istarted the N Scale Unitrack group at the end of February 2009 . We now have 169 members, over 1200 posts and about 135 individual topics. A group can be started and maintained if you take the time and effort to do so. You can start a group at any time.
I have to agree with Mike on this one, though the Unitrack group is an exception. Your group activity beats every other group by over 400%. I post updates to the main forum and offer small incentives such as members choosing the avatar to try and boost activity in the N Scale Steamers group, but even that only draws in maybe a post or two per update.
I started the N Scale Diesel Kitbashers and Detailers group in August of '08, mostly because detailing is something I know about and wanted to start it. Its the second most popular group, right under the unitrack group. So that's not a big deal starting a group. I'm just saying that a scenery section on the main forum would work alot better and be used alot more than a scenery group, since scenery doesn't really differ much between scales. Structures on the other hand might do better in the groups section, split into scales. But I'm not the one to start that, since my structure experience is pretty low. Mike
The important thing to remember is this is Cityscape and Skyscraper Forum and only Cityscapes and skyscraper. No Trains, no other structurs related to Model Trains. In point of fact the posters in this type of forum do not like or build Model Trains or Model train layouts. And do not post topics on or about model trains. Yet the Forum would be on a Model Railroad/Model Train/Train Layout site. Now how does this affect your desision to allow such a group on a model railroad site. See ya Ron
I voted yes and hope a group is formed. There are a number of excellent urbon modelers out there that could lend their expertise to we wannabes. George
I voted no, but only because I think that having it limited just to skyscrapers is too restrictive for a forum page. Now, if it were scenery and structures... One way to show that there is a lot of interest is to start a group. If you spend some time building it, it will likely succeed. Pastoolio' N scale detailing group, PowerSteamGuy's Unitrack group, and Mystere's N scale steam group are examples of groups that have built up through the efforts of their moderators.
A skyscraper, for all its height and mass, is still only a building. In that respect, it is no differenr than a small rural depot, which is also a building. Granted there are obvious differences between the two examples, but they are still buildings. In the context of model railroading, a buildings-only forum would best fit the need for anything from outhouses to the Sears Tower. Therefore, I voted no. But, since that's a non-binding vote, and only my opinion, if someone wants to create a forum for skyscrapers, you have that capability right here. CLick on the icon above for Trainboard Groups, and follow thee directions to create your own group. That's how I started the HCD Layout Society, which is kinda small but still serves a niche.
I wanted to vote yes but it wouldn't let me. Grrrr. Anyways I love urban modeling. And just because I and a lot of other modelers model in the urban landscape doesn't mean we don't like trains. There's going to be many in my city, bullet train, steel cars, hoppers, etc, it's the main focus of the layout...just rather than mountains a small town and a few tunnels I and lots of others like to model cities with trains. Check out our two groups one on Flickr and one yahoo group. Flickr: N Scale Model Railroading scalemodelcities : HO -N Scale model cities - skyscrapers Our Yahoo group has 125 members already no advertising the group either. Anyways I'd love to see an urban or city forum section in all scales. :thumbs_up::thumbs_up::thumbs_up:
If done under the title of, and actually devoted broadly to, Urban Model Railroading, I would be in favor of the creation of such a subforum. However, if its purpose were just the discussion of building skyscapers and similar large structures alone, that to me is basically model building and not necessarily a part of the model railroading hobby, placing it outside the context of this forum. Because of this, I voted "undecided". NYW&B (an urban model railroader)
Not really necessary... Though I voted 'undecided'... I'm leaning towards NO... because it would have to be relevant to model railroading first. If you're going to partition the website for groups not directly interested in model railroading... we're straying from the reason 'TRAIN'board exists. I'm by no means against skyscrapers... I enjoy seeing them on layouts and even bought a couple of kits for myself. These buildings are not generally specific to railroading... in fact we could have great layouts without any tall office/residential type buildings (which is generally what skyscrapers are used as). They are great conversation pieces and add variety to the otherwise utilitarian buildings related specifically to industries that are served by railroads. I'd rather see threads showing-off these structures as part of model railroad layouts... instead of threads just about skyscrapers alone. Even though they are interesting and imposing buildings seen in many cities they probably don't deserve their own 'forum' on a model train (or prototype train) related forum. By all means... keep posting threads on the skycrapers you have on (or plan to include in) your layouts!
Additional Thoughts for the Conversation. You can have a group or a stand alone forum for High-rise, skyscraper buildings and cityscapes on any site it it’s owners believe it is good for their site. What if it’s used by only two or three very high level posters who post many sequential posts one after the other on the topic of high-rise building. Would this then would run up the post count and tilt the view of folks assuming there is a lot of activity? Would the occasional mention of trains change folks opinion of the type of Forum or group it is? This is a very generic conversation. However I wonder how many high-rise cityscapes you have seen on a door or 4x8 layout:mwink::tb-smile: See ya Ron
Several modellers have pointed out that small layouts tend to represent small towns and rural scenes. However, you have more justification for compression in a crowded urban area.
Skyscrapers This seems a large enough site to house every aspect of model railroading. Surely everyone would have to agree that many train journeys start and finish in an urban environment which might be home to a few tall ones.....trains don't just travel from village to village......I just don't really understand why anyone should go out of their way to vote 'no' when really it's like television....you choose the channels you want and leave the ones you don't...isn't this the same thing.....but nontheless related?..:we2-policemanbring in the skyscraper police to sort it out)............
The poll is not actually about hosting such a site on TrainBoard - as many posters seem to think. As far as this forum is concerned, unlike the TV channels the TB 'channels' are provided by unpaid volunteers who rely on donations of money and time to keep things running. Since this place is called TrainBoard I don't think it would be right to add totally non-RR areas to their load; which is different from having, e.g. (as some have suggested) a section for scenery or buildings for Model RR.
I can never understand why some people can get so angry over nothing on internet boards. I believe everyone has a right to their opinion, it just makes me wonder what's wrong with people who have to attack a person for openly expressing their views when it differs from theirs. Sad really.
Trainboard is an island of sanity in the midst of madness. We don't scream about politics and religion here. I appreciate the civil disagreements on train forums - I think it shows a level of maturity and intelligence that's not always found on other topics' forums. Personally, I like the wide-open, eclectic format of the Inspection Pit. The hobby has a lot of facets, some of which I wouldn't be exposed to if it weren't for the occasional thread on the topic. When we create small, highly-specialized forums, we isolate parts of the community, and put blinders on ourselves with respect to other examples of great modelling. Tunnel vision? Well, let's save that for looking at tunnels.
I thought I had read all the posts, so am I missing one or more that have been altered or deleted? I don't see anger or 'attacking'...I do see some bitterness at the results so far as indicated in the poll counter, but that is understandable. So far the discussion is quite civil, as it should be.
I like Mr Beasley's take. The Inspection Pit may be a 'catch-all' but it's because it is that it's a consistently interesting forum.
smallbore3p What's your second flag beside the U.S. flag? I agree with you guys too. There were just a couple of posts that make me shake my head that's all. Someone posted an interesting thread on another site I thought was pretty cool. Since there are various replies on this issue. It's regarding mass transits in City layouts. I hope this is not taboo to post a link to another site but it's just hits this issue specifically. If it is taboo feel free to delete the link and accept my apologies. That said, it maybe interesting to read the posts on it too. Rairoad Mass Trasit in city layouts - nScale.net Cheers all... anyone else dealing with a crazy heat wave today? Wow....crazy.
