Large Scale Central

Future direction of Train Forums

General Discussion
#41
Ralph Berg said:
I enjoy building logs. I think many others do to. A lot of people look.......and don't respond. I have 7000 hits on my RR construction log, even though only a handful of people posted. In the past couple of months I have twice met people who have read my posts here on LSC. I have never seen a post here from either. Many people lurk here that you never hear from. Ralph
Many look and don't respond because many forums are viewed by most outsiders as "un-friendly". I do not say that to pick a fight or address LSC directly. I am an avid R/C airplane guy, I'm darn good at it. I scratch build many highly detailed scale models, and I also buy off the shelf "ready to fly". I too am "annoyed" when all I want to do is get out and fly, or discuss an advanced problem with a current project, and I am hounded by the "new guy". I understand the "old guard" mentality. It's hard for the new guy to break into a forum, or a club, unless he comes pre-armed with knowledge useful to the group. I too am very guilty of this behavior.

For the “old” ways to survive we need to engage “new blood”. It’s a lot easier to buy that “ready to run” car or airplane then it is to get past the old guard, or the latest “vent” on evolution. Just plain old human nature.

The forum may change, but it’s the current members that have the most power in choosing a direction. I also dare say, more active moderating of threads can also protect/change a forum. I know moderating is a four letter word here…therefore change is inevitable.

#42
Ralph Berg said:
A lot of people look.......and don't respond. Ralph
Then its been typical that way on all four forums I'm active on. I just figured newer readers and lurkers just didnt care for my goofy NG bashes. They look, go "Eeh!" then leave. That would fit in with the growing trend I've noticed in the last 2-3 years away from NG towards more mainline SG trains posts.
#43

History repeats itself , and for some reason I feel as though I have read all of this before in the Model Railroader magazine , back when 'plastic car kits came out !
This was in the early 50’s , and model railroading has not gone away as many said it would with the shake the box trains . Model railroading has came a long way , thank goodness .

#44

I have several projects going, usually. Waiting on some gears for my Challenger build(u-joint idea did not work), made some seats for my Zephyr’s observation car, putting some lights back there, so thought I’d do the interior while I had it torn apart. Just bought a snow plow blade to make a snow plow car and bought a FA-B unit off ebay last week for a basis for a rotary. I love the 10’ rule and follow it religiously! I too was a bit taken aback by the lack of comments on my building logs, but I think one has to look at the hits it gets. Many just don’t want to comment and I decided that is fine. I like to share what I’ve done and like to see what others have done. I look at several forums and have stolen ideas from many of you! So keep on posting and showing, many more are interested, I’m sure.

#45
Dave Ottney said:
The one thing I have noticed is that the model rr forums really aren't as active as some other hobbies. Take a look at RCGroups.com forums and you'll see tons of activity. I'm not quite sure why this is the case as I always though the model rr hobby was bigger than rc flying. Dave
Dave, there is a ONE very good reason why you see the fly-boys more active on their fora- y'see,

  1. they build their model over one weekend, or, as you note, they shake the box.

  2. they fly it and crash it on the next weekend…

  3. the go on the forum about it, and then…

  4. they do it all again the following week.

With us old farts, and young farts, hoping one day to be old farts, it takes a good long while to build ANY model, either from scratch like many still do, or by extensive and life-changing bashing.

…and then we run them for a few years, until

a. they begin to skweek, or

b. we get too deef to hear them skweek.

Either way, the gestation is long and the ‘child’ - our precious railroad model - is there for the duration, and does not fall out of the sky into a sad little crumpled heap when the wires get crossed.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#46
Victor Smith said:
Ralph Berg said:
A lot of people look.......and don't respond. Ralph
Then its been typical that way on all four forums I'm active on. I just figured newer readers and lurkers just didnt care for my goofy NG bashes. They look, go "Eeh!" then leave. That would fit in with the growing trend I've noticed in the last 2-3 years away from NG towards more mainline SG trains posts.
Victor - don't you EVER stop with the 'goofy NG bashes'!

Best

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#47
TAC said:
Dave, there is a ONE very good reason why you see the fly-boys more active on their fora- y'see,

  1. they build their model over one weekend, or, as you note, they shake the box.

  2. they fly it and crash it on the next weekend…

  3. the go on the forum about it, and then…

  4. they do it all again the following week.


That is where the term smash and bash came from. :stuck_out_tongue:

I once invited my girlfriend to watch me fly, and to introduce her to flying. After giving her the short course on how to fly U-Control, I fired it up, flew it for a bit, then invited her to take the controls. She flew it well for a while, then feeling froggy, flew it into the ground. She was so upset!

But, a little bit of Ambroids, some new tissue paper from the box my new sneakers came in, some dope and some paint, and we were flying a few days later.

#48
Terry A de C Foley said:
Dave Ottney said:
The one thing I have noticed is that the model rr forums really aren't as active as some other hobbies. Take a look at RCGroups.com forums and you'll see tons of activity. I'm not quite sure why this is the case as I always though the model rr hobby was bigger than rc flying. Dave
Dave, there is a ONE very good reason why you see the fly-boys more active on their fora- y'see,

  1. they build their model over one weekend, or, as you note, they shake the box.

  2. they fly it and crash it on the next weekend…

  3. the go on the forum about it, and then…

  4. they do it all again the following week.

With us old farts, and young farts, hoping one day to be old farts, it takes a good long while to build ANY model, either from scratch like many still do, or by extensive and life-changing bashing.

…and then we run them for a few years, until

a. they begin to skweek, or

b. we get too deef to hear them skweek.

Either way, the gestation is long and the ‘child’ - our precious railroad model - is there for the duration, and does not fall out of the sky into a sad little crumpled heap when the wires get crossed.

tac
www.ovgrs.org


Build over one weekend? Serious?

Sure some “ARF” models can be built in a weekend but many forum threads are about builds that take years! The very concept of this thread is often discussed on R/C plane forums. R/C Universe has hundreds if not thousands of threads on “scratch-building”, but like trains many in the hobby do not have the time to master the skills so they “shake the box”. The true craftsman in both hobbies should be appreciated for their efforts.

For the record, I am building a 141" wing span B-29. No box, just a rolled up plan. 100’s of hours in to it so far, and hundreds to go. It may crash, and if it does it will be more than a week before it flies again.

#49

People lurk and don’t post for a variety of reasons. Some just do not like to register and join.
Some do not like to post using their real names, as is the custom here, for the most part.
Some people just dislike any attention at all and are content to watch.
And, as far as projects and models go, how many different ways can you say nice job?
The forums follow the direction of the participants. The more that participate, the more variety for everyone.
Ralph

#50
Ralph Berg said:
People lurk and don't post for a variety of reasons. Some just do not like to register and join. Some do not like to post using their real names, as is the custom here, for the most part. Some people just dislike any attention at all and are content to watch. And, as far as projects and models go, how many different ways can you say nice job? The forums follow the direction of the participants. The more that participate, the more variety for everyone. Ralph
I think Ralph makes a great point, how many ways can someone say great job, etc...... For me this forum has been a great help. Before the internet I never new what I was doing. In the past I have tried making small n scale layouts only to have the train stop and slow down. I had no where to go and no clubs. My train ventures always ended up in fustration. If I had sites like this I would have had some great layouts like my GR

I am very new to the forum here so im not sure how many more posted here in the past. I do go on other forums for outdoors, weather and they are no different, you get a lot of hits but few responses and the responses I get are usually the same people. The biggest thing I noticed is most dont post pictures of their layouts when they have then running. I would love to see eveyones layouts. thats something I never get tired of seeing.

Some people use the excuse that they get bashed on here, yes things can get heated but the best part is you can pick and choose what you want to read. Thats why I dont get involved in the LGB/marklin topics. To me those topics get boring and old. I personally dont care what happens to LGB, I think they are overpriced and one wonders why they are struggling. They are overpriced. Why does no one talk about HLW. They are just as good but more reasonable in price. But enough of that.

As for magazines i usually get them for about a year, even they get anoying with all the advertisments. The only reason why I get GR magazine is because of the articles written by people from these forums and I enjoying seeing others layouts.

I like narrow gauge steam because I have always had a fasination with early american history. I love the old logging/backwoods look. You cant get that with the diesels. Plus you cant have tight turns and a small layout with modern trains/standard guage. It would not look right.

#51

Tony,

A very flattering statement.

I believe the next product will be my best work so far.

Frankly, I can’t wait to get one in your hands. You may have checked with TOC
for his evaluation, but it came back very well, that’s about as good as one can get from him.

Thank you, Tony. I think this means I can be in your club.

Barry - BBT

#52

Barry.
I tell it like it is.
You make good quality, bullet proof stuff.
You sell it for a fair price.
You deserve all the praise you get.

I hope I can be in your club too. :wink:

#53

I think one of the main reasons people don’t post more “How-To” articles has a lot to do with the intimidation factor. When you have guys like Kevin Strong, Bruce Chandler, Richard Smith, Bart Salmons and others, showing off pictures of their latest project, some people may feel their efforts don’t quite measure up. I know I can’t build what they build. They are, however, an inspiration to the rest of us.

When I started out in this hobby in 1988, most of what I did was all trial and error. Nowadays, there is a profusion of How-To stuff out there for the hobbiest. As Barry pointed out earlier, GR has a down-loadable set of plans that even a beginner can understand. As for the ones that used to come in the issue, I have every one and have even made copies of some for others. They were a great help to me when I started scratch building cars. Back in the days of LSOL, I would watch in agony as someone took a razor saw to a perfectly good car or loco. As my skill level and confidence grew, I find it easy to do the same thing now.

Not everyone has the skill to build some of the more intricate contraptions that we sometimes see posted on here. Most lack the confidence to display what they cobble together. With time and know how, that changes. Some people when they get into the hobby lack direction in what they plan to do. They like trains running through their flower beds and that’s fine. Once the appeal of that wears off and they meet others in the hobby, they may find a direction to go in.

#54
Ken Brunt said:
I think one of the main reasons people don't post more "How-To" articles has a lot to do with the intimidation factor. When you have guys like Kevin Strong, Bruce Chandler, Richard Smith, Bart Salmons and others, showing off pictures of their latest project, some people may feel their efforts don't quite measure up. I know I can't build what they build. They are, however, an inspiration to the rest of us. [b][i][/b][/i]
While it may be true that some don't post their work for fear of not measuring up, Bart, Richard, Bruce and Kevin are usually among the first to post encouraging comments when they do.

That and I don’t think I can remember anyone ever posting negative comments on anyones work. There are the occasional ‘I would have done it different’ or ‘Your missing this important detail’ kind of comments, but most can take those and use them to improve their work.

And I agree 100% that they inspire.

So all you closet builders and bashers, bring your stuff out into the light of day and share it. We love seeing new stuff and new ideas on how to do things.

#55

I’ve stumbled my way through a couple minor kitbashes and everyone here was always very kind, and encouraging. I’ve gone back to work on that freight motor I posted on months ago–I started it, got diverted by other projects, and lately I’ve taken a few more whacks at it. I remember clearly all the great advice I got here.

It’s not easy though. I’m not retired, work is sometimes very demanding, family is always demanding. It’s not easy to find the time. But I’ll post some updates shortly

Now if only it was in 1:20

#56
Geoff George said:
I have a great deal of respect for all of you that can biuld your own cars, locos and buildings. I'am sorry to say I do not have that skill. I'm happy if I can get a kit to look right. RTR stuff lets me run trains and have a town now why I work on what I can do well. That is the garden end of it. There is a skill in picking the right plants and stuff so it looks good and works with the area you live in. Some day I will try a kits bash and maybe even doing something from scrach. I just hope that those of you that do make your own stuff keep posting it. I love to see what you do and when I try to do some things like thatI hope your all here to help me. Geoff
I'm with Geoff - respect and admiration for people who can create things of great beauty (Richard and Ray, I hope you're reading this), but little talent of my own.

I once built my daughter a rocking horse modeled, I thought, on a plan in a book about constructing wooden toys. When it was finished, it looked like something the Greeks might have dragged into Troy. King Kong would’ve have had trouble getting the beast to rock! As my good lady put it, “Oh dear - that’s solid.” Bless her!

For me, having our grandsons over and seeing what the hair dryer motors in our Aristo and USA engines can pull up a steep grade is fun. That’s what the trains are for - having fun. If the young blokes end up being talented modelers, it won’t be down to Grandpa. If they end up having a sense of humour and love having fun together with their mates, it may be because Grandpa made a small contribution.

And Geoff, while we’re talking about things of great beauty, I seem to remember some posts showing fantastic light displays by a bloke in St. Louis named . . . gee, what was his name?!!

#57

As Bob loosely stated in his forum introduction…“consider this as a bar room/pub/corner cafe”… I do!
I personally enjoy this pub a ton, you guy’s are outstanding!! We all have our own talent’s as this is what makes an internet forum IMO.
Good Thread…Thanks!!!
Beyond 3 pages so I can hijack?
Can someone show me pictures of Andy’s Auto Racks?
:wink:

#58

David, so as to not hijack this topic, I’ll post some pictures in the ““Rolling Stock”” section…

#59
Dave Healy said:
Geoff George said:
I have a great deal of respect for all of you that can biuld your own cars, locos and buildings. I'am sorry to say I do not have that skill. I'm happy if I can get a kit to look right. RTR stuff lets me run trains and have a town now why I work on what I can do well. That is the garden end of it. There is a skill in picking the right plants and stuff so it looks good and works with the area you live in. Some day I will try a kits bash and maybe even doing something from scrach. I just hope that those of you that do make your own stuff keep posting it. I love to see what you do and when I try to do some things like thatI hope your all here to help me. Geoff
I'm with Geoff - respect and admiration for people who can create things of great beauty (Richard and Ray, I hope you're reading this), but little talent of my own.

I once built my daughter a rocking horse modeled, I thought, on a plan in a book about constructing wooden toys. When it was finished, it looked like something the Greeks might have dragged into Troy. King Kong would’ve have had trouble getting the beast to rock! As my good lady put it, “Oh dear - that’s solid.” Bless her!

For me, having our grandsons over and seeing what the hair dryer motors in our Aristo and USA engines can pull up a steep grade is fun. That’s what the trains are for - having fun. If the young blokes end up being talented modelers, it won’t be down to Grandpa. If they end up having a sense of humour and love having fun together with their mates, it may be because Grandpa made a small contribution.

And Geoff, while we’re talking about things of great beauty, I seem to remember some posts showing fantastic light displays by a bloke in St. Louis named . . . gee, what was his name?!!


Thanks Dave
The lights are easy I don’t have to build anything, just hang stuff.