MTL August Announcements

[JoeD]

It's on the short list...good suggestion.

Joe

Center sill notwithstanding, I have recommended that MTL do a BN fuel tender scheme on this car, and I think it would instantly sell out a typical run.   They've done the SP version, and I believe the BN cars were in service much longer so I think their popularity--even as a foobie--would be very great.

[sirenwerks]

I understand the frustrations expressed here, and from where I stand much of it seems justified.  That said, let's refrain from calling the MTL employees "buffoons" here, please.

I didn't.  The "they" (plural of "it", which is the singular reference to an organization) which are buffoons in that sentence refers to the companies "MTL and IMRC."  It + it = they.  Employee(s) in the individual or personnel sense is never mentioned or implied.

[JoeD]

At least he had the balls to call me/us Buffoons to our face.  I think this forum has, at least for me run it's course and any further participation would be both frustrating and counterproductive.  It gets a bit tiresome dealing with the same old hoots and howls from people who are agenda driven either by a personal dislike for me or the company I am proud to work for.  So be it.  I saw first hand in my service during Vietnam that it was fruitless and folly to continue to try and overcome an insurmountable obstacle, and I choose to go around this one.  There are a lot of good people, reasoned people on this forum, but a minority of malcontents and prototype fundamentalists continue to sour the well for folks who are looking to enjoy the company of fellow modelers.  Some of us in our hobby time don't get in a twist if the style of brake wheel isn't prototypical...there, I said it.
Daily I see the most mundane threads turn into a pissing match as one person tries to be more disagreeable then the last...why?  It must be prophetic that we have a moticon for "a$$hat"...look the definition it up!  The moderators here have a huge job policing what goes on and I give them props for the work they do, but my blood pressure and free time is better served in a venue where folks have perspective, proportionality and are still in touch with the fact that this is a hobby and supposed to be fun.  I think when you get to the point you are ready to walk away from a scale because of the tone and tenor of a small group in a small corner of the internet becomes too much... you know it's time to look for less hostile environs.

I will continue to support modeling efforts for the few that still engage in it as I have in the past, but contributing here is not worth the continual abuse, wild assumptions and flat out taunting that goes on despite my attempts to respond.  For those who provide us with information, I, one of the Bafoons in this discussion appreciates your help and support.  I value your help and friendship and I hope that continues on into the future as we are fellow travelers in this hobby.   A few members have attempted to stand up for me and have been savaged for it, and I am sorry that happened.  Me not being here will not stop monthly P&M, but I won't have to deal with it and maybe the moderates here will not feel the need to lay in front of the buzz saw in my defense.  As with everything, a leveling happens sooner or later,  situations like this don't last long in the light of day and sooner or later the folks that remember what these forums are about, modeling and not personal vendetta's, win the day.

I still plan on looking in from time to time...there's a wealth of great info here, but I'm not interested in having to defend myself to people who can't hear me over their constant shouting. 

Cheers

Joe ' The Bafoon" D'amato
Not representing MTl in this discussion

I understand the frustrations expressed here, and from where I stand much of it seems justified.  That said, let's refrain from calling the MTL employees "buffoons" here, please.

[Sokramiketes]

Does this help?



Most companies try to hit 100% of the market.  The ones that don't confuse the prototype kooks. 

[Philip H]

Joe,

I respect you too much to tell you not to go.  MTL has been ripped up a lot here for what are, at their most basic, sound business decisions that keep you and your colleagues employed and keep new car styles being cranked out (like the new log car I want a half dozen of even if they will never serve an industry on my layout).  I agree that some folks here need to get over themselves, and I'm grateful I've never been asked to be a moderator of this or any other forum.  I hope, like Spookshow, you'll reconsider your decision.

EVERYONE ELSE,
I know we are all well informed here.  I know we all work hard to make sure manufacturers get good information on prototypes we all want.  I know we are fortunate to have many of those same manufacturers or their people as regular contributors here.  But can we please stop busting their nuts EVERYTIME they do something we don't agree with?  These folks have to stay in business first and foremost, and if they choose to foobie first so they can pay the bills - we shouldn't complain about that more then once.  Even after Gary asked us to STOP criticizing, folks went right on at it.  That's unethical behavior, and reinforces Joe's perception that people here are more interested in getting page views for their handles then actually making the hobby move forward.

In the end, we all loose when good people decide to leave us, and whatever input we might have had in MTL's future is now likely to be curtailed heavily because some folks just can't seem to think through the consequences of their comments.

[Kisatchie]

I didn't.  The "they" (plural of "it", which is the singular reference to an organization) which are buffoons in that sentence refers to the companies "MTL and IMRC."  It + it = they.  Employee(s) in the individual or personnel sense is never mentioned or implied.

Since the employees make the company, it's hard to see how there's no implication that the employees are "buffoons."


Hmm... nobody had
better call me a baboon...

[JMaurer1]

Joe,

Don't let a few ungrateful bafoons ruin things for you or the rest of us. We've done too much over the last 25 years to limit natural selection allowing the weak and foolish to live and now we all must pay the price. It's been great knowing that you payed attention to us (the general public) and even asked for input and advice. There's always someone who isn't going to be happy with something (or, as my ex was, anything) and feel it necessary to run their mouths about it. Stupid people are, by definition, stupid. Instead pay attention to the hundreds who value and appreciate what you say and do.

What would N scale be without Micro-Trains? Sure, there's a bunch of other MFRs that you could say that about...IM, BLMA, Kato, Bluford, Atlas, Fox Valley, and now even Bachmann but it was MT that first gave us the couplers and the higher detailed rolling stock that forced the others to raise their game. I would rather have a car than not have that car at all. If there's something wrong with the car...wrong lettering, body style, whatever, I DON"T BUY IT. I still would rather have that car than not have it. I haven't bought a single state, president, civil war, birthday, or any other of their 'special' cars...but I haven't knocked them for doing them...and they always seem to sell out. Too many kids have been raised without being told the old adage 'if you can't say something nice...' and the internet makes that once more removed (you get to say anything you want and remain mostly hidden).

Be polite or be quiet.

Joe, on behalf of the idiots who don't know their manors, I'm sorry.

[sirenwerks]

Since the employees make the company, it's hard to see how there's no implication that the employees are "buffoons."

You're inference is wrong.  If you've read my posts, you know I don't bother to imply; I write directly so there's no confusion of my meaning (for instance, my first sentence of this paragraph).  You've confused my usage of the abstract "company" - an intentionally united body of leadership, personnel, facilities, equipment, knowledge, materials, systems, intellectual property, AND collective action - with the (personal) "company" you have over for dinner.  But it is your interpretation, so go ahead and miss my meaning (that was implication). Fin.

[Chris333]

Joe, I crack on MicroTrains all the time, but I have no problem with you.

[up1950s]

Ahhhhh , MTL now has the correct white lettering on the UP BCR caboose . You can now make runner packs of these and expect me to reach for the cash .

D&RGW OS braced box ( single sheathed ) ,  another must have for me .

[tom mann]

Let's not forget that Joe's influence over production and decisions at MT is most likely not what he would like it to be.  Therefore, his recommendations are sometimes taken, and sometimes not.  Is this not the way it is for all of us at our jobs?  We have an idea or desire to do something and the working environment may or may not allow for it. 

I imagine that Joe will be back, as I've never seen anyone quit a train forum permanently.   In the meantime, I'll lock this topic. 

Love,