Boat of Garten the full circle route.

[SkylineBoy]

I haven't joined and won't be joining Facebook, not for reasons of privacy but the place has caused no end of issues for me and my family. Obviously that isn't something I am going to go into here, and no, we haven't been on The Jeremy Kyle Show!

This is completely irrelevant to why I am posting though, it is in response to some of the curious replies above. The author can provide any means of distribution that they wish to, they can send it by carrier pigeon if that is their preference. If you don't want to join and therefore don't want to download it, it isn't their loss at all, it's yours. In fact, if the best that you can offer in response to a free route is to say "His Loss!" then i'd probably not be alone in thinking that you don't deserve to have the free content in the first place!

From what I can see of the screenshots above and from the brief discussion I have have had from someone who does have the route, it does seem like a very impressive effort and I can only offer congratulations on such a large project. If the author decides somewhere down the line to offer wider options for download then so be it, if they don't then I respect their choice.

[levisham]

I was doubtful at first about FB but having used it now for a number of years I would not be without it. I have no fear of it.
I am waiting for my membership to be approved,

Regards, John.

[Kernow2]

A lovely looking route on which to drive some lovely looking trains - a win -win.
Thank you, creators.
Seasons Bleatings,

[ashgray]

Just for those that might think that it's the author who is losing out, rather than the prospective downloader, there are more routes available on their FB page than just the Boat of Garten.

Bala anyone?

Ash

[theorganist]

I think this Facebook bashing is tedious, this is not the first time it has come up. It is only as dangerous and invasive as you make it, it is easy to stay private and to keep out of the potential trouble spots. It is a great way of meeting new people who share your interests, in my case railways, classic cars and pipe organs, the latter two I have known examples saved from scrap because of Facebook.

Peter

[sem34090]

I have many personal reasons for not wishing to be on facebook! I understand all the comments made here, but why can't the routes be made more accessible without, any apparent, good reason? Most other creators seem to manage without putting their downloads on a closed group.

Also, It'd be appreciated if the requirements could be posted here! At least then I could see if it would be worth signing up to Twitface for...

All the best,

sem34090

[marcusboon]

Also, It'd be appreciated if the requirements could be posted here! At least then I could see if it would be worth signing up to Twitface for...

All the best,

sem34090

Requirements (from the manual):

Bath to Templecombe or European Assets Pack (Steam Payware)
Western lines of Scotland (Steam Payware Version)(*Not the freeware version of the Port Road *)
West Coast Main Line North (Steam Payware)
The Isle of Wight (Steam Payware)

Marcus

[august1929]

I have many personal reasons for not wishing to be on facebook! I understand all the comments made here, but why can't the routes be made more accessible without, any apparent, good reason? Most other creators seem to manage without putting their downloads on a closed group.

sem34090

Perhaps the creator also has "many personal reasons" for not wishing to distribute anywhere other than through the Facebook page. I think it needs to be assumed that the route creator does have a "good reason", whether or not it is apparent to anyone else.

He has, however, made the route available within a core of like minded railway and TSXX enthusiasts.

On a more positive note it is well worth registering both for this route and the others that the members of the Facebook group have produced - some iconic stretches of Britain's lost routes.

Rod

[sem34090]

Ah... I don't have WCML North.

Actually, I get the point of that last post! Fair enough. I suppose if I don't actually post anything then I should be alright.

All the best,

sem34090

[SkylineBoy]

I suppose if I don't actually post anything then I should be alright.

Far from me to tell you when not to post but it does seem that nearly every other post from yourself consists of some sort of wishlist, and in this thread a mild sense of entitlement.

Bear in mind that this isn't intended to offend, i'm sure you'll appreciate that when posting anonymously on a forum it does only offer a very limited perception about the person behind the keyboard.

[sem34090]

Hi SkylineBoy

Looking back over this thread I can fully understand where you're coming from, and for that I apologise. I am not offended, indeed I think it stupid to be offended by any comment made by anyone on any forum! I try and avoid wishlisting, but again I can see what you mean. I apologise for that too.

I have however, something else I'd like to add to this discussion.

Having read the comments above, I decided to create a Facebook account, however I have deactivated it immediately due to my being put off by the following: the inability to keep yourself to yourself. Admittedly this is partially my fault, I tried using my username from on here, then went straight to my real name. I didn't realise that this automatically became your username and that, until verified, that cannot be changed.

Next was me email address. I assumed I had to enter this, but it seems that Facebook automatically attaches this to your profile so that anyone can contact you, and this is something I really don't want! I choose to stay annonymous online for a variety of reasons, which I wish to keep to myself. I did faff around a bit to see if I could make everything only visible to me, but this was impossible!

So, following that little experience, I shall not be signing up to facebook inthe neat future, and I now realise where a forum such as this differs so hugely from a social media platform like Facebook. Facebook doesn't allow you total privacy, whilst on a forum I have total control over everything that can be publicly seen.

And with that, all the best,

sem34090

[pakay21]

Hello all,

If I were the author of this route I would probably be wondering why I had bothered to publish it as nearly all the comments in this thread are about Facebook.

I am very pleased to have been allowed access to the relevant FB page and have downloaded the route. It is probably the quickest instal that I have ever experienced and is a superbly modelled. Half a dozen Jinty scenarios are included and really take you back to another world.

Thank you very much to all concerned with this very worthwhile Christmas present. Cheers. Paul

[rkk01]

I sort of agree on the Facebook stuff...

Pretty selective about what I post, like or have attached to my profile on fb, as mostly it's family and friends.

I do use the platform to track upcoming stuff from various developers, but that's about it. Interests that involve any "kit" that might be regarded as interesting, valuable (nickable) tend not to get any visibility.


Shame, as the "lost routes" group has been recommended by the fb algorithms

[gptech]

Facebook's no more a security problem than any other 'group', so there's no need to get paranoid about what you share (knowingly or unknowingly) but it does come with a certain *reputation*---more the fault of the users of it than the service, as my own "dealings" with it have been, I assume, similar to those of Skyline's.
My biggest gripe with closed groups, Facebook or anywhere, is having to sign up to even find out what it's all about--no good having a shop front if the customers can't see the goods!!

[holzroller]

I use Facebook, but my e-mail is hidden and they certainly aren't getting my phone number. My FB page is set to private as well. I use it for tracking hobby related stuff and keeping in touch with a very select few.