Expansion project.....

Keith May 4, 2010

  1. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    Keith

    Sorry to upset you, but Train Board rules clearly state you can not mention a vendor or hobby store name at all good or bad. I did get a exception for the G scale section that one could post a custom run that only that hobby shop would handle, in the case of a custom you, you would mention only the product that was a custom run and what hobby shop had it and thats it. Also some names can be a manufacturer and a vendor, so I'm aware of gray areas for the G scale section.

    EMD Trainman
    G Scale Moderator
     
  2. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    Keith it is not me who makes these rules up, here is the link to the No Vendor or Hobby shop names rule > http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=106711

    I noticed another staff member also did not know of these rules. whether I agree with it or not I have to make sure rules are followed. I made some argument and head to be able to post hobby shop names that sell a particular custom run, but no links or prices are allowed. I also got a exception to listing a vendor who is also a manufacturer, but can only mention the product the manufacture, again no links.

    I'm not trying to chase anyone away from the G scale section. Would like to see this post stay, you make nice up dates and have alot of people follow this post.

    EMD Trainman
    G Scale Moderator
     
  3. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    krs and Keith,

    Trust me I agree on both points. The first one is that the link I posted should be in the original rule set for all members to see when thety first join. I myself don't like the no vendor or hobby shop rules but still have to enforce them.

    I can not dicuss what goes on beind closed door with moderators and adiministrators, but I can in my own words from what I understand why this rule came about.

    #1 Reason is that when a hobby shop name is posted niether in a positive or negative way, it was just mentioned for a product........You can almost bet some yahoo will come along with a negative reply because he had a bad experience.

    So if someone posted for example this> I'm getting my new USA Trains heritage series from EMD Trainmans hobby shop. Innocent enough right?

    Then there is a possibility of this happening> Hey, EMD Trainmans hobby shop suck and my order was late not to mention shipping was too high, don't deal with them.

    Now the owner of the site gets this> This is EMD Trainmans hobby store and I'm sending you a official e-mail to remove all negative posts on your board regarding our hobby store or face a law suit.

    Now for those who aren't familiar with laws here, there is one called "Deformation of Character" and thats where this one fits in.

    Now imagine this happening times 10 or 20 or 30, there was more time being spent answering e-mails and getting arid of negative posts, so there was alot of wasted time for the board members here. So to edit out negative or positive remarks out of innocently posted hobby shop names was time consuming for sure. Please don't think no one from those stores are searching the web for negative replies.

    The 2nd reason is you will notice we now have sponsors and a few of them are hobby stores. It would not be fair to list a competitors store name to the one who is sponsoring us on the board.

    Trust me I remember the days where we could freely announce hobby store names with no problems, I don't know the answer, but you two are not the only members compaining and in a way I can see the effects it has, that is why I went to the upper staff asking for exceptions which they granted so far for us here.

    Also please remember this rule is not just for the G scale section, but for the entire board.

    Now in the same token remember we can list manufacturers names with no problems. So Keith, if you wanted to say I'm getting a deal on a Garden Metals Bridge from my local hobby store, thats ok. Sending pms with hobby store names is ok. If you want to censor youself like this> I'm getting a good deal at E_T_H_ which would be short for EMD Trainsmans Hobby store, I have no problem with that either unless I'm told otherwise by a upper staff member.

    EMD Trainman
    G Scale Moderator
     
  4. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    krs

    We do the same here with posts, however we have more people and more model scales to contend with than your average "Large Scale" board. You would be surprised at how many members there is total on the board to the ratio of staff ther is. I'm not saying we are the biggest board, but definately bigger than some "Large Scale" only boards.
     
  5. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    krs

    I meant Garden Metal models, they are a manufacturer, not a hobby store. They sell bridges which is probably why I said Garden Metal Bridges instead.

    Here is thier product page > http://www.gardenmetalmodels.com/products.htm
     
  6. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    It's time to set things straight.............

    Yes the rules are not in with the main ones when you join because they were recently implemented, but they are still in the support group tab.

    Whether you agree with the rules or not, it doesn't matter and I'm no longer going to argue the fact of when, why and how they came to be or if they make sense for anyone. It's really only important that it matters to the owner of the site it certain rules make sense.

    So with that said, I WILL edit out ANY hobby store NAME or LINK that does NOT fit into the Rules, this INCLUDES ANY DISTRIBUTORS also.

    There will be certain ways you CAN list a DISTRIBUTOR.

    Charles Ro Supply is a DIRECT MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR for USA Trains, so in this example it would be ok to bring that name up AS LONG AS YOU ONLY MENTION USA TRAINS PRODUCTS.

    Walthers is a DISTRIBUTOR, be CAN ONLY be mentioned when talking about LGB PRODUCTS ONLY since they are a direct distributor for them.

    For now I still have the approval to mention a CUSTOM RUN ONLY for a hobby shop, but if everyone keeps complaining about the rules we could lose that priviledge.

    NO LINKS TO ANY HOBBY SHOP OR VENDOR WILL BE ALLOWED

    NO LINKS TO ANY OTHER TRAIN BOARD IS ALLOWED

    NO NON RELATED TRAIN PICTURES CAN BE POSTED

    These are all additional rules that have been added.

    You CAN list MANUFACTURERS and LINKS to those sites ONLY - NO PRICES ALLOWED

    The arguement and the NOT understanding why these rules exist ends here.

    Whether you agree to them or not whether I WILL INFORCE THEM.

    This may seem harsh, but I hope I made my point across.

    If ANYONE has any questions whether or not a post may NOT be within the rules, PLEASE PM me, thats what I'm here for, to help out also.

    EMD Trainman
    G Scale Moderator
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Keith and all;

    Please read the link already posted. It explains why we were forced to enact this policy. (Well over 1&1/2 years ago.) We did not like doing this, but actions of others caused this to come about. Here it is again:

    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=106711

    Boxcab E50
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's only silly until the day your phone rings, or you receive an email from someone's attorney threatening action. Then reality strikes at home, as it did for us. Multiple times, until we had no choice. Sometimes it must actually happen to you, before understanding is true. The more we grew, the more it was happening. Simply, CYA.

    Boxcab E50
     
  9. mcjaco

    mcjaco TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, I totally understand TB's position. There's way too many people out there that will tear a place down without thinking.

    I still think it's silly to stop posting because of this rule. It means nothing in the scheme of things, or relevantcy to the thread.
     
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I can only wish out loud that all others understood. We did not want to ever see this situation. We would remove it in a heartbeat, if only... But if will never happen and that is outside of our control.

    :(

    Boxcab E50
     
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    You did miss my point. It has nothing to do with being held blameless, which you could possibly be correct in the majority of instances. It's another aspect.

    TrainBoard Staff is an assembly of some quite interesting and very talented people. (Including the moderator of this Forum- Who is doing an excellent job.) The matter was seriously discussed, at length, with appropriate input. Unfortunately, policy must remain as is, permanently.

    As I stated, I wish people would understand. BTW- I have been involved with this stuff much longer than twelve years....

    Now, I believe this chat has strayed far enough away from topic and can end right here.

    My apologies to EMD Trainman for our highjacking of your forum!

    Boxcab E50
     
  12. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It is, and unfortunately that is fact. We did not react to something which was not ongoing. It is explained in the policy linked.

    Others handle things differently. That's their choice. Some of us are also aboard other places as members. They do indeed lock and remove. If they choose not to, that's their exposure. One day, it could come back to haunt...

    Boxcab E50
     
  13. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    I'm glad it would not stop you from posting. "MOST people on the board are understanding about rules. It's certain members who don't own the board and want things thier way or no way. The Train Board staff members will NOT cave in to those who will not follow rules or want us to ban them and then say they will leave the board or not post.

    As the saying goes the door operates both ways for those who don't like how things operate here.

    As for members like mcjaco, I'm glad you are here and still posting and "Following" the rules.
     
  14. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    krs, I can help clear up a couple of statements I made.

    Charles Ro Supply and Charles Ro Trains Merged around 1988 to become USA Trains. They are indeed operating under one company. Charles Ro Supply is a subdivision of USA Trains.

    A "Direct Distributor" is a distributor who has exclusive rights to be the only on to sell a product "OR" a distributor can be a direct outlet of a product that is manufactured by the same company.

    So with that part explained, Charles Ro Supply offers many other products besides USA Trains, that is why I stated we can only use the Charles Ro name with USA Trains products

    As for Walthers, as you said since they are a "Direct" distributor for LGB which means the "Only" way another hobby store or a person can buy a LGB train is thru Walthers and no where else. Any other hobby store that buys LGB trains for resale "Has to go thru Walthers. So this makes Walthers a direct distributor for LGB.

    I hope this clarifies the confusion a little.

    I understand the confusion about the GartenBahn DatenBank. For right now you can use the name, but please no links until things get more sorted out.

    EMD Trainman
    G Scale Moderator
     
  15. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    BoxcabE50, no apologies needed. You are just helping out and I realize that.

    EVERYONE, I would like to introduce Train Board's top Aministrator BoxcabE50. If there is ANY question of my judgement you can contact BoxcabE50, but I must warn you more than likely he will back me up on my judgements here and the way I apply my moderator edits. Upper Staff members like him do watch out for problems and helps us moderators when they feel the need to and I'm glad he stepped in to back me up.

    On another Note: I do know alot more about G scale than most of the Upper Staff, so I know how and when to apply train board rules to certain topics listed. I don't mean to sound like I'm a Hawk waiting to swoop down and attack, but I will edit out ANY posts that do NOT fit the Train Board rules.

    Again I'm here to help also. If there is a post you want to make and not sure if it fits our rules, PM me I will help out and let you know. I on this board every day no matter what, so I can usually answer in a timely manner.

    EMD Trainman
    G Sclae Moderator
     
  16. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    I will be EDITING this post which in my own opinion has gotten way off topic. If any other negative posts are made in this post regarding Train Board or it's rules I will LOCK IT OUT.

    EMD Trainman
    G Scale Moderator
     
  17. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

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    And all the extra stuff that's happened, ruining things doesn't help either.
    But, maybe the next time I visit a big box that deals in toy choo-choos, I'll
    find a device that will allow me to span some open gaps under my track.
     
  18. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Why not try to build your own bridges? Do you have access to a table saw and air nailer?
     
  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, I'm not actually the "top," so to speak. Charlie (E-8) is the Boss. I just hang out here and gab a lot, so my post numbers are high..... But thanks for the compliment.

    :tb-embarrassed::tb-embarrassed::tb-embarrassed:

    Boxcab E50
     
  20. EMD trainman

    EMD trainman TrainBoard Member

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    krs, unfortunately when it comes to the "Large Scale" community there too many subjects that will and will not fall under the rules. Due to the economy the distributors are becoming more like a hobby outlet, manufacturers are subleting and even own hobby stores or a distribution store. It would be tough to spell out everything here.

    Alot is cut and dry, only manufacturers can be named, i.e. Aristocraft, Bachmann, USA Trains, Hartland locmotive works, etc.

    Some not so cut and dry, take Train-Li-USA they are considered can be considered a manufacturer and also a hobby store. They may sub out the track to be made but in essence it's thier own track. So mentioning thier track would be ok, but you would not be able to mention if they were selling another manufacturer's product.

    I think that is another way to put it. Not to confuse you any more and this will sound confusing but here it goes..... You can mention a name as long as you mention the product that is made by that company even if it is sublet out as long as that product is exculsively made for that company and no one else.

    For example Charles Ro Supply, mentioning USA Trains is ok, but you can't mention the other products in his store because then the subject moves from being a direct distributor to being a hobby store at that point.

    If you are not sure of any subject or anyone else is not sure, again I'm on here daily please feel free to contact me. We can get thru this and get back to regular posting again and in a few days it will come second nature to everyone what can and can not be posted.

    In reality look how long it has been since anyone had made a post that did not fit the Train Board no vendor rules. It has been a while, so I know it's not a big deal in reality. I would dare to say it has been at last about 5 months.

    As far as the GBDB, lets get thru this first and then I can move on to other things.
     

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