Anyone here work for any train companies? Also is everyone that works for these companies into the hobby or is it just a job for them. ?
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A good number of train manufacturer owners and employees are registered members of this forum.
With the exception of 3rd Rail's Scott Mann, very few of them actively post on the forum, for what should be obvious reasons to those who have been around here for a while.
In short: They are here and they read the threads and posts, but they do not (often) initiate threads or respond to posts.
Originally Posted by Allan Miller:
A good number of train manufacturer owners and employees are registered members of this forum.
With the exception of 3rd Rail's Scott Mann, very few of them actively post on the forum, for what should be obvious reasons to those who have been around here for a while.
In short: They are here and they read the threads and posts, but they do not (often) initiate threads or respond to posts.
Although I understand the obvious reason. It still to bad they don't chime in once in awhile as they have insight or at least the ability to point people in the right direction. You should be afraid of your customer base. Also Mr Miller I am having trouble finding your face book page.
And the ones I do know of are also model railroaders. Basically they got the dream job, able to combine a passion and employment. If any of them need another ME, let me know!
Originally Posted by Allan Miller:
With the exception of 3rd Rail's Scott Mann, very few of them actively post on the forum, for what should be obvious reasons to those who have been around here for a while.
Not sure who posts you are missing, but we hear quite a bit from Rudy and JonZ of Lionel. Mike R was also a regular contributor until he went to his new position. In fact both JonZ (338) and Mike R (613) have higher Community Ratings than Scott (669).. C'Mon Scott post more and drive up that score! 
Niel Young posted here for several months, but too many star struck fanboys here chased him away.
Overall though, most companies are instructing their management to stay away from social sites (like here) because too many times items posted in places like OGR or non-official FaceBook pages can be against the companies and investors best interest. Sometimes things said by the individual may not be what the companies true position is and the public can't seem to tell the difference
Originally Posted by sinclair:
And the ones I do know of are also model railroaders. Basically they got the dream job, able to combine a passion and employment. If any of them need another ME, let me know!
I think most people I know (including myself) have found that when your passion becomes employment, your passion quickly dies. After 4 years of being a full time staff photographer, it took 2 years before I could shoot anything for myself
I would have to agree with Chris. JonZ, Rudy, and to a lesser degree MikeR do post. Mainly to help with Legacy, LCS, and all things Lionel.
Allan an needs to spend more time in the Legacy forum with his HUGE Cab2. 
It is a real shame that such great people can't participate more on a personal level, but I do understand the reasons, many of which are mentioned above, that they have to be very careful and professional in their postings here.
Andy
Originally Posted by Andy Hummell:
It is a real shame that such great people can't participate more on a personal level, but I do understand the reasons, many of which are mentioned above, that they have to be very careful and professional in their postings here.
Andy
Yes, they have to be careful. I really do appreciate their posting though, nothing better than getting information right from the source. It's like hearing from the train gods! Of course the downside is they ruin all of our speculations and rumors.
And yes several of them do post here from time to time as others have already said above.
Originally Posted by cbojanower:
Originally Posted by sinclair:
And the ones I do know of are also model railroaders. Basically they got the dream job, able to combine a passion and employment. If any of them need another ME, let me know!
I think most people I know (including myself) have found that when your passion becomes employment, your passion quickly dies. After 4 years of being a full time staff photographer, it took 2 years before I could shoot anything for myself
That wasn't my experience. I used to work for a company that made scale trains for parks. Sure, there were some low days, but overall I really enjoyed the job. Too bad it went belly up due to no one buying trains anymore. The falling economy cost me two jobs before all was said and done.
Oh, believe me, all of here work or have worked for Lionel and MTH. Just check your
receipts (No! Don't look! My eyes! My eyes!) over, say, the last 20 years.
