I have been using RYPN for about 6 years now and it is my go-to site for information about the railway preservation community. I have learned a huge amount and for that I am extremely gratified. All I have to do is wait and someone will start a thread to discuss something I am interested in, or add to a thread that I have been watching. The value I get from such a free site is incalculable. I have "contributed" to the forum on occasion and I have (apparently, and in no uncertain terms) fallen into the "foamer" category myself. For that I am embarrassed, but have chalked it up to an incomplete understanding of whatever topic I commented on. But I have learned and become better for it. If putting up with the foamers and the flamers is the price you pay for an entirely open forum like RYPN, I am OK with that. And even the foamers and flamers contribute constructively once in a while.

The model used in this forum seems to work. It encourages participation from all levels of experience and all points of view. That seems way too valuable to give up for a little comfort. So make it a place where contributions are optional and let us know when funds are required. I'll contribute my fair share and maybe even my "unfair" share if that is what is needed.