I do think the OP has a point. There have been times when someone has posted a question for which knowing the scale is necessary to make a reply. Most of the time when I see this, the member is both new to the forums, and the hobby.
In most cases, you can probably get away with assuming the question is about HO scale. A while back somebody asked a question about the IHB 0-8-0. Model versions of that engine have been produced since the 1960s, under three or four different brand names, in O, HO, and N scales. IIRC, the O version and one version of the HO have similar mechanisms, and the N version is completely different from the O and any of the HO versions. And if the person making the query doesn’t provide enough context, it will be difficult to provide an answer.
But then, sometimes asking the right question is the key to the problem…
I personally think scale specific threads should state so in the title.That being said I have asked about the availability of certain items in a specific scale and have recieved upto a dozen replies about the item in another scale.
My primary scale is N for the main course and Z is the appetizer ,plus HO sometimes for desert (+On30).As for scale specific forums if you think they are not useful PM me and I will give you a list of sites with very sucessful scale specific forums.
Yes, knowing the scale is often helpful, especially where new people to the hobby are concerned. Those of us who have been in the hobby for 20 or 30 years generally see brands and context and can figure it out, although there are a few brands that cross several scales like Atlas for example.
As for post count, I don’t see why the original poster even brought that up. There are often people who have a great deal experience who are either new to a forum or just not a frequent poster, or visa versa. Walking in and starting a topic with a big chip on ones shoulder isn’t going to be contructive or generate positive disucssion, nor calling people names. As Selector strongly hinted, play nice in the sand box or be asked to leave eventually.
As for scales, last time I checked, HO was still the most modeled scale. No one has to feel cast down for modeling a less popular scale. There are good reasons individuals have for choosing their scale. I’ve often thought it would be useful to have a forum section for large, mid and small scales so that we could focus on what we choose and not have to read through things irrelevant to our interests. Atlas forums has always had an N, HO and O scale section and I have liked that. I suppose they can justify that format because they sell products in all three scales. Fair enough.
The 2 busiest N Scale forums is the Atlas and Trainboard N Scale forums.
Many model train forums has scale specific sub forums…I even know of a slot car forum that is broken down to scale forums so,we can see its not really out of the question to have scale specific sub forums.
However,that’s a decision MR has to make and maybe they should take it under consideration…
Larry, excellent points. If I were N I’d be frequenting those forums. Thank you for reminding me of Trainboard because I had lost the link there. They seem to be more active in N than HO, at least the Rio Grande people! =P
Yes, I think subforums would be good. I realize some forums have suffered from too many topic areas to the point that they seem devoid of activity. That was a condition I noticed years back when some new Train forums were created and thats exactly what seemed to happen. But if things were kept to a minimum, it probably would be helpful. Something like Large, mid and small scale. Large = G and O, Mid = S and HO, and Small = N and Z (perhaps TT).
My current focus is O 3rail. Before you tell me to get out of here go to CTT I enjoy both forums immensily. I do have a small HO layout that is in disrepair and a lot of HO equipment stored. My HO will be obsolete when I get to it but it was bought years ago when prices were lower. I was out of the hobby altogether for 17 years. After my O open frame layout has at least some ground around the roadbed Then HO in a spare bedroom. I like all model railroading.
I’ve notice with interest, not only in this post, but where running two scales has been mentioned previously. So I need to now ask - how does this work out?
Do you guys have two layouts?
Run N track along side HO track?
Have both gauge tracks interwoven - like a kind of lattice work, but not interfering with each others progress.
I first started out modeling N and then, for the usual reasons of life style and family, took a two decade break and on my return took up HO, mainly because it was an easier scale to use modeling a fallen flag road - availability of store bought items in HO.
My liking for N has never left me and I would now jump back in if I didn’t have such a huge investment of both time and money in HO and if my eyes were behaving better than they do and I could see smaller things with the clarity of teenage eyes. Oh, I hear you say, poor old geezer!
in my case it is a combination of having a client who has CP who is not afraid to do his own modeling of things as he does have his own HO scale layout. As well as having a HO scale diorama here for my photo compression studies…HO in front…N scale layout behind.
Jimmy has taken the weekend off after throwing the grenade into the room. I was willing to overlook the churlishness of his original language in order to start a civilized discussion. Seems like I had a beer too many on Friday after work!