It's time to set things straight............. after hearing compaints on certain rules Yes the rules are not in with the main ones when you join because they were recently implemented, but they are still in the support group tab. Whether you agree with the rules or not, it doesn't matter and I'm no longer going to argue the fact of when, why and how they came to be or if they make sense for anyone. It's really only important that it matters to the owner of the site it certain rules make sense. So with that said, I WILL edit out ANY hobby store NAME or LINK that does NOT fit into the Rules, this INCLUDES ANY DISTRIBUTORS also. There will be certain ways you CAN list a DISTRIBUTOR. Charles Ro Supply is a DIRECT MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR for USA Trains, so in this example it would be ok to bring that name up AS LONG AS YOU ONLY MENTION USA TRAINS PRODUCTS. Walthers is a DISTRIBUTOR, be CAN ONLY be mentioned when talking about LGB PRODUCTS ONLY since they are a direct distributor for them. For now I still have the approval to mention a CUSTOM RUN ONLY for a hobby shop, but if everyone keeps complaining about the rules we could lose that priviledge. NO LINKS TO ANY HOBBY SHOP OR VENDOR WILL BE ALLOWED NO LINKS TO ANY OTHER TRAIN BOARD IS ALLOWED NO NON RELATED TRAIN PICTURES CAN BE POSTED These are all additional rules that have been added. You CAN list MANUFACTURERS and LINKS to those sites ONLY - NO PRICES ALLOWED The arguement and the NOT understanding why these rules exist ends here. Whether you agree to them or not whether I WILL INFORCE THEM. This may seem harsh, but I hope I made my point across. If ANYONE has any questions whether or not a post may NOT be within the rules, PLEASE PM me, thats what I'm here for, to help out also. EMD Trainman G Scale Moderator
Here is the link for the NO VENDOR or HOBBY store names policy http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=106711 EMD Trainman G Scale Moderator
I will say that alot of the G scale or "Large Scale" people have been co-operative and understanding about the rules, so the harshness in the first post does not apply to those who followed the rules and edited themselves or was not offended by me editing thier posts. EMD Trainman G Scale Moderator
If anyone thinks this board has rules that are "Unfair" I dare those G scalers to join the Aristocraft forum and then make a post about USA Trains or MTH or Hartland or LGB and see what happens to you there.
I WILL allow first letter censorship of hobby store names. One example would be I got my locomotive from EMD Trainmans Hobby shop would NOT be allowed. But if stated you got your locomotive from E_T_H_S, that would be fine for rigt now and then you could pm each to find out what the store name if someone can't figure it out. PLEASE when doing so, keep the post nuetral, no positive or negative remarks. Stating I got my locomotive from E_T_H_S and they were slow shipping it will NOT fly here. Again any questions on if your post is within the rules, please pm me first. Hopefully all of the G scalers who got upset over these rules can calm down, move on and we can continue to have a GREAT "Large Scale" section here. Now Lets have some fun EMD Trainman G Scale Moderator
That's really a low blow, trainman. The Aristocraft forum is a manufacturer sponsored forum, not really comparable to the trainboard or all the other Large Scale forums.......although, I must admit, at the beginning I thought this was the USA Trains forum since that was where the focus was. I'm sure Lewis would mind someone mentioning USA Trains on the Aristo forum if the comment was that USA Trains products were crap and Aristocraft is so much better. But yes - you are right - I know several people who were banned from the Aristoforum because the kept criticizing the product. But Lewis also does a good job of answering peoples concerns, some people just seem to loose sight of the fact that for Aristocraft and all the other manufacturers, this is a business not a hobby - they need to make money when all is said and done, not just spend like we hobbyists do. I actually wish that USA Trains and LGB had a manufacturer sponsored and monitored forum where a company representative would address any questions directly. LGB did have a forum when it was still run by the Richters, but after Marklin bought them, all that was abandoned including their product database.
That would be neat if each manufacturer had thier own forum. I'm not sure why they don't Aristocraft seems to be the only one. It may come off like a USA Trains board because thats what I'm interested in and I'm active in that area, but anyone can actively start a LGB or Hartland or Bachmann, etc post at any time. I welcome all brands here.
If anyone wants to start a manufacturers post I'm all for it. A all Bachmann or all LGB or all Aristocraft, it doesn't matter. I welcome all brands, it would be nice to have a diverse amount of info regarding many brands in this thread. As I said before, I never wanted to turn the G scale section into a USA Trains section, not my intention. Most of my experince is in that area which is why I'm so active about USA Trains post. So if you are willing to put in time and want to start another manufcaturers post I give anyone a open welcome to do so. EMD Trainman G scale moderator
I think starting a manufacturer's thread in this forum would be counterproductive. If people talk about a product or feature or capability, I'm interested in all products that fit that description, not just the ones from one specific manufacturer. It's also the way the GBDB database is set up - by product not by manufacturer although one can of course search by manufacturer. A manufacturer's forum (IMHO) is really only useful if there is official manufacturer representation on that forum, otherwise it's just like any other train forum.
Alot of people are interested in all brands that is for sure. We actually have one manufacturers thread here already while as you pointed out it is not supported by a actual manufacturer representitive. There is nothing posted in the USA Trains registry that is not related to USA Trains As you admited, the USA Trains registry attracted you here in the first place. But how neat would it be if someone also started a Aristocraft Train thread or a Hartland Locomotive Work thread or a LGB thread. I still would welcome this with open arms and like to see it myself. Although the GBDB may have alot of this info already, a person who is dedicated to lets say Aristocraft could come here and document history and the trains that Aristocraft made in thier own words. Another words you could just about write your own version of a book here in text basically without being limited "ALMOST" to the site. You could do more than just write basic info about trains here is what I'm saying. Look how huge the USA Trains registry got after I started it and alot of people got involved. I really think this can happen again with any other different manufacturer, all it takes is someone who is knowledgeable in the particular train manufacturer and start the thread and you will attract others interested in that product just like you were attract here by the USA Trains registry. Imagine how popular the G or "Large Scale" section would be if we had text book like info here on all those manufacturers. I personally would like to see one started on Aristocraft and I would read it, I think it would be interesting to read the history and how the products came to be and seeing some of thier limited runs.
Rules of discussion regarding Ebay We now have Ebay as our sponsor and because of this there will be certain rules about how Ebay will be discussed on Train Board which I WILL INFORCE as per new policy. PLEASE READ: This is a ADDED RULE. This will NOT come up in the basic rules of the forum, HOWEVER it IS in the SUPPORT section of Train Board. Here is the link we and I think we ALL should take the time to read it link > http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=119242 Thanx in Advance for your co-operation EMD Trainman G Scale Moderator
Please PM me regarding any statements or questions about TrainBoard policy rules, theses statements that are posted in the forum are NOT considered on subject topics. The Upper staff members and I will DELETE those questions and statements in the main forum.
