This is not an existentialist question. I visit the "other place" once in a while. I hope this is not out of line and moderators, please delete this if you so feel- Over the last two days, there was a thread started by Thirdrail entitled "Of toads, trolls and tantrums" It is now 11 pages long in the N scale section. I like it here in Peaceful Valley.
Mark: That thread is a complete waste of energy and and is totally non-productive. Stay cool and run steam.....
Each forum has its own character that appeals in different ways to different folks. There are many folks who thrive on the "high energy" that drive such threads. Others don't. That is what is great about the freedom to choose. Do what you like, but don't criticize what other people like. If this thread here starts to turn into a "bash another forum thread" we will surely lock it. And if you build up one forum, it usually implies that others are somehow bad. We do not want to go there.
As Russell and many others have said here before, we at TrainBoard want this to be a fun place for everyone and thus don't tolerate bashing, not even other forums. May of us (including myself) also visit and post at other forums that we enjoy and those we don't like we just aviod. This is why I am here and glad you and the rest of the membership is too...
Agreed. This is a hobby. And you want it to be fun, relaxation, away from the pressures, etc., of life's daily stresses. Boxcab E50
Ok I'm going to shanghai this topic since fluid posted the pic above. Who can tell me what the piece of equipment is and what it's purpose is? I'm talking about the equipment bolted to the side of the points (Switch) not the actually indicator. As for the reason for this topic I wont quote anything further other than to say Trainboard is basically all I visit now I have given up on most other boards.
A derail device? A neat pic, FD. Where? Cuesta? In my travels to Cowl-i-forn-i-a, I have been as far as Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc and Pismo Beach. Beautiful country. I second Paul's comments. I rarely visit any other boards. Trainboard is home to me.
Well, I generally stick to trainboard, but I do go to "The other place" too. There is a different audience there with much more specialised information sources, so on very rare occasions I will post to both for an answer. In regards to a 'totaly non-productive' thread.... Noone can say, with any truthfulness, that there havent been non-productive threads here on trainboard. At times, those "non-productive' threads are light hearted, reminiscent and highly amusing. That, in itself, makes them productive by their very nature because it changes mind sets and keeps people from thinking too hard. As soon as a hobby becomes hard, its a job, not a hobby. When you think about it, most of us are dealing with bygone era's and fallen flags. That gives us room to reminisce all we want, so why should a post of that very nature be something thats ridiculed or flamed? We all have our interests... ie, would a thread about a diorama be useful to someone who is 100% operations oriented? probably not...is that a non-productive thread then? It depends on your perspective, but the rule is 'everything is relative'. If its not interesting or productive to one individual, the diversity of this group (and groups on other forums) means that its GUARANTEED to be interesting to at least one other person out there. Noone, not even a moderator, has the right to make the decision that a post is non-productive or uninteresting. Obnoxious or offensive, yes, but never non-productive. Thinking back, I recall a thread about cats and railroads in here.... That certainly wasnt productive, but sure was funny.
That is a giant ballast barnacle that has attached itself to the side of the rail. They usually feed on small reptiles that sun themselves along the tracks. If prepared correctly they are quite tasty and many recipes have been passed around by hobos, tramps and boomers.
I originally thought that was some sort of a dwarf signal. The more I look at it, it seems to be disconnected switch mechanism.
That was the switch for a very old looking MOW siding up in the custa pass. It appeared to be some sort of remote switching device, but I didn't find it very intersting so I didn't shoot any close-ups. The scenery was what I was there for.
Russell, Those barnacles must be more common South of where I live because I have not noticed any around here. How do you prepare them?
The Atlas board is like a Fast Freight... Trainboard is like a Way Freight... They both have their place...
The reasons for these sidings are almost too numerous to list, but here are a few from back in steam days: There were usually sidings provided up in snow country where a push plow or flanger would be stationed. The reasoning for this was that if snow blocked the line coming up grade, the stored plow would likely be closer to work down grade using an engine from the other direction. Flats of spare rail, ties, spikes and other supplies were also "side lined" to re-supply track crews working away from towns. Crew bunk cars, and even whole MOW trains would be stationed on sidings like this in areas where frequent reapairs would be needed, especially during the War. These sidings also useful as an escape for track inspectors if "caught out" by a fast "Special" like the "Big Hook" on its way to a wreck site.
It is a device used in block system territory. When the switch is open it will open the circuit causing an indication to appear. Every switch in CTC or ABS will have them.
This board is the best place to get honest advice. Also some of the best work is here. I go to the others as well. Like the rest say it's what you want at the time.
