OCS tracker

[crazytiger]

OK, tell me if this is a good idea or not, but I would like to establish a tracker for Class I OCS's around the nation (and Canada). Recently, I found out that the NS OCS was coming through my city, within a couple day period, but it wasn't enough. If you have an update on the location of an OCS and/or where it is headed, post it please.

Example format:

NS - Atlanta, GA, 8/27/09, 08:53 AM - NB; Altoona, PA, via Charlotte, NC;

[JRMDC]

Sounds like something for TrainOrders, it gets more people than RP forums does.

[PLEzero]

NS - Altoona, PA - 07 December 2009 - Special Equipment Shop, Unassigned

See ya next year.

[nikos1]

A good idea, ill see if i can set something up on my site. I prefer it not being on trainorders, once it gets past page 1 its useless to anyone not a member. Maybe starting a new yahoo group for the sole purpose of tracking might work?


Oh btw: the correct time for your example would be

<b>NS</b> - Atlanta, GA, 8/27/09, 06:40 PM - NB; Altoona, PA, via Charlotte, NC; ;)

[MNJRR]

I like the idea alot, I'm always looking to catch the OCS and I've been lucky enough to catch the CSX one on their way back from the horse races in Saratoga Springs, NY

[chuckman]

Another thing to keep in mind if you did the yahoo group. Make sure you allow viewing of posts for young folks that can't be members. This would have been my situation a couple years ago, and it really frustrated me.

[crazytiger]

I'm glad I'm hearing a generally positive response.
Nikos, If i could have known that info on 8/27, I would have been very happy.
Chuckman, I'll keep that in mind.

EDIT: I am making a google group. Here is the access level: Public - Anyone can read the archives. Anyone can join, but only members can post messages and view the members list. Only managers can create pages and upload files. If anyone objects, let me know. If you can't join, (all you have to have is an email (doesn't even have to be gmail)) just PM me if you have an update. Please join. The OCS Tracker Google Group (groups.google.com/group/theocstracker)

Oh, and feel free to post the link on TO. I don't have an account there.

[NSFan14]

I'm glad I'm hearing a generally positive response.
Nikos, If i could have known that info on 8/27, I would have been very happy.
Chuckman, I'll keep that in mind.

EDIT: I am making a google group. Here is the access level: Public - Anyone can read the archives. Anyone can join, but only members can post messages and view the members list. Only managers can create pages and upload files. If anyone objects, let me know. If you can't join, (all you have to have is an email (doesn't even have to be gmail)) just PM me if you have an update. Please join. The OCS Tracker Google Group (groups.google.com/group/theocstracker)

Oh, and feel free to post the link on TO. I don't have an account there.
I joined, But IMO...I think you'd get more feedback if it was a Yahoo Group.

[cblaz]

I joined, But IMO...I think you'd get more feedback if it was a Yahoo Group.

Agreed. If most of the railfan groups use Yahoo, why change it up? Most people would be familiar with the setup and how to use it.

- Chris

[Joe the Photog]

Most YahooGroups already track the hell out of office car specials. We had folks chasing the recent private car Amtrak train through the Carolinas posting both to SERails and Carolina Rails. I was in Columbia calling folks north of me who were posting online before heading out to chase. Most YGs do this and do it very well.

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/carolinarails/

[crazytiger]

I joined, But IMO...I think you'd get more feedback if it was a Yahoo Group.

Really? Why am I still the only member?

Maybe, I should just make a yahoo group.

Joe, I was looking for something more national. Also, when the NS OCS came through the Upstate (SC) back in August, there wasn't a peep on Carolina rails until mid-september it looked like. Not sure if this would do better, but I'd like to think so.

[NSFan14]

Well, I thought I joined. When you get the yahoo group up, Let me know.

[Chase55671]

If I were you, I'd follow Joe's advice and just follow the yahoo groups. I'm a member of probably a 100 Yahoo lists and they do indeed, track the hell out of unique lashups, OCS trains, circus trains, etc. etc. Many of the lists focus on specific territories while some of the lists focus system wide on a specific railroad. Either way, the OCS moves are usually documented pretty well.

Train orders is a good group, too. I need to eventually renew my membership, as I enjoyed participating in their forum.

Chase
Yahoo Group Whore

[NSFan14]

Well, Never hurts to try ehh?

IMO, I think its a good idea...Cause some folks(I.E. Like me) doesnt want to look through 500 emails a day. But that is just my opinion...Some have different.

[MNJRR]

I only belong to 4 yahoo groups and i get on average 20 emails per day and thats quite enough. They're area focused groups, Orange County, NY and the Hudson River Lines, but as you said they track the heck out of the OCS and circus trains, if it wasn't for the group i wouldn't have seen the CSX OCS.

[Joe the Photog]

The thing about tracking OCS nationally is that if you're in Portland, Oregon, why do you care about the NS Masters train going from Altoona to Augusta? YahooGroups are usually more territorial.

If you know somethng is coming through and it's not being discussed on whatever YG you're on, ask the question. I don't recall the NS OCS in August, but we have several NS crew members on Carolina Rails who keep us apprised if they know something is coming.

[cblaz]

IMO, I think its a good idea...Cause some folks(I.E. Like me) doesnt want to look through 500 emails a day. But that is just my opinion...Some have different.

That's why there's a Web Only option on the membership pages. :) This way you can belong to hundreds of Yahoo Groups around the country and only have them go to your email when you go to that area.

- Chris

[jdirelan87]

ns - altoona, pa - 07 december 2009 - special equipment shop, unassigned

see ya next year.

:) :) :) :)

[crazytiger]

Okay, I'm going to bed right now, but tomorrow, I will make a Yahoo group and see how it fairs. The response to making the google group has been overwhelming. :roll:

[NSFan14]

Well, Tommorow was yesterday...

[crazytiger]

Here it is: The OCS Tracker Yahoo Group. (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ocstracker/)

More on the advantages of making it nationwide...
You can find out that the OCS is coming through your parent's/brother's/friend's town, while you are there. You might not have known this in a local group.

[lost bouy]

I'm a member now :)

Looks like a pretty nice site. Thanks for putting it up!