<![CDATA[ - Big Blue's 5th Year Anniversary]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:14:40 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Attention!!!! A signed coffee mug auction]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6772 Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:11:29 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6772 Yeah, I know, no biggie, what’s the fuss, who really cares? Icon_lol Still, it is unique and we’re hoping that by signing this mug, we haven’t diminished its value. :o

So, as it goes, we have a “Fifth Anniversary” coffee mug to auction off with two signatures on the sides, as shown in the photos below. The signatures have been clear-coated, but it is not recommended that the mug be used as anything but a display piece since repeated use may cause the signatures to rub off. On the other hand, the winning bidder may just want it that way. 357 Yes, you can remove the signatures with rubbing alcohol if you prefer; that's your choice, we won’t be offended if you do. Nope

Here are the rules:
  1. There is no minimum bid and no reserve, the highest bidder at the time the auction closes will get the mug.
  2. Please keep your bid raises in increments of fifty cents or more.
  3. You can bid by posting it in this thread. Send a PM to either ezdays or ngauger if you have any questions.
  4. If you want to enter an anonymous bid (just like the rich and famous do), you can PM either ezdays or ngauger and we will bid on your behalf.
  5. The auction will run for three weeks and end on May 11th, at which time we will announce the winner.
  6. We will add a flat rate of $5.00 for shipping to any US or Canadian address, and calculate postage to other countries.
  7. Payment can be by PayPal, check, or MO. We will give the winner instructions on how and where to pay.

Remember, 100% of the proceeds from this auction is to help keep Big Blue running, so we are depending on you for your support and hope to give something back to you like this in return. Thumbsup


.jpg   Auto mug2.jpg (Size: 120.87 KB / Downloads: 3398)
]]> Yeah, I know, no biggie, what’s the fuss, who really cares? Icon_lol Still, it is unique and we’re hoping that by signing this mug, we haven’t diminished its value. :o

So, as it goes, we have a “Fifth Anniversary” coffee mug to auction off with two signatures on the sides, as shown in the photos below. The signatures have been clear-coated, but it is not recommended that the mug be used as anything but a display piece since repeated use may cause the signatures to rub off. On the other hand, the winning bidder may just want it that way. 357 Yes, you can remove the signatures with rubbing alcohol if you prefer; that's your choice, we won’t be offended if you do. Nope

Here are the rules:
  1. There is no minimum bid and no reserve, the highest bidder at the time the auction closes will get the mug.
  2. Please keep your bid raises in increments of fifty cents or more.
  3. You can bid by posting it in this thread. Send a PM to either ezdays or ngauger if you have any questions.
  4. If you want to enter an anonymous bid (just like the rich and famous do), you can PM either ezdays or ngauger and we will bid on your behalf.
  5. The auction will run for three weeks and end on May 11th, at which time we will announce the winner.
  6. We will add a flat rate of $5.00 for shipping to any US or Canadian address, and calculate postage to other countries.
  7. Payment can be by PayPal, check, or MO. We will give the winner instructions on how and where to pay.

Remember, 100% of the proceeds from this auction is to help keep Big Blue running, so we are depending on you for your support and hope to give something back to you like this in return. Thumbsup


.jpg   Auto mug2.jpg (Size: 120.87 KB / Downloads: 3398)
]]> <![CDATA[Happy Fifth photo contest rules]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6702 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 19:51:47 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6702 I guess it was a bit too restrictive with not enough time for some to respond. :oops: Well, we have another photo contest for you in celebration of our fifth anniversary that may be a bit easier to participate in. Thumbsup

What we are looking for is a train photo that includes a sign or lettering with the words, “5th anniversary” or “Happy 5th” or some other fifth-anniversary related wording on it. Something like, “Congratulations to Big Blue on your fifth anniversary” or just, “Happy 5th” would work, but not necessarily just like that. Some things that come to mind are, a billboard, a sign on a building or a freight car with the lettering on its side. Even a crop circle on your layout or a picture of a cake with “Happy fifth” and a train on it, would be about as creative as you can get. :ugeek: There is no restriction as to anything else on the photo, as was in the last disastrous contest, Sad and the sign can be anywhere on anything. You can even use our anniversary logo that is at the top of each page here. Just right click on it and select, “copy image” or “save image”.

The Rules:
  1. You can enter any train-related photo that has something regarding to our anniversary celebration in it, be it a sign or lettering on something.
  2. It must be fully visible in the photo and there can by other signs and numbers there as well. (not like the last contest Icon_lol ).
  3. Post your picture or pictures in the thread titled, “Happy fifth photo entries”.
  4. Multiple entries per person will be acceptable; each one will be individually entered in the voting poll.
  5. This thread is reserved for comments or questions, so again, please post your photos in the thread “Happy fifth photo entries”, otherwise we will either move it to there or it won’t be counted in the voting poll.
  6. Remember, as stated above, if you use one of our anniversary logos, it already has a “5th anniversary” in it, so that’s all you’d need, but anything that is original or creative is encouraged.
  7. Oh, and Photoshopping is OK. That is, you are allowed to add a sign is some cleaver way to make a photo look like it was originally there.
  8. The photo can be taken anywhere, on your layout, on another layout or in the full-scale world, just as long as the person entering it is the one that took the pictures, new or old.
  9. The top three vote getting in the voting poll will all receive a special fifth anniversary certificate by email. No biggie, but at least it's something you can hang next to your layout. Thumbsup
  10. Since we are not awarding any prizes, other than certificates to the top winners and bragging rights, this contest is open to everyone including our staff here at Big Blue.
  11. This contest starts right now, and will run until April 1st. A poll will open after that date, so that we can pick a winner.
Good luck to everyone that enters.]]> I guess it was a bit too restrictive with not enough time for some to respond. :oops: Well, we have another photo contest for you in celebration of our fifth anniversary that may be a bit easier to participate in. Thumbsup

What we are looking for is a train photo that includes a sign or lettering with the words, “5th anniversary” or “Happy 5th” or some other fifth-anniversary related wording on it. Something like, “Congratulations to Big Blue on your fifth anniversary” or just, “Happy 5th” would work, but not necessarily just like that. Some things that come to mind are, a billboard, a sign on a building or a freight car with the lettering on its side. Even a crop circle on your layout or a picture of a cake with “Happy fifth” and a train on it, would be about as creative as you can get. :ugeek: There is no restriction as to anything else on the photo, as was in the last disastrous contest, Sad and the sign can be anywhere on anything. You can even use our anniversary logo that is at the top of each page here. Just right click on it and select, “copy image” or “save image”.

The Rules:
  1. You can enter any train-related photo that has something regarding to our anniversary celebration in it, be it a sign or lettering on something.
  2. It must be fully visible in the photo and there can by other signs and numbers there as well. (not like the last contest Icon_lol ).
  3. Post your picture or pictures in the thread titled, “Happy fifth photo entries”.
  4. Multiple entries per person will be acceptable; each one will be individually entered in the voting poll.
  5. This thread is reserved for comments or questions, so again, please post your photos in the thread “Happy fifth photo entries”, otherwise we will either move it to there or it won’t be counted in the voting poll.
  6. Remember, as stated above, if you use one of our anniversary logos, it already has a “5th anniversary” in it, so that’s all you’d need, but anything that is original or creative is encouraged.
  7. Oh, and Photoshopping is OK. That is, you are allowed to add a sign is some cleaver way to make a photo look like it was originally there.
  8. The photo can be taken anywhere, on your layout, on another layout or in the full-scale world, just as long as the person entering it is the one that took the pictures, new or old.
  9. The top three vote getting in the voting poll will all receive a special fifth anniversary certificate by email. No biggie, but at least it's something you can hang next to your layout. Thumbsup
  10. Since we are not awarding any prizes, other than certificates to the top winners and bragging rights, this contest is open to everyone including our staff here at Big Blue.
  11. This contest starts right now, and will run until April 1st. A poll will open after that date, so that we can pick a winner.
Good luck to everyone that enters.]]> <![CDATA[Happy fifth photo entries]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6701 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 19:44:10 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6701 Our Happy Fifth photo contest rules. Please post any questions or comments in that thread as well.]]> Our Happy Fifth photo contest rules. Please post any questions or comments in that thread as well.]]> <![CDATA[A personal anniversary]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6659 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 23:19:06 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6659 I also notice than Mikey (ngauger) has me beat by 2 years and 45 days and was one of the original members to register. Thumbsup Thumbsup

Just out of curiosity does anyone else have a recollection of how long they've been on these forums? Remember, we date back to Dec. 2000 as the-gauge, then to Zealot for a while, and now here as Big Blue for over five years now.

Let's hear it from those of you that remember how long ago you registered anywhere along the way, the-gauge, Zealot or Big Blue, and just how you got here. Welcome]]> I also notice than Mikey (ngauger) has me beat by 2 years and 45 days and was one of the original members to register. Thumbsup Thumbsup

Just out of curiosity does anyone else have a recollection of how long they've been on these forums? Remember, we date back to Dec. 2000 as the-gauge, then to Zealot for a while, and now here as Big Blue for over five years now.

Let's hear it from those of you that remember how long ago you registered anywhere along the way, the-gauge, Zealot or Big Blue, and just how you got here. Welcome]]> <![CDATA[Coffee mug auction]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6615 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:12:09 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6615 Thumbsup

Anyway, here's our very first coffee cup auction. It has our fifth anniversary logo on it and will be something you can use every day or proudly display it in your train room. Here are the rules:

  1. There is no minimum bid and no reserve, the highest bidder at the time the auction closes will get the mug.
  2. Please keep your bid raises in increments of fifty cents or more.
  3. You can bid by posting it in this thread. Send a PM to either ezdays or ngauger if you have any questions.
  4. If you want to enter an anonymous bid (just like the rich and famous do), you can PM either ezdays or ngauger and we will bid on your behalf.
  5. The auction will run until Valentine's Day, February 14th, at which time we will announce the winner.
  6. We will add a flat rate of $5.00 for shipping to any US or Canadian address, and calculate postage to other countries.
  7. Payment can be by PayPal, check or MO. We will give the winner instructions on how and where to pay.

Remember, 100% of the proceeds from this auction is to help keep Big Blue running, so we are depending on you for your support and hope to give something like this in return.


.jpg   Coffee mug.jpg (Size: 38.94 KB / Downloads: 2786) ]]> Thumbsup

Anyway, here's our very first coffee cup auction. It has our fifth anniversary logo on it and will be something you can use every day or proudly display it in your train room. Here are the rules:

  1. There is no minimum bid and no reserve, the highest bidder at the time the auction closes will get the mug.
  2. Please keep your bid raises in increments of fifty cents or more.
  3. You can bid by posting it in this thread. Send a PM to either ezdays or ngauger if you have any questions.
  4. If you want to enter an anonymous bid (just like the rich and famous do), you can PM either ezdays or ngauger and we will bid on your behalf.
  5. The auction will run until Valentine's Day, February 14th, at which time we will announce the winner.
  6. We will add a flat rate of $5.00 for shipping to any US or Canadian address, and calculate postage to other countries.
  7. Payment can be by PayPal, check or MO. We will give the winner instructions on how and where to pay.

Remember, 100% of the proceeds from this auction is to help keep Big Blue running, so we are depending on you for your support and hope to give something like this in return.


.jpg   Coffee mug.jpg (Size: 38.94 KB / Downloads: 2786) ]]> <![CDATA[#5 photo contest voting poll]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6579 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:39:09 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6579
Place your votes for whichever photo you think is the best. As always, you can vote for as many entries as you wish. You can click on the name of the person to see their photo entry.

This poll will be open for twelve days, or until January 15th.

Good luck to all that have participated. Thumbsup]]>
Place your votes for whichever photo you think is the best. As always, you can vote for as many entries as you wish. You can click on the name of the person to see their photo entry.

This poll will be open for twelve days, or until January 15th.

Good luck to all that have participated. Thumbsup]]> <![CDATA[Kick off with our 5th anniversary photo contest rules]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6505 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 17:36:34 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6505
We normally don’t award prizes in our contests or challenges, but we will make an exception this time. The winner of this photo contest will get an official “Big Blue Train Forum” coffee mug. Because of this, Staff member’s photos will not be entered into the contest’s voting poll. They can, however, still post photos, but they will be excluded from the voting poll. The winner and the first two runner-ups will be awarded certificates.

One other twist, we have a few different “fifth anniversary” logos that we’ve created just for, well, our fifth anniversary. If one of these logos appears in the photo, that photo will be awarded one extra vote. If it appears on a piece of rolling stock, the photo will be awarded two extra votes at the end of the poll. You can download these logos from this thread.

Please bear in mind that this contest is all in fun, and we certainly don’t want to start any battles or hear any quibbling (as did happen in another forum that we’re aware of), just because there is a prize. A coffee mug isn’t worth losing friends over, that’s for sure.

The Rules:
  1. You can enter any train-related photo that has the number “5” in it. The number can stand by itself or can also have zeros in it. No other numbers are allowed. For example, 5, 005, 500, 0505, 5500 are all acceptable. Even 5555 would be OK as long as it only has fives, or fives and zeros in it.
  2. The numbers must be fully visible in the photo.
  3. Post your picture or pictures in the thread titled, "Fifth anniversary photo contest". Multiple entries per person will be acceptable; each one will be individually entered in the voting poll. This thread here is reserved for comments or questions, please post your photos in the thread provided, otherwise we will either move it there or it won’t be counted in the voting poll.
  4. Remember, as stated above, if you use one of our anniversary logos as they appear, they already have a “5” in them so no more is needed. Although more than one "5" in different places in your entry is acceptable but no other number (other than zero) can be showing anywhere (with the exception of the dates on some of our supplied logos).
  5. This contest starts right now, and will run until January 1st. A poll will open after that date, so that we can pick a winner.
Good luck to everyone that enters.]]>
We normally don’t award prizes in our contests or challenges, but we will make an exception this time. The winner of this photo contest will get an official “Big Blue Train Forum” coffee mug. Because of this, Staff member’s photos will not be entered into the contest’s voting poll. They can, however, still post photos, but they will be excluded from the voting poll. The winner and the first two runner-ups will be awarded certificates.

One other twist, we have a few different “fifth anniversary” logos that we’ve created just for, well, our fifth anniversary. If one of these logos appears in the photo, that photo will be awarded one extra vote. If it appears on a piece of rolling stock, the photo will be awarded two extra votes at the end of the poll. You can download these logos from this thread.

Please bear in mind that this contest is all in fun, and we certainly don’t want to start any battles or hear any quibbling (as did happen in another forum that we’re aware of), just because there is a prize. A coffee mug isn’t worth losing friends over, that’s for sure.

The Rules:
  1. You can enter any train-related photo that has the number “5” in it. The number can stand by itself or can also have zeros in it. No other numbers are allowed. For example, 5, 005, 500, 0505, 5500 are all acceptable. Even 5555 would be OK as long as it only has fives, or fives and zeros in it.
  2. The numbers must be fully visible in the photo.
  3. Post your picture or pictures in the thread titled, "Fifth anniversary photo contest". Multiple entries per person will be acceptable; each one will be individually entered in the voting poll. This thread here is reserved for comments or questions, please post your photos in the thread provided, otherwise we will either move it there or it won’t be counted in the voting poll.
  4. Remember, as stated above, if you use one of our anniversary logos as they appear, they already have a “5” in them so no more is needed. Although more than one "5" in different places in your entry is acceptable but no other number (other than zero) can be showing anywhere (with the exception of the dates on some of our supplied logos).
  5. This contest starts right now, and will run until January 1st. A poll will open after that date, so that we can pick a winner.
Good luck to everyone that enters.]]> <![CDATA[Fifth anniversary photo contest]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6504 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 17:30:57 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6504
Also be sure to read the rules in this thread There is a prize to the winner. Not a big one, but it's all part of this anniversary celebration.]]>
Also be sure to read the rules in this thread There is a prize to the winner. Not a big one, but it's all part of this anniversary celebration.]]> <![CDATA[Big Blue 5th anniversary logos]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6503 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 17:30:35 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6503

.gif   Fifth main logo.gif (Size: 41.5 KB / Downloads: 1429)


.jpg   Fifth small logo 3.jpg (Size: 29.98 KB / Downloads: 1483)


.jpg   Fifth small logo 2.jpg (Size: 22.37 KB / Downloads: 1509)


.jpg   Fifth small logo 1.jpg (Size: 100.88 KB / Downloads: 1474) ]]>

.gif   Fifth main logo.gif (Size: 41.5 KB / Downloads: 1429)


.jpg   Fifth small logo 3.jpg (Size: 29.98 KB / Downloads: 1483)


.jpg   Fifth small logo 2.jpg (Size: 22.37 KB / Downloads: 1509)


.jpg   Fifth small logo 1.jpg (Size: 100.88 KB / Downloads: 1474) ]]> <![CDATA[Five years of the Blues…]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6492 Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:12:57 +0000 ngauger]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=6492 After much excitement and lots of stress on the old board, ezdays and I decided that it was time to start down a different road.

We created this board with a lot TLC and respect for our membership and our staff. Path and Packey have both been tremendous in their recreating the “blue” board we once had, as well as making sure we were always happy here.

We have a lot to be thankful for, in that we have very few disagreements, just a couple of members banned for cause and very few spammers. One thing we attribute it to is that since we have no ads, there are no tracks (pun intended) for the spambots to follow Smile of course, some more persistent humans have gotten through our safeguards, but as many members have seen here, they don’t last long. Big Grin Big Grin We can thank the constant vigilance of all our members and our staff for this.

We have had many of our members participate in our challenges, tours and auctions and there are still some that are doing car exchanges. All this shows what kind of mutual respect we all have for each other here at Big Blue. This respect and friendship has been cultivated over years of having fun online… and off line as well.

The owners/administrators and the Moderators never stop trying to create new ideas for our members to join in on, so that we can keep the board fresh. However, it’s not too difficult when we have many members that have the freedom to create Weekly Picture Threads or the Hobo Camp Thread for all to enjoy! We really cherish this ride, one that everyone here makes possible. The reality of stopping in here and just calmly reading posts bears no resemblance to the board we left 5 years ago, and reflects that which we originally had… and we thank you all for participating and enjoying it all along with us!!!]]> After much excitement and lots of stress on the old board, ezdays and I decided that it was time to start down a different road.

We created this board with a lot TLC and respect for our membership and our staff. Path and Packey have both been tremendous in their recreating the “blue” board we once had, as well as making sure we were always happy here.

We have a lot to be thankful for, in that we have very few disagreements, just a couple of members banned for cause and very few spammers. One thing we attribute it to is that since we have no ads, there are no tracks (pun intended) for the spambots to follow Smile of course, some more persistent humans have gotten through our safeguards, but as many members have seen here, they don’t last long. Big Grin Big Grin We can thank the constant vigilance of all our members and our staff for this.

We have had many of our members participate in our challenges, tours and auctions and there are still some that are doing car exchanges. All this shows what kind of mutual respect we all have for each other here at Big Blue. This respect and friendship has been cultivated over years of having fun online… and off line as well.

The owners/administrators and the Moderators never stop trying to create new ideas for our members to join in on, so that we can keep the board fresh. However, it’s not too difficult when we have many members that have the freedom to create Weekly Picture Threads or the Hobo Camp Thread for all to enjoy! We really cherish this ride, one that everyone here makes possible. The reality of stopping in here and just calmly reading posts bears no resemblance to the board we left 5 years ago, and reflects that which we originally had… and we thank you all for participating and enjoying it all along with us!!!]]>