I agree with you guys, I have seen this happen a lot on IRC. Once the folks managing a channel aren't around to keep things going, it goes downhill. A real pity, I love all the information and pics here. Great bunch of railroaders ;-)
I would visit a HO forum I think was called layout party it was a few years back, but one day it just wasn't there anymore. I tried to fined it with a search engine had no luck. Maybe someone here remembers it!
I love it here as well. I hope things pickup! I have so much to learn with all the new eletronics they have now for model trains. I'm still trying to learn about the standard stuff . I have only been doing HO for about two years and I have gotten so much from this forum already in the nine to ten mouths I have been a member. I like the people here they are always helpfull and talk to you not down to you. I know I don't post a lot, but you can fine me signed in here almost every day. I hope when the weather get nicer things will pick up here.