Changes over the past month

Now some of you might have noticed that after the passing of Larry aka. the-railblazer this group went through some radical changes. Normally we do not like fast and radical changes, but truth is before Larry died our staff was already undermanned and we were not able to respond. As a group leader I've learned sometimes radical changes are necessary.

We've endured some growing pains along the way this month due to radical change. First of all, I'd like to thank all our new staffers, they busted on the scene, when we needed them most. A lot of them were put right into the position regretfully without a lot of advice and started off a little rough around the edges, but have become very effective. They have improved a good bit.

I'd also like to thank the patience of our members in holding on and dealing with this. I can understand the temptation for members to get mad because some of the effects of this radical change, but I am very glad to say that there were no major arguments, and pretty much every issue I know of was resolved. It seems like everybody has displayed a very good understanding of this situation and that is something to be praised.

I'm very happy with how the group responded to this change.

Updates to our staff include:

shenanigan87 to Co-founder.

Since joining the staff shenanigan87, has proven to be an important cog in the TRFN machine. With that it was only appropriate that we promote him to full administrator to help compensate for these radical changes.

New staffers:

Wessonnative Longtime dA railfan, and one of the first to contact us when we announced Larry's passing.

DefectiveDefects One of the newer railfans of the bunch earning notice.

DragonWolfACe Longtime dA railfan, I'm pretty sure everybody has faved or commented something in his gallery.

JamesT4 Another deviantART veteran and personal friend of Larry's, who came in to help us.

miniwyo Not only a railfan but a pretty wicket wildlife photographer to.

SwissTrain Veteran group administrator on dA who opened our affiliate Train-World 5 years ago.

Departures

robertbeardwell From day one when we started the official group, it was Robert who drove to make this group appeal to more than just American railfans. Given the majority of users on deviantART here are American the diversity of this group is impressive. I'd like to thank Robert for his work for the group. It appears he has moved on from dA, but his push for diversity is noted and will continue.