One of the significant problems here is the word “news” in the title. Our culture denotes “news” as gossip, smut, accusations or other non sense. We post “news” ( as defined adove) as anything slanderous. Largely, even our culture on RYPN allows such non sense.

Of critical note, I find it interesting that when the shoe is on the other foot, it seems to hurt. Not catching my drift? Let me be clear. When the neXt generation of steam fans goes out on specific witch hunts against fellow industry competitors and then, the tables turn, theses neXt generation kids get all Butt hurt. What is the old saying? It is all fun and games until I get hurt (the modern version of the quote).

If IPH has some good news, by all means share it! The Berg, it always great news. The lesson here is... if you don’t like how you are treated.... stop treating people that way. Karma is real (says a sign in a store I was in yesterday). I think the few namesless people in this post who seem to be the most hurt are actually a few people (or one in the same) who seem to be at the bottom of a few mixing pots. I really have little sympathy for it.... I end up on the bottom of these post often thanks to a few very kind batch of you.

Posted by me,

JohnE. On my I phone. Pardon the mistakes, please. There are many!

Phrases like "kids get butt hurt" are the types of phrases I think should be avoided in this type of situation.

There used to be several railroad history and preservation groups discussion sites on my bookmark bar. One by one, they were eliminated, I tired of them as discussions became nasty. Now there is just this one left, and at times it has been one mouse click from being eliminated too.

I notice that other people seem to be trimming down their bookmark bars too. A look back at one of the sites I removed several years ago shows that some discussion categories there are now going weeks to months between new postings.

Participation in this hobby does not require you to put up with insults and abuse from rude people.

There are some remedies. The "PM" button is a useful option that allows you to reach out directly to contact the friend who is asking for help or information without the snarky and argumentative participants ever getting to view or comment on what you have sent. And the ultimate option is to request the e-mail addresses of the people you prefer to discuss issues and exchange information with, keep in touch with them directly, and delete the bookmarks for the sites where there are too many people who don't seem to respect or value the participation of others.

PC

Interesting reading, indeed. I will interject my thoughts here, again.

The sad thing is that there are way too many people here that have no idea what goes into railroad preservation but they sure are quick enough on the comment about what the folks are that are engaged in this hobby should or should not do. For that reason, I too come here and comment less often. I have suggested that the membership be limited to those that are involved in preservation. So it goes on and on and more of the folks that really practice preservation leave because they get tired of the harassment by those that have no idea what goes into the hobby, but sure have no qualms about putting in their two cents on what we should do.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Mr. Termite, was that aimed at me? I can cease and desist on posting any news whatsoever from the shop if you prefer. Just let me know, it will save me some time. Since we do a lot of work for others, a critical person could consider it all "advertising".

I always snicker at the idea of any forum somehow being exempt from people butting heads. As if that's even possible in the long run.
People seem to fail to see the internet as they would a normal discussion with a few people standing around. In such a case, it's inevitable that someone will come up and launch into something the some/all of the others don't agree with.
Discussions can get heated in such cases.
People rarely think of it that way. They think if it's in writing, this kind of thing can never happen.
In person, you often dismiss the knucklehead stuff and move on, but online, it's still there to be read forever.
It's equally funny that any forum devoted to a specific subject can be limited to participation only from those who meet a certain self-imposed standard of those reading it (which varies from person to person). The only way you can do that is to limit it to specific people only. Otherwise, everyone gets a voice.

Kelly, I’m gonna go out on a limb here. I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say this. Please don’t stop what you’re doing. It is very much appreciated, enjoyed, and welcome here. Thanks for your contributions.

Kelly -

Yes, please keep your reports coming.


Les

As an officer in two NRHS Chapters, and the moderator of a couple online forums and Facebook groups--in a couple cases almost against my will--I would love to see exactly how one would impose or enforce this standard.

Would I have to send you a copy of my current membership card to some "approved" rail museum (and not just some county historical society that happens to be in a station, or an "annual pass" from a model railroad)?

Would I have to show you photos of my scraping rust, painting a car side, staffing a museum counter or attending a city council meeting regarding the loco in the park?

Would I need co-signers or references to vouch for me?

How about the guys that may have founded the museum or run the mainline steamer, but haven't "done" anything of note in 25-30 years since?

What about writers or photographers, or the folks who do articles for (or edit) periodicals or newsletters for the likes of the PD&Q RR Technical & Historical Society?

The best example I can pull out, and I've cited her here before: a retired, disabled former school principal who marketed her local excursion line to schools for educational field trips. Supposedly one year she was responsible for 21% of the line's gross revenues. Was she "involved in preservation"?

How involved are you, currently, in railroad preservation?

The day that happens is the day I'm outta here, not much worth reading on here now, the Strasburg shop report is one of the few things I look forward to seeing.

Anyone with a parent, relative, in-law, boss, etc. that is skilled at toxic passive-aggressive behavior cloaked in nice-sounding words will tell you that: 1) "nice" language can still be devastatingly toxic; and 2) "beating around the bush" is no substitute for the direct discussion needed to actually effect change or address differences of opinions.

Example, now (thankfully) pointless:
"Wouldn't it be so nice if the Va. Museum of Transportation were to fix up that rusty SDP45 sitting on that siding across town and gave it a proper home?"

This "why can't we all be nice" thread surfaces regularly. We've had one guy on here who stomped on anyone who disagreed and rarely offered anything like a strong compliment. He's gone, and good riddance. I have no problem tell somebody who wants to build an extinct articulated from scratch that he's wasting our time without a plan or even research. I do have a problem when somebody says XYZ group has purchased a locomotive for cosmetic display and people complain that it's not being given a full shopping. I want to hear more positive thoughts or suggestions, and fewer suggestions of disaster or impending doom. Rather than state a CPR Mike is doomed, at least somebody is making an effort to do something, even if the owner is nuts.

Rick Rowland's is a one man locomotive works, and he does great service in preservation as well as a monitor. The other guys have their ears to the ground as well. I'd say, let's tone it up a bit on what we post, and give the monitors less,to worry about.

I might as well jump in here. As one who found himself and the project he is associated with constantly flamed and berated for more than a year here on this board, I was deeply troubled to see how the bullying, narcissistic and toxic behavior was tolerated for so long. As a result, ASR stopped posting anything here. Sound familiar? Maybe the silence of a long list of other such groups has just quietly gone unnoticed? The loud minority of NN's of N have driven multiple groups away from this forum because of the very low level of decorum and absurd lack of respective that some people choose to conduct themselves with when they are behind a keyboard.

My hat is off to Rick for making a tough, and by some standards, unpopular decision. The sniping and non-stop, ongoing character assassination grew quite weary to all of us involved in our project, and I'll be quite honest, what was even more troubling was the resounding silence from a lot of people who I thought would have had a problem with that kind of conduct remain perfectly silent.

As a result, I can more than empathize with Mr. Rimmach's own situation. If in any way, there is or was any wrongdoing on anyone's part, it is really in no way OUR place here to be judge, jury and executioner in matters like this. And before someone says "we need to be able to talk about difficult subjects", just don't.

While it may seem to some like RYPN is still at some kind of low-point, I would say that the much-needed change in culture that Rick Rowland has willingly undertook will take some time. I encourage everyone to be patient and be respectful. Chances are this last comment was me preaching to the choir.

Lastly ,when our younger millennial members get on line here and start suggesting one pie in the sky project after another, remember when you yourself still had stars in your eyes before the multitude of realities of "Real Life" had had their turn with you and interact with these young kids and guys accordingly. Give them just a little latitude to "let it all out" with their sometimes wild enthusiasm.

And Kelly, I'll add my vote to the list of "Do Not Stop Posting" fans. I always learn a lot from your posts. Please keep them coming.

That is all. I will get off my soapbox.

Rob Gardner

It breaks my heart to see a lot of these comments. I have been enormously helped in my restoration project. I have tried to "pay it forward" by sending information sent to me to other groups. As an example, Hawaiian RR sent me a parts list. I forwarded it to Lakeshore at their request.
I used to be active on a cruise board, but it devolved into such discussions about minutae that i gave up.
My comment here, as others have said, is "can't we all get along" and work to preserve the great railroad history.