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We all have only so much railroad time to spend working on, planning or operating the layout and repairing and maintaining the engines and rolling stock.

 

All the time we spend hanging around forums, searching Ebay and fooling around on other sites is time that could be spent improving, building, maintaining and operating the layout.

 

I ask "What do I have to show for my time?"

 

Do you have trouble, like me, optimizing your train time?

 

I could have added a front coupler to the little docker switcher shown below in the time I spent this pm on the internet.

 

 

IMG_8239

 

Charlie

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Last edited by Choo Choo Charlie
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Yes. I started a portable O-gauge layout about three years ago and it still isn't done and I started an N scale layout about nine months ago that I could be working on right now. I guess I should get off of here and get busy. The internet is very useful when doing research for these train projects, but it is too easy to get lost in it.

I find my forum and Internet train-related time extremely valuable. I learn a great deal that I wouldn't have otherwise known; I see layout designs and scenery that give me fresh ideas; I note that there is a "support group" in various specialties in case I'm stumped by something; and I feel a sense of community, although I don't post too often.

 

Almost all minutes online train-related are worthwhile, IMHO.

   Bob A.

Originally Posted by paperboys:

nah! this where I go while the paint or glue is drying. I get my jollies here, reading some of threads, some of the retorts by the lofty few, without whom the train world cannot possibly do without, at least in their minds,  that make me just shake my head, and think that we have heard from THE authority(s).

That's funny...I just hopped on here while I'm waiting for paint to dry on a project.

I made peace some time ago with the idea that the internet is now one of my "hobbies".  Of course, the internet is so much more, too.  However, you get the idea. 

 

The internet is where I interact with like-minded individuals with like-interests.  It's where I do research into history and things that I find fascinating. I learn about things of interest, received good advice concerning a trip into a new region, even find entertainment thereon, etc, etc, etc. The internet has essentially replaced TV for me.  I even conduct business over the internet with purchases and sales. The net has revolutionized my knowledge base and access to information. The net is so many things. It's unbelievable how it has become intrinsic with the day-to-day process of living.

 

Currently, I'm in the process of digging up rail-related information about Rogers, AR, circa the late 1880's.  Previously, this same approach has yielded unimaginable information concerning obscure rail towns in the Ozark and Ouachita mountains. Try that without the internet.  I know I tried it without the internet for decades: My information base quadrupled once the internet caught on and more historical information began to be posted.

 

A waste of time?  Depends on what you surf!

 

Andre

Yes, I spend too much time looking at and responding on the train forums.  I belong to 6 toy train forums!  Checking them out more than once a day, I would consider too much.  I usually don't even look at forum postings that aren't directly related to toy train subjects, but this subject has reminded me to spend less time on the internet as a whole. 

 

It's time to get back to the layout and play with trains!

Guys:

 

 The answer to the question is no.

 

If we all didn't have this forum to encourage us to interact with each other my interest would have waned a long time ago! Shucks, guys, I try my new ideas out here first! Then, I put them into practice!

 

If I didn't have you then I suppose I would have my local hobby shop or my local train club.After a while for my interest to grow and expand it has to be stimulated.That's where the forum comes in.

 

Mike Maurice

Originally Posted by Dave Allen:

Reading about the hobby, here on the forum, or looking at You Tube videos of layouts and tutorials, or reading my online OGR magazine IS part of my train hobby.

Indeed.  Pre-internet so much was only Lionel this, Lionel that.  If one had other interests,  it was difficult to find any information.  Now one can at least ask questions and not wait to be thrown some crumbs by the magazines.

I don't consider myself a social type, but have been in this hobby long enough to know it's not a whole lot of fun for long without others to talk to and share the hobby with.  I come here to get my "train fix" sometimes several times a day.  We need each other to interact, and share ideas and knowledge.  In the end we all benefit from what happens on this forum.  I consider using the internet, as others have said, a part of the hobby that I very much enjoy.  Eventually, time spent here leads to train related activities offline and I never consider the time shared wasted.

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