Running Bear's June 2023 Coffee Shop

[Snowman]

The length of a flat car?

Close enough. Actually it's because the standard length car used to transport rail sections was a forty foot...gondola...which has vertical ends, whether drop ends or not. Thus the ends of the rails were cut short* by six-inches each--a foot total--so they could fit inside that standard gondola.

[* Not really cut short, of course. They just cut them all to thirty-nine feet hot off the presses]

 

[Snowman]

Ok fair enough, I have no idea if there was a complainant about that and I agree to a point, but and I stress this is NOT a complaint, merely an observation, and I'm going to use Willie as an example, so sorry Willie.

Willie I think we can all agree is an excellent modeller, his layout is comprehensive and very diverse,with varied scenery, building's etc. he has spent a lot of time and energy to get the layout to where it is, and is still not complete.

Now, Willie only post's in the coffee shop, I know he post's in other thread's with his extremely diverse knowledge of American RR's and advice on other topic's, but his layout as far as I can find, can only be found in the shop.

Now as someone who loves his work, in order to follow this work, I have to trawl thro' a myriad of post's concerning the weather, Cooking tip's, the NBL NFL, BBQ sauce Gravy etc. etc. which is fine, that is what the shop is all about, I get it, but I have little interest in most of it as it's either of no interest or it's happening a couple of thousand miles away, but if something catches my eye I'll comment as you know.

I would myself, (again this is my opinion) prefer Willie to have his own thread for his layout, where someone like myself can follow ask question's about his work, without trawling thro' 101 post's to get, to my mind, the ONE golden nugget of his layout.

Now I know you'll probably say "well scroll past till you get to what you want" My answer is I can't, the coffee shop is locked away every month, and by the time I find something I want to ask Willie about, in a post say 18 months ago, by the time I've returned to present day, I'll probably have forgotten.

Now Willie has been a member for 12 years, so if I want to go back to the beginning, assuming he started his layout post's soon after becoming a member, how many thousand of previous post's do you think I would have to trawl through.

Willie does also post regularly in both the "Front End Friday" and "Western Wednesday" threads.

 

[Snowman]

For those who might have missed it: Willie is still here. He's thrown up a few "likes" in just the last few hours.

Which is a good thing.

 

[Boris]

Ok fair enough, I have no idea if there was a complainant about that and I agree to a point, but and I stress this is NOT a complaint, merely an observation, and I'm going to use Willie as an example, so sorry Willie.

Willie I think we can all agree is an excellent modeller, his layout is comprehensive and very diverse,with varied scenery, building's etc. he has spent a lot of time and energy to get the layout to where it is, and is still not complete.

Now, Willie only post's in the coffee shop, I know he post's in other thread's with his extremely diverse knowledge of American RR's and advice on other topic's, but his layout as far as I can find, can only be found in the shop.

Now as someone who loves his work, in order to follow this work, I have to trawl thro' a myriad of post's concerning the weather, Cooking tip's, the NBL NFL, BBQ sauce Gravy etc. etc. which is fine, that is what the shop is all about, I get it, but I have little interest in most of it as it's either of no interest or it's happening a couple of thousand miles away, but if something catches my eye I'll comment as you know.

I would myself, (again this is my opinion) prefer Willie to have his own thread for his layout, where someone like myself can follow ask question's about his work, without trawling thro' 101 post's to get, to my mind, the ONE golden nugget of his layout.

Now I know you'll probably say "well scroll past till you get to what you want" My answer is I can't, the coffee shop is locked away every month, and by the time I find something I want to ask Willie about, in a post say 18 months ago, by the time I've returned to present day, I'll probably have forgotten.

Now Willie has been a member for 12 years, so if I want to go back to the beginning, assuming he started his layout post's soon after becoming a member, how many thousand of previous post's do you think I would have to trawl through.

Ok, I see your point here. That's the down side of the coffee shop. There are times that i will click past three pages of posts to get to the end, and I tend to miss a lot. I had to back up to my previous post to see what happened when this issue hit the fan. Let me just say that this is where compromise comes in. In retrospect, had Tony brought up the subject instead of unilaterally changing policy, perhaps some of the principals could have been persuaded to transfer their work to a single thread. The way it was handled, unfortunately, created more animosity than good. Hope it's resolved soon.

 

[Snowman]

Reminds me of the Sunday morning NPR puzzle with the New York Times puzzle master. I seldom know the answer, but the quiz is fun!

BTW..."NPR" is NOT the correct answer.

[Oh, heck! Neither is "BTW!"]

===========

Hintitty hint hint: The first letter of the three letter answer is "D."

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I see the point. I wish GarryCBQ had a thread for his Lionel Christmas trains. I'm glad he shared them in the coffee shop, and I got to see them!!

It's un-American to tell somebody you got to do this, or that.

We are not shouting fire in a crowded theater. It's not porno, it's a model train photo!

What is the big deal where it gets posted? To me it is up to whoever posts the photo where he puts it.

AMEN, Brother!

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I am a newcomer here, and no I did not complain to the mods. I enjoy this free-flowing forum. I would rather see, These are my Choo-Choo's posts rather than baseball scores. But, I have this marvelous device, its called a scroll wheel, when I encounter a posting that I am not interested in, I use it, til the offending post goes away. I am beginning to use it more, to eliminate all of the Edict posts. Let's get back to what we do here MR.

Double Down AMEN!

 

[Sirfoldalot]

View attachment 169787

Lots of thought went into your post, HUGHIE. Fantastic job!

 

[Jaz avalley]

What if I'm uncomfortable doing that?

Just spent some time wandering through another forum, a topic oriented forum, and lo and behold what did I find? Several of those who disagree with my view on this subject, prominently posting...I'm now convinced the edict was by design. Not mentioning names, just making a point.
I don't frequently post there, although I have been a member there for about the same length of time as here. I'm just more comfortable here, and very uncomfortable posting there. Guess maybe I should reconsider my options, before I get cancelled, eh?

some people do not want the responsibility of their own thread, may not want to have to feel that they must then report in a structured manner and field comments, and would just like to share an update with friends,I thought the coffee shop was for everyone,and am still flabbergasted that in a railway forum that you cannot talk about railways in the coffee shop.
Several times people have share that the are not interested in a specific topic,they either scroll past or are politely asked to scroll past,why. Can’t others just politely scroll past the railways, it’s a coffee shop let us enjoy it as we will are we doing any harm? Has the edict that you can speak about most anything except railways upset people too right it has, I enjoy seeing people’s layout this was an established tradition a very long time before I arrived,and frankly it should renain a tradition after I am long gone.
Some of the railway posters have carried this thread in a fair mannered way and yet their wishes are over ridden.
Live and let live and stop policing others unless a mod wants to stop us on the politics and religion which Terry has in my experience also fielded with a gentle aplomb. Despite the fact he must think from time to time he would like to slap us but puts up with us and shows off his patience with humour and respect for the in mates.
Live and let live when did this become a police state!

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Quik Quiz. Re the photo of #5128: A snoot. It was a distant forerunner, back then, of...what commonly used thing we have (real-railroading has) today?

The answer is a three letter anacronym.

[note: Searching the internet isn't allowed]

------------------

Re my last query about why US rail sections are/were 39' long?

Anyone want to hazard a last guess?

So that they could be transported on a standard flat car (at that time) of 40 feet

 

[McLeod]

One thing that I know about Willie, is that he stores photograph's in files. If someone wants to know something, Willie actually takes the time to look through his files and tries to help the person with a problem. If he can find it, he will repost any photo you want to know about. He's a good person and hopes to help, if he can.

I suspect that most people who go into the shop will try and answer questions or help with photos, if they can. It's just the nature of the people who are involved in the hobby.

I'm thinking that as soon as Willie and the rest return, the coffee shop should be back to normal. Which is a good thing, because I'm running out of nice rocks.

This poop-show seems to be getting squared away naturally by the majority.
Nature always tries to square things out, like it did this perfect orthoclase feldspar:

I'm betting folks didn't realize that I know more about rocks than I do trains. It's just another hobby I enjoy; but. it took the Coffee Shop for you to be able to acquire that knowledge.

Have a great day!

 

[Jaz avalley]

How dry is the driest Martini you ever had? How dry is the Sahara? How dry is the Mongolian desert?

Not nearly as dry as the tone of my voice here. I'm veritably dripping with dryness, in fact.

From post #709: "We forgave the British when they burned Washington...".

View attachment 169801
Yes we did. So....<spoken dryly. I think I mentioned that>.........

[Open political rant]

........................................Where are the British when we need them........................................

[Close political rant].

I’m here

 

[Jaz avalley]

Willie does also post regularly in both the "Front End Friday" and "Western Wednesday" threads.

He opened mini scene Monday, which he and several of us from the coffee shop post on regularly,where his work is showcased

 

[Bruette]

I don't care, I had relatives who went to these "resettlement camps", whole families, generations, wiped out in seconds because of that monster, and she has the nerve to invoke that name in a forum and compare it with a member, any member, she should be ashamed of herself.

You are absolutely right!
Forgive me and Jaz, Smudge. We had no idea. We would never take lightly the loss of so many. We know Jaz to be a kind and caring person. Please forgive her terrible mistake.

 

[Jaz avalley]

One thing that I know about Willie, is that he stores photograph's in files. If someone wants to know something, Willie actually takes the time to look through his files and tries to help the person with a problem. If he can find it, he will repost any photo you want to know about. He's a good person and hopes to help, if he can.

I suspect that most people who go into the shop will try and answer questions or help with photos, if they can. It's just the nature of the people who are involved in the hobby.

I'm thinking that as soon as Willie and the rest return, the coffee shop should be back to normal. Which is a good thing, because I'm running out of nice rocks.

This poop-show seems to be getting squared away naturally by the majority.
Nature always tries to square things out, like it did this perfect orthoclase feldspar:
View attachment 169816

I'm betting folks didn't realize that I know more about rocks than I do trains. It's just another hobby I enjoy; but. it took the Coffee Shop for you to be able to acquire that knowledge.

Have a great day!

I too collect rocks, so if your stuck I might be able to helpout :‘d although a lot is in jewellery which might cause a lot of groaning…..snickers
luckily for you I was a Lego nut as a kid and not Barbie dolls I do have a cuddly toy collection I can roll out, now now boys only joking…….runnnnnnns

 

[Bruette]

It's past my bedtime! Good night, Everybody!

God Bless Us Everyone

 

[troyphoto]

Because in my opinion, the coffee shop is the place to comment. That's always been the attraction here at the "modelrailroadforums.com". I can make multiple comments in one place, at one time. For example comment on the weather, what's going on in my neighborhood, health matters, respond to multiple posters, include photos of my layout and or prototype railroads, or fire trucks, all in one post at one time and all without deviating the topic. In a specific topic forum, I can only comment concerning the topic....then go to another topic for an additional comment. I don't bother with specific topic strings, because to me they are inconvenient. There are numerous categories available for those who like that way, and the coffee shop for those that prefer Free Form. Personally, I don't see a problem with the way it was, and someone's need to upset the apple cart and piss so many people off.

The emphasis above is mine....
BORIS: EXCELLENT Point, and made better by Smudge's post below...

Ok fair enough, I have no idea if there was a complainant about that and I agree to a point, but and I stress this is NOT a complaint, merely an observation, and I'm going to use Willie as an example, so sorry Willie.

Willie I think we can all agree is an excellent modeller, his layout is comprehensive and very diverse,with varied scenery, building's etc. he has spent a lot of time and energy to get the layout to where it is, and is still not complete.

Now, Willie only post's in the coffee shop, I know he post's in other thread's with his extremely diverse knowledge of American RR's and advice on other topic's, but his layout as far as I can find, can only be found in the shop.

Now as someone who loves his work, in order to follow this work, I have to trawl thro' a myriad of post's concerning the weather, Cooking tip's, the NBL NFL, BBQ sauce Gravy etc. etc. which is fine, that is what the shop is all about, I get it, but I have little interest in most of it as it's either of no interest or it's happening a couple of thousand miles away, but if something catches my eye I'll comment as you know.

I would myself, (again this is my opinion) prefer Willie to have his own thread for his layout, where someone like myself can follow ask question's about his work, without trawling thro' 101 post's to get, to my mind, the ONE golden nugget of his layout.

Now I know you'll probably say "well scroll past till you get to what you want" My answer is I can't, the coffee shop is locked away every month, and by the time I find something I want to ask Willie about, in a post say 18 months ago, by the time I've returned to present day, I'll probably have forgotten.

Now Willie has been a member for 12 years, so if I want to go back to the beginning, assuming he started his layout post's soon after becoming a member, how many thousand of previous post's do you think I would have to trawl through.

SMUDGE:

For the record, Willie is almost always active in other threads. He's a resource of knowledge and often answers questions asked by others outside of the Coffee Shop. I don't, because I don't have the in-depth knowledge of the hobby to share. There are a few fields where I can share my knowledge (3D printing, photography, figure painting). But Willie and Karl's knowledge of MRR and Trains far exceeds mine.

What you're saying with the post above is that it's an inconvenience for you to visit the coffee shop, and you want to force Willie, and other modelers that post here to post the way you want them to? Is that a correct read?

The downside of that is that method is a lot of us are persnickety enough to stop posting modeling info/photos from our own work. Especially when we're forced to by a sudden THIRD RULE that drops out of nowhere with no prior discussion about it.

If that's what you wanted, there was no need to contact Tony and get him to enact a rule. All you had to do was reach out in the coffee shop and give positive encouragement to those whose work you'd like to see encapsulated in a thread.

Either they can say Yes! Happy to help you out, or they can give their reason for not doing so.

The hornet's nest that this has provoked should be proof positive that kind words and polite requests work far better than having a moderator make a new rule.

 

[Jaz avalley]

You are absolutely right!
Forgive me and Jaz, Smudge. We had no idea. We would never take lightly the loss of so many. We know Jaz to be a kind and caring person. Please forgive her terrible mistake.

Absolutely correct, I would never knowingly use Hitler in an argument if I had any thought it would in itself cause distress, and for that you have my whole hearted apology.

 

[Smudge617]

What you're saying with the post above is that it's an inconvenience for you to visit the coffee shop, and you want to force Willie, and other modelers that post here to post the way you want them to? Is that a correct read?

No, it would be easier admittedly for anyone who wished to follow Willie's work, but I cannot FORCE Willie or anyone else for that matter to do anything, I could have asked, which I didn't, perhaps if I had this whole thing might not be what it now is, but that is all, and as I said it would make it simpler and easier to follow any modeller who's work without the various day to day chatter, which you all enjoy.

If you wish to interpret that as forcing someone to do something by asking or not asking something, I cannot stop you.

 

[troyphoto]

Jaz raised an excellent point.

Despite my lack of MRR knowledge, I started my own thread for my project. Why?

1. I'm a journalist - and can handle both written AND Visual storytelling (and, I give extra typos at no extra charge!)
2. I enjoy that aspect of this hobby - in my spare time I edit a Hobby Blog about little toy soldier gaming. We've got about 20 writers that I have to continually harrange to write up battle reports about their games, or review a book or game, etc. I do my own share of the writing there, so they don't come back with a grievance about how all I do is grump at them.
3. Having a thread of my own is way to feel good about the project, since I'm unsure half the time that I'm making wise choices. A thread is yet another way for me to get Atta-boys! and feel good about the process.

I can see why some people would rather be in a "conversational tone" about their hobby work. If that's work works for them, great. At least they're writing and posting photos somewhere.

If you'll excuse me, I need to go flog a few gaming writers to get their stories in. Where did I leave that wet noodle?