I kinda suspect Wizlish may know what happened to Overmod.
This letter is being sent to the owner/operators of this forum. It reads as follows.
To Whom It May Concern
Recently, I joined your website known as, Trains. My initial reasons for doing so were, I wanted to have access to your train cam. I also thought it might be nice to join the forums. Perhaps make new friends and talk about something I really love very much. After reading the forum rules, I decided to post a few responses to several members OP’s. Once I was cleared to post a topic for discussion, I decided on one and went ahead and posted it. At first, everything appeared normal and the responses were polite and thoughtful. However, very few members appeared interested in one of my first OP’s. So, I created another one. Which I titled, “Made In America”. Now this OP was in no way, shape or form meant to be or become political, but it did after only a few responses. It was about this time, a member posted, what would become, one of many very negative attacks upon me. This member went so far as to call me a “Troll” and he consistently tried to infer that I was something or someone else. Before long, several other members joined in and started in with personal attacks against me. According to the forum rules, this activity was not permitted. At first, I tried defending myself and my topic for discussion. At some point during these conversations, the situation digressed to the point where it became impossible to control the OP. These members literally ganged up on me and took it upon themselves to serve as judge and jury with regards to my identity. At some point, I reported this to your sites controllers. However, nothing happened. The activity went on. So, I contacted one of your moderators. I messaged him regarding what was happening and he stated he would see what he could do. In the meantime, another member, made a very disparaging and rude comment about me. In this instance, I responded to that member by private messa
^Bully!
+1
In fact, that just cements earlier suppositions…
If the forum has so little value to Kalmbach, as suggested, I wonder why they started it in the first place? Out of the goodness of their hearts, for our entertainment?
I think, rather, they saw the forum as an enhancement to their magazine, like NewsWire – a tool for increasing interest in the main product. If they’ve decided it fails to serve that purpose, let them drop it, by all means. I mean, don’t do us any favors. We are not resourceless out here – we will fill the yawning gap in our lives somehow.
Another idea – and an incentive, perhaps, to buy the magazine – would be to restrict the forum to fare-paying passengers, like NewsWire.
But please, don’t give us we’re lucky to have the forum and need to behave like good little boys and girls.
What’s it to Kalmbach anyhow?
I’ve been thinking that for some time. It would go a long way toward keeping the riff raff out.
I enjoy both the magazine and this forum but believe I spend a lot more time here than I do on the magazine, and I think there is much more detailed knowledge to be obtained here.
If had to choose between receiving the magazine and access to this forum, I’d take the later. Would I renew the subscription without the forum? Maybe not; I sort of look upon the subscription as in the same category of things as the (small) annual contributions I make to various rail museums, some of which I haven’t visited in years.
Trainorders is “pay-to-play” and they have lots of folk willing to pay. They don’t send you a magazine for that money either.
You might notice that several threads that had been locked have now been deleted. That would seem to be an indication that moderator Brian responsibly takes the situation seriously, with appropriate responses. This may be a consequence of the thinly veiled threat posted today.
[quote user=“Jack R.”]
This letter is being sent to the owner/operators of this forum. It reads as follows.
To Whom It May Concern
Recently, I joined your website known as, Trains. My initial reasons for doing so were, I wanted to have access to your train cam. I also thought it might be nice to join the forums. Perhaps make new friends and talk about something I really love very much. After reading the forum rules, I decided to post a few responses to several members OP’s. Once I was cleared to post a topic for discussion, I decided on one and went ahead and posted it. At first, everything appeared normal and the responses were polite and thoughtful. However, very few members appeared interested in one of my first OP’s. So, I created another one. Which I titled, “Made In America”. Now this OP was in no way, shape or form meant to be or become political, but it did after only a few responses. It was about this time, a member posted, what would become, one of many very negative attacks upon me. This member went so far as to call me a “Troll” and he consistently tried to infer that I was something or someone else. Before long, several other members joined in and started in with personal attacks against me. According to the forum rules, this activity was not permitted. At first, I tried defending myself and my topic for discussion. At some point during these conversations, the situation digressed to the point where it became impossible to control the OP. These members literally ganged up on me and took it upon themselves to serve as judge and jury with regards to my identity. At some point, I reported this to your sites controllers. However, nothing happened. The activity went on. So, I contacted one of your moderators. I messaged him regarding what was happening and he stated he would see what he could do. In the meantime, another member, made a very disparaging and rude comment about me. In this instance, I
Ed:
Your 16-year-old daughter has parents who point her in the right direction.
AGREED.[tup]
When I saw the screed (before breakfast) I did not think it worthwhile to even start reading it. Seeing Ed’s response I glanced through it, and came to the decision that it could be condensed: "MOMMIE! these people are not nice to me [:'(].
I’ll second those sentiments.
Oh, I know they’re over there, the thing is I want 'em back over HERE!
Seriously, not being an HO or N gauge guy I very rarely look into the MR site, once in a great while out of curiousity, but that’s all.
Me? I’m an O gauger! Big, smokin’ roarin’, shake the house to the foundation O gauge, the grandest of all gauges! So I do spend a bit of time on the “Classic Toy Trains” Forum. Interesting and lots of fun, you should all give it a look even if you’re not into toy trains. The “Classic Trains” site is worth a good look too.
As a matter of fact CTT staffers Bob Keller and Roger Carp pop into the CTT Forum from time to time offering insights and advice. “Trains” staffers should follow their example, if for nothing more than gaining some insights as to what’s going on at ground level, what readers are thinking and what they’re interested in. They might even get some story ideas.
You are over here quite a bit, at least when we discuss aircraft!!
Ah, you caught me during one of my “curiousity” visits when I suggested 1/72 aircraft models as a “close enough” match for HO layouts. I believe I also suggested 1/72 military miniature figurines for those doing wartime layouts as another “close enough”, considering the darn near absence of same in HO’s 1/87 scale.
I’ve tried finding 1/48 scale miltary stuff for my O gauge layout. Man, THAT’S tough!
And now this thread, eveyone who’s posted in it, and his condition of hurt feelings will be reported to the moderators.
I had prepared a post about how both sides involved are at fault here, but that will just fan the fire and possibly attract trolls. Better to not get involved.
I will leave it at that this:
It is simply sad that because individuals can’t think before they post, we have lost people who reguarly posted, were valuable sources of information, and always led an interesting and worthwhile discussion.
Firelock, I second your pain in not seeing people such as Juniatha post over here as often, or who have stopped posting altogether. I miss my early days on this forum when I could get online and read a thread about calculating axel loading vs. horsepower and cylinder loadings, ect. There was much to discuss, and even more to learn! Oh, how I wish they would come back!
Today is today. Yesterday was yesterday. Never will they meet.
Posters come, posters go - their reasons, their life.
Personally I get tired of Drama Queens.
The troll will be removed in short order. Locking this one as it has zero railroad content.