What is happening to the Forums?

[logandsawman]

Hi Tony,

It seems to me that the activity has fallen off as well, more so than other summers.

We have fewer people building new layouts, which generates a lot of activity, I think. I decided to only post on one forum (this one) although do a small amount of posting on MR. However, I find them a bit intimidating and somewhat cliqueish?

As far as the photo fun thread, I feel that stuff gets gobbled up on there, (Whatever that means). Anyway, I went to posting on the coffee shop instead and I feel like more people see them there.

As a whole I think we do a good job welcoming new people but they don't seem to stick around. Maybe they move to some other place.

Anyway, I think we are doing our best. Dave LASM

 

[Espeefan]

Been a busy summer for me. Also, I generally only post when I'm interested in the topic. I have three of four projects going but haven't had time for any modeling in several weeks. I do check the activity daily. If something gets my attention I'll chime in.

 

[Iron Horseman]

Been a busy summer for me. Also, I generally only post when I'm interested in the topic. I have three of four projects going but haven't had time for any modeling in several weeks. I do check the activity daily. If something gets my attention I'll chime in.

We (as in you and I) have had some good "research" type conversations going back and forth from time to time. Some of those are hard to morph into other research topics though.

 

[railBuilderDhd]

I think it may be a good idea to ask users where they spend time now to learn about the hobby. I know I've been here a long time but I'm not as active as some are here. I try to keep up and just like I am with the hobby in general I have times I'm not involved at all. Then there are other times I'm active. I've joined many forums over the years but this is one a few I keep tabs on. I feel like it is a little like "home" since it was one of the first I ever did join.
I would be interested in learning what keeps other involved elsewhere.
Maybe, figure out how to drive more users to the site? Do you have numbers of year over year use?

Dave

 

[jim81147]

Just speaking for myself , but summertime work really messes with my train hobby . I also wonder what the other forums offer that is not here ? I only know of the Atlas Rescue forum , and while I like it , I cant say it is better than here.

 

[Bruette]

... Do you have numbers of year over year use?

Dave

I would be interested to know that as well.

 

[Iron Horseman]

I would be interested in learning what keeps other involved elsewhere.

How about the opposite? I was a regular on the other side of the tracks since 2003 and about 10,000 posts. But it became such that when anyone new posted something, depending on the topic one could expect certain canned posts from certain members. If one posted about a 4x8 there were at least 6 members that would bash them all over the place and basically tell them they were stupid if they didn't do an around the room like the "Heart of Georgia". If someone posted about an old Athearn or Tyco, immediately several members would jump in and tell them the only solution was to throw them away. Run for the hills if someone posted something about what a real model railroader was - those arguments (can't even call them debates) would go on for pages as if it was a life and death matter and usually devolved in to multi-page rants (quoting the previous person's multi-page rant) of name calling. Also heaven forbid someone call up and add to an old topic regardless of how relevant. Flame thrower city. So they now have about 152 threads on exactly the same topic with the same information in all of them. sigh. Then I noticed that some people would come here, but then go over there and post exactly the same thing - what's the point in that?

I have joined many forums over the years but mostly because I have been researching some topic that seems to have some relevant info there and one has to join to read it or ask further questions. Generally for the past 3 years or so I now frequent only this forum by choice, but our lack of traffic has me second guessing that decision.

 

[Bruette]

...I have joined many forums over the years but mostly because I have been researching some topic that seems to have some relevant info there and one has to join to read it or ask further questions. Generally for the past 3 years or so I now frequent only this forum by choice, but our lack of traffic has me second guessing that decision.

Don't give up on us Iron Horsemen, your knowledge is irreplaceable.

 

[Bruette]

I'm believe it's just an anomaly, this forum will bounce back.

Maybe another factor is health, I missed most of 6 months battling health issues. CJ has been doing the same. I'm sure there are others as well. Unfortunately we are an aging bunch.

Thinking of CJ; This forum was pretty testy and judgmental when I first joined. I posted some things about Tyco, Lionel HO and train sets. I was jumped on with 2 feet by some. They said "throw that junk away". I almost gave up on this forum because I thought it was useless. CJ stood up for me and a few others backed me up as well. They provided the information I was seeking and more.

There were some members who did nothing but try and stir up trouble. I've seen them gang up on other members, it's not pretty. It's almost like a mob mentality. I learned what an internet troll was. Fortunately we don't have members like that any more. We drove them out not with anger, we drove them out with kindness.

We need to attract young people. I believe we should promote train sets for beginners. It's an easy way to get started. Some say it's a waste of money. I don't see it that way. I see it as a learning experience. Once the train bug bites you the infection spreads. Many of us have "wasted" money in this hobby. We buy things we may never use. Anything you use and enjoy it not wasted and the learning experience builds a love for the hobby. It's not where you start, it's the journey of learning that is important.

Here people embrace new members. I am not a modeler because I don't yet have permanent layouts. After I move I will build permanent layouts. Even though I have close to zero artistic talent. I have been inspired to try my hand at scenery. You can't help but be influenced by the great works of art we see on here. When I joined I was committed to "tracks and trains", but things have changed.

Today's world has so many choices for our leisure time. People need to get a taste of model railroading to know if it is for them. Anything that gets them started is good. I always buy the little ones in my family train toys. First wood/plastic sets and Lincoln Logs, battery operated G gauge sets, Lionel LionChief sets. When the little ones are old enough I will buy them Bachmann DCC starter sets. Maybe when they are teenagers they will turn away from trains and models, many of us did. If they come back to their trains as I did I will be happy.

It's not just young people. If you know an adult with free time give them a DCC starter set. I think it will win them over. Who knows they may build a layout with hand laid track and realistic scenery once the bug bites them. That DCC starter set won't be a waste of money.

Like the old saying "put your money where your mouth is" give the gift of model railroading. You will be happy to see their love for the hobby grow.

As a little league baseball coach and player for over 25 years I can tell you all the traditional leisure time activities are dwindling. Once there were hundreds of baseball players. Each community had it's own "in house" leagues with 6-10 teams per age group playing amongst themselves. In addition they had travel teams (all stars) playing other communities.

Now communities field only travel teams. Many communities have no teams at all. I believe it is in part due to the coaches focusing on the most talented players and travel teams. Who wants to sign up for baseball when they have only marginal talent at best? They feel ignored and unwanted. Coaches have to make it fun for everyone!

We can't let that happen in model railroading. We must promote the hobby we love. I believe it's good for the youngsters. Working with their hands and their imaginations is a great thing and something that is fading fast.

I was always a top athlete, but I am a marginal model railroader at best. I feel welcomed here and I am not ignored. I believe this forum will be going strong for a long time to come. It takes time to develop new talent. We need to continue to plant the seeds.

 

[railBuilderDhd]

I know my involvement with the hobby has taken a turn to about 0 activities. I have a 4 year old son now and that is the main reason I don't have the time to be as active as I would like. Now he is 4 and he has a lot of interest in trains so I'm using that to my advantage to be more involved. Some of you may know I've been working on a layout for more years then being a father. I have worked a design from the entire room in the basement to about half that now. I will say I did get the first wood cut this past weekend so I'm getting it moving now. I will be looking for all kinds of info and help. I hope the folks here don't get tired of my asking questions. But it is slow going!

I agree that less activity can be a good thing. Who needs to keep reading a thread of people bashing others.

Question, is the life of the forum at a point this site could close down? What is the management of the site like? Would it be good to have some spend a little to help save this site? We could do a little to keep it alive or maybe help drive users to the site to increase membership.

Just thinking and yes I know that's when I get in trouble.
Dave

 

[bnsf971]

Louis, for scenery, just spray some white glue, water and liquid soap on some plywood, sprinkle some woodland scenica green ground foam on it while it's still wet, and you have instant scenery. No great skill required.

 

[Bruette]

Dave I am with you, kids come first! My grandsons and baseball team take up lots of my time. My kids find ways to eat into the rest. School will start soon and I will have time for trains soon. I would have more time for my trains now, but the free time I have I like to come see what's up here with my train buddies.

I don't think this forum is in any danger, but we can support the forum.

Click on the ads and surf around a bit in those sites. The forum gets some small change for that.

Go to the forum book store and shop for your books. We pay the same price as if we went through Amazon and the forum gets a small commission.

The management of this forum is dedicated to model railroading and I believe they spend more then they make. They are first rate people! That is why this forum attracts first rate members, God bless us Everyone!

 

[Bruette]

Louis, for scenery, just spray some white glue, water and liquid soap on some plywood, sprinkle some woodland scenica green ground foam on it while it's still wet, and you have instant scenery. No great skill required.

Terry I saw on Lionel's site almost the same thing! Paint the plywood green and before it dries sprinkle on some grass looking stuff.

I have my lumber covered in heavy contractors brown paper, it's been dry and the grass is not growing. I have not yet figured out what the masking tape over the seams represents, any ideas?

I do have Leisure Time Products; Mini Highways, Straight Passing Zone, Yellow Dashed Lines (9 Feet) can you tell that was copied straight from my inventory? I am so creative!

 

[santafewillie]

The brown paper is dirt and the yellowish masking tape is strips of dried grass.
Willie

 

[Espeefan]

We (as in you and I) have had some good "research" type conversations going back and forth from time to time. Some of those are hard to morph into other research topics though.

True and they've been fun, but as you say, they peter out when the questions get answered. Before we pronounce the forum or the hobby dead or dying (again! ) I say we wait for the cold weather to pull folks back into their workshops or trainrooms. I think it'll pick right back up. We also have a diverse enough group that new people can browse exsiting threads and probably answer a ton of basic questions without having to post.

I'm spending time here, on Railroad Line forums, (which is also quiet right now) and Sierra West's forum because I'm involved with one of their craftsman kits. I didn't have to post much because there was so much info there already. Maybe we're just becoming a mature group?

 

[JWhite]

I think the slowdown in traffic is just how we interact with each other evolving. Before the internet, people who shared like interests gathered at local clubs, maybe at their local hobby shop, gun shop, performance car parts dealership, race track, etc. and read print magazines. Then the internet came along and people with like interests joined email lists, email lists evolved into yahoo groups and google groups. I am still a member of 12 groups, all model railroading and shooting/law enforcement (the profession I retired from), only 6 of them have had any posts in the past 7 days.

Then came bulletin boards and forums like this one. I am a founding member and moderator on one of the largest firearm forums in the country www.thehighroad.org 217,386 registered members with 6500 active members. You would think with such a large online community traffic would be overwhelming. Traffic is down there too, there is still a lot of traffic, but nowhere near what it was just a year ago. Social media, Facebook, twitter and other platforms seem to be picking up the traffic.

A lot of people are mostly using mobile devices almost exclusively now. A lot of the forum software isn't really mobile friendly, and apps like Tapatalk are far from perfect. I think that's also contributing to the slow down.

Jeff White
Alma, IL

 

[santafewillie]

Tony - Have you noticed the uptick in forum participation since you first posted this on Monday? I have noticed. Maybe it was the kick in the pants that we needed. I don't discount the summer activity of many of our members either.
Willie

 

[Selector]

Most of us north of the Mexico/USA border, including Canada, are pretty much flat on the hobby by the time the grass starts growing in the spring. In the PWN, where I am, it blows, literally and figuratively, from about end October to the end of March. Lots of rain and wind, and temps from 28-40 F. After six months indoors, we wanna get out and smell the plants. Beds need digging and weeding, planting begins for early crops, house exterior repairs need to be started, and bigger fair weather projects get underway. At least, that's how it is for me. I built my second layout inside of six months ten years ago, working through the summer. We're in a new home this year that needs some attention outdoors. I told my wife that this summer would be hard on us, financially and physically, because we have a lot to do to make this place 'ours.' She started grumbling weeks ago, and we're still not done. I haven't spent a solid hour in the train room, where I'm about half-way through to completion, since early April.

We get burned out. I get tired of doing too much train stuff. It's intense enough for me when I'm pretty much consigned to the indoor environment during the winter. I don't want to be indoors now. I want to plant, watch things pop, water them, and get on my paddle board and road bike.

 

[wombat457]

Willie,

Sometimes all it takes is for someone to "stir the pot" and get people a little "antsy" to get the posts flowing again

 

[MarkVIIIMarc]

Not that I ever posted a ton, but I have packed up my HO stuff planning on a move in the next year.

I was just on wondering if I could get some Z scale equipment. Maybe keep the HO for modeling and real work and try to dabble in Z to have something to run even if I can't tinker with it as much.