Atlas Forum shutting down May 1st

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I think the Atlas forum reached its height in 2004-2006, and has been in decline ever since. I'm not sure what happened but people started showing les,, contributing less and arguing more. Its probably a good time to put it to rest.

I have had an account there since at least 2002-2003, but don't post much there anymore. TB has a lot of features that Atlas does not, but I am probably most at home over at therailwire.net, where we have formed a merry band of missfits and northeastern modelers. Sad to see Atlas Forum go, but hope that energy is used to benifit N scale.

[Avel]

I hope they save everything, lots of knowledge there.

[BoxcabE50]

It was a good forum, but I honestly don't understand why Atlas and for that matter Bachmann spend the money on that. It's one thing if it's strictly for support, but as a community building system, it is best handled by Kalmbach, Carstens and well independents like this very site.

I would wonder if they'd thought it was possibly valuable in marketing research. Otherwise?

[SecretWeapon]

I would wonder if they'd thought it was possibly valuable in marketing research. Otherwise?

I'm sure it was at first. As time went on, it got out of control a couple of times. With all the other forums & sites on the internet, including this one, I guess they figure if they want to get opinions, its just as easy & cheaper to post elsewhere.

[DCESharkman]

Maybe they will become a supporter of TrainBoard!

[John Moore]

I came over here to TrainBoard after being on one of the AOL N scale groups way back when. A number of years ago I signed up on the Atlas site and I don't think I ever posted anything there. What I did see was a lot of arguing, flaming, and just plain negativity at the time to the point that I rarely even visited there. In fact so rarely that that I can't even remember my password for there. Now there were and probably still are some decent folks there but I find I much preferr the more consistant civil attitude here.

[vitaccop]

Hmm.. interesting timing for me. I've been on the Atlas forum since about 1999 (as 'tomvitacco') and will definitley miss the insanity. Just a couple of weeks ago I got the crazy "inspiration" to completely dismantle my fairly large (10x6x3 foot L-shaped) N scale layout and consider transitioning over to Z scale. I've even began selling some of my engines, cars and buildings to reduce my collection until I figure out what I'm going to do with N scale. I recently built a couple of small Z scale layouts to test my interest and I seem to like it. My search for a Z scale forum led me to Trainboard so I guess I'll also check out the N forum while I'm here as well. Hopefully lots of us Atlas members will end up over here as our new home.

[CraigN]

Just recently while this forum was down there were a couple on the Atlas board trashing us here at TrainBoard.

It bothered me when they did it , especially since so many people are members on both forums . But I learned a long time ago that it is better not to type than to get involved in arguments of that type.

I prefer the friendly atmosphere here and on N-scale.net anyways but I am still sad to see it go.

Craig

[vitaccop]

I recall reading the Trainboard forum brashing over on Atlas and was wondering what that was all about.. I think I had just signed up for the Z scale forum and didn't really see any of the issues that people were talking about. One thing I really like about Trainboard so far is the actual forum software- it seems to be a more "modern" system and a cleaner look.

[YoHo]

This place does have the friendliest vibe. I am also a member on the kalmbach forums. I mostly stay in the trains section. Our own Stourbridge Lion is a mod and let me tell you, that place is a nightmare.