Update #770

[Smjh1979]

275 new pictures of 14 new crossings in Alabama.
35 new pictures of 2 new crossings from Blytheville, AR.
17 new pictures of 1 new crossing from Armona, CA.
225 new pictures of 16 new crossings from Iowa.
24 new pictures of 1 new crossing from Rocky River, OH.
1 new picture of 1 updated crossing from Lewisville, TX.
23 new pictures of 1 updated crossing from Dunbar, WV.
15 new pictures of scale signals from Salem, NH.
420 new pictures and 6 new audio clips of 19 new and 1 updated crossings from all around Illinois.

Finally: 1,105 brand new pictures and 1 new audio clip of 45 new crossings and 11 updated crossings from all over Missouri.

TrainmanKight broke every record for the site with this update with 1,845 pictures taken by him alone!

While all these records were going on, I'm very, very disappointed that there wasn't any reactions out of the members of this forum regarding the record high amount of pictures that were sent in. To me, that's saying "Over 2000 pictures... Big deal".

Maybe I need to update monthly if people don't care much about the site anymore...

[mlgillson]

This mega update is quite an acheivement. I give props to those involved, especially Mike and TrainmanKight. Maybe we can break 50,000 pictures sometime in the near future.

While all these records were going on, I'm very, very disappointed that there wasn't any reactions out of the members of this forum regarding the record high amount of pictures that were sent in. To me, that's saying "Over 2000 pictures... Big deal".

Maybe I need to update monthly if people don't care much about the site anymore...

I wouldn't go as far as to say no one cares for the site. If no one cared, no one would send pictures in for the site. No one would ask to become a regular. Sure, the forum is slow at the moment, and the site has it's times as well. It's unfortunate that it happens, but it does happen. There is still interest in the site. This update is a very good example of that. There is still interest in the forum also, even if that interest is lacking at the moment.

Positive feedback is a good thing, but you won't always get it when you expect it or want it, but it doesn't mean no one cares. I don't always remember to give positive feedback, even when I know I should. Sometimes this is because I'm uncomfortable about it or I have something else clouding my mind. Sometime, people are waiting till something actually happens before remarking on it, I'm guilty of that also.

Think of this as a testament to what you can acheive.

Any thoughts from anyone else regarding the update or the site in general?

[Smjh1979]

Out of the last 84 updates that have happened since the site crash back in 2009, there are very little comments on the updates. There are a lot of topics in the "Website Updates" section showing 0 posts.

Am I reaching out to an empty audience? I certainly hope not.

2,174 pictures for one update is the highest that has ever happened in the 11+ years the site has been online. Comments on the updates haven't been limited to just the forum too. I haven't gotten emails from people as well. I've told many people to check the waiting list at the beginning of August 7, and expecting to see a few emails saying...

"1300+ pictures! (which it was at the time). What are they going to be of? Which states?"

I was really expecting to see these kinds of questions showing up all the time. I think only one or two people who were not a part of this update asked me, and that was it.

I really would like to start seeing more comments, and questions on the posts. Some of the updates have unusual stuff with them, and this update is no exception. I'd like to see people's reactions to some of the weird stuff that has been uploaded this, and any other week.

Otherwise, I think things will be just like it was back in 1999-2001 back when I was updating the site, wondering if anyone saw its contents. I guess there are just too many lurkers around who just look, and don't post. I'd like this kind of behavior to stop, and I'd like to start seeing more posts showing up for these updates, and that also applies to the people who are not regulars, and are just the lurkers. I'd like to hear from them too.

If not, I may slow down the submissions significantly, down to once a month, and possibly discontinue the site in May 2011. Why pay $59 per year for a website that I don't know gets read at all?

I'd just like some recognition, and I'm sure many other people who submit, like TrainmanKight, MLgillson, and many other high submitters that their pictures are being looked at too. For instance, TrainmanKight took about 10 trips to make these pictures happen. Were these all taken to just burn gas up? I hope not. Not in this economy...

Just show that some of you are looking at the site, and that we aren't doing this for an empty audience.

[csxrailfan2]

You know I can pay half for the site in May 2011, Besides, This work I do on the pages make me think that I have my first job.

[cabman701]

I for one appreciate all the hard work and time that goes into taking the pictures and creating the pages. I wish I had the time and the talent to do these things myself (going out to take pictures, or helping create pages). But I am working two jobs to make ends meet, and time is something that I just don't have.

I did contibute financially to the site last year, and will be happy to do that again if it is needed to keep things going.

I also agree with mlgillson's comments. While we may not post a comment on every single update... I am more than positive that the pictures are being looked at.

[illinoistrains]

This update was great, lots of people view this site, but they just might not tell us. For model railroaders who want to make model signals, this site is a gold mine for them when making signals. Also, i was in Flagstaff this weekend and a dad who has a son who likes trains asked me for great railroad sites, and a recommended this site highly.

[csxrailfan2]

Wow this topic is coming alive

[bnsfc44]

I love going out and taking pictures and waiting for updates from around the country. I just wish I had more time to go out and get more pictures. Before I found this site, crossing signals to me were just there. But now when I go some where and see signals, I try to figure out who makes them and what type of bells it has. Hopefully if everything comes together, I will be taking a trip this fall to seek out abandoned signals in Central and Northern California.

[gedunk]

I wish I could go out like I used to, but circumstances are a bit different right now. Chris & I enjoyed the "road trips" that combined both of our interests, and she was a big help keeping track of which crossing was which on "SJVR days".

How long did it take to get that huge submission taken and ready to go? Is that mentioned somewhere?

[mlgillson]

Before I found this site, crossing signals to me were just there.

I had a similar feeling.

Sometimes I regret that fact that I started actively taking pictures about 2 years ago and not 10-15 years ago. There's still some good stuff around now, but there was a lot more back then.