TrainsMag.com Reader Poll – February 9, 2004

[samfp1943]

I already made a comment about giving the most people the chance to watch. But, I've always wanted to comment about the view of the webcam. What are the odds of getting some trees cut down on the left side of the view so we can see Global III?? Or knock down some houses on the right side to give a clear view of the BNSF approach?? I'm just kidding here. But....

Dennis: From another web site, here is an option to view BNSF transcon at Ft. Madison, Ia. [This is a sponsored, therefore commercial web site, but the camera's are live. I am posting for your FYI and not trying to sell or promote anything. I just felt that the action might be of interest on the web cams.Descriptions are cut and pasted from LIveTrains.com ]

http://www.livetrains.com/plugins/cam/default.asp.

 

 And: Belen, New Mexico - Along The Route Of The El Camino Real

Belen, New Mexico, founded in 1740 by Spaniards in honor of the city of Bethlehem, is along the route of The Camino Real, or The Royal Road, which is among New Mexico's most important cultural artifacts.  Belen soon became a bustling railroad center for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.  The Santa Fe first arrived in 1880 from Albuquerque, generating town growth and establishing a rail yard.  Then in 1907, the Santa Fe completed the Belen Cut-Off from Amarillo and markets to the East, alleviating train travel over the Raton Pass to the north.  The Cut-Off made Belen a railroad center, creating its nickname "The Hub City".

The Belen Train Cam is situated on the Belen Harvey House Museum, operated by The Valencia County Historical Society. 

http://www.livetrains.com/snav/5/page.htm

Galesburg, Illinois - A Strong Railroad Heritage

The first train pulled into Galesburg on December 7, 1854. Four original lines -- The Aurora Branch, Central Military Tract, Peoria & Oquawka, and the Northern cross -- eventually merged to form the foundation of the CB&Q system in Illinois. The formation of the railroad into and through Galesburg in four directions had a dramatic effect on the community. The population grew rapidly and the building trades prospered. Galesburg became a home for a major railroad installation, and the CB&Q became the city's largest employer well into the twentieth century. In 1926 the CB&Q employed 3300 persons in Galesburg. That led to the formation of good relationships and of financial and other benefit to all parties. This long era good feeling continued to the time of formation of Burlington Northern in 1970

http://www.livetrains.com/snav/6/page.htm

[ernwes]

It seems OK as is. After all, how many freight cars can you miss in 3 seconds? Its not as if the trains are passing at any great rate of speed.

[Mike4321]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mike4321

Would love to have other web cams to look at but to answer the ?. Keep it like it is . The more people that can enjoy it, the better. To cut down the # of viewers by 1/2 just so the remaining few can watch it at a faster rate isnt worth it. I think it is great & by the way , THANK YOU FOR HAVING IT AVAILABLE for so many people can enjoy it!!!!

[:D][:D][8D][8D]

[rojanes]

Keep it like it is.... great stuff.... Hope someday you will be able to add a webcam for some busier spots, such as Tehachapi... Now that would be really cool.....

rojanes

[spbed]

In the early morning around 6AM Rochelle time the webcam is terrific becuase you can get a hour before you are logged off. Come 9AM Rochelle time the webcam will only give you a minute or to before delogging you. If some thing could be done to improve the busy time of the day it would be really good.

[Anonymous]

One improvement I would like to suggest is the ability to increase the overall size of the Rochelle picture, which would be handy for us with less than optimal eyesight.
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

If changing means losing viewers, then keep it as is. I enjoy the webcam. Across the "X" from there the camera is mounted is the old Del Monte cannery. I spent two summers in the late 60s in the Rochelle area picking peas for Del Monte. Many of the fields we were in were bordered by the old CNW (now UP) and the BN. It is great to go back every now and then to revisit old memories! - GDGregg, Louisiana

[georgefain]

I try again every few weeks but I have yet to be able to bring it up. Do you have server denial volumes to justify reducing the users? Perhaps you should do as VDOT does and time out someone who has been on for hours to allow some others to see the sight.

[Sterling1]

I have not seen the Rochelle Web cam yet but I don't have the available bandwidth yet, so that's why voted to keep the webcam as usual.

[Anonymous]

Keep webcam the same but add a microphone to catch the sounds!?

[Anonymous]

i think the cam should stay just as it is, it's a good view into the railroading world & should be able to be enjoyed by as many people as possible. i would personally like to thank TRAINS for affording us this view...

showing the signaling aspects would enhance the viewing pleasure, also if there could be scanner audio that would further immerse the viewer into this experience...putting webcams in other "hotspots" should be something worth looking into based on the amount of replys posted about the rochelle cam.

bottom line is, you guys are doing fine w/ this one, so i'm sure there will be a loyal following should you guys get other webcams up & running elsewhere in the states. i see alot of suggestions out there.

[spro3211]

Keep it the way it is but, I agree with the comments about adding scanner traffic.

[Anonymous]

In place of removing the trees and houses suggested earlier, it would be interesting if there was a way to show the signals for the two lines so we would know if any traffic is in the area.

[nvrr@norfolk]

Keep the present format, an increase would be nice but no one should have to suffer for it. Maybe in the not to distant future the ingrease can be made with no drawbacks. nvrr@ norfolk

[Mike4321]

[:D][:)] Ladies, gentlemen & others: just got off the web cam watching the 1st train of the day for me. Needless to say, this is the way to start your day; watching the web cab with snow on the ground there & me inside with a hot cup of Joe & watching something I actually love to watch=TRAINS=. Keep it the same way so more people can enjoy watching at the same time. This is trains-not McDonald's instant service!!!! so what if it is every 3 seconds-it isnt worth knocking 100 viewers off the air so 30 can watch it instantly-Just like having a model train layout-what makes it worthwhile & rewarding??? it is your imagination & your memories looking @ something/doing something very satisfying// GREAT JOB GUYS & GIRLS-ENJOY IT LIKE IT IS & that will let you all do something with your time, $, engergy that will bebfit the masses. like a new story or pics in the mag!! ok nuff said-hav nice day!!!!

[marlboro]

I just would like to see a bigger image of the web cam, its so exciting to watch, but its so small. A bit bigger would accentuate the beauty to this busy crossing. Still love it though!!

[log train]

Love the cam. Wish we could have sound to indicate when trains are crossing. Thanks

[Anonymous]

I must agree with most, leave it as is. I get bumped off enough as it is now.

[Anonymous]

On cloudy day web cam is hard to see, and could picture be larger on screen. I watch it every day, and it great.

[Anonymous]

Keep Rochelle as it is. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FORT MADISON WEB CAM. I REALLY LIKED THE ACTION ON THE BNSF

Dennis Holmes

[spbed]

In my travels to train watching places I would say if possible the crossing of the UPRR & BNSF @ Colton Ca with the UPRR transfers has more real RR action then Rochelle also Dagget Ca so if a cam can put up at either site it would be great!

[spbed]

I would like to thank Trains for implementing the web cab as it has given me many enjoyable moments. I met a Brit @ Daggett last Sept & he told me he watches it also. It made so curious that I actually flew their to see the site live. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

The Rochelle web cam is awesome. It gives some of us who do not have the opportunity to see these types of trains a chance to do so on a daily basis. Any chance to get any sound?
Sincerely,
Michael Germanese

[Anonymous]

How about a 'web cam of the month' maybe at the 'hotspot' ?

[Anonymous]

I just found it...and ya wanna cut my chances of viewing it???? ahhhhhhhh!!!! please keep it the way it is :)

[Anonymous]

Just signed on at M.P. #744 Central Oregon & Pacific. Get all of two trains / day, but they're only going 10 mph until some of the 1942 ties are replaced, a work in progress.
Given the alternatives available on the web cam, please keep it the way it is.
sloughfox outside Reedsport. OR.

[jextra]

Yes, it would be nice if those trees on the left could be taken down!.....Oh well,.... Anyway, great webcam setup. However, audio would be great!. Guess I don't want to much do I?

[Anonymous]

I still watch the Ft. Madison RailCam, along with the Rochelle RailCam, during my lunch hour at work almost every day. Here's the link to Ft. Madison that I use:
http://www.railserve.com/jump/jump.cgi?ID=11055 Hope it works for you all.

[Anonymous]

Kansas City would be a GREAT place to have a WebCam or two. There are so many good places around town it would be difficult to chose which one to put a camera on. My prime choice though would be from "The Hill" overlooking Santa Fe Junction - especially now with the new flyover in service there.

[pat390]

I guess it depends on how many people the cam can suport now and how many it will be able to support if it gets a speed increase.

[Anonymous]

How about a web-cam of a freight yard? Or the tracks leading in and out of Chicago Union Station with lots of train movement?

[Anonymous]

Any chance of getting a tele-photo lens to get a closer look at the diamonds, and also that spur track on the left?

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I'd like to switch to 1.5 seconds... I watch my granddaughter at the end of the platform... and it would just be more fun to see her with the frames being closer together. I know, that's a selfish reason, but I'm still allowed to vote! :) [:D] [:I]

[Anonymous]

HOW ABOUT A WEB CAM SET UP AT THE TRAIN STATION AT KIRKWOOD, MISSUORI? THE CITY OF KIRKWOOD NOW OWNS THIS BEAUTIFUL STONE BUILDING THAT'S NEXT TO UNION PACIFIC'S/AMTRAK'S DOUBLE MAIN LINE BETWEEN ST. LOUIS AND KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. GIVE IT A HARD THOUGHT. LOTS OF DAILY TRAINS TO SEE.

[Anonymous]

KISS-KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID FOR THE MOST RAILFANS TOO VIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Bring back the Ft. Madison webcam, I enjoyed it more than the Rochelle Webcam.

kenfromtn

[Anonymous]

keep it the way it is, but add a few more cams. metuchen n.j on the old penn. main line, shaffers crossing,roanoke, va., cajon pass

[mholzapfel]

Keep the time the same but as some others have suggested, how about sound, signals so we know what track the next train is on and how about some other webcams also. It is good as it stands but these things might improve it.

[Anonymous]

I feel that you should leave it as it is, so that a lot of people can enjoy. watching.
I have even been to the location, and it is a great location. I agree with someone else which stated, there should be more webcams in other locations.

[WmRBerg]

I don't know what the buget is for our imaginary improvement of the camera speed question, but I did have another idea. How about moving the camera location back a little to match the location shown on the Rochelle Railroad Park Gift Shop website. (click on the icon labeled Railroad Park Gift Shop below the "recent images" icon on the webcam website). This would create more time to see the images as they pass by the camera, and would lessen the jerky motion effect the camera currently has at it's current speed. And, as an added feature, when trains aren't present, the activity at the park would be something to look at while we are waiting for trains to go by. Granted, a thought without budget, but as long as we are dreaming....

[Anonymous]

I have been signed up for the T rains Newsletter for a long time now I get a message
to log on when there is no place to logon. It seems the format has been changed.
I just want to read the the News Wire, Please.
Thank you.
sis _hats

[Anonymous]

Leave it as it is! More of us can enjoy it!

[theswitchman]

No changes necessary at Rochelle. As to other webcams, once upon a time I found one at the station in San Bernardino, CA, I think... I have long since lost that address.

[Anonymous]

Tack 9 is doing fine.

[PaulDannenberg]

Better still go to Rochelle ,I did ,it's an exceptional place ! You'll get reality that no webcam , cinema sound or anything can try to emulate.

[tsched]

You should approach the folks at the Amtrak Station in Vancouver, Washington. This building sits in the middle of the wye connecting the east/west BNSF with north-south BNSF. BNSF, UP, Amtrak. It's a wonderful show. Point the camera towards the Columbia River Bridge, or to the north. Seems like the cameras could be mounted right on the station. Check it out.

[ardilla]

Down from Santiago Chile I must admit I do enjoy Rochelle webcam as much as I can.

Leave it just as it is, do not frustrate by cutting the time in half. Sometimes I try to enjoy counting the number of cars a train has and suddenly it just stops.

When you are able to do it doubling the speed an doubling the viewrs, then proceed but do not cut us the pleasure of seening trains from one side to another.

By the way, is there a switch line from noth west to south west lines. If there is, I vhave not had a chance to see a train either way.

alfredo

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

In all fairness, there's no free lunch. Unless you live along side a main or branch line, a webcam like Rochelle is a window to a mainline most of us otherwise wouldn't be able to enjoy. Loosing half our viewers to slight improvments in recapture speed dosn't sound like a positive choice. At the current speed, I can still see what's going on.

I do wonder, however, how many would consider a minimal subscription fee to offset costs that should be able to include all the mentioned wish list items like signal indications, scanner traffic and real sound and update frame speed. I'd be willing to put a little moo-la in the pot for that...

[Anonymous]

I enjoy the webcam and have for months, but I think improvement is neccessary and inevitable, both in stream rate and size of image. Do whatever it takes to bring us the viewers (and consumers of products advertised on this site) the absolute best webcam of any kind, anywhere. Also...expand viewer accessability. I'm sure that where there's a wll, there's a way. This mumbo jumbo about bandwidths and so-on is just a cop out.

[Anonymous]

Hi Trains... Just had my first visit to Rochelle, Ill. and would not have even known about the place had it not been for your webcam. Keep it the way it is! The more viewers the better. I spent money in town on food and gas and really enjoyed the park!

Anyone in Wellsboro, Indiana... that would be a hot spot to set up a railfan park and webcam, too!

[Anonymous]

Keep it the way it is. Now! if only we had scanner availability.

[Modelcar]

...I suppose my opinion now is leave the speed of the cam as is so more can watch. On the size of the picture: The question I would put forward....Why can't it be transmitted larger...? Some other cams, at least in the past {I haven't looked lately}, broadcast a much larger picture...Is that possible with this one on available band width, equipment, etc....That would be a vast improvement.

[Anonymous]

i like your website.it's the best website about trians.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AC6000CW]

EVERY THING IS GOOD ON THE WEB CAM BUT THEY CAN BOOST UP THE FRAME RATE.[8D] IT WOULD BE COOL IF THEY COULD ADD NIGHT VISION TO WATCH TRAINS AT NIGHT TIME[?]

[Jordan6]

I have always found it to be a really fast webcam. Didn't know you could make it refresh faster. I think it's fine as is.

[kolechovski]

When the trains come, you usually need those 3 seconds anyway just to look at what you've got. It would be even worse to cut the number of people watching it in 1/2. Leave it as it is. Also...

Dennis Held's comment: "I already made a comment about giving the most people the chance to watch. But, I've always wanted to comment about the view of the webcam. What are the odds of getting some trees cut down on the left side of the view so we can see Global III?? Or knock down some houses on the right side to give a clear view of the BNSF approach?? I'm just kidding here. But...."
-funny, and a very nice thought. At least they could knock down some of those trees on the left

[Anonymous]

Everything is just fine the way it is.

[Anonymous]

I'm not here to spend other peoples $$ but some of these ideas (bigger picture, sound, faster speed) etc require funds to be spent. I don't want to straddle the fence here but I like the cam the way it is, but also see roads to improvement. If it doesn't break some sort of law, why not do a 'fund-raiser; that would acquire $$ for some of the improvements suggested? The amount of $$ acquired would depend on the number of improvements made. Just a thought.

[bcammack]

Give us a link below the standard image that will open a page with the window resized to twice it's current height and width. Yes, it will be grainy, but I'm half-blind and I can't make things out with the current image size. This would have ZERO impact on bandwidth or anything else. It's just a matter of copying the current page and editing the HTML for it to double the window size. Consider it "accomodating the disabled" or something similar.

[s10]

I have enough trouble with AOL bumping me off at the worst possible times, I deffently do not need that from your site. You are providing a very good service just as it is. Please don't change it!

[Anonymous]

Leave the Rochelle camera as is, see if you can get some other interesting sites up with web-cameras!

[Anonymous]

I would like to see it in real-time, but that would take up too muck bandwith, so it is fine how it is.

[Anonymous]

it is just fine as it is...eliminate some of the new ads you have stuck up there...enlarge the picture size if possible

[rhettsease]

Leave as is, but a larger image and more cameras would be nice.

[Anonymous]

please keep it as it is
its perfect now why mess with it?

[Willy2]

The Rochelle webcam is great! Keep it as it is!

Willy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by snielsen

Are there other webcams?

Yes-try Mendota,Illinois on BNSF Mendota Sub Mainline at Mendota'sAmtrak Stationat www.mendotamuseums.org

[Anonymous]

I would like faster views but would hate to cut someone's viewing time. Any way we could contribute $$ to allow fast speed and no change to viewers?
If push comes to shove, Keep it as is!

[cwillis408]

Keep it like it is, but adding scanner sound would be a better improvement. Thanks for having it anyways.

[Trainspotter]

Leave it like it is but for heaven's sakes increase the screen size. The image is dwarfed by all the adverts, etc. If you're going to make a webcam available, at least have an image you can see without a microscope.

[UPTRAIN]

Is that a rare occurence to be "bumped"? It has never happened to me.

[theoldhobo]

Leave the cam the way it is. I am fortunate in being able to visit Rochelle 4 - 6 times a year as I travel from my home in S.W. Indiana to my family in central Wisconsin. Talk about Real Time ! The cam is a welcome break and a reminder. Thanks, Trains.

[ltritt]

First, THANKS for the Rochelle webcam! Keep the 3-second timing so you don't have to limit users as much. In my opinion, the #1 way to improve this webcam would be some way to allow users to know a train is approaching, whether sound [to hear train horns], incorporating signal aspects in some way, or clearing trees. It would also be an improvement if the size of the images could be doubled to improve viewing. But, even as it is, your Rochelle webcam is a delight. LT

[JDV5th]

Keep it like it is. Sound would be very cool if even possible. Establishing other web cams would be great too (North Platte, Neb.?) :-)

[Anonymous]

please keep it just the way it is. I agree with the others about how nice it would be to have other sites. I hope to go there this summer to see it all in person.thanks again for the site you do have
Robertdale

[Anonymous]

SORRY!!!!! I hit the wrong button and thought I erased the first message and I retyped it over again. Some day maybe I'll get the hang of this damn thing. The Storm

[Anonymous]

I just voted and my two cents worth went to the leave it just the way it is option. However some of the suggestions for expanding the webcam idea merit looking at. Then again they may be to expenseive to implement.

[Anonymous]

I just voted and my two cents worth went to the option of leaving the webcam just the way it is. Also some of the suggestions to expand deserve to be considered. However the cost to implement them my be prohibitive.

[earledward]

I THINK IT IS GREAT TO JUST HAVE THIS WEBCAM..WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT...I SAY LET THE GUYS THAT ARE LOOKING AFTER IT...DO IT..I AM SURE THEY ARE PROVIDING US WITH THE BEST THEY KNOW HOW
EARL...SANDY LAKE MANITOBA CANADA

[Anonymous]

Keep it as is. Yet, every time I've to the site it seems like same person is walking in front or same car is gonig by. Do you tape this and play again??

[Anonymous]

The needs of the many outweighs the wants of the few... If you went to higher frequency of pix, increased bandwidth, viewers with slower modems (and there are still many out there) would have difficulty seeing anything. Good work on keeping it available for our fun and relaxation.

[Anonymous]

I spent many enjoyable days at Rochelle, it is awesome. Leave the web site the way it is. Norman J. Weimar Jr. Ret. US NAVY. Great Lakes, IL last command.

[Anonymous]

I like Trains the way it is BUT i miss the locomotive list of builders, Railroads Model Numbers Unit Classes Like you did on U.P. SD-90 MAC "s Ilike Fairbanks Morse & Company Locomotives " H 24 66 , H 10 44 , H 12 44 " H 16 66 " C.& n.w. 's Yous

[Anonymous]

I would like to see it more flexible like the moveable cam that you had at the bridge on the Mississippi that time

[Anonymous]

I guess this topic will qualify for my first post: short-time watcher, first-time poster...please be gentle with me! I stumbled across this whole site just a few days ago, really enjoy the live cam; and have yet to be kicked off...even after having it open for hours at a time. I'm the campus paramedic at the 3rd largest college in Iowa. Most of my 12-hour shift involves watching the world go by, so watching trains go by is a plus! I would vote to leave things as they are, but with one request that I haven't seen yet: If possible, configure it so that it could be in it's own little window, that could be "parked" anywhere on the screen. This way, a viewer that has to actually do work on the computer can, and yet the train cam is still open, and viewable. Several TV stations in Iowa have done that with their weather radars, which by the way, only refresh every 3-5 minutes. I'm quite happy with the 3 seconds!

Thanks much for the cam, it and this whole site are a wonderful diversion from WORK!

[Anonymous]

I miss the Fort Madison Web Cam

Dennis Holmes

[Anonymous]

Well I enjoy watching it, and have no problems with the timing of it. Unless the trains start moving through at 300 MPH then 1.5 sec. won't make much of a difference.

It's just too bad that we can't have it so the window could be larger. Not sure how this would effect the bandwith issue. I too, as others have specified, would love to have sounds.

Just to have live train sounds on my computer while working would totally rock.

[Anonymous]

Is this heaven? or Is this hell ? Id say keep It the way it is.mrlove.

[Anonymous]

If it workes don't fix it. Thats a good saying ,but, it seems to me that if there wasn't any
need to adress the "problem" by taking a poll, the need for one say's, time for change.
I don't see where decreasing bandwith would solve conflicts. I'm with the idea of more "Camsights".

[Mickhall]

I'm actually all for keeping it as it is but if you do increase the frames you could also add a counter to notify potentiel viewers how many users are currently accessing the webcam and how many the bandwidth can accomodate. That way if a user couldn't get on immediately he or she could always check back later when less folks are on the webcam page.

[Anonymous]

I vote to leave it as is. The extra frame rate would not be worth half the
number of viewers. It might even cause shorter connect times since the # of folks waiting would be kicking viewers off almost constantly.
At off peak times I can stay connected for quite a while right now.

[Anonymous]

how about sound to go with it the webcam?

[Anonymous]

In lieu of changing refresh rate, increase picture size.

[Anonymous]

Please leave the camera the way it is.

As for improvements. Any chance of adding a webcam in Altoona, Pa (Horseshoe curve)?? Scanner traffic or signal aspects would be nice - but definitely would like to see more webcams.

Again, thanks for the web-cam.

John Coxey
Evansville, Indiana, USA

[Anonymous]

Keep it as it is. Sitting here in the newsroom of an east coast all-news radio station requires a break from time to time of all the horrible things we have to report. Watching trains go by, even if it's every three seconds, transport away to the land of "I would love to be there. Gary

[Anonymous]

I share the majority opinion: keep the webcam as it is. By the way, it was the Rochelle webcam that inspired me to visit Chicago and drive around Illinois in August 2000. I loved my day at Rochelle and hope to be back some day. John Hine, Birmingham, England

[Anonymous]

Enjoy watching the action and think it is fine how it is. But I WOULD like to see the UP approach from Proviso. What happened to MP245?
kparky
Victoria, Australia

[Anonymous]

How about night vision mode? Also more cams would be nice... how about a yard cam or another main line crossing hotspot?

[081440]

I'd like to see the trains real time, even if you get bumped. Every 1.5 seconds would be much better.

I agree with the others about scanner, signal, or other form of knowing how soon the next train will be rolling by.

Take a look at my web page, below. (Click the icon).

[Anonymous]

i like the web cam the way it is so i say leave it the way it is!how ever i like to see them put a web cam at gobal 3 that whould be cool to watch. thank you [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

It's great as is, so if it's not broke please don't mess with it, so what's 1.5 sec's more
out of life, enjoy the train that's why your here isn't it.?..

[d4fal]

Looks as if I am in the minority here. I say go for the improvement, and the drawbacks will only be temporary as systems are upgraded and improved to counter the drop-off and capacity issue. Aint technology great. Even that frame rate is considered slow in some circles and as more users upgrade to broadband, real-time cameras at television quality pictures and rates or even better will begin to come into play. We are not there yet, but we can dream.

[Anonymous]

half as many participants verses twice as many frames is not a good idea!

[dabhid07]

I'm interested in learning about the technology that you have implemented where it can always arrange to stop refreshing when the camera is pointing at empty track, and then when I press the Refresh button on my browser I've just missed some engines and I can look forward to ninety seconds of identical coal hoppers or doublestacks going by. (I'm sure that this technology is related to the one used by the sports networks, who arrange that when I turn on the hockey game I'll have just missed a goal seconds earlier.)

[eolafan]

Keep it at the same rate, but increase the screen size.

[Anonymous]

The web cam in FT.Madison allows you to view the image even when others have controll of the camera. Would it be possible to set up the same type of camers in Rochelle? Possibly it could be mounted to allow the viewing of approaching trians from either the UP or BNSF.

[Anonymous]

I think leaving it the way it is would be great for everybody. I watch it a lot and enjoy. I railfan a lot throught the US and feel that Rochelle is one of my favorites. The scanner would give a preview or you could pick up the sound of the speaker in the shelter with scanner and horn sounds. Fostoria , Ohio is a very busy spot and would make an excellent additional camera sight.

[Anonymous]

I think leaving it the way it is would be great for everybody. I watch it a lot and enjoy. I railfan a lot throught the US and feel that Rochelle is one of my favorites. The scanner would give a preview or you could pick up the sound of the speaker in the shelter with scanner and horn sounds. Fostoria , Ohio is a very busy spot and would make an excellent additional camera sight.

[trkerelvis]

Fear change. It's seldom for the better. (although scanner traffic or signal aspect would be cool)

[Anonymous]

the rochelle webcam is the best one i have seen so far but they seems to be a problem with it there are no pics i cant even get on for the last 3 days please fix it thanks

[Anonymous]

Leave it as it is. Never a problem of getting in or being bumped off at Rochelle. I do remember the problems with the Iowa cam. Give as many people as want the opportunity to participate.

[ltritt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Here's your chance to give us some feedback on how we can improve your Rochelle Webcam viewing experience.

Today, the webcam serves live images at the rate of approximately one frame every three seconds. We can increase the stream rate to one frame every 1.5 seconds, but there's a tradeoff: Doing so will eat up more bandwidth, which means only half as many viewers could watch the live camera at any one time. This would mean viewers would get bumped off more quickly.

What do you prefer? Please vote then share your comments below.

Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[oubliette]

Keep it as it is. Being here in the UK the webcam gives me an idea of the traffic flows for hopefully one day when I actually visit the site in person. I have been booted a few times and don't want the chances of that to increase.

An increase of 1.5 frames will not make that much difference. Next we will be asking for sound...mmmmmm :-)

Maybe one day when the technology develops even more, the speed can be increasesd, until then find one happy cutomer in the UK.

[Anonymous]

The 3 seconds for a new frame is ok! But, I didn't know there was a limit! If the limit gets smaller, I might get stuck out! And when you're on a strick schedule, that's SUPER bad!!![:(] If it stays like it is, MORE of us can watch it.[:)]

[Anonymous]

Change it, 1.5 is better than 3. Who cares if it cuts the number of viewers in half? The better quality is definitely worth it!!!! Whats wrong with you people who don't want to change it?!!!!

[Anonymous]

Leave it just the way it is. mlundy

[richardy]

Keep it as is. I have been bumped several times. The scanner traffic would be great!

[GaryH1]

It is fine the way it is now, so keep it that way, please!

[Anonymous]

keep it as it is. it sure would be nice to see another cam in fostoria ohio, also add a live radio feed into the system.

[halifaxcn]

I say keep it as is.
But why not get a few more cameras out there? How about speaking with the City of Dolton, IL and mounting a camera on their City Hall. This is a GREAT hot spot with a never ending parade of trains! Then again how about Elmhurst, IL, LaGrange, IL, Palmer, MA.
All it takes is money!

Anyway, it is my dream to see a Dolton web cam.

Happy & safe railfanning!
Frank San Severino
Attleboro, MA.

[Anonymous]

Technology is great, but at the price of reducing availability? Definitly keep it like it is!
[soapbox]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mikeyuhas

QUOTE: Originally posted by hhuubb

when I 1st found this web cam, a person could see traffic running on HI-WAY, behind the warehouse, so someone has change angle to camrea,maybe change back to way it was that would give wider angle, what say trainmag. HUB

The camera position has not changed since startup in May 2000, and we have no plans to change it now.

I think the user meant your other cam site , When I started from a different computer at my inlaws house about two years ago. You had another web cam wich is nolonger in use. Thank You for your time.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I wouldn't mind if the image rate was increased, but then I'm usually viewing when most of your other viewers are asleep. More sites would be great, as would sound, and other camera angles

[Anonymous]

I say keep it as it is, 'cause sometimes your turn is only a couple minutes long.[#ditto][soapbox]

[Anonymous]

Keep as is!

[Anonymous]

keep it the way it is. now! if they could just add some light for nighttime viewing

[Anonymous]

As a UK viewer, I usually log on during the early hours of the morning, US time, when there are't that many viewers on line. I'd like to see the faster rate, but if it means that less folk would be able to enjoy the action, probly best to keep it as it is.

[Anonymous]

Its fine the way it is, but a 1.5 sec frame rate would be nice. I rarely watch the cam for more 10-15 minutes anyways, so if I was kicked off after that amount of time it wouldn't matter to me. How do long do other people generally watch it? How long would it be before one would be "bumped" off, if the frame rate was 1.5 sec?

[Anonymous]

Double the B/W. I can't get on now anyhow.

[Anonymous]

I am very pleased with all of the replies on Rochelle. Sound being included, more camera sites, leave the setting alone were great. Too bad we could be forewarned about the arriving trains to the diamonds. Global3 operations drive me nuts because you don't if the train is switching or going thru. When I saw a train going between the roads (on the left side of the screen) I could not believe it. Saw the tracks, but finally saw them being used. Finally to the train man in Texas-I heard the trains when I was in the dorms. It helped me cope. Now I live further east and have to strain the ears to hear the horns. Somethings never change.

[JoeUmp]

Keep the settings the same.

[Overmod]

Perhaps somebody can enlighten me on a couple of points:

Last time I looked, a set of streamed frames from a Webcam was just that: a STREAM. Multicast protocol and all that. There ARE no restrictions on the number of 'simultaneous users' who can access a multicast stream... just the number of users that correspond to ports on a single server to which the Webcam appears to be connected. Now, I'm not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth... but better answers might be available.

A change in the protocol used, or in the service provider(s) who make the digital stream available to the Web, might be better 'better answers' to consider, both 'before' and 'in place of' the rather contrived 'double the frame rate'. Perhaps a single-port stream uplinked to one of the streaming-media companies might represent a reasonable solution; you would then download a small .ram (or similar) file, which whenever clicked would provide the settings and links to connect you to the streaming service (RealNetworks for a .ram file).

I also see comparatively little trouble with scalable bandwidth if you elect to increase the 'pipe' capacity between the camera and whatever is putting the pix on the Web. Please enlighten me on the 'bottlenecks' between camera and server (as I find it very difficult to believe that a Webcam image every three seconds, or 1.5 seconds either, is straining the capacity of an ISP.

Anyway, if you update the camera link so it can send .75fps at whatever resolution, you can always opt to 'send less data' to give the current 1/3fps. Run at high resolution until whatever cockamamie software is kicking the longest user off reports that it is kicking people off. Then scale to lower resolution (for a period of time), send a message to the users that it's happened and why, etc. Or request that some users disconnect 'gracefully' before the rate has to be changed. Yes, even railfans may be polite and savvy enough to be trusted with user-interface decisions... ;-}

Of course, use of a better compression protocol, at or near the camera, might allow an increase in the effective displayed frame rate without losing any real information. I'm currently developing this for wireless medical devices, to be able to compress and then 'interleave' multiple sensor inputs such as EKG trace on a single narrowband connection and then restore them to continuous stream with some (acceptable) latency via buffering and decompression.

When I was in school in Manhattan, I would drive my father to his office very early in the morning -- before the morning paper was delivered. I noticed my father very avidly reading the paper one morning. It was yesterday's paper: he pointed out that it was just as much fun, and he really didn't much care that the news was a bit out of date.

Let me ask this related question: Do Webcam users really care if they're watching a train at the precise instant it passes the camera, or ten seconds later in realtime? (Aren't delays in the Internet fabric likely to impose similar delays anyway?)

And, if the answer is that you really don't care if your stream is a few seconds later than 'reality' -- would you accept the later timing if it gave you a higher frame rate and/or better rendered picture quality at no additional cost?

That seems to me to be a better question than the one that's been posed...

[Anonymous]

I've been to Rochelle, nothing beats being on scene and feeling the trains. BUT I also live 400 miles away and since I can't get there often enough viewing the cam is next best. Don't cost me time by doubling the bandwidth, I can live with 3 seconds. If you could add scanner traffic or other sites I can't get to you'd only enhance my viewer experience

[GRR7315]

I say double; it's a spot to enjoy NOT LIVE AT. Take advantage of the action, then let someone else enjoy as well.

[Noah Hofrichter]

Does any body know how many people can watch the webcam at the same time[?] I just wanted to know.

Thanks, Noah[:P][8D][:)][:P][;)]

[mikeyuhas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by hhuubb

when I 1st found this web cam, a person could see traffic running on HI-WAY, behind the warehouse, so someone has change angle to camrea,maybe change back to way it was that would give wider angle, what say trainmag. HUB

The camera position has not changed since startup in May 2000, and we have no plans to change it now.

[Anonymous]

when I 1st found this web cam, a person could see traffic running on HI-WAY, behind the warehouse, so someone has change angle to camrea,maybe change back to way it was that would give wider angle, what say trainmag. HUB

[ernwes]

Share the wealth...1.5 sec vs. 3 sec isn't worth blocking half the viewers.

[Anonymous]

WOULD ENJOY MORE SITES IF POSSIBLE

[lhrfan]

Keep it the way it is. A larger picture would be nice, but bandwidth limits may again be an issue. How about a camera on top of the shopping center overlooking 69th st. in North Bergen NJ. 6 or 7 tracks crossing this busy street with NYSW, CSX, & NS constantly moving across with locals, switching, and thru trains. Always busy.

[Anonymous]

[:I] I just very carefully watched my clock to see exactly how long 3 seconds are and then timed 1 1/2 seconds. In my not so humble opinion there simply is not enough difference in the timing to make a big difference - at least not enough
to make a change. Leave as is. As for those who can't tell which way the train is going - I would put an really big question mark here. I could always tell, even from childhood, what the front of the trains looked like. Adios y'all
Irish Pat

[ajpaschal]

Keep it the wway it is

[Train Guy 3]

Leave it the way it is, it works for me.

[Anonymous]

I voted to leave everything as is. Let's not get greedy; give everybody a chance to use the web cam. I have never been to Rochelle, don't live anywhere near it-probably just like most readers. The net is our only source to this opportunity to view the trains. As is is GOOD!!!

[Anonymous]

Well .....I voted : "keep it the way it is"....It would be nice to see a better frame rate but, Not at the viewers sacrafice. I'm not a hightech computer wizzard , But possibly would another camera or two mounted next to the other camera be added & , Let's say have a choice which camera we could go to, Camera A, B, or C. With a counter for the amount of users per camera. But then your looking at an extra cost also. "Just a thought" . Like they're saying "If it aint broke don't fix it " & another cam site would be neat , How about the Chicago area , For example like near the old Conrail yard on the south side , Or along the rail corrider along the John F. Kennedy expressway where there is alot of Passenger & Freight trains.

[DennisHeld]

Looks like a lot of people are looking for sound, signal or scanner info or more webcams, as am I. If you could use bandwidth to go from 3 to 1.5 seconds, could you use that bandwidth to get sound and keep the 3 seconds?? Here's another thought for any railroad PR people who may read this: I 've read that the Rochelle webcam is sponsored by the city of Rochelle. It would be great if a railroad, or two, or three, would sponsor their own webcams. They could be put on signal towers. Overlooking a yard. Takers????

[Anonymous]

Unless there is a security issue, keep it the way it is. Sure it would be great to see the trains move with less of a gap, but not at the expense of loosing viewers. Keep up the good work. ?? more cams??

[Anonymous]

Hi to ALL Rail Buffs.Being in New Zealand (down the in south Pacific) Its great to watch the U.S.A TRAINS on your webcams! PLEASE KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS! It is of no great advantage to go 3sec, to 1.5sec,. The only way to go better whold be 25 f.p.s LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is comeing to the home computer world.IT is used now in the Film world.
Cheers to One & All Thank You. See You Down Trackside Oneday Soon.Russruio,RRGW.

[kb5yrk]

I love the web cam from Rochelle, especially since I went to college near there and now live in Texas. If increasing the speed from 1.5 to 3.0 seconds means half the people get to see the camera, would decreasing the frames from 3 to 6 seconds mean double the people could see it from the present number? Just a thought....

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cosf101102

Keep it the way it is, but would it be possible to add the scanner traffic?

[:p]Now there's a great idea that really wets my appetite!

[Anonymous]

Keep it as is. Cut down some trees. Increase the number of trains. Add sound!!!

Just kidding!! Keep it as is.

[cbmate]

Being a UK based railfan I thoroughly enjoy time spent on the Webcam, without it
I would not get my regular "US Rail-Fix" until my next bi-annual visit to your fantastic
country. Once every 3 seconds is far better than none at all. Long may you keep up the excellent service (& pleasure) you provide.

[Anonymous]

Keep it as is. Railfans are great people. Mabe soon we can all watch together at the same time. Let the goodtimes roll.

[nkp779]

I think it is ok the way it is. but if it were possible to do it with out loosing half the veiwers then that would be great. Also yes the Scanner traffic would be good too. I would like you to set up a cam other places as well. Some place like Deshler,Ohio the Cross roads of the old B&O Now CSX their is a lot traffic their and a hot spot for a lot of railfans and a very nice park with a shelter house to watch the trains. I'm sure a lot of people on here would agree. maybe we could hav a pole to see what folks on here would like to see happen.I think if any of your staff have not been their thenyou should go their and check it out.
Rick D.

[brilondon]

I love the webcam but would like to see more locations and different regions shown. To answer your question I would like it to remain the same for more people to beable to see it.

[mikeyuhas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350

I've never been bumped from the webcam and never not been able to get on. Are there so many users on now that people are getting bumped? If so keep it the way it is. If there isn't any problem with the number of simultaneous users now, than double the rate. I'd love to be able to see the trains in more "real time". Sometimes the images are so far apart I can't even tell which direction the train is moving.

At peak times during the day, it's really not unusual for webcam viewers to be bumped, sometimes after just a couple minutes. "Bumped" is perhaps too strong a word -- when the limit of simultaneous users is reached, the viewer who's been on longest just stops receiving the stream, with the last image left in place.

[snsgerds]

Three seconds per frame isn't bad; 1.5 would be better, but it is not worth the trade off of having half of the people not see anything at all. Keep it as it is.

[88gta350]

I've never been bumped from the webcam and never not been able to get on. Are there so many users on now that people are getting bumped? If so keep it the way it is. If there isn't any problem with the number of simultaneous users now, than double the rate. I'd love to be able to see the trains in more "real time". Sometimes the images are so far apart I can't even tell which direction the train is moving.

[JoeKoh]

please keep as it is.its great.
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

I know I'm satisfied keeping it the way it is and from the comments posted, I think most people are.

[paliz]

Keep it like it is, but I agree with the request to add the scanner traffic as well - that would be great...

[Anonymous]

From all the answers you gave rec'd, it seems pretty clear which choice is THE FAN'S CHOICE. Like one of the others, is there a chance of seeing other sites as well?
S.F. Ferroequinlogist

[Mike4321]

Would love to have other web cams to look at but to answer the ?. Keep it like it is . The more people that can enjoy it, the better. To cut down the # of viewers by 1/2 just so the remaining few can watch it at a faster rate isnt worth it. I think it is great & by the way , THANK YOU FOR HAVING IT AVAILABLE for so many people can enjoy it!!!!

[Anonymous]

Are there other webcams?

[espeefoamer]

The slight gain isn't worth the cost of losing half the viewers.Keep it just like it is.

[Anonymous]

Keep it the way it is, but would it be possible to add the scanner traffic?

[Anonymous]

Works great the way it is. Sound would be great but not at the loss of bandwith. Is it possible to get any of the signaling indications?

[DennisHeld]

I already made a comment about giving the most people the chance to watch. But, I've always wanted to comment about the view of the webcam. What are the odds of getting some trees cut down on the left side of the view so we can see Global III?? Or knock down some houses on the right side to give a clear view of the BNSF approach?? I'm just kidding here. But....

[loopmaster]

if it ain`t broke, don`t fix it

[Anonymous]

Keep it as it is!! this way more of us can enjoy it!! thanks

[DennisHeld]

I absolutely enjoy the Rochelle webcam. Let the most people enjoy it as possible. I would 'kill' to be able to get sound. Yes, I know, bandwidth. Or, even better, several other locations to choose from. Any chance of multiple sights????

[Anonymous]

A new frame every 1.5 seconds isn't that big of a difference from one frame every 3 seconds for the average individual viewer. However, cutting out half the audience is huge. The choice seems clear to me. Keep it like it is.