.

[bob turner]

Even though both subjects can be explosive, my views on religion are simply not important, with the exception of my opinion that those who try to convert others are stepping over a line.

My views on politics are important. Our society depends on all of us being informed voters. Being informed involves much more than twittering.

[robert.]

Here is how it went down. 3 hungry campers sitting around eating. While they listen to an old wise man. Problem was this old chap was missing a few front teeth. So he talked funny. He told these 3 guys from different regions of town how not to be dickheads. Everything he said made these guys better people. Help others, don't steal and leave the neighbor's wife alone. Things we call common sense today. They soaked it all in as the old men yapped away. After eating each guy went his own way.
Several years later all 3 happened upon one and other. During this meeting they recounted what that old man had said. That's when the sheet hit the fan. Each guy had heard something a little different from that wise old man. I heard him say "Yeshua was god" No you dummy He said "Alah was god" Yes he said Alah was the word for god. But not his name. Ok. but Moses is second in charge right? No Muhammad is. The 3rd guy shouts Jesus is god. Only to hear someone say "no he is the son of god"
From that point on they fought over a name of an unseen character. Names have changed over the centuries and a few books have it a bit different. Don't eat pork or don't eat cows. Eat fish on Friday. That's the easy part. The hardest part is BE NICE TO YOUR FELLOW MAN.
There you have it. religion from robert with a r and a .

[webenda]

I only asked for Bob's opinion Robert. This is great, two opinions for the price of one. Thank you, Bob and Robert... life is good.

[De Bruin]

I tend to stick to posting about MR topics on MR forums, if I deviate I expect to get some criticism and that's OK. If I offend someone I might apologize (or not if they're really disrespectful but I digress)
If I post OT's (again at my own risk) and it provokes a reaction I don't like? .....well that's only my problem, period.
Everyone is entitled to express their opinion here, or anywhere else. It is after all only an opinion, and last I checked we all have them and have the right (mmmm...........yep, still there) to express them.
Again, I tend to want to stick to MR topics on a forum devoted to such. There are other venues to go to for other topics if so compelled.
Otherwise, you get what you give if you post it here.

[bob turner]

Yeah, note that there are several posts yesterday and today - not a single one really train related. I am a great admirer of attractive women, but so far I find none of the ones posted here attractive. How about some more L&N coaches?

A political rant might get opprobrium here, but check out what they do to each other on forums designed to discuss politics - it gets ugly enough that murder would be possible if participants were face to face.

And, as above, a lot of murders get committed because folks do not accept the favored religion. At least we have both of those kinds of murders reduced in the USA. I think we are a better educated, more enlightened citizenry than is present in many other places. We can conduct reasonable discussions without resorting to violence.

And - opinion - we really do need some reasonable discussions on how best to govern ourselves between now and November.

[Tom Dempsey]

we really do need some reasonable discussions on how best to govern ourselves between now and November.

Amen Brother!

[Robert]

Yeah, note that there are several posts yesterday and today - not a single one really train related.

Not so....there were several in the thread "One Last Shot" that could have generated addition train related discussion.

Robert

[bob turner]

I disagree - unless you consider "gee, I would like to see a train model" truly train- related posting.

[Robert]

I disagree - unless you consider "gee, I would like to see a train model" truly train- related posting.

I checked my facts again...turns out they were a day off...you win...

Robert

[Chris Rock]

A few weeks ago I visited the forum and thought it had advanced to a pretty good place. There were some good threads moving along. This is really taking a step backward.

[bob turner]

All it takes to get back on track are some train photos. Don't blame me; I have posted all of mine multiple times.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

All it takes to get back on track are some train photos. Don't blame me; I have posted all of mine multiple times.

Several here posed photos.....

[Robert]

More photos are often a desirable ingredient in a forum environment, but there is no sure way to grease the wheels of participation when so many different personal agendas bump together.

There is often a lack of continuity within a posting which can cause the subject value to detour and become useless clutter. People might ask to see more photos or any photos of a certain prototype, and a couple photos get posted by someone familiar....but the person who originally requested said photos does not return with comment, and the thread losses traction and stalls out...and may just fade way.

People come here on a random basis, and their participation is frequently without any specific goal. Thread gets trampled, a subject ignored and those who might have been willing to feed a strong discussion soon see little reason to bother.

Some of my favorite contributors are often the few who do so infrequently. But when they do post, it is usually valuable content.

Just my thoughts.

Robert

[MurphOnMillerAve]

All it takes to get back on track are some train photos.....

If I may assist in that regard, I am posting these photos of a part of my layout to invite your candid opinions on the legitimacy of the presence of such whimsy on what some (I do) might consider a "scale" layout (trying to be as true to 1/43 - 1/48 as possible, given the products available via show, meets and my LHS.)

Now, you may want to tell me to gettheheck out of here since this is a 2-rail forum, and my layout is 3-rail. I would respect that admonition, of course, and simply delete my posting and exit quietly. However, if you should elect to allow this posting here...

Here is the subject of my inquiry of you:
This "Community Fair" is tucked into a side street in the "village" neighborhood of my layout, named "Moon Township," after a nickname my father's friends at National Tube U.S.Steel Mill gave him, back in the 40's-50's.

The fair serves a few purposes: (a) It lets me utilize crazy, self-indulgent purchases I made at train shows that I had no business buying (since I am no longer 10yrs old, that is) but could not resist. At least, they were in-scale with my generally 1/48 layout, so I featured them in a whimsical local fair that presented itself as the culmination point for a Community Parade making its way down the village main (and only) street, eastward, through part of the layout's miniature world. (B) It affords a spot of whimsy that many guests spend some time perusing carefully and with enjoyment. (c) I enjoy its presence.

The progression of photos, from top-to-bottom. shows you, first, the section of the trainroom the section of the layout with the Community Fair is located (just beyond the white church steeple toward the middle of the first photo); then, a closer view of the neighborhood where the fair is located, along with the parade making its way to it; close-ups of the fair itself, for your consideration.
Murph

[bob turner]

I have admired some of the 3-rail layouts - Norm Charbonneau springs to mind, but there are others - Hot Water, etc.

So sure - love to see them. Be prepared to not be offended when some of us (me) casually comments that we cannot quite understand how you can be so completely realistic, and yet tolerate that track and those flanges. That is our problem, and not yours. You guys do good work.