Noticed this evening that the title description has changed, as well as the location, of the 3RS, 3-Rail SCALE Forum. Any reason for that?
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Look at the other forum descriptions, maybe it'll make more sense. The first forum changed name and description.
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I am confused now too and with the warnings about topics going into the incorrect forums where am I supposed to post questions about two rail wind-up Hafner trains? I guess this demonstrates the need for a 2-rail, and I'm not sure, would it be a Traditional or Toy Train forum? Otherwise do I run the risk of the posts being deleted since Hafner doesn't fit in any of the current provided forums?
On a different note based on scale and number of rails should O scale outside 3rd rail posts technically be in the 3 rail scale forum?
Would've been simpler to explain the changes using symbology...
3-Rail Traditional Toy Trains 
3-Rail Scale Model Trains
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@MPS posted:I am confused now too and with the warnings about topics going into the incorrect forums where am I supposed to post questions about two rail wind-up Hafner trains? I guess this demonstrates the need for a 2-rail, and I'm not sure, would it be a Traditional or Toy Train forum? Otherwise do I run the risk of the posts being deleted since Hafner doesn't fit in any of the current provided forums?
On a different note based on scale and number of rails should O scale outside 3rd rail posts technically be in the 3 rail scale forum?
I'd say that Hafner wind-up would be Tinplate.
Finally separating the scale from the gauge, LOL!
Basically, it’s the non-scale gauge toy forum and a True O scale forum. Please stop using the overstated lobster claw term, it just aggravates operators & modelers. We don’t see or study the couplers, middle rail and large wheel flanges when running 3R SCALE trains. 3R has been screwed up from the beginning, so deal with it or stick with 2RO or H.O.
It’s not just all about Kadee Couplers.
That's what these guys say.
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@gunrunnerjohn posted:Look at the other forum descriptions, maybe it'll make more sense. The first forum changed name and description.
Now I'm really confused.
Many 3-rail trains are clearly toys, but many are not. Different people will draw the line differently. For example, would discussing a nicely-detailed MTH Railking item be "traditional" (since they're O-27ish), while a Premier item would be "scale"? What if a topic is comparing the two? Is an early Lionel Hudson "scale", but the 1950s version "toy"? How does Hi-rail fit into all of this?
Seems like splitting hairs unnecessarily. I don't get too bothered by a topic being in the wrong category - I just skip it and move on, but I can see the frustration with those whose mis-classified topics get deleted without explanation.
Perhaps the 3-rail scale category's description would be more useful if it said "excludes trains made by Lionel, MTH, Marx, RMT, Williams, etc." (the list could get rather long).
Don’t overthink the change with details. Unlike H.O. there are to many variations in so called "O"
Just stick with SCALE or non-Scale without all the little additional inserts. You must factor in times and eras as well. Ex. Old Lionel era items scale or not, still considered with-in the golden age of the toy train era. Now we have modern era scale items. RK engines are an exception, I still consider them scale.
FYI, RMT ore cars were K-Line SCALE items.
Consider the Title like an average I guess?
@SIRT posted:Finally separating the scale from the gauge, LOL!
Basically, it’s the non-scale gauge toy forum and a True O scale forum. Please stop using the overstated lobster claw term, it just aggravates operators & modelers.
Really? When the "lobster clays" don't couple without banking them together, plus come uncoupled when operating long freight trains, i.e. over 25 cars.
We don’t see or study the couplers, middle rail and large wheel flanges when running 3R SCALE trains. 3R has been screwed up from the beginning, so deal with it or stick with 2RO or H.O.
It’s not just all about Kadee Couplers.
Well,,,,,,actually it IS "all about Kadee couplers" if one really enjoys switching in a yard, and/or pick-ups and set-outs with a local freight consist. Then there is also the nice close-coupling of rolling stock with body mounted Kadee couplers.
I noticed the term "Hi-Rail" is missing altogether. Is that term dead? Which is the correct forum if posting about a mix of scale and non-scale trains and scenery elements? Not a very good photo, but example below of an MTH RK L1 pulling an Atlas O scale boxcar past an Atlas Depot. It's not a true scale scene and does not approach the fantastic realism that SIRT and others create, yet it's not post war either. That's not to knock PW, I enjoy PW too. Just wondering where is the appropriate forum home for hi-rail modelers.
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Another solution in search of a problem.
I am curious how many actually only read a specific forum vs just check the topics in the right hand column and select one that interests you?
Pete
Category A- Everything but the kitchen sink
Category B- Kitchen Sink
Seems to sum it up IMHO! 
Personally, I think lumping so much under the term "Toy" is going to add to the confusion, not clear it up.
@Norton posted:Another solution in search of a problem.
I am curious how many actually only read a specific forum vs just check the topics in the right hand column and select one that interests you?
Pete
I'm with you! I surf the sidebar mostly.
@Norton posted:Another solution in search of a problem.
I am curious how many actually only read a specific forum vs just check the topics in the right hand column and select one that interests you?
Pete
Agreed re: "solution" - dunno why the new division between collectors/operators and "modelers" as I thought we all fall into the latter category. No matter as long as I know where to find what I read most.
I generally check the 3R Scale forum less than half as often as the Traditional 3R one, and the Lionel Control System and Products forums about the same amount. To be honest, after several years I have only just starting using the sidebar (or whatever it's called) to keep up with different threads as the 2021 catalog threads have been spread out in different places. I now see the utility of that (meaning the sidebar).
I'm really confused as to where topics go. This is the very reason I have always resisted zillions of sub-forums for a board! It's just way to complicated to find the "exact" right sub-forum to post some topics in. I prefer a broader brush with fewer places to add to the confusion.
Case in point is the Lionel and MTH sub-forum groupings. Do we really need all the sub-forums, it takes longer to figure out which place to put a topic than it does to actually type it in! 
I know we don't get a vote, but I'd love to see some consolidation of some of these mostly unused and confusing sub-forums. 
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I can certainly agree with John. Maybe a "products" "service" and "tips" for each would be enough.
Mth lacks a "service question" topic. I guess MTH trains are more reliable
@RickO posted:I can certainly agree with John. Maybe a "products" "service" and "tips" for each would be enough.
Mth lacks a "service question" topic. I guess MTH trains are more reliable
I suggested weeks ago to at the very least make the 2 sections identical.
I check the sidebar, but then I have to go directly to the Tinplate Forum because topics on it fall off fast as they are overwhelmed by the posts on the others.
I think the Forum Sprawl was triggered by people complaining they had to scroll past topics they weren't interested in. However, I believe that's just made things way more complicated for the moderators to keep things straight. All the extra forums haven't really added anything positive, at least IMO.
I don't see what the big deal is avoiding a topic you aren't interested in, I can walk and chew gum at the same time, can't you? 
