Hey folks
In the last several months I’ve had (surprisingly, actually) a non-trivial amount of requests from people for beginner-level “Whats all this about” kind of information about Large Scale trains. Very basic information we all take for granted (various scales, approximate costs, how to get started, Manufacturers, etc…). Something in a non-forum format. I’m thinking a separate section under Articles for it. Opinions?
-=Bob
Bob,
It sounds like a needed idea. Do it.
I think that is an excellent idea!
My thinking is having it’s own section (like General, Modeling etc.): How about just above the general discussion ( link to it on Home page ). So beginners do not have to hunt for it.
Are you going to list things or are you asking us for input?
You got my vote.
Yea, an article, with possibly a thread for our input, with a link/hot button on the front page. That would be a good idea.
Bob
I think it is a great idea. I propose an instruction section or FAQ on using the forums features (including chat) as part of the effort.
As for actual garden railroad info let Sgt Joe Friday set the tone, “Just the facts please”… Stick to explanations not recommendations on specific manufacturers, operating systems or other details. Leave out the examples and the “here is how I did it”…that stuff is why there is a forum.
Lock the threads on each subject and let all of us send you our submissions. Or have a discussion thread that is open to all from which the basic info can be culled for posting in the locked area. I know you are a busy important Dictator benevolently ruling his empire from high in the black tower of oppression, so while this would be more work for you up front, once it is done there would be very little maintenance needed. It would also keep the thread drift, brand loyalty fights and opinion prophets at bay.
Once you go to all this trouble you certainly want people to find it easily so a button or banner (clearly labeled) on the home page and hot linked to the section might be worth the effort.
Here are a few subjects I think that should be included because they are routinely asked:
Track - code, materials used (and their attributes), connector types, tie types, cross section measurements
All things curved - Radius / diameter (yep some peeps like me were stuck in the second grade all those years and never learned this) angle / divergence for turnouts, minimum operating radius
Power types - DC / DCC / RC Batt / Wind up rubber band
Scale vs gauge - selective compression, toy train, Fine scale, Manufacturers by scale (not who is best though cause we all know the answer to that one)
BBQ recipes (the official GR food) and techniques - Hot / cold smoking, hardwood / broasting, wood choice / oak / hickory / mesquite, horizontal / vertical smokers
This what you get for asking. My $.02 and as always dumb ideas are still free.
Boomer
Pic and video’s how to’s
KISS.
Folks can easily be scared off.
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Excellent idea!
How about just a “FAQ” section on the top header?
FAQs would work. But also some kind of intro would be nice. Not the glitzy, advertising type stuff we usually see, but some down to earth this is this and that is that kind of thing. Newbies quite often don’t know what questions to ask, so FAQs may not be real helpful, until they know what they don’t know, that they have a need to know.
Why not have a “Beginner’s Section”, or “Getting Started”? Let them ask questions without fear of either “You should read the FAQ before you Post” type responses or “Use the search function before you ask” - equally as bad when you’re a beginner.
A newbie doesn’t want to waste time reading through a bunch of stuff - if they did, they’d just Google “getting started in large scale railroads” and get about 20.7 million hits.
They think their situation is unique (and it may be), so they want to ask questions that are specific to their situation. Provide a place where they can ask questions without fear of sounding stupid.
good idea.
but define “non forum format” or what you are thinking about.
you know us. so, why don’t you ask some of us, to write some lines about their speciality, (example, Greg for DCC, Burl for resin cast modelling, Devon for arm chair modelling)
and then let the others comment on what might be missing.
the final products to be put into a special newbee guide.
Bob, as long as you’ve asked…
It’s a good idea, but it’s only good if it works. The main obstacle, it seems to me, would be the common situation where a new person asks a question and gets nine different mostly VALID answers from nine different people. Happens all the time. It’s overwhelming to a new person.
I like Boomer Keel’s idea of presenting locked threads for reference. You decide what factual information goes in them.
Beyond simple facts, which would be too limiting to be useful, I think you’re a sharp enough guy to be able to objectively present a few simple, short, valid pros/cons on, say, brass vs. aluminum vs. stainless steel track without getting into people’s biases. You MIGHT (ya think?!) be able to reasonably present a battery vs. track power pros/cons issue. Wouldn’t that be something.
If I can help you in any way, I volunteer.
Also consider keeping the FAQ on the site limited to the very basics, with possibly a recommended reading list of good books on LS (like Kevin Strong’s book). Why re-invent the wheel completely. There are a plethora of good web sites out there as well. I have a links page on our club site that links to the major mfgrs/hobby supliers, and the major fora. If they found this site, they should be savy enough to muddle their way through those sources as well. My page has a specific disclaimer about affiliation, recommended. With the general note that is you can’t find the answer in the referenced materials, ask, there will be someone to help.
My tuppence worth.
Bob C.
Bob “IA3R#7” Cope said:
… (like Kevin Strong’s book). . .
…or…you could just plagiarize Kevin’s book and we won’t tell him. Ha!
John Passaro said:
You decide what factual information goes in them.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Bruce Chandler said:
Why not have a “Beginner’s Section”, or “Getting Started”? Let them ask questions without fear of either “You should read the FAQ before you Post” type responses or “Use the search function before you ask” - equally as bad when you’re a beginner.
Us non beginners don’t like that kind of response neither. I have looked, and thread such ans such may have good information, but it never directly answered the question I am posing. That is why I am asking.
A newbie doesn’t want to waste time reading through a bunch of stuff - if they did, they’d just Google “getting started in large scale railroads” and get about 20.7 million hits.
Gee, google only came up with 20.7 million?
They think their situation is unique (and it may be), so they want to ask questions that are specific to their situation. Provide a place where they can ask questions without fear of sounding stupid.
Korm Kormsen said:
good idea.
but define “non forum format” or what you are thinking about.
you know us. so, why don’t you ask some of us, to write some lines about their speciality, (example, Greg for DCC, Burl for resin cast modelling, Devon for arm chair modelling)
and then let the others comment on what might be missing.
the final products to be put into a special newbee guide.
And I could do Butt Modeling, and Boomer could do Roundy roundy, and Rooster could…be shot at dawn.
David Maynard said:
And I could do Butt Modeling, and Boomer could do Roundy roundy, and Rooster could…be shot at dawn.
I am so triggered by that… I have to go find my safe space. 
