A Few Words of Thanks

[Rick Steele]

I know that it's probably redundant, what on a historic based board isn't redundant in the greater sense of the word?  I would like to thank Darel for opening up this blog and board to those of us with and interest in the C&S and its predecessors. I am well aware that he could have kept it to strictly Sn3 modelers and catered to that narrow interest group, but he didn't.

I have participated on a couple of the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forums (The Goat before I got disgusted with the moderator) and the NGDF. If you are interested in the C&TS or the D&RGW, they are great places to be, but if you have an interest in the C&S, threads that interest you are few and far between.

I also tried some of the Yahoo DSP&P groups, but they started getting too petty and peevish for my taste. If you didn't belong to the DSP&PHS you were on the outs. I had my fill of Historical Societies run by railfans with the C&SngHS and joined the DSP&P one to help give it a start but later let my membership lapse.

So Thanks Darel, and all who are participating for making this C&S blog a fun and interesting experience. For those other 300 or so of you who are lurking, I hope that you're either learning something or getting ready to post either your own questions or knowledge or photos of your layouts here.

Thanks again Darel, this is fun.

Rick

[John Schapekahm]

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[Mike Trent]

I agree completely, Rick. I have enjoyed this forum a lot, especially as it accepts the idea that modeling often encompases true and real historical data and information. I can't think how many times I have stumbled upon something that I've never heard reported or ever seen in print, quite possibly because there simply hasn't been the right forum for it.

So my thanks again to all those who not only have created this, but also to all those who read it and to those who contribute to it.

Hopefully this will become not only a source for information, as a place to aske questions, but also to find photos and other research information.

Chris  Walker, I wonder if you would be good enough to reintroduce your discussion from the NGDF from some months ago regarding the C&S locomotive weather curtains and some of the new information that was revealed in that discussion. That was really good stuff.

[Don Peterson]

I have known Darel for more years than I'd like to say but will say that me met and became friends over our mutual desire to model the South Park. I blame (er credit) him with rekindling my love of the DSP&P. His blog and now this forum has brought back "the big guns" and I am grateful you guys are here. I don't have the depth of knowledge you all have but rest assured your knowledge is not wasted here!

Don Peterson

[Tim Schreiner]

This forum is just what I've been longing for! Always frustrated at other forums that focus on either Rio Grande, or On30 crowd. Looking forward to a very long term existence here.

[Darel Leedy]

Awe shucks guys… thank you for all your kind comments. It couldn't be done without all the help and contributions from everyone. I too had gone down the same road as Rick did. Lately for me, the Yahoo groups have become irrelevant. More valuable information has been shared here on the blog and discussion forum in the last year, than in the last ten years in any Yahoo group.
 
I originally I started the blog as a means to motivate and document the construction of my small Sn3 layout. As my progress slowed and I had less and less to write about, the thought occurred to me to invite fellow C&S modelers in any scale to post on the blog (Derrell and I think there might be 5 of us in Sn3!). I've continually updated and modified (fun HTML code) the blog to be something I thought was missing; a place for C&S modelers and historians to congregate and share information (with no moderation Rick! Everyone is welcome to stick their own foot in their mouths).
 
The blog (free online magazine?) will hit 100,000 views this month (80,000 since opening it to additional authors a year ago!) and the new discussion forum has over 7000 views in less than a month (where are all these people?). Again, their success depends on your participation. And I am very appreciative of all of you that have. Thanks!

[Chris Walker]

Yes I too blow smoke in Darel's direction for providing this platform, and I have been (almost single-handedly) trying to keep the C&S fire going over at the NGDGF..... Now I know why Derrell and Darel haven't joined the fray.  

Keep in mind I'm very far away and have only had to rely on my smarts for deciphering what I see in photos and Books.  I didn't have the benefit of discussions and meeting with like minded fellows, there were only 2 others 30 years ago among few n.g modellers here nor did I have any access to archives outside of those already printed in the usual books on our favourite road.  

Also on my trips I have never had the time available to really get into some info with those that have it, I didn't have the luxury of researching when I could be out travelling around, and also I am stretched in my interests as well, being fascinated with Mining, Ghosttowns and the S.G world of the modern railroads so the N.G is a bit somewhat watered down. I even actually like to visit the C&TS.

I count myself to have been extremely lucky to have met and been befriended by a number of the "in" crowd haha. Long may this soapbox continue.

Chris Walker
in New Zealand

[Keith Hayes]

Golly geepers, guys. I have to concur with all the statements above. Leadville would not be Leadville without all ya'alls help.

[DRGWK37]

Well said Mike and your right--modeling and historical research do go hand in hand--can't really build a credible model of something your know nothing about.  I've found over the years that researching the D&RGW specifically drew me to becoming a modeler which I've found to be rewarding and enjoyable.  It's an extention of loving to research NG RR history.

And yes Cheers to everyone involved in getting this site up and running.  Thanks!!

William
aka drgwk37