Please explain to me (and maybe a few other folks who come around here from time to time) how this “forum ownership” stuff works. We know that Bob “owns” the forum, what does that mean? There are no dues, this is not a club, and we know that websites are not free to develop and maintain (at least I don’t think they are) so who pays for this, Bob? If so, why?
I’m not being a smart_ss, I really do want to understand this.
Walt
Well Walter, you will notice an ad in the top right corner and in the forum subjects you will also notice “sponsered by”. Also Bob has a small on-line store front that you should look at. And the members can up-grade their free status for a small annual fee to obtain more storage on this site for their own pics etc.
Hope this helps.
Randy
Walter not to speak for Bob but on the why topic. I would think it is something like why I have a website. He wonts to shaer something he enjoys (trains) with others that also enjoy it. In doing so he learns more, we learn more, and there is a place to go to share this info freely with others. I’m sure Bob is not making a living off this site, I doon’t even think he is breaking even on it. I guess its all a labor of love for his hobbie and he knows what he is doing on a computer as well.
Hope that helps.
Geoff
George has it right. It all comes out of pocket, with some of the cost offset by the ads, and some by the freight sheds. I do it because I love LS trains and the people involved in it.
Bob McCown said:Do I win anything? :)
George has it right. It all comes out of pocket, with some of the cost offset by the ads, and some by the freight sheds. I do it because I love LS trains and the people involved in it.
thanks for the hard work Bob.
Thankyou Bob!!!
I failed to mention the #1 reason why you do this. You provide us with a great place to hang out and share this great hobby.
Many Thanks, Randy
Yes…Thanks again Bob for the excellent site!
Yes, thank-you Bob. Without this forum I would still be talking to myself and no one else would get to see my work.
Thank you, Bob
Bob has to put up with a lot with running this site. But if he ever writes his autobiography, this will at least be a chapter. A good title might be “Things in my Life I Should have Done Differently”. His plans are to make an appearance at the East Coast Large Scale Train Show in York, Pa. at the end of March. I’m told he will be signing autographs and accepting contributions in “The Alcove” of the layout hall. I understand if you bring your computer screen, he will personalize it for you with his signature right acrosss the middle of the screen with a “permanent margic maker”.
We all owe a lot to Bob. Some of us more than others. 
Ric, yes you do… Your the one who always makes Bob change things…
Bob, we all appreciate your dedication and service to this site… 
Thank you…