BECAUSE OF YOU THIS IS WHERE WE ARE ON THIS FORUM!

It's not surprising that there is increased interest in the OGR Forum, which is an outstanding resource for everything pertaining to O gauge model railroading.

MELGAR

I believe that this is the best train forum, both model and real, in the country and perhaps the world.  Thank you OGR for providing this wonderful forum.  NH Joe

A loud echo to what's been said.  Your providing the forum has been splendid, especially during these months of no train meets.  Many "THANKS" to you, the sponsors, and the participants.  Let's keep up the good work.

We get first class service from Alan and the team at OGR.  I have always had great experiences with the forum sponsors as well - thanks to them for making it possible.

The price is right. The format works, and theres no **** popups.

I appreciate you clamping down on the political drifts and other "non train" nonsense as well. That stuff is everywhere else. This forum is one of few escapes.

And some say the hobby is Shrinking, this forum proves its not.

I love the buzz of the hobby-thanks in a big way to this forum. Everyone shares what they know so we can all  benefit. The Toy Train Hobby can take you anywhere you want to go-whether it is collecting, restoring, repairing  or building a layout. You just need the courage to stop thinking about it and just do it. (build your dream and be happy!)

It is one of the most creative things I know of. It reminds me of  a kinder, more gentle past. Good for the soul. It is multigenerational family experience. It puts a smile on your face in spite of the crazy sometimes negative world we currently live in.

So- why are you in the hobby? Nothing lasts forever in this life. What do you want to leave behind?  The toy train "gene" has been well planted with all the grandchildren and they love coming over to our home...to play "choo choo"- so do friends, neighbors, Cub Scouts and teenagers.

I have acquired pieces form Lionel, Williams, Weaver, Kline, MTH, and even some Marx tinplate. It's all good for different reasons. I am an operator first, collector second, and preservationist third. The thing that gives me the biggest smile is to see the past renewed and full of life again rather than gathering dust. I am grateful for my postwar Lionel "roots" and it is a big part of who I am.

We are going thru a major "reset" in the hobby. Simpler, more user friendly. A lower price point will spread the base even further. How much "techy" does the average train hobbyist really need? Less money is available from now on  for "acquisitions"... because of the economy. $ are being directed towards parts ( the activity is way up everywhere and so are the size of the orders), layout building, etc. etc. So the OGR forum is a platform for progress. All the questions you were afraid to ask are responded to "nicely" with a much larger audience than your local area.

Pictures are worth a thousand words as they say..

Best Regards,

Glenn Spencer 

I'm so glad this forum exists as I've been visiting and making friends here for 20yrs now.  I've learned a lot and I keep learning as many of you share your experiences and knowledge.   The gentlemen who run this Forum are to be commended for their hard work and dedication to making certain this site remains a fun place to visit.  The topics are varied and always interesting.   

Congratulations to Alan and his team for a job well done.

Congrats Alan, the numbers are well earned.

Oh yeah, I agree with what everyone above this post said too!

I am very happy I joined.  This forum is a lot of fun and a great resource.  I enjoy the digital content as well.  A couple of the old timers at our club gave me some of their print copies and I was hooked!

I subscribed to the print version of OGR for around 20 years before I gave it up due to lack of time for trains in 2014.  I perused the Forum now and then during those years but perceived that most of the info I needed for layout construction, when I could finally get to it, would have to come from multiple sources.  I used a variety of MR, old RMC issues, and books to guide module construction about 15 years ago.  As I'm now retired and have the time to be serious and committed to layout construction (at least until sailing season), I find just about everything I need on this Forum, with just a little search effort.  What a great resource and community!  I'll be a sustainer soon.

This Forum is wonderful in every way.

So are the Forum Sponsors. I have now made purchases from many of them, and all of my dealings with them have been positive. Whenever there's been a problem, I have found them to be fair-minded and to have integrity.

Like Alan, I also highly recommend giving your business to the Forum Sponsors.

Arnold

I check in to the forum several times a day. I have received invaluable help and inspiration. I am grateful to be a part of this great group of hobbyists. JohnA

Amen to the above.  What a fountain of knowledge, and a continuing "train show" this is, while there are none. If growing, GREAT!, and deserved, though surprising in the gloom and doom of vanishing suppliers.

Alan... and, All ...THANK YOU! For keeping the Dream Alive!

Alan......thank you to you and the OGR staff for all the great things you do.....this has been part of my "O Gauge home" for more than 20 years and I look forward to the next 20!

Peter

Good stuff.

The forum has particularly been my go to backstop during this past Covid lockdown.

Thank you, and best wishes for years to come.

Jerry

Really glad to see this Alan. The Forum and magazine are great and rightfully deserve our support. I particularly appreciate them at this time as I have removed myself from winters in the NE. The Forum, magazine and my monthly NJHR train club meetings are cushioning this winter time separation.

Gerry

Agree on all accounts.  This forum is like a second home.

Although I have only been a member since October I find myself on this forum multiple times a day.  It started when I resurrected my O-Gauge trains from the attic that I had since the early fifties.

Until then I was running N Gauge trains and had forgotten how much fun O Gauge trains are without the insane delicacy that is an N Gauge locomotive.  This forum isn't just helpful, it's inspiring thanks to members who are intelligent, creative, and just great people.

Kudos to the founders.

Alan, that's great news to hear what could be a resurgence in the "hobby."  The forum has been great, especially during these unique times.  Great job and thanks for all you do for the forum!

Congratulations Alan and all of the OGR staff. Let’s not forget all the great members who post encouragement, help and inspiration. This forum is a great place for information and camaraderie with our fellow train lovers.

*******************************************************************At this point if you are visiting this forum daily and posting multiple questions weekly you should show your support for this great forum with at least a Supporting Member sponsorship to keep the site going.

Many kudos to OGR management and the entire staff. And a pat on the back to the members! Thanks to the sponsors one and all.

The best I can add is that OGR is my first stop every morning when I jump online.

Thanks OGR. As a 10 year member I've gotten countless tips and advice all for free. I did decided today that this priceless information is easily worth $12.00 a year so I became a supporting member so OGR can continue to thrive.

The OGR Forum is the best way to learn! Learn from others, and it's a way share your passion of o-gauge trains! Keep those trains running!

Ditto to all above!!!!!

I love the forum. It really took the sting out of Covid boredom for me and the community has been great!

Thanks OGR. I just checked my start date 14 years ago. Have to admit I have spent more time on the forum than on the layouts but retirement is coming soon and I have a plan!.

Was up on the digital site and looks like I may go back to the beginning and view all the magazines just to view the history of OGR.

Most forums despite their focus or subject matter are lucky if they have 700 members added to their rolls in 2 years not a month and the page views are just unbelievable!  OGR has it all from the great technical know how, great photos, helpful threads, and most of all the membership.  I too am glad to be a part of this forum for 20 years.  It's been a heck of a ride and the track ahead looks clear!

Thanks to the OGR staff, Forum Sponsors, and most importantly the membership.

Alan,

I am like a caged tiger waiting for my club to reopen so we can get back to where we left off last March 2020. I am climbing the walls wanting to start wiring and scenery work and finishing off the dual track S gauge lines we have incorporated on the layout.

Can't wait to contribute more pictures and information on our announcement thread which has been dormant and almost reached "the 3rd page" there!!

Bill's post motivated me to check my start date, which was in 2005. And made me reflect and yet again post what I've posted before. I've been so fortunate to make so many good friends thru this Forum. Over the years you read the posts and communicate. And then you get to meet many of the people at York. And it's not just by luck. It's because OGR made the effort to create dinners. It's because OGR made the effort to make sure the people from OGR were there to meet with us ordinary folk. It's because OGR made the effort to have OGR t-shirts, badge holders, etc., so we could identify one another. It was all these things which made it so that you could easily develop relationships with people who were hundreds of miles away.

I have tried to "pay back" OGR for what they've contributed to my life. I hope others do the same during these difficult times.

Gerry