Greetings all, Good to see some old names

Recently I have been working with AgentSkelly on developing a new wiki based website for rail fans. I am a huge foamer myself, just have never subscribed to this board before

It is up and operational... Now I need people to add content and test it out.

I am giving out SubAdmin BetaTester group access to anyone who wants to help us beta test the site and get it up and running.

Input is highly desired.

www.railsexy.com is the site in question.

I consider myself worse than a foamer. I normally tell my friends I'm a train freak. Most don't ever get it. (kinda like explaining what UER is)

Anyhoo, the site looks great, but I'm wondering if it's going for an informational look, or a forum look? There's already plenty of resources out there for railfans, etc and I'm not sure we'd need another forum.

I think what this "industry" or hobby needs is a railfan dictionary, glossary, engine and railcar index, photo gallery, etc vs more discussions and forums.

This is just my opinion, but I've also seen what's out there and wish there was a website that's dedicated to what I mentioned above. Yeah it's nice to have discussions and such, but it's really hard to track down maps, or road information and the like with several hundred websites having their own information and none dedicated to specific information (database, etc). This is especially true for newbs who are starting this hobby for the very first time, or for hardcore train trackers who need valuable resources at their fingertips instantly.

I'd be more than happy to help as my time permits, and hopefully what I've said above will be considered in some way to contribute to the site. -- If I need to expand on what I've said, let me know. Be happy to help or give examples, etc.

The Train Freak

Indeed, In fact the main inspiration I was going for with this was to start creating a directory and database. i.e. a photo of each boxcar, etc...

This website is capable of doing this, we just have to figure out a way to sort it. Right now my challenge is to try to figure out a way to sort the galleries in the photo section in order to try and catalogue vast quantities of rolling stock.

As far as storage and bandwidth, I am all set there, having unlimited storage and bandwidth from my current host.

I also think the idea of a rail wiki is kind of unique. As far as I know, none exist, so that is another major focus. The forums are a minimal aspect, and mainly are only there to help with administering the site itself.

There is also an integrated google map system with this site, and it will allow you to keep track of locations of photos... I just have to figure out how... There is also the ability to add video within this site too!

Which is where the beta testers come in.

Heh, well other than editing my own website, I'll keep to giving input for now. I just updated the entire 30+ page website tonight (all self html coding), and if that gets tedious for me, then I think I'll pass on the beta testing.

... I'll let others chime in on this now.

I wouldn't mind helping, I'm close enough to a pretty busy rail line I could get pictures and all that stuff. Just let me know how I can help.

Photos are good, wiki articles on railway stuff is good. heck maybe you wanna do a write up on some of the local lines around Hamilton? Photos are good too, and suggestions on the easiest way to implement that system. i.e. either a gallery for boxcars, hoppers, etc.. or based on carrier, or... well we can go very deep with sub galleries and such...

See I want an archive like this: http://www.rrpictu...id=TBOX&rid=666600

I understand that archive exists, but they do not accept new users because they apparently have bandwidth and storage issues. So it is hard to add photos of rolling stock that they do not already have photos of.

So yeah, for now, sign up, tool around, poke at stuff, and let me know what you think needs to be done. In fact the beta tester group has a lot of ability to modify and admin the website anyhow, so if you want to change it, go nuts...