Do You Spend Too Much Potential Productive Train Time on the Internet?

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.

Yup!

 

Cesar

As in most other cases, time may be wasted or used wisely.  

 

One can watch TV to fill the hours, or view educationally to say, learn about world affairs, learn how to cook, etc....

Doing it right now, should be working on the railroad now, viewing the forum later tonight.

Yes.

 

Pete

 

 

 

Believe it or not the internet offers more than train related subjects.  In the end I believe we all do exactly what we want.  As far as watching TV is concerned, it's sole purpose is for the NFL and nothing else in my man cave.

Actually, my situation is more or less the reverse than that posed in your question.  I go here to look for ideas and help with the hobby.  (And the entertainment, of course.) 

Yes.

Git off the 'puter, Ma! Times a wastin'!

I don't think time spent learning is ever wasted.  I see this forum as an invaluable interactive source of information.  And let's not forget the entertainment factor. 

Like FatBoy said.

Yup!

 

George

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.

Can never have enough internet.

This is low cost.

After heart doctor and new grandson, no extra money for the railroad.

This is the new wish book. If I'm good maybe the man in the red suit  will be good to me in December and if not! More coal for the hopper cars. 

No! Wait, I'm on here now instead of wiring my layout.

 

Who needs the internet when we have Morse code?

 

B&OBill

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

Every one needs some time to rest and relax. I always have the TV on nearby when on the internet but often pay little attention to the TV. Now past retirement age you can't work all the time. I fret about spending too much time reading the newspaper also.

No. The internet in general, and the forums in particular just aren't as intriguing as they used to be. I used to read 20+ threads on this forum every day. Now, I might read 4 or 5. Some forums don't have any threads I care to read. It all gets stale after a while.

Too much time on the Forum? Yep! I scan it 3-4 times a day.

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!

Who needs Morse code when we have Semaphore?

 

Rusty

Yes, I spend too much time scanning the buy sell forum

...---... ...---...

 

Uh, guilty as charged.  Although I do a lot of research on the internet.  My goal is to work on models earlier in the evening and check the internet later.

 

George

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

Yes and no

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.

Absolutely.

Yes...too much time.......going to go paint my new WBB 4-6-0 and do some work!!

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.

Yes. Each New Years Day I make a resolution to post & buy less; build, create and run more trains. Buying less is definitely moving in the the right direction; posting less never seems to change.

After checking out my cheapo plastic 8905 dock switcher, I found out it has a dc motor (dioded to ac) and only runs in forward.  I will not waste time and a coupling on project to add a front coupling.  It will be mostly eye candy.

 

Charlie