Oops! A slight slip of the keys: I should have said, “I’ll go with RON and other’s…”
Heiter.
I`ll miss it . Its the one I watched most often . RON
Just wondering . Why did they decide to screw with this cam ?. I thought it was working great . Better than any other I have seen except the one in the netherlands. RON
The cam in Nederland is really good being well positioned, bio-directional and has sound t’boot 
As to why they (I presume you mean the Roanoke Hotel…??) decided to “screw with this cam” is a question only “they” can answer. The reply which I received blamed the popularity of the cam in relation to the server being unable to cope with the sudden demand. I was led to believe that an improved server would soon be utilised but this appears to be anything but the case. You don’t need a university degree to install a web-cam!!
My reasoning from what they told me, rightly or wrongly, is that their internal system works better without the web-cam so are they now thinking, “Who’s bothered about the web-cam…??”
I honestly believe that they don’t give a monkey’s proverbial, in a manner of speaking, and if this is the case then why don’t they just switch the useless thing off and be honest about it because most of us have unplugged the thing anyway!! I wish somebody would switch-off Rochelle too for what use it is.
Modern technology and they can’t run a continuous smoothly-operated web-cam without sound, it’s sad. The thought of sound probably scares them rigid anyway… 
Cheers,
Heiter.
I know Trains only provides a link to the Roanoke Cam but it would seem to me that they could contact the Roanoke Hotel and apply a gentle pressure on them. I am a physically disabled and almost 75 years old. I was using that cam to go my “armchair” railfanning. I miss it a lot.
I just cannot understand how the Roanoke Hotel can let such a good publicity tool go so wrong. You would think they would at least acknowledge our e-mail messages to them.
Ron W
Ron. I must slow down when typing…made even worse by a tight clear poly-cover on my keyboard. Of corse it’s a bi-directional cam they have in Nederland and not something out of a science lab… ;-))
Cheers,
Heiter.
Trains magazine is only a link, as you state, but they could, as you suggest, apply some gentle pressure! I would have thought that Trains magazine would by this time be aware of the recent problems and, if not, you would be advising them as they are providing a link to something which is not working possibly as and when it should. Keep sending e-mails to both parties explaining that it’s one of your main enjoyments and how it affects you and many other people, like you, with disabilities. Perhaps a telephone call to the hotel from rail-fans in or not too far from Virginia…??
Cheers,
Heiter.
The hotel does not care anything about this cam . They installed it and then found out it was more than they wanted to deal with .Its a shame that one of the museums could not take it over .But , they are already low on funds . RON
Perhaps several business’s could get together and share the operation making it an even cheaper advertising solution but get it away from the hotel who, as most now believe, don’t care about it. There are many ways of funding such an operation and by responsible people.
Keep smiling…
Heiter.
Now we just need to figure a way to put that plan into action. RON
One way is to find a list of business’s located within the area in which you want the web-cam to be situated and approach them to see if there are any potential single or joint-operators. The cost of the operation will have to be sourced and there may be planning regulations. Somebody, preferably in business with associated contacts, who knows the area geographically would be an ideal candidate to get the ball rolling. You could contact the ruling bodies of the town/county office who would/should be able to assist or point you in the correct direction.
If the situation is looked at logically and sensibly then the prospect of operating the project is anything but insurmountable. You mentioned the museums earlier so why not contact them for advise and listen to what they have to say before doing anything else…??
Heiter.
Since I don’t live near Roanoke I plan, just to start with, to e-mail Trains Editor. No use bothering with people that cannot, or WILL not, do anything. I have subscribed to Trains for almost 45 years so I think they owe us all something. A phone call on our behave tp The Roanoke Hotel will take little effort and just might get something done.
I would like as many of you as possible to do the same so the Editor will as least know that MANY of us are upset about this. I feel as though I have lost my window to the railroad world.
The more e-mails he receives the more likley he is to try to help us.
Ron W
Great idea .We all need to do this . I know I am RON
It’s up and down; sometimes working, other timrs not. I’m hoping it will be back up and running soon.
I just send an e-mail message to Mr. Wrinn at Trains Mag. I described some of the problems we are having and tried to explain how much it means to us to have it operating normally.
Also, I ask him to tell the Roanoke Hotel management how much we appreciate this cam.
I am hoping he responds and tries to get this situation resolved.
It would sure be a help if some of you would do the same. Numbers DO mean something. Let him know how much this cam means to us.
I hope for some positive results.
Ron W
Here is a copy of what I sent to Mr. Wrinn:
Mr. Wrinn
I am a long time subscriber Trains Magazine(about 49 years) and have never before written to
to the magazine editor for any reason. Now however, I wish to solicit your aid in resolving a problem that many readers have been having recently.
During the last few weeks viewers of the Roanoke Web Cam have been experiencing many frustrating
problems with the Roanoke Cam. We realize that Trains Magazine does NOT operate, and is not responsible in any way for it’s operation. However, we are asking if you will be an advocate for us in helping resolve these problems. Many of us have contacted The Roanoke Hotel explaining the problems we are having. The Hotel will not even give us the courtesy of a reply. We are hoping that if you contact them on our behalf perhaps they will respond favorably.
In brief here are some of the problems; buffering problems causing jerky movement, screen ‘freezing’,
picture cuts off at times leaving a black screen, MANY times there is no picture at all!! There are also
some other “issues” with it.
This cam has been a wonderful resource for all of us for a long time – we really don’t want to lose it! Many fans have given up and just unplugged it altogether. Others are even willing to pay a monthly fee to have the cam restored to it’s normal good operating condition and to be maintained to avoid these problems. For me personally, I feel a great sense of loss. I am 75 years of age and physically unable to go out and watch trains as I did for so many years. This cam was my “eyes” to the railroad world and I enjoyed it immensely.
Again, if you would try to speak with somebody at the Roanoke Hotel and express our thoughts to them, and also our appreciation for the enjoyment it has provided us in the past, we will be very grateful to you.
Ron Wilson
Washington, PA
Lets all do what we can and hope for the best . RON
I’m sure you will be pleased with your reply from Mr.Wrinn. The reply which I received was to say that the “good people” at Roanoke have the matter in-hand and that they are trying to source the parts/items required, in as many words. Apparently they haven’t given-up but, quite naturally, the hotel business must come first!! I fail to comprehend though why a fund can’t be set-up with donations going towards the upkeep and possible inclusion of sound…?? I would have thought it could be improved greatly. That spider’s been doing a great job lately
Cheers,
Heiter.
I agree. I think the donation idea is probably the way to go . I know I would have no problem donating if you could be sure of a quality website at all times . But they probably wouldn`t agree to that anyway . RON
Anymore really good rail cams in the usa? Most I have seen are very poor. RON