New members

Discussion in 'New members welcome lounge' started by Toto, May 15, 2017.

  1. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    We have been very fortunate to have managed to interest new members to the forum.

    Now that we have you in ........... How's about hearing from you ?

    We are all interested in what you are up to, how you heard of us, what type of posting content interests you most, why you joined the forum.

    So ......... I'll tell you what we'll do. If you have not posted to date since joining, now is your chance to post an intro on the above points. What we'll do is ....... Come the end of June we will put all the members names who have taken us up on the offer into a draw and the member drawn wins £ 25.00 worth of Scalescenes vouchers.

    It doesn't need to be war and peace ( unless you want it to be ) just a few lines to let us know what interests you.

    We strive to get a good mix of content on the forum but we don't know what's sought after unless you tell us.

    Maybe you can suggest a specific tutorial that you would like to see featured, it could be anything.

    We'll look forward to hearing from you.

    Again, thanks for joining our forum. Ever bodies contributions are welcome whether you are asking a question or maybe helping to answer one.

    Cheers for now

    Toto & the gang.:tophat:
     
  2. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    I agree with Toto we really look forward to hearing from members ... just tap 'reply' on a topic and enter your text then press 'post reply' to send it or ... enter your message in the 'quick reply' box and press 'reply' at the bottom to send it ... :hismiley:

    Ian vt
     
  3. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes, C'mon guys, you've taken the step of joining, so please now join in! We don't bite, we're interested in what you're doing model railway-wise, and if you've had a look around the forum, you'll see we cover a wide range of subjects, scales and topics, and there's no such thing as a daft question, we all had to start somewhere, however long ago we started (in my own case, only 3 years ago), so dive in and "Fill yer boots!"
    Keith.
     
  4. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Hello new members,

    I have been on this forum since just after Toto started it in late 2015. The membership has grown substantially in that time yet the feel and easy going nature of the forum has not changed.

    The message at the top of the logo / totem says " Everybody Welcome " and that is absolutely true and it is what this forum lives by.

    These forums are a great place to exchange information and also to showcase your projects, but for the person new to the hobby, or even seasoned modellers, they are a great source of information.

    If you need to know anything, somebody on here will know the answer or be able to point you in the right direction to find what you need.

    You may think, well Gormo is just giving this forum a plug and trying to get people to participate. Well it would be nice if you could participate, but that`s entirely up to you. All we can do is provide the format here for you to interact with everybody, but if you would rather wait and see, well that`s up to you............and that`s the thing about this forum........nobody will criticize you for not participating.

    The great benefit of these forums is that you can make some good friendships with people that under normal circumstances, you would normally not have met. The membership here is from different parts of the world, but the conversations and the atmosphere of the forum make it feel like you are chatting to the guy next door.

    I have been participating on railway forums since about 2012, and during that time I have met some great people who have helped me with my railway in one way or another, but more importantly I have cemented some good friendships with these people.

    So it`s not necessarily all about model railways on here, it`s about people and friendships as well and that`s why I keep coming back.........it`s always nice to chew the fat with the lads and in the process get some new tips or inspiration or encouragement for my model railway.

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  5. Dave C

    Dave C Full Member

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    Ah ha - I like a challenge ! 😀

    I've been a member since November 2016. After a 40 year break from railway modelling I had an opportunity in early 2015 to get back into the hobby. Things had obviously moved on since the 70''s, and I was keen to develop my modelling skills and knowledge - You Tube was the logical choice, and that's where I came across a chap called Gormo. His videos were full of very practical advice / hints and tips, and combined with those of Everard Junction I set off on my journey.

    What attracted me to Platform 1 - Gormos introductions to his videos which led me to start looking around the site. Now I'm not a detail / rivet counter, nor am I a techie (I don't do Facegram or Instabook - don't understand nor feel the need) but the content on the site was so wide and varied that it wasn't overwhelming.

    Can I explain that any better? Well, it's a bit like deciding to get a bit fitter at a gym, and turning up in a T shirt, pair of safari shorts and some old casual soft shoes and finding other blokes just like you there along with the Lycra bunch who don't break into a sweat - you can mingle with confidence. And that's what I find good about the site - plenty of really techie topics, but plenty of down to earth basic ones. So if I ever wished to venture into DCC and chips I could find the help and support I needed.

    I found the site very welcoming after joining - good to get the welcome messages from both the 'regulars' and others, and it encouraged me to get on and start posting about the layout.

    Would I like a specific tutorial? I suspect not - the Internet is full of them and there can't be many subjects that aren't covered in some shape of form. What I like is the ability to ask a specific question, and get the range of views that will inevitably follow.

    I could make much more use of the forum, but as with many there are other demands on time and at weekends. I would rather be running trains and developing the layout, and so find myself only browsing and using the forum whilst actually on a real train, or evenings. Once I reach the point where I'm not working I'm sure I'll make more use of the forum for advice, and posting my own experiences.

    Hope that helps - in the meantime keep up the good work, keep the posts coming together with the superb pictures which I'm very envious of. They do instill enthusiasm and inspiration. http://www.click

    Drc
     
  6. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Great stuff Dave. I had to smile at your comparison with joining the gym, as I myself at the age of 70, did this some 4 weeks ago in a bid to lose some weight. The gym is something I never thought I would even consider, but to my own astonishment, I fitted in from the first visit, and considering I never had any interest in playing sport or any form of fitness (though some of my past employments have been quite physical), I coped quite well. It just goes to show that you only have to make the effort and post on the forum, and you too will 'fit right in'. Go on, you know you want to!!! :giggle:

    Keith.
     
  7. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Hi Dave,

    That is exactly what we want to know. If we know how people use the forum, we can try and accommodate. There is a good mix of techie and good old fashioned modelling which is why I think we have such a wide appeal.

    I suppose we are a bit of a drop in centre to be used and enjoyed to fit your own circumstances and needs. There is a core of members who post regularly and we are always delighted to see the more occasional posters getting involved as it does help vary the content and maybe plug a hole in the content that may not be getting coverage as much as the rest.

    When we appeal for our newer members to jump in, it's not so much asking anyone to post more regularly, it's trying to give some folks the confidence to break the ice. I know when I started on my first forum, I sat in the wings a bit apprehensive about posting as my experience and knowledge was nil so I know what it's like.

    There are some members who, on joining, will maybe never post choosing to just view from afar. No problem, each to their own and they are most welcome to do so. I hope they get what they want out of it.

    However, for those who gave joined ( or are thinking about it ) I'd say, just jump in, your approach will be neither right nor wrong. Truth is, everyone has their own style. Nobody will critisise, quite the reverse. You will only add to the depth of the chat.

    As we say in our totem " everybody welcome "

    Thanks for you contribution Dave and the very constructive, encouraging comments. .......... Gormo won't be able to get his head in my door when he comes to visit.:avatar:
     
  8. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Hi Dave thanks for the great intro. Now you've posted that others will be easier. They don't have to be just railway related, hobbies humour we like them all (we even had one member posting about goats .. honest) we especially like photos. Again thank you and enjoy the journey that is Platform1mrc

    Ian vt (vino tinto) http://www.click
     
  9. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Goats???????.......Oh yes.......I remember that guy:scratchchin:

    Toto......how big is your door??????.........:giggle::giggle::giggle::giggle:

    Thanks for the input Dave........we`ve been trying to get our heads around this subject for a little while and not really coming up with any concrete answers, so your feedback helps us to understand the appeal of the forum.

    The more feedback we get the better we understand how we`re doing so far.

    So .....anybody else out there willing to give us some more feedback...?????

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  10. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Your ok mate. I'm just having a patio door fitted as we speak. You'll get in. :tophat:
     
  11. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Phew!!!!.....that`s a relief.....:faint:

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  12. Dave C

    Dave C Full Member

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    Might be why he has fitted removable scenery in the doorway at Great Chesterford to allow unrestricted access :avatar:
     
  13. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    :avatar: you have has number already I think dave.
     
  14. Dave C

    Dave C Full Member

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    Today has actually been the first day I've had on Setforth Junction in the past fortnight, and I’ve had a first attempt at videoing and editing a short running session (see my post on members personal layouts / Setforth Junction). Could those of you who regularly post videos perhaps do a tutorial? I have access to an I Phone 6, a Samsung Galaxy S5 mini, Go Pro Hero 4 and a Go Pro session camera (which I use for cab rides).

    The biggest problem I seem to have (apart from the lack of a mini tripod for the mobile phones which is now on order) is knowing what settings to use to get the best exposure, and the mobile phone ‘coming and going’ in terms of focusing.
     
  15. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Dave,

    You can find Gormo's excellent tutorial about making videos here : http://www.platform1mrc.com/view_topic.php?id=302&forum_id=67

    ...and posting pics and videos here : http://www.platform1mrc.com/view_topic.php?id=1555&forum_id=67

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  16. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Ah!!!!.....Gary beat me to it.

    Dave.....at the end of the day, with some cameras it can be just down right difficult.

    I find it awkward with the phone because of it`s shape. It`s very easy to wobble it about and affect the quality of your pic. The tripod is a good idea there and actually with any camera.

    The exposure and colour settings on any of those devices will be trial and error because it all depends on the light you have in your room.

    I would suggest you try different settings with any of your chosen cameras, but keep a record of what you`ve done. Most cameras will have an Auto setting, but sometimes it looks washed out under lights, and you may get a better result by going manual.

    Same with focus........most cameras will have Auto focus, but if you`re doing close up shots of a train passing by, the focus may get confused and go in and out a couple of times. See if you have a manual setting for focus. If you have, you may have to set it first at a suitable distance before shooting and also it`s best not to move the camera from that position once the manual focus is set. If you move it...set it again.

    Hope this helps

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  17. Dave C

    Dave C Full Member

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    Many thanks for that - very useful.:thumbup:
    Might be another week or so before I can give it a go - in the meantime have found yet another camera with video recording capabilities. The opportunities may be too much to cope with! :eek:
     
  18. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Hang in there Dave,

    Maybe have a medicinal brandy or two to calm your nerves......:avatar::avatar::avatar::avatar:

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  19. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Someone mention brandy ........ I'm in. :tophat:
     
  20. scottystitch

    scottystitch N Gauge Society Publicity Officer Full Member

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    Afternoon all,

    I'm an n gauge modeller based in North-East Scotland, and although I'm a member of another forum, this is the first of me joining here. I saw the forum advertised on a stand at Dundee MRC exhibition this year.
    My previous plans revolved around a near scale model of Perth General in my 17.5 by 9ft garage, but after simulating operation of said layout (with cardboard trains, etc.) I've come to the conclusion it won't be entirely suitable for what I want.

    I am in the process of putting the final touches to a revised project, this time centered around Glasgow North, as I have renamed and remodeled Glasgow Buchanan Street, in the time period 1962-64.
    Key trains will be the Glasgow to Aberdeen services, the formations of which I hope to model accurately.
    However, more of that in a layout thread.

    Other interests include Radio Control tanks and yachts, and.....songwriting/performing. Make of that what you will.

    I'm hoping that this site is a tad friendlier than some I have been a part of........ The mention of Brandy seems to suggest it might be. Courvoisier, anyone?
     

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