I'm quitting the forums

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
21

ACL, you have to admit–there IS plenty of room for a wide variety of topics. I’ve never shouted anyone down for their polls or topics if they held no interest to me–I just skipped over them.

Dougal, we should remember, is 12 years of age. He’s exuberant, full of energy and has much to say. We should grant him the right to be exactly what he is–a youngin’, as my granddad would have called him. Telling him to “go find another place to play” is just wrong (not that you did). It’s better to teach with POSITIVE instruction as opposed to anger and/or harsh criticism.

C’mon–let’s all just get along. This is a great place to be.[^]

22

I have read enough of this entire matter. Dougal, you should not worry about this any more and take a break of a day or two then get back into the forums about subjects that interest you and is supported by others.

These flame wars are rather nasty part of the internet and there will be more in the future. Same as in real life when people get stubborn and angry. The volume then escalates as one tryies to outshout the others. The rest end up leaving becasue this is all non sense and contributes nothing to the Hobby.

I remember the Bigboy versus the Allegheny thread. IT was one of the better “wars” and I defended the Alley in the best spirit of fun and determination to see everyone enjoy and learn a few tidbits. It did get a bit heavy for a bit and it all worked out well.

People will get angry over trivial things and Dave9999 should say “I am Sorry” to you Dougal. Let things settle down and move on everyone. IF this is allowed to infect the forums the moderators may have to delete entire threads and or ban folks.

Please folks, dont let it get that far. It is not worth it.

23

look i am back but i have had ENOUGH OF THIS CRAP. Dave9999 will you apologize so we can get back to Model Railroading?

24

You were only gone 20 minutes or so. What happened?

25

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:)][:p][;)]

26

I totally agree. Remember the MR Motto, Model Railroading is fun, the day we stop having fun with this hobby will the first day of its ultimate demise. Dougal, you’re certainly welcome to stay and all us hope you will, but please remember fun is where you find it and believe me these folks are the best around to have that fun with. I should know, I’ve been at it for 50 years and I’m still having a blast. The day I stop having fun with this hobby, will be the day I walk away from it, and never look back. [:)][:)][:)]

27

I agree with ACL Fan, Let’s just talk some trains.

jeremy

28

Thanks for sharing words of encouragement with him, Emerald. I think he’ll return.

Fifty years in the hobby eh? I feel as though I’m just getting started! (And in many ways I am!)[^]

29

I came onto this forum over a year ago. posted a couple of threads and concerned myself with the struggle of everyday life. I came back in November and started to really enjoy the information and knowledge I was tapping into. More importantly I was enjoying the comraderie and kibitzing and trying to ignore the nae sayers. I met some really interesting people on this thread, There’s some I would be interested in meeting just fotr the simple reason this is one of those places where we come from all walks of life and share a common goal. The enjoyment of a passion dear to us.

What bothers me is that if I say something there’s someone there to flame me behind my back. In my business they are called “Smiling Assasins”. This world is full of them.

There is no need to flame anyone here. It’s time for the rivet counters and the flamers to grow up, get with the program or get out!

Dougal turn the other cheek, pick your self up, dust your self off and get on with life!

30

Hold on a second here.

How come it’s okay for the kids to post totally-off topic material on the board but you’d like to exclude "rivet counters,’ who post material actually associated with the hobby?

Isn’t that unfair?

31

Dougal,

I have enjoyed your posts in the past. I will miss your knowledge of the hobby. That said I must also make the following point: In the big scheme of things, this forum means NOTHING! Life is too short to react to every bump in the road as if it was an earthquake.

Take care

32

I really believe Fergus meant the “RIVET COUNTERS” who have no tolerance for deviation from the prototype. I think anyone whose been in a club has encounterd these folks and they can take the fun out of the hobby for everyone. Having said that, please remember this, not all rivet counters are created equal. Many are very respectful of others and utilize constructive criticism to teach rather than destroy ones confidence in their work. I don’t know if you’re a RIVET COUNTER or not, but you certainly sound like you would be one that would teach.[:)][:)]
As far as flamers go, if they set out to intentionally cause hard feelings by posting responses that cause problems like this, I think all would agree when I say, thats destructive and shouldn’t be tolerated. This hasn’t been a good day for anyone here so I say this, lets put this behind us and start tomorrow with a fresh out look, DEAL![:)]

33

Thanks for the clarification and yes your right I was reffering more to the myoptic ones with no or little tolerance for deviation.

I was part of a great club once, but the anal retentives ruined it. We landed spending more time on “Old Minutes and New Minutes and associated business” then talking about the craft or kibitzing and having a good time and lots of laughs. Nuts to that and nuts to “purists”. There are plenty of straight forward hard core MR threads here. They will not change in number as we keep them serious and to the the point. However They will go down in number if we boot the keen and young off the forum. There is plent of room for kibitzing. Get rid of the kibitzing a lot of us will go elsewhere. The threads will go down and this will be one very boring place. Trust me.

There is plenty of room for everyone!

Normall

34

[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

Thanks for the clarification and yes your right I was reffering more to the myoptic ones with no or little tolerance for deviation.

I was part of a great club once, but the anal retentives ruined it. We landed spending more time on “Old Minutes and New Minutes and associated business” then talking about the craft or kibitzing and having a good time and lots of laughs. Nuts to that and nuts to “purists”. There are plenty of straight forward hard core MR threads here. They will not change in number as we keep them serious and to the the point. However They will go down in number if we boot the keen and young off the forum. There is plent of room for kibitzing. Get rid of the kibitzing a lot of us will go elsewhere. The threads will go down and this will be one very boring place. Trust me.

35

[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

Thanks for the clarification and yes your right I was reffering more to the myoptic ones with no or little tolerance for deviation.

I was part of a great club once, but the anal retentives ruined it. We landed spending more time on “Old Minutes and New Minutes and associated business” then talking about the craft or kibitzing and having a good time and lots of laughs. Nuts to that and nuts to “purists”. There are plenty of straight forward hard core MR threads here. They will not change in number as we keep them serious and to the the point. However They will go down in number if we boot the keen and young off the forum. There is plent of room for kibitzing. Get rid of the kibitzing a lot of us will go elsewhere. The threads will go down and this will be one very boring place. Trust me.

36

Dougal,
Dude, we all get roughed up by people from time to time. It is part of growing up. You learn how to dis-engage when people are just laying for a fight. A couple of poorly written posts from people who have a right to disagree with you is no big deal, you did not drop it, so it continued and became personal.

I hope you read this and stick around. I for one was amazed when I learned your age just last week. You carry yourself well in most of your communication. Hang in there.

This is the typical outcome of extremism. There is room and right for everyone who is into the hobby regardless of their “center” of enthusiasm about model railroading.

I don’t mind rivet counters, until they get extreme. I don’t mind the youthful posts about non-hobby related stuff, because it is the connection the hobby is supposed to foster… until those posts become extreme.

Every one needs to back down a little. It is obvious this became a little hateful and very personal. I also don’t think the kid needed to be reminded of his age, especially in such a manner that required a censor stamp. So, you might be older, but there were no manners or grace in that action, nor the spirit of many of the responses.

Should we being discussing this, or stars, or creating a never ending story… technically NO. But, it is the natural extension of people coming together over a common love. It is social behavior as normal.

So until the ADMINISTRATOR decides to remove NON-hobby posts… then we need to buck up and stay out of those threads we don’t like.

I wrote all of this because I have had good communication with Dougal. He has been enthusiastic, inquisitive, and quite enjoyable. It is a shame that we would prefer he hang out with only “kids his age,” who are not here in our world, further distancing him from the opportunity to learn our manner, respect, and interests. Put people in their own world, and it soon will not resembl

37

You Can’t Quit Now!!!

Not after all that we’ve been through.[:D] I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you belong here. I have enjoyed many of the topics that you have come up with over the last couple of months. The idea of you leaving now seems strange, considering how much of my crap you managed to put up with in order to come this far. [swg]

38

[#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto]

39

Alright, usually i’m the quiet person everywhere I go, but just seeing this thread as being 2 pages long is stupid.

I don’t really care who stays or who goes or anything but please quit making different threads about this. I know there is only 2 or so but if this doesn’t stop the whole first page will be filled with pointless threads about the same thing.

Dave I know you are a great guy, and although I haven’t read any of this really just talked to 4884 about the jist of it, I think it would only be right if you say your sorry or something so this forum can get back to normal and start talking about model railroading and everything great about it.

Like I said before I don’t care who stays or who goes, I just come here to talk and learn about MRR and I think the way some people on the boards are acting are probably turning away possible posters who would add a lot to the board. Instead they come and see people bashing each other and calling each other names, it gives the boards a bad reputation and makes everyone on here look like bad.

So please just apologize or something so we can get back to normal.

Do not flame me for saying this. I think I am speaking for the whole board when I say this.

40

Hey guys- there is a difference between an old fart and a rivet counter! I’m trying to become more of a rivet counter, not to rip on someone elses’ work but to make my modeling better. I want to have Jim Six look at one of my models and say “WOW” (someday!)
But to the argument- I have sometimes thought the same as ACL fan, maybe not to the same degree. I don’t have as much time every day to wade through a ton of spam posts, and I’ll admit the DOC and never ending story threads are annoying. Same with the polls- usually there are several repetitive posts, the same respondents, the same complaints - see the “favorite roads” ones- either your railroad is listed and you vote, or it isn’t and you complain.
BUT! Like has been mentioned- I was 13 once (actually almost 30 years ago). I was pretty much alone- didn’t know other railfans or modelers. I had to go it alone for a long time, I think that’s why I got discouraged and packed everything up for almost 20 years. The net has opened up the model railroading, and I really think it’s helping to overcome the “graying” of the hobby. And yes, with most groups it WILL go off topic from time to time- it’s the nature of the beast, so to speak. But I would have been the same at that age, and if a forum was ruled with an iron fist I would have been afraid to post. And ask any question I thought might sound stupid. I am impressed with the teens on this group in that aspect, for the most part they are trying to learn and contribute. Yeah, they get a little carried away on some things, but that’ll change. Look at the slightly older group- I believe the suggestion for the scratch building contest came from one of those young 'uns, and it is a fantastic idea!
I really think that the young teens will get more serious in their posts, just as they are with their modeling. Untill then do we want to lose any? NO!
Stick around Dougal, you’re alright! Even if you do like Conrail!!