and use a forum for a variety of reasons.  Unfortunately, sometimes their "contributions" trample on the toes of those who come here to learn or use it for altruistic purposes.

I have my own personal views of this forum and I find it less and less interesting to browse and the topics more and more complaint-oriented as the years go by.  Perhaps that's just the sign of the times but it still doesn't make for interesting reading.  And that's not to say that I am not personally at fault for my own less-than-stellar contributions on the forum from time-to-time.

Tom