Here's my 2 cents. TIFWIW (lol)
At what point does a list become so large that it is basically a dictionary? Perhaps if rtr12 ( screen name is an acronym- too funny) is still enjoying making and editing this list, breaking it into sublists might be more useful. It would also avoid acronyms that could have 2 meanings. Some possible categories for example:
1. Acronyms related to model railroading- mostly O gauge. Terms like TMCC, ZW, etc. This list would be very helpful to newcomers with definitions and details. "ZW: A variable voltage 275 watt AC transformer manufactured by Lionel from 1948-1966." This would clearly be the most useful list on this forum.
2. Terms relating to real railroading. Example: "fred- flashing rear-end device." I'm sure there are many lists like this already however.
3. Same goes for abbreviations for actual railroads. Examples PRR, NYC. This list could get huge in itself and I see that posters are having fun digging these up.
4. General acronyms used in texts and posts like IMO, BRB. Do we really need a list of these? Well, their own list, maybe.
I don't agree with some posters that acronyms have no place. No one for example is going to type out International Business Machines, or TMCC for that matter. But for an acronym to be useful, there has to be a critical mass of people who understand what it means and only a few people who don't, at least in the area in which it is used. Acronyms are specific to their field and useful shortcuts in that field.
So with apologies to CBQ Bill, how many other people would know what MTZ means? (Read above to find out). Certain terms are better typed out lest nearly everyone has to Google them.
