The team at O Gauge Railroading Magazine wants to wish our best to each and every one of our readers, members of the forum, sponsors, and advertisers during the current health crisis. Over the last couple of weeks, we have made an effort to make sure that we don't inadvertently encourage inaccurate information about the COVID-19 virus thus we have limited threads in which speculation and politics diluted the more important affect the virus will have on our family, friends, loved ones, and the hobby in general.
Over the last few days, it appears that more and more of our officials and citizens are now weighing all of the information that has been given to them and are beginning to take measures that hopefully will mitigate the worst case scenario. My better half is on the front line with her colleagues in the medical profession and so I have been getting first hand feedback of the concerns and fears of those that understand the course of the disease. First and foremost, as most of the experts are advising, stay home and away from groups of people for the next few weeks...at least until we see a downward trend in new cases. We are in a situation that likely none of us alive today have ever experienced but if we all work together and do our best to be calm and understanding with each other, we will get through these tough times.
Many of you are concerned about what effects this will have on the hobby. While most will agree that the measures our country will have to take are certainly going to affect most if not all of us in a variety of ways, there are things some of us may be able to do to reduce the negatives and turn them into positives. From the hobby aspect, just because you may not be able to go into your favorite train store to make a purchase doesn't mean you can't make that purchase! As you can see from several announcements our sponsors have made on this forum (also look in the announcements section), while some of them have closed their shops for safety concerns, they are still open for business online. Some are even having specials and waiving shipping charges! So....we encourage you to keep supporting our advertisers and forum sponsors through online purchases if you can. There are an awful lot of forum banners that are just waiting for your click! Keep in mind that this be a good time to work on your layouts, shelving, displays, and other projects, and in addition you will have some time to catch up on your reading.
Don't forget that OGR digital subscribers have ALL 50 years of the magazine available! Check out our web store for great deals on subscriptions, Ameri-Towne structures, detail parts, our apparel line, and videos, all available for online shopping and delivery right to your door.
Since most of us will have to remain in our homes or at least close to home under the current circumstances, OGR wants to encourage you to have quality time with your family and our sincere hope that all of you will be safe and healthy.....Bless each and every one of you!
