Posting: What Are We Looking For?

When posting here on TrainBoard or on any other train type of website, I keep wondering, what are we looking for? Camaraderie, Affirmation, The Best Advice and or are we just jacking our jaw and ignoring everything else but what we want to hear? The last example I just used comes under "Affirmation".

The one thing, just one thing... I've gotten from posting here are good friends and plenty of camaraderie. Not to let go unnoticed, is some excellent advice from a number of gray beards. Check out my profile and yes, I'm a gray beard and proud of it.

As I see it there are basically two types who post here. My studies in college taught me there are multiple types divided into types and etc. For the sake of keeping this more or less simple allow me to focus on two types. One, those who are new to the hobby and are posting questions. Two, those gray beards who have the answers.

Until DCC I thought I was one of the Gray Beards. Was that a wake up call.

Here and elsewhere... I've given my best advice, putting it out there even when it ran contrary to the popular consensus. To clarify: That would be the consensus of the more or less in-experienced newbies.

When I first got started I didn't have the internet. I had the model railroad wig wags of the time. Letters to the editor, sometimes answered six months later. Books made available by Kalmbach and others. Looking to these resources for answers. Thankfully, I did find a mentor who helped me improve my skills at bench work, track laying and wiring. "Stay away from the Common Wiring", he admonished.

Those model railroad wig wags. Most of the time, the level of achievement put out as an example...in the printed page, seemed beyond my ability. To my horror, I found I was learning from the school of hark knocks and lessons learned. Nonetheless, constantly aspiring to become one of those model railroaders. You know the ones I/we read about on a monthly basis.

Today, the internet with it's repetitive questions and seemingly redundant answers. The lack of anyone even attempting to do their own home work or searches wanting instant gratifying answers...puzzles me. I remember so many trips to the library where the subject of model railroading was covered by one book. Ok, you are right I'm jumping from the present to the past and then back again. To the present: Even after someone gets the answer...I've often wondered is there anyone out there listening?

Most of the time we tend to enjoy dissecting and turning each other words around. Taking things out of context or worse the response to a post shows no one is reading. We can discredit each other...all in fun...I hope. I don't mind that but it does tend to distract from a serious straight forward answer.

Examining this a bit further: A newbie will post a question in hopes of getting.... what? The obvious, is an answer to his or her question. But, what if they don't get the answer they are looking for?

Let me give you an example of what I'm talking about. Not that I want to pick on a friend of mine, but he doesn't read anything I write here, nor does he take any verbal advice I give him. Yep, I do wonder at times.

Here's what I'm talking about. He asked me, what radius of curve should he use on his HO model railroad, "What can I get away with?" I explained the benefits of larger radius curves suggesting he push the curves out to a minimum of (I still can't believe this came out of my mouth) 24" radius curve. Suggesting he'd be better off to push out to 30" or even 36". Did he hear my answer...NO! He kept asking and asking until one day I answered with a question, "What do you want me to say?" He answered, I don't know of anybody up here that uses anything wider the 18" radius curves. In other words, why can't he use 18" radius curves? Clearly he wanted affirmation that his plan for 18 inch radius curves was ok. Well, it isn't. Not if you are going to run six axle diesels with full length flats and other long freight cars, never mind those good looking full length passenger cars, as he was planning on doing. Are you getting my drift here?

Getting back to the original question: What are we looking for when we post here?

After almost two decades of participation on numerous model train websites I can count (on both hands) the number of participants who acknowledged my posting by showing appreciation for the advice given, followed up by letting me know how it turned out.

We could both conclude... the advice I've given is bad. Yep, we could spin it off and put the blame on me. I don't think so. Perhaps, misunderstood or worse. Personally, I don't think it was the advice most participants wanted to hear. Advice put on ignore!

I know better then to share this with you. I learned at the age of 40 about my own type of personality...a people pleasing, doormat of a man. Despite this unpleasant behavior which is very tiring and stressful to me...because, it goes against who I really am. I've done my best to play it straight and look the truth straight in the eye. To say things the way they are and let the chips fall where they may. To communicate the toughest lessons learned and hard knocks suffered...so...others won't have to go through the same frustrations.

I've done my best to support and promote the hobby. To encourage you and all others to be better then you are, to aspire to your best. You can play toy trains, freelance or be a nuts and bolts counter. There is a place in the hobby for each and every one of you. I encourage you to enjoy all aspects of the hobby.

Well, I've done my best to get your attention.

So, why do you post here?

 

A most interesting philosophical question, Rick.

Why do I come here? Mostly it's because I'm a nosy individual! I like to see what others are doing. Sometimes, I'm looking for inspiration or ideas; other times, I'm just enjoying what other modelers are doing.

When I post, it's because I think I have something to add to the discussion, either technical knowledge (not much of that, though!) or practical experience (LOTS of that!) or the topic, like this one, has no correct answer but is fun to participate.

There are times when I have "newby"-type questions and want opinions on what others have done to solve a particular problem. While I've been model railroading for 50 years, there are many things I don't know about and I'm not afraid to ask. DCC, in particular!

But mostly, I'm just nosy! LOL

Darrell, quiet...for now

 

That's it right there for me. I used to enjoy flipping through the pages of MR only to find myself bored with the pre-chosen topics. Sure the information was good, but they never addressed anything I was curious about whenever I needed answers.

Those articles also, as you said, appeared way beyond my ability, which made me ask why I should even bother attempting such a project on my own.

Then I found TrainBoard. I remember one of the first threads I read, Project "Uglybug" underway, a progress thread by Tudor scratch building a Mckeen Motor car. The pictures are long gone, but being able to watch that thread unfold right in front of me, and knowing at any time I could jump in and ask direct questions peaked my interest a thousand times more than any magazine article.

Then it turned into inspiration. These threads were not written by some distant author, unavailable to comments and criticism. It was real people with whom I could converse with, almost in real time. That inspired me to take on projects of my own, again, a thousand times more than any magazine article could.

Soon, I found my own skills and knowledge growing at a rapid pace. I began answering the questions that not long ago, I would have been asking myself. Furthermore, I began adapting the knowledge and techniques of others into techniques of my own, and in turn shared them back with the community.

Over the few short years I've been a part of the TrainBoard community, my best scenic and photographic efforts went from this:


To this:


And all of it was inspired by the various other projects found here on TrainBoard. My only hope is that my efforts in turn inspire others as well.

That's why I post on TrainBoard.

 

I post in any forum I visit when I feel I have an answer to a question, when I have a question of my own, when my experience is at odds with what another member posts, or there is an apparent difference of opinion or a slip in communication that I think I can help to settle by being a more objective onlooker. The latter may or may not be over a subject with which I am familiar, but I am pretty skilled with written expression and can often pick up when there is a problem with understanding.

I have also been known to 'tackle' someone who I feel is being objectionable in their posting behaviour, although at my stage of life, and with my background in both education and work, I know enough to be respectful, civil, gentle, firm, and highly patient.

Additionally, I don't find myself very confident about many things I hold as true. At this point in my life, I find that things move around me a lot. I have slowed, and the rest of the world hasn't. So, while I often think I have a solid grasp on what's what, someone often corrects me. About the only thing I know reliably these days is what I like about anything, or what I dislike about anything. The forum would be a volatile place if we just posted opinions because they tend to polarize the discussions. Instead, I feel it is best to simply relate one's experiences over repeatable and verifiable functions and let others take from them what they will.

One last point, because I can get long-winded...this hobby is an intensely personal one that stretches every one of us at one time or another. Some personalities don't react well to change or to statements that describe a reality other than what they 'know' for a reality, and they can become quite anxious and snarky. Other personalities can suppress their egos sufficiently to continue the dialog with the hope that they either prevail or learn something that forces them to reconsider.

 

I post here because I'm trying to stall and not get anything done... :tb-biggrin:

I don't mind giving an answer to a question that I know won't be used cause they have already made up they're mind on how to do it. It's okay for newbies to smack into the wall once in a while. I deal with it in my day job at Home Depot all the time. They learn and figure out it's worth listening to the old guy the next time around.

Other than that, I like to see what others are doing and have done. Before the Internet, you'de see who the mags wanted you to see. There's alot of good talent out here that will not be in the pages of (fill in the blank here) magazine. To me, that's the modeling worlds loss.

 

I'm here to get:

- Answers to my MRR questions
- New modeling tips/techniques
- News or rumors on upcoming products or industry trends (both good and bad)
- A chance to see pictures of other people's models/layouts
- The opportunity to share what I've learned with those that don't know as much as I do (and in turn they do the same)

My first online experience with model railroads happened in the early 1990s with the local BBS (Bulletin Board System) where people in my local area talked about model railroading, at least whoever was subscribed to the BBS. Then it was the text-based Internet (USEnet newsgroups (Anyone remember rec.models.railroad?). I've learned so much through the online medium because response was relatively fast (hours to days as opposed to months for a magazine, if they do pick your question). Also, when I converted from HO to N in 2006, this forum and a few others were EXTREMELY helpful to me, and I'm glad to help others who are currently making the transition themselves.

 

Interesting topic. At my age I don’t do a lot of modeling anymore but I enjoy learning of new products, techniques and prototype information. I particularly enjoy seeing the works of other folks and I find that this forum offers a wealth of interesting information and photos.
I very seldom post to existing topics or start new ones because with even 50 years in the hobby, my past knowledge is dated and I’m more interested in the newer methods. Maybe old dogs can’t learn new tricks but some of us try.

George

 

Ideas, inspiration, the occasional assistance when all else fails and, of course, those priceless "oh, so that's how it's done" moments.

I don't mind if someone asks a question that may seem obvious to the experienced and might well be answered somewhere else in this vast encyclopedic repository of knowledge, or elsewhere for that matter. No sense in me getting grumpy about it. If I have the answer, I'll graciously give it. If I know where the answer is, I'll politely point to it. Tag a smiley face at the end, and my mission is accomplished.

I'm not quite a newbie, but not a Gray Beard either. I'll also have the occasional question. Recently, I needed to remove the shell from Kato GP35, for painting. I immediately observed that this was not a simple pry-and-go job. I looked at the assembly sheet right side up and upside down. I searched the board. I searched the internet. I came up with basically the same thing that came in the box with the loco - the assembly sheet, which doesn't say "pry here to remove" anywhere. So I asked the question here. And promptly got a polite, gracious answer that pointed me in the right direction. And for that, I am very grateful.

That's why I post. I want to improve how I enjoy my hobby, and help others improve how they enjoy it, as far as my expertise goes. I want it to be fun for me, and fun for others. If it isn't fun, it's no longer a hobby, it's a chore.

And I almost forgot - also to (most importantly... ) show off my handiwork...

 

I post and read here due to the fact I love this hobby. Being somewhat new the information here is enormous and has paved my path.

Also entertainment when at work, with no work.

I don't post allot, as you can see but, I am on this site most all day and into the eve.

I don't personally know one person here but, I can say form reading the words here, one heck of a good bunch of people.

Joe

 

That's pretty much what I do. My railfanning decreases every year. I'm pretty much just a modeler now.

Maybe I don't railfan so much because of all the great railfan pictures on the internet?

 

Hmm. Why am I here? I'm finding that pretty hard to define, so I'll maybe come back sometime when I have a better idea

But this thread does put me in mind of something I read a little while back about advertising, and particularly the glossy advertising in magazines and on signboards for cars (that's automobiles for some of you ) and other high value stuff.
They said it's not there to sell cars - it's there to reassure the people that already bought them that they made the right choice.

 

Well thought out first post. You have put down on paper (screen) what many of us, either consciously or unconsciously have thought.

 

Through Trainboard (and other forums to an extent) I have learned new techniques in modeling and especially photography. Even this gray beard (I resemble that) can learn a thing or two about a hobby I've been in since childhood.

This forum gives me a chance to share the work I've done (in hopes that it might inspire others) as well as see what others are doing. I love seeing pics of other layouts that I know I will never see in person. The neat thing is you get to see the progress from initial construction to finished product. You can't see that on a layout tour or in a magazine since most RR publications prefer a "finished" look in the photos they publish.

But one of the best things about this forum it seems, is that a lot of friendships are developed by people that will never meet one another but have a common interest. Through this forum they can discuss (or cuss) those interest whether it is railroading or some other topic in the Cattle Car.

The only negative I've found is that time spent in front of this damn computer is time that I could be modeling or running trains. LOL

 

You could fix that with JMRI

 

Not that I'm singling out just one of you but I do want to acknowledge that Russell's help with prototype issues with the Santa Fe, has been a big help. I can't thank him enough for participating here.

cute:

I have a concern and I don't know a better way to say this...so here it comes. I'm shooting from the hip and let the pieces fall where they may.

On to another part of the big picture. One of my reasons I participate here is because of the good friends I've made. Only to see them leave or be pushed off due to differences of opinions with management. This doesn't benefit any of us.

We lack definition and it appears we are working on a whim. We need a better set of rules here and I would encourage the present administration to review there thinking on the subject. A policy and procedure manual may be in order. Perhaps a guideline on how to use warnings followed up with a list of removable offenses. All in the name of improvement of an otherwise fine board and/or possibly the finest website for train discussions. If you get my drift.

Add on: I should have said, all in the name of fair play. My oversight.

Geez, I hope this doesn't lock this thread up but I've got to put this out here.

 

Strangely, I was drawn here for the Prototype threads first, Model Railroading second. The Milwaukee Road thread, with Kens knowledge and Hemi's Ghost threads, is where I mainly "live". My need for Milwaukee Road information is never ending, and I get my fix here.
As far as the MRR aspect of Trainboard, the modelers here are top shelf, friendly and always willing to help. And yes, I like to see how my modeling compares to the others, it pushes me to achieve that next level that we all want to be in. I think we all want affirmation from our peers. It makes us who we are.

 

I really think that should be in a separate thread - it's definitely 'edgy' and not really on topic.
The 'administration' are effectively the owner/operators of this place and can run it as they please subject only to legal action and keeping members. [EDIT: Actually, they don't need to keep members.] They may on occasion annoy me, you or anyone else in the process, but the fact is ... TB is still here after MANY years and has a large, active membership. So whatever we may not like about it they seem to have got it pretty much right.

I don't think a manual would help - who reads the help pages before things have gone pear-shaped?

 

Fantastic thread Rick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Instead of why I post I can better state why I am here. To feel good!!!!!

The first post I made the response was awesome! I felt good.
The first response I made was acknowledged. I felt good.
The first question I had came with good advice. I felt good.
When I read all the ideas, answers, how to's, and see the accomplishments, pictures and support. I feel good.
When I started a thread about posting in the correct section. The Adm's and others showed interest and gave valued information. I felt good. Now it still drives me crazy when threads are started in an area that has nothing to do with that section and would be better off placed where it belongs. I will have to get over it and I feel good that I spoke up.

Background: I am 62 and love trains and collected items over the years but only now will have a place where I can build. I feel confident that people like Rick (I call a friend though I have never met personally) will help with my progress. Guide me as I go. I have much to learn and am lucky at this time, a place like this is available.

It is a good thing to because I am a reader and collected many books on how to over the years. Well that is all gone now as last Sunday some of my collection and all of my reference books and materials went up in a fire where I had it stored. So now this and other forums will be my reference. I feel good that you are all here and I am glad for any reason you post and when I get going I will post for information I have not learned by your posts. Sunday I didn't feel so good but today just posting makes me feel good again.