Just got back to Ohio from attending this great event. I want to echo everyone's comments on the appreciation for everyone involved in putting on this event. You can tell a ton of effort went into it. As for the layout this was the first time I have seen it in person and all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!.
Yes, a great time for sure. It was nice to see everyone for this fun event. Thanks to OGR and the NJ High-Railers for putting this together.
The layout has had some great changes since I'd last been there a few years back.
Tuscan Jim, it was nice meeting you and chatting a bit. I hope you got to take in a lot of the layout after we split up. There is always something else to see for future visits! 
-Dave
This was a terrific event and I had a great time. I'm very happy to have been able to attend and meet the OGR staff and the many NJ HiRailers who told me about their club and their immense layout - which is absolutely phenomenal! The only problem is that I saw so many outstanding engines in display/storage cases along the walls that I may not be able to stop myself from going out and buying more trains for myself...
MELGAR
Here are some shots from the party. I have to say it was a great time and I think it was enjoyed by all. Thanks to all the guests who donated raffle items.
And thanks to OGR for 50 terrific years
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Well, I expected to have a great time, but this event truly exceeded my expectations: great speakers, great food, great music (I could not believe they actually had an organ and organist), and, of course, the layout, IMO, is a Wonder of the World. Any of you folks who hasn't seen it, needs to see it.
Do yourself a favor and see it. Arnold
Always have a great time at the club with a great bunch of guys! Good seeing the whole OGR crew! Happy birthday here’s to another 50! 🎊🎈
Thanks for the pics Chris.
The twin towers city scene is great! Really stunning.
Even the Eagles getting thoroughly thrashed last night couldn't put a damper on the last 4 days between York and the OGR Birthday party. It's putting it mildly to say the hangover from the last 4 days is hitting me hard this morning. I had a great time meeting new friends and getting to see old friends again - can't put a price on the experience!
Yesterday was great getting to hear all the speakers and their stories on how they got into the hobby and on the history of OGR. The sentiment which echoed many times yesterday was how instrumental OGR has been providing a forum to connect hobbyists from all areas and walks of life. That was on display in full force over the course of the last 4 days! Yesterday, there were people from as far away as California and the Netherlands in attendance! It is a legacy everyone at the magazine from Myron Biggar to the entire current staff can be proud of.
My thanks to everyone for coming together yesterday to make it a truly wonderful event to be a part of!
In closing, the one future item I really looking forward to from Lionel: Lionel Ale!!! 
- Greg
Wish I didn't have to leave for a family event just as the speakers were hitting their stride. Congrats to OGR and to Chris Lord on his ascension to the presidency of NJ highrailers. Ben set the bar pretty high, you seem to have taken up the challenge. To a person club members were friendly, helpful, pointed out things to see, that's the difference between an average organization and a great one.
Thanks for the pics......sorry I missed it.
Peter
Hey all.......wished I could have made it. I even had a hotel reservation, that I had to cancel. Reason being that my daughter- in-law was/still is about to give birth to twin boys. So rather than be present at the 50th, I went straight home on Saturday, after a G R E A T York, and waited on "stand by".
Still waiting on the twins, ......but I WILL somehow bring my son & his boys to a TrainStock. The cooks' talents, (Vinnie) and his chicken marsalla (sp) are worth the trip. And the bread used in the sandwiches.......they say "it's in the water".
Thanks for all of the photos. We sure missed being there.
I was there is sperit!
It was a great event and great to hear the stories of the speakers. You see them from the prior posts. For me, it's interesting to think about the way our train world has changed. When I got back into it 25 years ago, engines were semi-scale, steamers smoked and diesels didn't, you controlled the trains using the ZW handles and there were two magazines which "pushed" information. Interactive information didn't exist other than person to person. Now, there are lots of scale engines; all of them smoke; engines and cars talk; command control is the thing and we get our information from 2 magazines AND the OGR Forum. A lot of people on this Forum also attend York, and OGR provides us the Grandstand summary of events (on the Forum if you cannot attend in person) and Thursday at Quaker State.
All these changes have enabled many of us (read the posts) to make friends from different geographic areas. IMO, OGR provides us with a lot that they don't get directly paid for, so I believe in supporting OGR because they provide me with benefits which I value.
As a member of the NJ Hi-Railers and a person who helped to organize this event, I would like to give a big shout out to Lionel, MTH, Atlas, METCA (TCA) and LOTS for providing speakers and the great raffle prizes they handed out. We truly appreciate their contributions.
Gerry
Was a fantastic day with lots of fun, train running, food, presentations and train conversation.
Here are more pictures of our speakers and guests.
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Arnold D. Cribari posted:T Minus 3 days and counting!
Hello Arnold, saw you at the event, wanted to stop anf chat as every time I got near you were quite busy. Maybe next time
Ron
RonH posted:Arnold D. Cribari posted:T Minus 3 days and counting!
Hello Arnold, saw you at the event, wanted to stop anf chat as every time I got near you were quite busy. Maybe next time
Ron
Looking forward to speaking to you too, Ron.
Everything was wonderful on Sunday, the trains, the food, the music, the people, but what I found most special was the people. Maybe the trains make us all joyful, interesting and fun to be around. Arnold
Never had a bad time visiting the New Jersey Hi-Railers. Every member is very welcoming and are the best hosts! When Vinnie is cooking, it's so good sometimes I forget about the trains!! I didn't win a raffle prize, but I did sample some of the delicious food and a few hot dogs!! Hot dogs and trains just go together!!
Happy Birthday to "O" Gauge Railroading Magazine. May they have continued success in the future!
And thank you, New Jersey Hi-Railers for hosting and providing another tremendous event!
One of the few times I actually did win a door prize, but I think almost anyone could have had one if they wanted it. They called out four or five numbers that weren't there before someone actually took one of the cars.
Hope you held on to your ticket, GRJ--I hear there's an audit pending!
