Return of old members

[rogruth]

It is good to see some old, as in long time, forum members reappear recently.
I am looking forward to seeing them on a more regular basis.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I look forward to such a change, too, if I may.
Murph

[AG]

will depend how motivating the conversation is, many old member still crossing the square but not engaging with the crowd. I have few minutes per day to enjoy some forums and not precisely to talk about tv shows, politics or what is happening in my neighbor yard.
at a glance modeling related topics and responce are agonized. Other topics are rampant to high score, but again this is a "model train" forum.

sad, but I thing Tramp was right.
AG.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

will depend how motivating the conversation is, many old member still crossing the square but not engaging with the crowd. I have few minutes per day to enjoy some forums and not precisely to talk about tv shows, politics or what is happening in my neighbor yard.
at a glance modeling related topics and responce are agonized. Other topics are rampant to high score, but again this is a "model train" forum.

I have called for more modeling posts and topics, but the numbers only sporadically increase. There seem to be very few real model railroaders here anymore and that might reflect a decline in internet forums being the destination for such activities now.

So we are left with "tv shows, politics or what is happening in my neighbor yard."..............

So it goes.

[AG]

So it goes.

A Cycle hope so.

[HONDO74]

A few years ago many members from this forum left to go to the "O-Gauge Hobbyist Forum" It closed down last year as nobody was posting anything. And they didn't have "talk about tv shows, politics or what is happening in my neighbor yard."

[NJPiney]

Perhaps old members have nothing railroad-related left to post about. I think I mentioned on another thread that I have a simple transformer-controlled layout. I'm not chasing my tail with new technology and all the questions and problems it ends up entailing. All my questions were answered long ago. I haven't bought new equipment in a long time, realizing I have far more than I need, so I don't need to consult anyone on new models or discuss the latest catalog offerings. I haven't even looked at a catalog in years. I'm now enjoying the owning rather than the aquisition. I'm more active on other forums related to topics that are newer to me, like woodworking. Things are always kicking at OGR but how many threads on what kind of smoke fluid to use can you read? Even with the member turnover there, topics have degenerated into "What did you do today", "What did you buy" or "Steam Engine Saturdays". Mostly threads started for no other reason than to just start a thread.Sometimes I think the most active posters are the least involved in the hobby. When do they have time to play with their trains?

[MurphOnMillerAve]

You make a lot of sense, NJPiney, though I am not sure what you have stated is the whole story. Yet, here I am engaging in a conversation that some might consider related to model trains but not directly about them.

I enjoy participation here, on MTJ, just as I enjoy participating on OGR, because the two sites afford me something in which I am interested; namely, interacting with some unique personalities and unique viewpoints and experiences; plus, some stuff about trains and layouts rears its head, from time to time, which interests me.

So far, as far as having plenty of trains is concerned, as you mentioned that being the solid case with you, NJPiney, and as far as having a completed layout is concerned, there is not a single other effort I am going to extend and/or expend in the direction of my layout ( besides dusting and getting it ready for the occasional visitors,) nor in the direction of any further purchases (83 engines plus sufficient consists for them is PLENTY, IMHO ), so I guess I am present, here, for the people contact. And in that exercise, topics flourish which interest people. That is a pretty basic story in the realities of life. People lose interest all the time in matters that fade away and offer no further stimuli. Such is life, isn't it.

To me, forums such as this one are somewhat analogous to high school reunions. I have gone to several Class Reunions, over the decades. All of us present at the various reunions started with a very common interest. We have discovered the obvious, along the way, which is that we are exactly the same age and generation, more so than less. Yet, when we convene for a Class Reunion, we talk of many topics only vaguely related to our former high school and our experiences and positions there. The past is gone, except for what we took with us in ourselves. New things to discuss, over the decades, continue to evolve. Classmates die. Interests fade or die. We started at a common place, but the realities of what has come to interest us has changed. We adapt, converse, and move forward, or move on.

[AG]

the delta between modeling topic and social topic is too big. this is why the lack of interest of "modelers" to remain in forums, I guess.
We can talk what ever you want between the what we are here (RR modeling) and will be cool.
Now the Car lounge is for that, cool, in the mean time other topic are dying.
broken glass theory?

AG.

[rogruth]

Very well said, Murph.
Now I don't have to struggle to make the same points.
Thank you.

I don't attend high school reunions for two reasons.
The distance involved, although not terribly far, is now more than I can comfortably travel.
Also there would be many acquaintances to talk with but my old friends are all dead.
I think I may have more friends now on MTJ, many that I have never met personally, than the
acquaintances that would be at a class reunion.

Andre,
Your above post was made while I was slowly composing this one and you have also stated the
problem rather well and I also agree with you.

Come to think about it I probably would agree with almost anybody except those that want to let
the forum and/or topics die.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

P.S. My layout is completed, but I do very much enjoy seeing what other hobbyists have done with their imaginations and skills and interests. The variety seems endless and wonderfully interesting. I especially like it when I can detect that a modeler is particularly happy with the results of his/her efforts. It's so very nice to see somebody happy, let alone a fellow-hobbyist.

P.P.S. Also, it is very nice to have one's opinion welcomed about another hobbyist's work, and it is equally nice to have advice or experience invited as input along the way as a modeler makes a layout. When other forum voices express approval of my input offered to another modeler, I feel gratified and am happy I made the effort.

Sooo many people in this hobby of ours are salt-of-the-Earth, good hearts and golden souls that deserve our attention, applause, and company. And so many dear ones have died over the years , that I try not to lose a single other soul, socially, by being abrupt or curt or dismissive on a model train forum; at least, I try not to be that way. People are worth the best we have to offer of ourselves.

For example, from contact on this forum, I have met Roger, Hev, Pete, Mitch, Tonyh. Beautiful souls I know I am honored to have met in-person. And I look forward to traveling to Pennsylvania , this Spring (I hope,) to meet Rufus in-person, for the first time. If Wayne invited me to drive to Arizona for a visit, I think I would at least try.

Life is about arrivals and departures. While in the station, we can at least be happy and grateful.
Murph

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Sometimes I think the most active posters are the least involved in the hobby.

I have had that thought at times. BTW, I just finished the scenery on my layout after a 4-5 week dedicated effort.

Best thing about that is not that it's done, but that all of the stuff that I had stored is either on the layout (90%?) and the rest is in tubs to go to the Strasburg meet in April.

When do they have time to play with their trains?

No idea. I've scratchbuilt 7-8 cars in the last 6 months and rebuilt 4-5 other cars. I've never been busier. This entire forum provides a social interaction that's absent from my basement shop and office, and also a break from stuff when I feel like procrastinating.

And I look forward to traveling to Pennsylvania , this Spring (I hope,) to meet Rufus in-person, for the first time.

I'll be there......

[up148]

This entire forum provides a social interaction that's absent from my basement shop and office, and also a break from stuff when I feel like procrastinating.

I think that is a major draw for all of us. The only O scalers I communicate with are many states away and I don't frequent shows (might start again after I retire), so although MTJ is a loose knit group with vast differences of opinion, we're all into trains and specifically O trains.

We're also mainly a bunch of old cranky farts and I have little association with adults my age, except here. So, for good or bad, the brethren I associate with on this forum are train buddies who are always ready to answer questions and offer suggestions. Very satisfying.

BH

[rogruth]

This entire forum provides a social interaction that's absent from my basement shop and office, and also a break from stuff when I feel like procrastinating.

I think that is a major draw for all of us. The only O scalers I communicate with are many states away and I don't frequent shows (might start again after I retire), so although MTJ is a loose knit group with vast differences of opinion, we're all into trains and specifically O trains.

We're also mainly a bunch of old cranky farts and I have little association with adults my age, except here. So, for good or bad, the brethren I associate with on this forum are train buddies who are always ready to answer questions and offer suggestions. Very satisfying.

BH

This is why we are here on MTJ.
Thanks to all who participate.

[NJPiney]

At 58, I don't yet think of myself as a cranky old fart, but the AARP keeps filling my mailbox with membership offers, so perhaps I do indeed qualify!