RCGRS MRT SIG
Welcome to the
Model Railroading Technology
The purpose of the MRT SIG is to collect and disseminate information about various tools and equipment used in the creation, maintenance, and operation of model railroads. The MRT SIG will include all sorts of items, from older items still in use to current items now available and to items that are still in the development stages of our current technology. The MRT SIG will also develop information and instruction documents on using these items in all phases of a model railroad layout – from initial site preparation to a completed layout – to include using them in maintenance and modification of the layout and operation of the model railroad.
This wiki is set up and managed by the Rose City Garden Railway Society. For more information on that, please go to the RCGRS web site at https://rosecitygardenrailwaysociety.wildapricot.org/.
Articles in the MRT Wiki
As articles are written, they will be placed in various topical categories, and indexed so that you can easily browse through the categories looking for an article of interest. As some articles may touch on multiple topics, the article may be listed multiple times. You can find the categories listed in the "MRT SIG Topics" page. Just browse through the category descriptions on that page to find one that relates to what you want to know about.
Briefly, the current topics include:
Ask Questions
If you have a curiosity, or a burning need to know something, or just confused about something, PLEASE, just send your question to the MRT. We will be happy to attempt to answer it; and if we can't we will research it for you. Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question. Or one too simple or too complex. Either may have simple answers, or be very complex answers. And, very probably, you may not be the only one that has that question. Finding and sharing the answers is what the MRT SIG is all about.
Publication Stages
Works In Progress
There are many articles currently being developed. These include:
You may look at these to see how they are progressing. However, if you have questions or comments related to them, it would be best to wait until the article progresses to the next stage of development (Pending Review) to ask the questions or make comments. The author may already have thought about the issues and just hasn't gotten to the point of incorporating it into his/her article. Patience is a virtue. But you might learn something about what you are curious about in the meantime by just browsing through them.
Pending Review
The next stage of article development is a review cycle. Articles in this category include:
These articles are essentially complete and ready for a more formal announcement. But there may still be unanswered questions related to them, or minor problems with them. You are invited to review the articles in this category and ask questions and make comments. See the Sample Article Structure.
Contribute
We aren't all-knowing; that's why the MRT SIG exists. If you see a question that hasn't been answered yet, and think you have the answer, PLEASE, share that information with us. Or if you just thought someone else might just want to know about something, PLEASE, send us a note, or anything up to a full-blown article. Check out the "Sample Article Structure" to get some ideas on how to construct and publish an article. We will accept anything in virtually any format to start working up an article with. And we will assist you, if you desire some assistance, in the preparation of the article, or do it ourselves based on the information you provide.
Caveat and Disclaimer
While we will attempt to be as accurate and complete with the articles as possible, there may be missing information, incorrect information, or misleading information.
And while we will try to provide sources of materials and equipment, it is not our intent to advertise for, or even to advocate, any particular product or company. What is stated will simply be our best guess as to where items might be acquired, what they might cost, what the integrity or reliability of a vendor is. And while we will attempt to identify suitable materials, equipment, and methods for performing a project or task, we cannot guarantee the applicability of the item to any particular project; and there may be better items than what we identify.
As to how to use materials and equipment, again we will try to be as comprehensive as possible. But there are many ways in which any particular item may be used, and the purpose to which it is put. You are free to do whatever you wish with any of the items mentioned in any of the articles, but, whether you follow the advice and instructions in the article or do something different, you are on your own. We cannot take any responsibility for what might happen - to you or the materials or equipment.
Finally, we urge you to be safe. Use masks when appropriate, Some projects are best done in a well ventilated area. Others may need care in handling the materials; they may be caustic, fragile, cumbersome, or whatever. Be careful. Again, we cannot accept responsibility for any damage done.
Sorry, but this is somewhat of a legal thing that will keep us out of trouble.
Other References
- Category:Wiki Article Development: This category includes a set of articles like "Help" pages. They cover things such as how to create an article and working with a wiki site like this one.
Here is a list of other references you might find useful in creating an article:
- Index to Uploaded Manuals: As it says, an index to documents that have been uploaded to this wiki. These articles have not been edited by anyone in the MRT SIG, and come from a variety of sources. So take them as they are. The list may not be current.
- MediaWiki main help page: A starting point for learning about how the wiki itself works. We have also provided some help of our own that will probably reduce the time needed to research simple page development tasks. That help is also listed in the "MRT SIG Topics" page.