*PHOTORESIZER UPDATED TO VERSION 3.0*

New stuff is in yellow.

I'm going to have to cut back on who I accept again due to getting too many pictures at once again. However, I will still accept new people who can make webpages. If you don't know how to make webpages, I won't accept you at this time.

To view my regulars, and semi-regulars click here.

1. Do keep the updates limited to one state, city, town, one general area, or even better: One crossing at a time. If you need to send more than one email, please do it. Don't embed pictures in emails if possible. This means more work for me. Please always use attachments. You can even use ZIP or RAR files if you need to.

2. Do try to keep your pictures around 800x600 resolution. Pictures that are larger than 800x600 will be shrunk to 800x600. Different sizes mean more work for me, and slower updating times.

Some people are having a VERY hard time accepting the 800x600 standard, so I'm going to loosen the requirements. When I mean 800x600, I don't mean exactly 800x600. I'd prefer to either have the width or height at least 800 pixels, like (555x800), or (800x533).

Do NOT use digital zoom. Digital zoom on cameras really degrades the quality of the picture. Only use optical zoom if you have it.

For pictures scanned from a 35mm or APS film, a minimum of 500 pixels is required either for width or height such as: (345x500), or (500x421). 800 pixels are recommended, but I will take pixels between 500-800 though. No pictures under 500 pixels wide or long accepted.

I'll accept 640x480 resolution if your camera doesn't take pictures larger than that (such as cellphones).

I have changed things a little bit. 640x480 will be accepted, as long as you are using a 2.0 Megapixel camera or larger. Your photo(s) will be enlarged to 800x600 with about 1% reduction in quality. Pictures from cellphones, 0.3 Megapixel, or 1.3 megapixel cameras will not be enlarged. I went shopping at Wal-Mart, and found a good 2.1 Megapixel camera for about $40 that accepts SD cards. If you need a camera go and find this camera at your Wal-Mart, or Wal-Mart Supercenter ASAP.

OfficeMax puts memory cards at very low prices a lot of the time. I've seen 1 GB SD cards on sale for $10-20, and 2-4 GB cards for $25 if your camera supports 2-4 GB cards.

3. If you can make thumbnails of your crossings, it would make my progress go a lot faster.

You can download a freeware program to automatically make 160x??? (usually 120) thumbnails.

PhotoResize400.exe (297 kb) for Windows NT 4.0, 2000, XP, and Vista.
PhotoResize400.exe (292 kb) for Windows 98 and ME.
PhotoResize400.exe (366 kb) for 64bit Windows.

Just make sure to change the name of the file from "PhotoResize400.exe to "160O.exe", drag your pictures to the program, then it'll spit out thumbnails in the same folder the original pictures are at.

A few people have had problems with the XP version even though they are running Windows XP. If that's the case, then download the Windows 98/ME version and try that.

Any other questions? Email me.

4. Do take more than one picture per crossing. One picture won't give a general idea on what the whole crossing looks like. A minimum of 4 pictures for mast flashers with or without gates is recommended, while 10 is the minimum for cantilever crossings. Crossings that have just one picture may not get uploaded at all.

5. Do tell me the city, state, and street name of the crossing. The DOT number (6 digits followed by a letter), is extremely recommended. In MOST cases, I may put pictures at the very end of the waiting list without the DOT number. Sometimes the FRA doesn't list a crossing by its name, it sometimes goes by county road, State Highway, or sometimes they misspell it. The DOT number is required in this case, but not all crossings have them, especially many short line railroads, such as the SJVR. In that case, the city, state, and street name will be okay. It will mean a little more work, but I should be able to figure it out. If you need to go that route, try to be as specific about the crossing, such as the number of tracks, how many lanes the tracks cross, and other specifics such as how many bells the crossing has. These key facts may help me distinquish the right crossing, especially if there are multiple crossings on the same road, defunct or not.

A few people have sent me pictures of crossings without the DOT number, when it can easilly be found. If you send pictures like that, they'll be deleted, unless you go out really quickly and get that number.

I've gotten pictures from people telling me the wrong street name. This isn't acceptable. When you go to a crossing, make sure you know where you are. Take a picture of a street sign if you need to, or write it down.

6. Do take your pictures and videos outside your car. They look more professional if they're outside. If you must take a picture in your car, then remember to have a clean windshield, and try not to get the blue strip near the top of the windshield. Nothing ruins a good crossing shot more than splattered bug guts, or a dark blue strip above the picture.

7. If you send in MP3 files, I'll only accept them if you send in pictures to match them. I won't accept MP3 files unless I can see the signals/crossings they work with. Make your MP3 files at between 5 seconds to 2 minutes. I may accept longer files upon request though. Make your files around 64 kbps mono or stereo. MP3PRO files are also accepted. If your files are too high quality (128 kbps for example), I may compress them down to 64 kbps quality with either MP3, MP3PRO, or WMA files. 8 kbps - 56 kbps is not accepted, even under the MP3PRO standard. If you send WAV, ACC, OGG, MP4, or other non-popular files, I'll still accept them, but I'll change them to MP3 or (likely) WMA files.

8. Do keep in constant contact with me, even if it's just a casual note. I've had people sending in pictures, and it isn't enough information that I need to know to post the pictures. If you can't keep in constant contact with me, don't send your pictures in, or save them for a time when you can keep in contact with me. I've had people disappear on me, and their pictures get left on a long term waiting list, and I don't hear back from them in 3 months. This is not acceptable. Repeat, if you can't keep in contact with me, you're pictures will be thrown away if I can't figure out where they go.

9. People knowing how to make webpages will definitely be accepted. This will save a bunch of time on me. The more the better!

1. Try to avoid nighttimes shots. The picture will be different, but it's too much darkness, and I don't recommend going out at night, due to the fact that very dangerous people go out on the prowl at night time, and in pure darkness, you won't be able to see a thing coming at you.

I only did one session back in 2003 at the OERM in California. I only took video of the wigwags because I was in a safe area. Please keep it daytime only.

2. Don't be too pushy. I run this website out of my own time and effort, and don't get paid for any of it. Most other railroad sites only update every 1-2 months (or longer). I see why now. People who get too pushy and take up too much of my time are likely to be banned from any other projects. Perodic emails are okay, but just don't send 50 in one day. When I have to keep answering emails, it slows down my ability to update quick, so keep it light.

3. Lately, I've been getting LOTS of pictures, and I'm not running myself ragged anymore. This is just a hobby of mine, and shouldn't have to turn into a full time job for no pay, unless someone can come up with an idea to get a quick buck. (I'm still waiting for an idea for a quick buck...)

4. Don't ask for personal information. All the personal information I give out is on the "My Profile" section. Nothing else will be given out. The only exception will be my address if you're ordering DVDs. Home phone numbers, cell phone numbers, and IM screen names will not be given under any circumstances. I've tried doing the IM screen names in the past, and have paid a hefty price for it. Its just not worth it. I don't have any IM software installed anymore due to increasing risks of viruses being transmitted, especially on AOL's Instant Messenger.

5. Do not "snail mail" pictures to me. Its just plain stupid, and costs extra money and time. Picture scanners are getting a lot cheaper, and pictures through email will be the only way I'll accept pictures.

6. Do not email me asking how crossing signals, or how any other part of a crossing signal work, especially what triggers crossing signals off. I don't know because no one has showed me. When I do know, I'll make it public, but for the meantime, I don't know. This also goes for non-signal parts such as searchlight and wayside signals. That's not my league, and all future requests for signal parts will be ignored.

7. Do not email me asking how to buy or obtain a crossing signal. I've posted one website on my links page that sells crossing signals and accessories. I don't know any other websites that sell crossing signals. I also don't know how to get a crossing signal from a railroad. Most times they don't want to give them away because they cost too much money. Please don't ask. I won't reply.

8. When sending in pictures of crossings, don't go overboard on a single crossing. 30 pictures is enough for a single crossing. Don't go overboard, or I may not post the excess, unless there's a change that warrants the pictures to be put up, such as crossing bell change, and L.E.D. change, or something similar.

9. Do NOT split up crossings. It takes out the suspense if there are pictures that turn up later, when you think you've seen everything. What I mean by this, is if you have 40 pictures total of a crossing, don't send 15 on one update, and 25 for the next update.

10. When asking for a road sign, do not ask me to make something that says, "Joe Rulez!" The road sign section is meant to be signs that exists, or signs that could/should exist out on a road. Keep them realistic. If I won't make a certain sign, don't argue with me. That happened once, and I almost banned one of my regulars because of that.

11. Don't take over 50 pictures of a single crossing at once. I've heard of some railfans spending over 2 hours at one crossing at one point. That's WAY too long. 30 minutes should be the maximum time limit for any crossing.

12. Effective September 15, 2007, ownership of pictures has changed. In the past, I would delete pictures if people wished for me to. This has now changed to that any pictures sent in will only be removed at my discretion. You will still keep ownership, but I will only have proper decision if pictures should get removed. Most times I will be extremely flexible with this, but in case of someone getting angry with me, the pictures will be up to my decision only. Pictures will be left up for archival purposes.

This also counts for all previously submitted pictures too. No older pictures from 2001-Today will be removed without my approval.

13. If you ask a question, and I say no, even though I gave someone permission before, don't argue. My decisions are final.

Also, as stated above, any picture/audio submissions are now the sole property of my website and cannot be removed. I'm amending this to include videos, both Youtube and my DVDs, as well as any monies in donations/DVD purchases. What this means: If you suddenly don't like me, you can't get your money back for donating or DVDs.

If there's something not mentioned here that you have a question about, email me, and I'll let you know if what you want is acceptable or not. I'd rather you ask me than go ahead and do something that wouldn't work, and possibly be banned.  If anybody is interested, please and we'll see what we can come up with.