Closing a thread in Rail Forums

[AY1975]

Some of the older threads in Rail Forums are now closed, so you can't add to them anymore, but some threads have been going for years and are still open.

Does anyone know what the policy is as to when a thread is closed? Is it automatically closed after it has been going for a certain number of years, or after no-one has posted any new comments for a certain length of time? Or does an administrator decide when a thread should be closed (as sometimes happens on Facebook)?

 

[ainsworth74]

As long as thread is having posts made in it then it will remain open for further discussion (unless it needs to be closed for some other reason usually relating to the Forum Rules). Old threads, i.e. those which have not had posts made for some time, will be locked. This is done by the Forum Staff from time to time. Therefore there will be threads that remain open that are older than some others that have been locked but this is because they are still being posted in!

 

[DaleCooper]

As long as thread is having posts made in it then it will remain open for further discussion (unless it needs to be closed for some other reason usually relating to the Forum Rules). Old threads, i.e. those which have not had posts made for some time, will be locked. This is done by the Forum Staff from time to time. Therefore there will be threads that remain open that are older than some others that have been locked but this is because they are still being posted in!

That doesn't explain this:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=3082611&postcount=1198

I'm not entirely sure I understand how and why this thread came into being, however the forum staff have decided that this has run its course.

Did it break forum rules?

 

[Darandio]

No wonder I hadn't seen anything recent from it, didn't realised it had closed.

Not entirely sure why a moderator feels the need to question why a perfectly innocent and fun thread has been started.

 

[bb21]

That doesn't explain this:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=3082611&postcount=1198

Did it break forum rules?

Our Forum Rules very clearly state under Relevant that

New threads should be given appropriate, descriptive titles and subsequent posts should remain relevant to the original topic.

If a thread does not have a core topic, then subsequent posts cannot remain on topic.

The forum staff team understand that some members would like to have some light-hearted fun from time to time, and have no wish to intentionally spoil that, however due to unpleasant past experience with threads without a central topic, we collectively took the decision that random chat type threads are not to be allowed on the forum under normal circumstances. Feedback from forum membership also suggests that many prefer it this way. It is by no means an easy decision, however we collectively felt that this is in the best interests of the forum as a whole.

As also stated in our Forum Rules,

We have difficult moderation judgements to make, which we appreciate not everyone will agree with. Please do not discuss moderator actions and decisions on the forum. If you have any concerns please contact us.

I trust that this sufficiently answers your query.

Your understanding on this matter is therefore much appreciated.