I have a few instruction sheets that I have saved over the years and I'm wondering if there was a place that we could set up a library to digitally store them. I'm sure that between us we could list about everything. I have some for car kits, locomotives and a few buildings, and you never know when someone might need them. I have been scanning them.
Any ideas anyone?
Charlie
I ahve a bunch of usable instruction sheets as well!
I'll have to work on getting the printer/copier/scanner that i got from all my Dad's stuff after his passing two years ago hooked up an working ... I think I stopped working on that project when I had trouble downloading drivers.
That is a great idea - however it may not be legal due to the crazy out of control copywrite law in the US. It would be really nice if there was an online searchable source of instruction manuals for anythign and everything - nothign fancy, just manufacturer, part number, and name if it has one. Straight scans, no fancy OCR junk needed. Everyone could contribute what they have and between the wide community of model railroaders, nearly everything ever made could be covered. That way when ou buy an old kit on eBay only to find the previous owner tossed the instruction sheet, no worries, just search the instruction sheet database!
We can dream.
--Randy
rrinker Wrote:That is a great idea - however it may not be legal due to the crazy out of control copywrite law in the US.
--Randy
I'd say that the copyright laws would cause problems for sure if you put scans of instruction sheets, etc., in any sort of on-line for download type web site, without obtaining permission to post the item from each manufacturer concerned.
Perhaps it would be possible to put a forum in the "RAILROAD MARKETPLACE" section here entitled something like "Information Exchange" and then let folks post listings of such items they have available in that forum. You could then contact that individual off group and let them send the requested scans via email. At the moment, I'm not sure how you could keep it organized so that it would be easy to find something you may be looking for, but you should be able to search in that group to see if you can track down something you're needing.
A posting might look something like:
Subject: HO Scale Kit Instructions Available
Then in the body something on the order of: I have the follow instruction sheets available for... and list the kit/model name(s) - one per line, like...
Scale Structures Limited Saw Mill Kit Instructions
Walthers ADM Grain Elevator Instructions
Kato NW-2 Parts Diagram
etc...
Just my two cents worth (before taxes).
I have scanned at least 15 different sets, and none of them are copyrighted. Generally copyrights are to protect the author from harm. I can't see where there would be anything but help to a manufacturer for this, especially if it gets his product up and running again. If they are copyrighted we just list them and then the sheet can be emailed to the person needing it.
Charlie
Have you seen the HOseeker website? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hoseeker.net/">http://www.hoseeker.net/</a><!-- m --> If he doesn't have the particular instruction sheet, you can send it to him. That site is an extremely valuable reference, and perhaps it would be easier to help make that site better rather than set up a competing database.
In addition, I believe the NMRA has an instruction library - perhaps for members only...?
Andrew
nachoman Wrote:Have you seen the HOseeker website? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hoseeker.net/">http://www.hoseeker.net/</a><!-- m --> If he doesn't have the particular instruction sheet, you can send it to him. That site is an extremely valuable reference, and perhaps it would be easier to help make that site better rather than set up a competing database.
Kevin, Thanks, that is exactly what I'm looking for, he may have some I can use. I'll be back on that site as soon as I leave "bug Blue"
Charlie
I'm no expert, but it seems to me as long as you don't change, take credit for or try to sell the material, it shouldn't be a problem....