UPDATE: 9-30-20 ... OGR Forum Supporting Member Announcement

Thanks guys for those of you that have become supporting members!  We appreciate it!

A very worthwhile investment.

Here's what the Supporting Member certificate suitable for framing looks like:

After you purchase your Supporting Membership, you'll be given the link to get this FREE from the OGR Web store.

Good idea. 

DONE! And renewed my digital subscription too!

A lot of the local people I knew 10 years ago have moved or moved on. I really treasure this forum. Glad we got an option to help things keep going!

I'm in! This is a great idea.

Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I'm in! This is a great idea.

Since I'm not tech saving, I will become a supporting member by tomorrow when I can get someone to help me complete the application and pay the $12 on-line.

Arnold

Hi Arnold...

It is an easy process, just click on the link provided and go from there.  It is just like making a purchase in our webstore.

Thanks for your support!

Especially now with current events being what they are, this forum is a welcome oasis to relax among friends - even when we may disagree and get a bit out of control.   It's well worth the small contribution to ensure the forum remains as such for all to share.  I'm glad I'm able to help out.

-Greg

Done

I’m in!!!

If I have learned anything over the last few trying months, it is the importance of supporting those things in life which are important to you... charities, arts institutions, and yes, OGR and the Forum. OGR affords a little daily escape from all the world’s craziness and that is priceless.

This is a really cool idea. I had often wondered about suggesting something like this. I don't really read magazines but wanted to support this forum. I will certainly sign up for this in a few days.

Hello Alan,

For those of us who were Digital Subscribers prior to the new "Supporting Member" category, weren't we in effect supporters of the Forum?  As Digital Subscribers we are given access to the entire library.

Thus if I sign up as a Supporting Member wouldn't that in effect be considered as signing up twice without any additional benefits?

Just trying to understand the offering better. 

Thanks!

A great idea!  I certainly have received more than $12 worth of advice from the OGR Forum and am happy to become a Supporting Member.

I'm in.

@Mike Wyatt posted:

I'm in.

Me too!

Glad to help. Prefer it be non-automatic billing.

Another great idea from the amazing forum leaders!

I just signed up!

@Allegheny posted:

Hello Alan,

For those of us who were Digital Subscribers prior to the new "Supporting Member" category, weren't we in effect supporters of the Forum?  As Digital Subscribers we are given access to the entire library.

Thus if I sign up as a Supporting Member wouldn't that in effect be considered as signing up twice without any additional benefits?

Just trying to understand the offering better. 

Thanks!

I would think that Digital Subscriber should infer Supporting Member... however, I am now seeing many users with both brandings... I guess that isn't a problem (more $$$ for OGR), but it is confusing. This new setup seems to infer that Digital Subscribers don't benefit the forum. For me, supporting the forum as the foremost reason I became a Digital Subscriber (the magazine and video library are also great benefits).

It's NOT CONFUSING support the forum you access the most!

I think I can afford a buck a month.

Done!

With all of the pleasure I get from participating here, how could I not become a Supporting Member????

I agree with John.  Count me in!

John

Done. F.Y.I if you join with an American Express card you’re get $5 credited to your account as part of their Shop Small program.

Brad

Done!!

I renewed the digital subscription.

"Supporting Member"/ "Digital Subscriber"....what?...no love for the paper magazine subscriber?....

@Allegheny posted:

Hello Alan,

For those of us who were Digital Subscribers prior to the new "Supporting Member" category, weren't we in effect supporters of the Forum?  As Digital Subscribers we are given access to the entire library.

Thus if I sign up as a Supporting Member wouldn't that in effect be considered as signing up twice without any additional benefits?

Just trying to understand the offering better. 

Thanks!

The digital subscription nor the print subscription supports the forum financially.  As I explained above, the forum sponsorships were created to help keep the forum going and are a benefit to all participants.  A long time ago there was a premium membership here on the forum that included some perks but that was years ago.  The creation of the supporting members opportunity is meant to allow those members to receive access to their own video library but not the same access as a digital subscriber.  Also, there are some cases in which one wants to support the forum but doesn't want to become a subscriber (greater than 80% of the membership does not subscribe to the magazine!).  In addition, they get the special tag that lets other members know that their contribution helps keep the forum free plus they get a special certificate that can be displayed which many members will do in their trainrooms, etc. 

I would hope that you would see the benefit of signing up but that is up to you as this is not a requirement as a forum member nor does it imply that because you are a current magazine subscriber that this is anything more than offering what a lot of members suggested over the past few years.   Many members realize that this forum is valuable to them and that their supporting membership will help keep the forum the way they like it free from increased and hobby unrelated advertising. 

Thanks for your current support through your subscriptions!

@Bill Webb posted:

Glad to help. Prefer it be non-automatic billing.

Bill..you can go in and change that.  Let us know if you need help. 

Couldn't sign up quick enough! After all you guys do for us , this is a no brainer ! DONE !

Thanks, Alex

@bmoran4 posted:

I would think that Digital Subscriber should infer Supporting Member... however, I am now seeing many users with both brandings... I guess that isn't a problem (more $$$ for OGR), but it is confusing. This new setup seems to infer that Digital Subscribers don't benefit the forum. For me, supporting the forum as the foremost reason I became a Digital Subscriber (the magazine and video library are also great benefits).

See my response above as this is a similar question/statement.  One thing, I do understand that most of you may not realize how many resources OGR uses to keep the forum going and for free.  With everything on social media that seems free, there is a resistance to paying for forums and blogs.  But please realize that on other social media platforms and especially the most well known ones, advertising takes place in many forms that may or may not have anything to do with your interests or the hobby.  Just watch videos online and see that increasingly they have commercials interrupting the video.  We are trying to not have to do that here and only accept advertising from hobby related businesses.  The kind in which you are likely interested. 

We welcome your support through subscriptions and now if you so chose, through a supporting membership.

Thanks!

@RickO posted:

"Supporting Member"/ "Digital Subscriber"....what?...no love for the paper magazine subscriber?....

Uhmm...why did I know that this would come up....  Rick, this is designed for anybody that wants to join and it does not matter if you are a digital or print subscriber.  As a print subscriber, this would add access to a category in the video digital library that you would normally have to pay for EACH video.  We value ALL of our subscribers but it is no secret that it costs less to produce the digital magazine and thus we are able to offer more digitally.

Thanks for your support!

I really appreciate the OGR digital magazine and especially the Forum! I'm glad to be a Supporting Member! 

John

I'm stunned, there were 10301 supporting members before me!

I'm in!!  I just signed up.

I'm in. The best customer service and repair outlet in the hobby........and its 24hrs. The experts here seem to know more than the "experts".

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'm stunned, there were 10301 supporting members before me!

WHAT!!....I wish that were true!!

It must be Alan, my certificate is 10302.

As a magazine subscriber and a digital subscriber, I couldn't sign up fast enough. This forum is tops in people helping others and also in gaining knowledge for things we want to do, can't do and learning whom to send it to. No Where on the internet will you gain FRIENDS like here. I know one of the popular sites has you getting lots of FRIENDS but think of this please:

1. Here you can just remain quiet for free and observe

2. Here you can ask for help

3. here you can offer help

4. Here you find out you have friends that will actually communicate with you and help you or support you. They aren't in a list that you have to confirm then never hear from them.

5. Here your friends are really friends wanting to listen, Offer support or help and sometimes physically offer to come help out. You will not find that any where else and all for free.

I get the magazine and love it, I also get the digital and love it as it lets me do lots of things plus search previous issues of the magazine. It also has the same articles with MORE content.

Asking for $12.00 a year which is $1 a month is nothing. I don't drink coffee but I guzzle 7Up. I think I can do without 6 two liter bottles a year.

And as a final note:

Thank you all for being friends regardless of how stupid or dumb or ignorant (and sometimes but I hope few, Arrogant) I am.

C. Curtis Homan Sr

What's Up? Seven of course! 7Up best drink to have with trains! Notch them up to 8 and run down the rails.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It must be Alan, my certificate is 10302.

My certificate number is 10305.  Was thinking it would have been higher.  

***Edited to Add***

Just saw that my certificate number is the same as the OGR WEB STORE Order Number.  Take that to mean certificate number is not really related to the number of Supporting Members.  Just a sequential number assigned to the web store order used to setup the certificate download.

Yes Greg, I actually knew that it wasn't a count of members.   I just thought it was amusing.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It must be Alan, my certificate is 10302.

Oh, no!

I didn't write down my number!!  Now what do I do????   

Alan supported me and gave me parole, so I’m in too!...consider it OGR community service....small price to pay for my freedom!.😆😆😆

Pat

@rthomps posted:

Oh, no!

I didn't write down my number!!  Now what do I do????   

Print the certificate.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Print the certificate.

LMAO!  

Great idea!!  I am happy to contribute.  Such a great product!  Oh yes, I printed my certificate as well.  10307

I'm in... Surprised there wasn't a paypal or wallet option to pay to make it quick and easy.  I had to walk up all the way from the basement to get my wallet.  All the way up!!!

Just teasing.  Thanks for all you do.  Sometimes we can be a PITA to deal with... but we do appreciate the OGR Team.

Have Fun!

Ron

I’m happy to contribute too. My knowledge of this hobby has been increased tenfold by reading the posts in this forum. 🚂🚂🚂

I'm pleased to add my name to the list of OGR Forum Supporting Members. The $12 subscription fee will return many times that amount in my enjoyment of the Forum.

MELGAR

@Mark Boyce posted:

Great idea!!  I am happy to contribute.  Such a great product!  Oh yes, I printed my certificate as well.  10307

Reminds me of all the various numbers I have on my architectural licenses across the western US.  10311 for me! 

Now that reminds me of the 12 hours of continuing education I need by October 31 to keep them all. 

This was a no-brainer for me.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Yes Greg, I actually knew that it wasn't a count of members.   I just thought it was amusing.

I understood that.  My comment was just referring to the fact that since I signed up later I expected that our numbers would have been farther apart.  

I'm in... Great Idea small price to pay!

After I signed up, I didn't get the link for the certificate.  How do I accomplish that?

I am glad I follow a bunch of people. For some reason when Alan originally posted this on the 31st, it was no where to be found(possibly I accidentally deleted it being confused it was another topic I was following that Alan started/commented on). Regardless of all that I am here to say, "Yes, count me in on that" The numbers are our order numbers, don't know if that is our certificate number. My order number is 10315, not bad.

I had seen Don comment on the other topic Arnold started and since I was at work I was wondering what he was talking about. Coming home I didn't get a chance to get a look as my eyelids covered my eyes for some strange reason. Since I had to come up here and order some other stuff(I still have to order work shoes, ugh), I popped my head in here to read a little better.

So, now this will be something else. I will have to get a picture frame for this so it doesn't get lost somewhere, can't have that happen. I am happy to join the ranks, I just thought the number would be higher. Is the clicker counter broken?

My college diploma is still in the frame in a box in the garage.  I don't need it anymore, so I might as well use that frame. 

Just so you understand the certificate numbers, they do NOT indicate the total number of Supporting Members. The certificate number is generated by our web server at the time you download your certificate. They are also not necessarily sequential. It’s just a number that is exclusively yours.

As long as it fits and doesn't float. My mom picked out a frame a great number of years ago. When the pictures came back, she never put any in the frame. She told one of her friends jokingly about the picture(was a grad stock picture) that it was her other son Joe. That became a running joke. I don't know what we did with "Joe". I don't remember if someone needed a frame and mom gave it away, or if he is still floating somewhere, lol.

@Rich Melvin posted:

Just so you understand the certificate numbers, they do NOT indicate the total number of Supporting Members. The certificate number is generated by our web server at the time you download your certificate. They are also not necessarily sequential. It’s just a number that is exclusively yours.

Rich, I am glad you put out the sign that says, "Guys, over here." as I would have been completely lost. Downloaded it, just have print it. Thanks Rich.

So, I (the most tech-non-savy person I know), just went on my computer (not my smartphone, which I am pretty good at thanks to my prolific Forum involvement) and I completed the application, paid the $12 online and am now officially a Supporting Member (Hooray), but for the life of me, I don't see on the computer screen staring at me how to access the Certificate!

I could have sworn I previously read here somewhere how to download the Certificate, but now can't find that info.

Help!

LOL, Arnold

In a nutshell, once you become a Supporting Member, how do you download the Certificate?

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

In a nutshell, once you become a Supporting Member, how do you download the Certificate?

Arnold;

‘You should have received an email acknowledging your payment/membership. In that note is a link to get the certificate. One note... it will take you to the store and it will look like you are purchasing the certificate, but the cost is $0.00. You will be asked to input all your info like you did when you paid the $12, but there is no charge. Hope this helps.

@Apples55 posted:

Arnold;

‘You should have received an email acknowledging your payment/membership. In that note is a link to get the certificate. One note... it will take you to the store and it will look like you are purchasing the certificate, but the cost is $0.00. You will be asked to input all your info like you did when you paid the $12, but there is no charge. Hope this helps.

Aha!

Thank you Paul. I just officially joined late this evening, so I never got that email, maybe because I applied so late in the evening. 

Arnold 

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Aha!

Thank you Paul. I just officially joined late this evening, so I never got that email, maybe because I applied so late in the evening. 

Arnold 

The email came from FeePod Premium Memberships.

@Apples55 posted:

The email came from FeePod Premium Memberships.

Aha! The email went into my spam!

Now I have the certificate and my number is, drum roll please (LOL): 10318.

I could not have gotten it without your help, Paul.

I think it is good that we spelled out the steps in the process of getting the certificate for other non-tech savvy Forum members like me.  Arnold 

Happy to chip in. The forum is one of my favorite daily webstops. 

Arnold C.;

By the power invested in me as Grand Poobah of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Techno-Peasantry (Pocono Lodge), I hereby award you the exalted rank of Techno-peasant, Third Class. Congratulations   

@Apples55 posted:

Arnold C.;

By the power invested in me as Grand Poobah of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Techno-Peasantry (Pocono Lodge), I hereby award you the exalted rank of Techno-peasant, Third Class. Congratulations   

Hilarious! You got me doubled over with laughter, Paul. Good night, Arnold 

Done ✅ 

I just want to take this opportunity to personally thank all who have elected to become Supporting Members of this forum and, by extension, supporters of OGR magazine. Your loyalty to our organization--truly more of a family--is much appreciated. We are all living in especially difficult times at present, but I like to think that involvement in this great and diverse hobby has helped a good many of us "ride out the storm" and maintain a sense of emotional and mental stability in what most certainly are abnormal times. Wishing you all a safe and healthy future. Thanks again for your much appreciated support.

I don't know about framing, but it made my avatar look better...  LOL!

Done. 

A small price to pay, to support the greatest train forum.  Just $7, after getting my AMEX Shop Small reward credit of $5.

For $1 a month? I can certainly support this fantastic forum!

For all the knowledge I have gained and friends I have made this is the least I can do.

Bryce

Alan: Done,  but how do I get the Digital Subscriber tag also I missed out when you run the post? Like John stated a buck a month for this great forum how can you go wrong. I have saved more than that just with what I have learned here.

Just got my certificate and my number is 10321.

Thank You 

OGR Staff for this great idea.

@RJT posted:

Alan: Done,  but how do I get the Digital Subscriber tag also I missed out when you run the post? Like John stated a buck a month for this great forum how can you go wrong. I have saved more than that just with what I have learned here.

 

Just got my certificate and my number is 10321.

 

Thank You 

OGR Staff for this great idea.

The digital subscriber tag instructions are still up in the featured topics.  I will take care of this for you!

Thanks!

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Uhmm...why did I know that this would come up.... 

Another question that would fall into that "why did I know this would come up" category:

Can I pay for a supporting membership via a check thru the mail?

Yeah, I know. Before you tie me to the railroad tracks, I am decidedly an "old school" fellow when it comes to running trains... and much else in life too!

Just done and happy to help support the Forum. 

Just had time to sign up! Thank you for this option.

@brianel_k-lineguy posted:

Another question that would fall into that "why did I know this would come up" category:

Can I pay for a supporting membership via a check thru the mail?

Yeah, I know. Before you tie me to the railroad tracks, I am decidedly an "old school" fellow when it comes to running trains... and much else in life too!

Absolutely!!  Send it in and we will get back to you as soon as the check arrives!

Thanks!

Does the supporting member carry any status if we get put in OGR jail??.....like maybe some lenience at sentencing??.....🤣🤣🤣🤣

Pat 

@harmonyards posted:

Does the supporting member carry any status if we get put in OGR jail??.....like maybe some lenience at sentencing??.....🤣🤣🤣🤣

Pat 

Maybe if you become a subscriber....

Alan Thank You very much. One of the things that make this forum so great are the folks behind the scenes doing what they do so well.

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER

Two more more questions: Make the check to "OGR Publishing, Inc."? And best mailing address: OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Court 6111, Mountain Home, AR  72653?

I don't really need a certificate, but having the "Supporting Member" moniker behind my name would suffice.

You could even make a new category for me that reads Supporting 027 Member   .

Okay, I'll quit while I'm ahead... This ain't the drive-thru... "Yeah, I'll have that membership with no mustard but with extra onions." 

@brianel_k-lineguy posted:

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER

Two more more questions: Make the check to "OGR Publishing, Inc."? And best mailing address: OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Court 6111, Mountain Home, AR  72653?

I don't really need a certificate, but having the "Supporting Member" moniker behind my name would suffice.

You could even make a new category for me that reads Supporting 027 Member   .

Okay, I'll quit while I'm ahead... This ain't the drive-thru... "Yeah, I'll have that membership with no mustard but with extra onions." 

Yes, the check should be made out just like you say above and the address is correct!  Thanks!

18 years I've been on this forum.   $1 month is WELL worth the return on my investement to help keep this place running. 

@MartyE posted:

I don't know about framing, but it made my avatar look better...  LOL!

Looks good Marty. No amount of help for me on my end. I look how I look. Somebody else would have to be in the photo to make me look better but then it would get taken down because it would be me.

I tell you all, last night was busy for me and I had a blast. I was doing a bunch last night helping my niece for a bit(she stopped in), then popping up here trying to read a few things as well as ordering some train related stuff as most of us do or should be doing. Before I finally got tired last night I realized it was already 11:30, lol. I had planned to nod off somewhere past 10:30 which has become the usual since I've been getting up before 4.

With all that going on it was probably one of the best nights I have had in a while(especially with everything going on recently, not the pandemic I mean). I'm now following Arnold because I always see other people I follow commenting on his posts and I came to realize Arnold has great topics.

See, just by looking at a few things over the course of a week or weeks, you follow someone new. One thing I'm having trouble doing is keeping up on topics. I think I have about four things that I haven't gotten back to besides work right now. Catch you all back at lunch(unless some other topic steals me away). 😁

Done.

The following text confused me a bit at first with the "OR" as I am already a digital subscriber but after reading some of the above posts, the fog cleared out of the brain and I realized that one can be both.

Help support this forum with an OGR Forum Supporting Membership.
You will be able to enter one of the new OGR VIDEO FORUMS!
A one-year OGR Forum Supporting Membership is only $12 per year, so sign up now!

    OR     

Access the ALL the OGR VIDEO FORUMS AND  over 300 back issues of OGR
with a DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION!

OK, signed up - how do i find my number?

@modeltrainsparts posted:

OK, signed up - how do i find my number?

 

When you signed up you got a receipt in your email from Crowd Stack / FeePod.  Within that receipt is a link to get a certificate.  It's on that certificate.

I hope that was a useful answer.

@modeltrainsparts posted:

OK, signed up - how do i find my number?

 

You should see your number when you download your certificate. See Rich's reply way back a ways.

Thanks Marty and Dave.

@MartyE posted:

I don't know about framing, but it made my avatar look better...  LOL!

Holding the certificate up a bit higher and to the left would help even more!

Marty, There was no link on my receipt

@modeltrainsparts posted:

Marty, There was no link on my receipt

Same here, at least nothing obvious.

@modeltrainsparts posted:

Marty, There was no link on my receipt

Here's where mine was...

Now I did get another email today that FeePod, which is where my email came from, is now Crowdstack Pay so that could have changed something overnight.

@Apples55 posted:

Arnold;

‘You should have received an email acknowledging your payment/membership. In that note is a link to get the certificate. One note... it will take you to the store and it will look like you are purchasing the certificate, but the cost is $0.00. You will be asked to input all your info like you did when you paid the $12, but there is no charge. Hope this helps.

Certificate access does not work. I opened my email, clicked on OGR link, took me to OGR Forum Supporting Membership, clicked on sign up now, same page pops up that I just clicked on to sign up. Am I missing the proper link hookup on my email? Guess I'm non-certifiable. Been called worst.

Guys, without us knowing, Crowdstack changed the receipt today!  Rich is working on fixing this so hang on, you will all be able to get your certificate.  For those of you that got the changed receipt without the link here is where you go for the certificate:  https://ogaugerr.com/web-store/forum-certificate/

Thanks for your support and understanding!

I certainly have gotten my $12 worth!  just signed up. thanks for having this resource available. 

Chris

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Guys, without us knowing, Crowdstack changed the receipt today!  Rich is working on fixing this so hang on, you will all be able to get your certificate.  For those of you that got the changed receipt without the link here is where you go for the certificate:  https://ogaugerr.com/web-store/forum-certificate/

Thanks for your support and understanding!

It worked - 10329. Thank you.

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Guys, without us knowing, Crowdstack changed the receipt today!  Rich is working on fixing this so hang on, you will all be able to get your certificate.  For those of you that got the changed receipt without the link here is where you go for the certificate:  https://ogaugerr.com/web-store/forum-certificate/

Thanks for your support and understanding!

Your a GOOD man  Alan.  Thank you thank you for your quick response.

Hey Alan, I signed up for supporting member, hopefully I did it correctly. I love this OGR Forum, it’s so information friendly on most every topic of model railroading. If digital comes with this subscription, that’s fantastic. Happy Railroading Everyone.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

With all that going on it was probably one of the best nights I have had in a while(especially with everything going on recently, not the pandemic I mean). I'm now following Arnold because I always see other people I follow commenting on his posts and I came to realize Arnold has great topics.

See, just by looking at a few things over the course of a week or weeks, you follow someone new. One thing I'm having trouble doing is keeping up on topics. I think I have about four things that I haven't gotten back to besides work right now. Catch you all back at lunch(unless some other topic steals me away). 😁

Thank you so much, Dave, for your kind words, which are heart warming for me. My overriding goals when I post topics is to entertain, say something that I believe will be interesting about model railroading, and promote the Forum, OGR Magazine and the Greatest Hobby in the World.  Arnold

@leapinlarry posted:

Hey Alan, I signed up for supporting member, hopefully I did it correctly. I love this OGR Forum, it’s so information friendly on most every topic of model railroading. If digital comes with this subscription, that’s fantastic. Happy Railroading Everyone.

 

Hi Larry....the supporting member does not include a digital subscription, sorry my friend.  Oh, and by the way, your digital subscription ended in July just in case you missed the renewal letter I sent out in an email blast a few days ago.

Thanks!

Alan,

Is there a physical address to which we can just mail you a check?

(Would prefer not to put my credit card data into the internet stratosphere too much.)

Thx,

Mannyrock

@Mannyrock posted:

Alan,

Is there a physical address to which we can just mail you a check?

(Would prefer not to put my credit card data into the internet stratosphere too much.)

Thx,

Mannyrock

Yes!!  You have a couple of choices.  If you are worried about security, we use the latest in that technology and so does our processor (Authorize.net) so if you want, you can do this using the link.  If not, then you can call me personally and I will get it done for you through our secure phone.  AND, if neither of those appeal to you, then you can mail it to our address:  OGR Publishing Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Court Ste. 6, Mountain Home, AR.  72653 (no guarantee that the mail will get here quickly ).  Frankly, I don't send any payments through the mail anymore since between the bank, credit card company, processor, and our secure website, combined provide as safe a place to do business as one could find most anywhere.

Thanks!

Thanks Alan,

Really interesting that you are headquartered in Mountain Home, Arkansas.  I lived in Memphis for 28 years, and went to Mountain Home 5 or 6 times for the festival.  What a gorgeous place it is.

Mannyrock

@Mannyrock posted:

Is there a physical address to which we can just mail you a check?

(Would prefer not to put my credit card data into the internet stratosphere too much.)

I have not written a check for ANYTHING for at least two years. Online purchases, utility bills, house payments, doctor bills, license plates, and even groceries are all done online now.

This is no reason these days to fear using a credit card on the internet.

Hi Alan, I now understand, please re-send me the link to join the digital magazine, thank you very much. Happy Railroading 

Larry, just go to our web site at ogaugerr.com. Everything is there.

Thank you Rich, I’ll do that, I’m very happy you reached out with that information. I will be ordering your book on the NKP 765 next week. Happy Railroading 

Thanks for the input Rich.

Perhaps you don't remember that Bank of America, with the highest security available and in place, was hacked 10 years ago, and the hackers stole all of the credit card info, bank account info, and personal data of more than a half million people.  And you know what Bank of America said?  

"Oh, . . . we're SO sorry."

I'm not really concerned with the OGR security systems, I'm sure they are top notch, but mine are not!  :-)

Mannyrock

I’m in. This forum is well worth it. 
Anyone know how I find out when I was last sent a magazine? I remember renewing, but it seems like I haven’t seen a new mag in a very long time.

Log into your subscription account, Scrambler. All the info is there.

@Mannyrock posted:

Thanks for the input Rich.

Perhaps you don't remember that Bank of America, with the highest security available and in place, was hacked 10 years ago...

Manny...that was TEN YEARS AGO! Ya think there might have been some security improvements in the last 10 years?

@Scrambler81 posted:

I’m in. This forum is well worth it. 
Anyone know how I find out when I was last sent a magazine? I remember renewing, but it seems like I haven’t seen a new mag in a very long time.

Chris...I checked your account and the reason why you haven't received a print issue for a while is that your print subscription ended in March....  Since you have a digital sub, when you go into your account you will see that it says your print is expired.  If you need assistance, feel free to contact me via phone if that works better for you or by email.

Thanks!

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Guys, without us knowing, Crowdstack changed the receipt today!  Rich is working on fixing this so hang on, you will all be able to get your certificate.  For those of you that got the changed receipt without the link here is where you go for the certificate:  https://ogaugerr.com/web-store/forum-certificate/

Thanks for your support and understanding!

Yeah I noticed the change right in the middle of my day. One good thing which I can say is both good and bad is that everyone's replies get rolled into the last replied person. So, instead of having 12 replies it clears it and revises it into the most recent. At least I guess that is what you call it. The thing that bugs me about that is the color. It is harder to read as it is not white with black lettering but an off color email entirely. 

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Yeah I noticed the change right in the middle of my day. One good thing which I can say is both good and bad is that everyone's replies get rolled into the last replied person. So, instead of having 12 replies it clears it and revises it into the most recent. At least I guess that is what you call it. The thing that bugs me about that is the color. It is harder to read as it is not white with black lettering but an off color email entirely. 

Dave, I am not sure what you are talking about in your second and third sentence???  Can you explain further please?  Thanks!

Got it

Did make some minor changes.

Thanks: Gary 🚂

Just so all of you understand, that is NOT what the certificates look like. 

I figure with all the help/input/camaraderie I get out of these forums, then surely I can afford 12 bucks a year to help keep it viable.

Done.

Andre

@leapinlarry posted:

Hey Alan, I signed up for supporting member, hopefully I did it correctly. I love this OGR Forum, it’s so information friendly on most every topic of model railroading. If digital comes with this subscription, that’s fantastic. Happy Railroading Everyone.

 

Larry, you can contact me via email and I will be more than happy to send your account number and details on how to renew your digital subscription.  Thanks!

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Thank you so much, Dave, for your kind words, which are heart warming for me. My overriding goals when I post topics is to entertain, say something that I believe will be interesting about model railroading, and promote the Forum, OGR Magazine and the Greatest Hobby in the World.  Arnold

From what I've seen in the short time with your posts(me piggy backing from someone else on your topics) is that they are always fun and engaging. It is always good to ask great questions and even illustrate what is going on in an entertaining way. I doubt anyone that knows you would argue against that.

I just signed up as a supporting member. How do I download/print my certificate?

Thanks.

Chris R

You can download your special certificate HERE.

Thanks for coming on board, Chris!

Thanks, Rich. Done.

Stay well.

Chris

Can you extend the payment options to PayPal?

Thanks,

Rick

No.

@Rick posted:

Can you extend the payment options to PayPal?

Thanks,

Rick

 

Rick...the reason why we don't do this is because the processor charges a fee AND PayPal would add their fee. Give me a call if you don't want to use your credit card on our website and I will help you.  Just so you know, our website uses the highest level of security.

Done. Glad to join as the Forum has been great for me. I've learned a lot and have made a lot of friends thru the Forum. And in this era of social distancing, it is even more important.

Gerry

Done!

Peter

This is my go-to website whenever I go online.  No politics, no BS.  Just an enjoyable experience.  Glad to contribute.

I have joined as a supporter of OGR.  Why? Because I like the printed magazine and I enjoy reading it from cover to cover when it comes.  I have had my subscription to OGR from day one!  Also, when I open up the forum (on line), there is an advertising section on the first page.  I have bought from many of the advertisers.  The Menards advertisement gets me right to the update account of "whats new" at Menards.  Looks  like I will be buying a few more cars from Menards. There "new" tank-cars are really sharp.  They seem to be in "O" Scale.  One very interesting fact about ALL railroad cars that Menards sells is they have a different number on each one.  This means, if you can only afford one or two cars from Menards right now, and come back later on to buy the same car, It Will Have A Different Number On It.  Evidentially, Menards keeps an inventory on every rail car they sell and never repeats the number.  Also, all freight cars that Menards sells are printed on every side.  EG: The small single dome tank car has printing on every side and end, plus the 4 little blank spots for putting a label on it that read flammable, etc usually have that label on it.  Pretty snazzy for a train car that cost me only $17.80   

Sincerely yours,   railbear601

Good to  see you on this post Peter. I hope you and your family are well.

Peter wrote one of the best comments on the benefits of the Forum years ago, when he said that it enabled him to become friends with people all across the country. I totally agree. And Peter even took it a step further by starting his York breakfasts. So TY to OGR and Peter for being enablers! I will miss York this year. At least I have the NJHR.

Gerry

While I've not been active on the Forum for few years, I do look in from time to time. For the past 11 years the Forum has been for me a great source of information, insight and fun/fantastic photos!   Hopefully, I'll have more time to devote to the hobby in the next year or so and I hope to still see a vibrant Forum up and running then, so I'm adding my Support now to help insure that. 

Great idea! I'm in!

Done!  In my opinion this is a very small price to pay for the vast amount of knowledge shared here!

Doug

CAN'T GO WRONG FOR A DOLLAR A MONTH.

A small price to pay for the return in huge dividends the OGR Forum provides!!  Happy to be a Supporting Member!!

Quick question ,if i pay by check will my supporting membership be deducted automatically from my checking account every year ?, or will i get a renewal notice in the mail ?     I just saw a response asking about non automatic billing to your credit card ,which is also my preference ,how do i set up non automatic billing to my credit card ?     Thanks for your help .

Marty ,Thanks for your reply ,simple answers to my simple questions i appreciate it very much .

@Gerald Marafioti posted:

Quick question ,if i pay by check will my supporting membership be deducted automatically from my checking account every year ?, or will i get a renewal notice in the mail ?     I just saw a response asking about non automatic billing to your credit card ,which is also my preference ,how do i set up non automatic billing to my credit card ?     Thanks for your help .

Gerald...answers from the horse's mouth in order:

No.

No.

If you pay via credit card, then you will have access to the account where you can set it up to not bill automatically.

Thanks!

Guys...I deleted all if not most of the discussion unrelated to the purpose of this thread.  If you have general questions about your other subscriptions ( print or digital ) then don't use this thread to post those questions.  You can contact info@ogaugerr.com OR post your question in the tech support category.

By the way, if you will go to your subscription account, you will see next to and to the right of the type of subscription you have a bold yellow "auto-renew".  You can click on it and change it if you so desire.  If it is not there, then it is not set for "auto-renew".

What $12 will get you approximately.

• ¼ oz of Starbuck’s coffee 
• Lunch at Chili’s
• 30” MTH Real Trax
• 45-degree cross of Real Trax
• A box of used Tubular Track
• A Lionel Hallmark Ornament
• 12 Track Clips
• 2 Big Mac Meals
• 3 York Funnel Cakes
• 12 Trips to the York Men’s room (if you are a generous tipper)
• 2 Subway footlongs and a drink

or knowing that you are supporting a forum that gives you a great amount of fun, information, experience, and TRAINS!

I can't imagine the cost, time, and resources it takes to operate a forum this size with so many page views and bandwidth use but if a $1 a month helps I'll be happy to support OGR's forum.  I know a lot of the time we take for granted what the forum provides in way of content, access to most if not all of the vendors and sponsors, as well as something that is priceless and that is the exchange of personal experience and detailed information.  If you got 1 piece of information or advice that has saved you $12 on a shipping an item, parts for an item, a repair or any other aspect of the hobby think about becoming a supporting member.  I've probably saved that 20 times over.  I guess being a member for over 20 years and knowing what I have gotten out of being here kinda makes me a bit passionate about returning the favor.

Off the soap box.

Marty, you are absolutely right!!

@MartyE posted:

What $12 will get you approximately...

Well played Sir.

@MartyE posted:

What $12 will get you approximately.

• ¼ oz of Starbuck’s coffee 
• Lunch at Chili’s
• 30” MTH Real Trax
• 45-degree cross of Real Trax
• A box of used Tubular Track
• A Lionel Hallmark Ornament
• 12 Track Clips
• 2 Big Mac Meals
• 3 York Funnel Cakes
• 12 Trips to the York Men’s room (if you are a generous tipper)
• 2 Subway footlongs and a drink

or knowing that you are supporting a forum that gives you a great amount of fun, information, experience, and TRAINS!

Off the soap box.

Marty;

To paraphrase those credit card commercials, “membership in the OGR Forum... priceless”!!!

But I do have to take issue with one item in your list - I already have the 2020 annual Hallmark Lionel ornaments... $12 doesn’t cover even the plastic caboose - all are $19.99   

P.S. and you forgot the partridge in a pear tree  

to:  OGR CEO Publisher----Recently I subscribed as a Digital subscriber (at least I thought I did) but I can't figure out how to bring it up.  As a complete dunce with computer tricks as usual I need some help finding it.  If this is too complicated for a 77 year old in his dotage can I change all this to a paper subscription?   ODD-D   Bob Ottosen

I recently paid my $12 and Amex gave me $5 back for supporting small business.  $12 was a great deal, at $7 its a steal!

Jim

@Odd-d posted:

to:  OGR CEO Publisher----Recently I subscribed as a Digital subscriber (at least I thought I did) but I can't figure out how to bring it up.  As a complete dunce with computer tricks as usual I need some help finding it.  If this is too complicated for a 77 year old in his dotage can I change all this to a paper subscription?   ODD-D   Bob Ottosen

Bob...give me a call (see the cell number in my signature below) and I will help you!

I became a supporting member about 2 weeks ago. Great forum for knowledge and questions for something you need to find out about. 

Besides, OGR has been very grateful to our club supporting our continuing thread under the announcements section. We have not done much in the past 7 months due to us closing the doors temporarily. We do hope to return to our club in mid-October to restart our layout building process on the HO and O gauge layouts. 

Thank you Alan, Allen and Rich.

@MartyE posted:

What $12 will get you approximately.

 

To touch more on this from what Marty said above. Think of going into a library wanting to find a specific book, author or such and all these hands point you directly to what you are looking for. Naturally it doesn't stop there, the pages turn where your eyes want to go and you find what you have been looking for all this time.

Just think about all the sage advice whether it is electronic, general engine maintenance (model I mean), track design, real knowledge railroad knowledge asked for so you can model it accurately, the list goes on.

I'll never forget following GRJ to see a topic about the Atlantic Steam engines design flaw. How the wires could go into the flywheel killing the engine. That is just one small thing that avoided a repair that would have had me rip some of my hair out.

There are so many more things that heck I wouldn't even know where to begin on. So, to sum up, well worth the price of admission to get a full satisfying show.

The Forum, and the many wonderful Forum Members, have been great for these many years.  So, a contribution to the Forum is a very appropriate. 

Please take a few moments and read the update that I have posted in my initial announcement of the Supporting Membership opportunity.

Thanks!

I signed up last week.   Everyone should support this great forum

Well 1% down and 9% to go. 

Let's get in there guys and sign up!

This Forum is definitely worth way more than a dollar a month to be a Supporting Member!!  

@Allegheny posted:

Well 1% down and 9% to go. 

Let's get in there guys and sign up!

I say 1% down and 99% to go. 

While a goal of 10% when you are currently at 1% is commendable, I was always taught to strive and set my goals as high as possible. Where are the other 99% of Forum members? Even though I'm retired, and on a fixed income without a pension, I  see $12 bucks a year for what this forum offers as a great deal. 

I wonder how many of the remaining  99%  are actually active in reading and/or posting here? I would think that a goal of 100% of the active forum members could be achievable.

@Lionelski posted:

I say 1% down and 99% to go. 

While a goal of 10% when you are currently at 1% is commendable, I was always taught to strive and set my goals as high as possible. Where are the other 99% of Forum members? Even though I'm retired, and on a fixed income without a pension, I  see $12 bucks a year for what this forum offers as a great deal. 

I wonder how many of the remaining  99%  are actually active in reading and/or posting here? I would think that a goal of 100% of the active forum members could be achievable.

I like the way you think!  I certainly hope you are correct!

Thanks,

Happy to support the forum with this token amount of money (at least for those lucky to not be in trouble with all the current challenges). I know money is tight for many, so I hope at least 10% of the active readers of the forum will be able to make this contribution.

Unquestionably the best $12 I’ve spent in recent memory. Just a few benefits of the OGR Forum I have found… 

• my Legacy base was acting wonky, posted a “request for diagnosis”, and in short order, a couple of the esteemed techie gurus chimed in about the charging problems with the early models... have to call Lionel (and due to some other posts, I know it will be a while to get it repaired)
• I learned about Len Carparelli’s restoration services, and he recently brought my first train - a 1962 Lionel 637 - back to life 
• I’ve been introduced to a number of great vendors... Mr. Muffin, Nicholas Smith, Public Delivery Track, etc.
• and a steady stream of tips, tricks, and inspiration!!!

I’ve already received more than my money’s worth... where do I sign up again???

This forum is an encyclopedia  of knowledge with regard to model railroading.   It's amazing the help various members have been without being judgmental and if anything have been very encouraging .   The $12 along with the cost of a digital subscription are a great deal.

Marty

@Landsteiner posted:

Happy to support the forum with this token amount of money (at least for those lucky to not be in trouble with all the current challenges). I know money is tight for many, so I hope at least 10% of the active readers of the forum will be able to make this contribution.

Well, it's almost impossible to believe that anyone who can afford to be in this hobby can't afford to cough up a buck a month to support the Forum (not to mention these are folks who also can afford to have a computer and be paying for internet service). 12 bucks a year is considerably less than the price of two 6-packs, don't you know.  

At $.50 a month you’re only halfway there to $12. 😜But I agree with your point about it being a minimal cost. But some people are really really tight for money right now, and I wouldn’t want to seem lacking in empathy.

Tried to pay, but it renews automatically. How do I do it without that feature?

1% only? This topic has had over 4k views(does reoccurring visits by the same person count again). This makes me a bit sad.

I would have thought that the number would have been substantially higher. You hear the phrase, "What are you doing to support the hobby?", well, here is one great reason, for hardly anything at all, and the returns are way more than 10 fold, however many fold. Why sit on the fence with something so obvious?

Everyday the traffic here on the forum is a s&&& ton, need a Big Boy or Y6 to haul it. Just think about the multitude of topics that are churning that you follow, and the ones you don't. I can't even think of a percentage of what I don't follow because I see who I follow comment on a topic, and there is a good percentage that I will check it out a few times(especially if there are others I follow commenting along). Some could probably find that annoying, but what if the information that is passing through grabs your mind and you realize it is helpful to you?

Yeah, I know it sounds like I am standing on some sort of soapbox(would break) about the benefits. Well, yeah. Like I said somewhere back when, I saw someone else comment elsewhere, and then here. Well, all it took was for me to get home and pop $12 in on my end. This is better than playing the lottery twice a week, 52 weeks a year. Lottery chances aren't good to begin with, you may get a buck here or there, and not win big. Here though, you are going to a 6 Star Restaurant, and getting a 5 course meal for basically nothing.

All I can say is keep the food coming, and when is dessert.

@Jim Van Every posted:

Tried to pay, but it renews automatically. How do I do it without that feature?

You can't do it without the auto-renew feature. The system is designed for auto-renewal because that is almost universal these days.

You'll get an email a week or two before your membership comes up for renewal. You can opt out of the auto-renewal then, if you wish. However, if you opt out of the auto-renew, you will not get any more renewal emails  to remind you that your membership is about to expire.