Talk:Ross Rowland

Semiprotection requested
I've requested semiprotection of this article so that the repeated attempts to add the 'lynch mob' paragraph by an unregistered user will stop. I personally don't know Mr. Rowland, and otherwise haven't added anything substantive to this article. All I seek is an accurate reflection of Mr. Rowland's contributions to the field of railroading. n2xjk (talk) 14:17, 9 July 2012 (UTC)
 * I've since added some more citations to the article, but an unsigned user is still intent on restoring the same tired paragraph that violates WP:BLP. n2xjk (talk) 15:02, 25 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Admin Uncle G has blocked the IPs causing the problem. Thanks!  n2xjk (talk) 20:49, 26 July 2012 (UTC)

Lead
Can we get the lead changed to something that actually explains who Ross Rowland is, rather than what "some" people think of him? Currently the reader has to read a long way into the article to gain the slightest clue as to who this person is, what he does, and why he is notable. What is he? A business man? A financier? A train enthusiast? An engineer? Where is he from? Anything known at all about his background?

Without out any of this I rather question his notability. Yes, he has been involved in notable events, but is he notable? -- Escape Orbit (Talk) 20:22, 13 March 2013 (UTC)


 * I got to wondering the same, and did Google and Google book searches adding 'trains' or 'freedom express' to his name. In the 70s he received a lot of notice for the latter, including articles in People and multiple small town papers . Since then he's continued to be mentioned in papers when he reengages steam train projects, and in books and magazines that chronicle steam trains . So yes, this needs better sources specific to his life and work; according to many sources he was a commodities broker in New York, later on Amtrak's board of directors.
 * The vandalism to the article, in the form of something like a personal vendetta (well, exactly like), has been in progress at least since 2008; I first noticed it in 2010. This has been so persistent in its obsessiveness that it begs for implementation of indefinite page protection, and, if necessary, eventually the same for my talk page. JNW (talk) 13:14, 15 March 2013 (UTC)