Old OGR items found UPDATE...

The things you find when you start cleaning under the layout!

John

Hi John,

I don't recall the mini-screwdrivers but I've got the badge holder from the Myron Biggar/Barbara Saslo days, too. I used to use it at York until Eastern TCA came out with their $2 badge holders [now $3; still a bargain]. I find the strap around the neck was more convenient to me than the clip on the OGR badge holder, otherwise I'd still be using it.

Thanks for the memory.

Chris

An old pin from some long-forgotten promotion:

What a grin to see these old OGR promotional goodies. I still use both my red and white screwdrivers. Down to my last unbroken pair though...drat

I will see if I can post more OGR promotional  stuff...you never know!

Ed Boyle

I still have both the button and the badge holder.

I still use the badge holder and use it at since I'm not a TCA member; I've clipped onto a neck strap. I received mine when given out at a K-Line self Toy Fair in Newark NJ.

Redball 342

I'd forgotten about the buttons, Pingman. I've got one of the red ones, too. And somewhere here at home there's one -- I think it's white -- that says "family" or "family member" on it that my wife, Kathie, used to wear at York.

Of course, I've still got, and still wear, my gray OGR polo shirt with my Forum name on it. That's also from the Biggar/Saslo days. I usually see a couple of other Forum old-timers wearing them at York meets.

Chris

Still have a button and the badge holder.....like Chris, I’ve graduated to the Eastern Division holder.....wish I could find my screwdriver!

Peter

I wanted to thank all for their great replies and likes.

Pingman, I never knew about the OGR pins.

Redball342, Chris R, I used to wear my badge holder on a lanyard too.

Putnam Division, the little screwdrivers are the best thing ever.

Ed Boyle, my red driver is showing signs of cracking. PLEASE consider a commemerative re- issue of these most useful tools. A new generation of train enthusiasts will thank OGR.

And my wonderful wife is totally correct...I never throw anything away!

John

One of those buttons could become  a sign on an O Scale building where an OGR office could be on your layout.  

Great thread....might consider putting this one as a featured topic since this is OGR's 50th!!  Myron presented me during our 50th celebration at the NJHR layout with a complete set of the OGR rolling stock which was produced years ago!!  If any of you have those, post some pictures.  I am saving my pics for an upcoming Publisher's Corner in the magazine....

My screwdriver showed up in a photo a while back and I also have a polo shirt.

Alan, I am honored by your comments. I am a history enthusiast and OGR history is the best. I look forward to the spread about the comemerative OGR cars. PLEASE re-issue the screwdriver set😁

Franktrain, your red driver looks in mint condition!

My screwdriver set is still in pretty good shape but, need a drop of glue every now and then to keep the screwdrivers from sliding in the plastic.  🤓

Hi Alan et al.

Regarding the OGR rolling stock, I've got a tank car (though I'm not sure where among my piles of boxes it is at the moment--if you saw my basement and garage you'd understand ). I've also got a couple of MTH's boxcars commemorating OGR's bus trips from York to, among other sites, MTH's headquarters; Weaver's plant, including Bob Weaver's personal layout; and Tony Lash's layout at Consolidated Waste Inc. Those were GREAT trips; I'm glad my wife and I got to share visits to those places--especially since some of them are gone now--with other OGR fans.

Indeed this is a terrific thread, bringing back some fabulous memories of OGR times past.

Chris

Did the OSR magazine promote trade marked items too?

Charlie

I still have both of my OGR screwdrivers and they are in excellent condition. Myron handed them to me at Yonkers Raceway (Yonkers, NY) probably in the 1990's when there was a train show there. I believe it was a Greenberg's show.

Tom 

Wow Tom, great story. It's fun to have little items that remind us of memorable events.

My screwdriver set has seen heavy use. Well made...none finer!

John

I use my OGR badge holder at York tucked in the front clear pocket of my TCA badge holder. I just took off the clip and it slides right in. 

Along with a few OGR field trip freight cars, I have a pair of the OGR Miller Engineering signs they handed out after the grandstand forum meeting at York several years ago. 

Probably not quite as old, but printing is nearly gone after daily use and dishwashing.

A couple of OGR pins I have and my York badge holder.

Brian, I think you're one of the East Coast OGR members that has migrated to my neck of the woods. Welcome to Southern California. It's mostly sunny, but with some wind and rain mixed in about two days a year....lol  Those Miller signs sound great, post a picture if you can.

John

Blbillboards, great mug!

Njcjoe, your badge holder looks mint. A super collection of hard to find OGR buttons too.

Thanks for sharing these great items!

John

I still have my red OGR windbreaker jacket they had for sale about 15-20 years ago!

I have been known to still wear the jacket......York, Fall 2018.....

I am wearing a black OGR shirt with Putnam Division monogrammed on.

Hear is another OGR item.....

This is is a blast!

Peter

Well so far I'm pretty sure that Peter's red OGR cutter is the most obscure and rare item yet!

John

We received our letter opener from Jim Barrett when wife and I went on a Weaver factory tour back in 2004.

That's funny!  Didn't notice the pine needles until I looked at the picture on my much larger computer screen.  Yes, I put the letter opener on the carpet near the Christmas tree as the LED lights on the tree provided even lighting when I took the picture with my iPad.  The sweeper has been run a few times while decorating the tree but it still sheds needles when you look at it.

Here are pictures of the two OGR Weaver factory cars in the accumulation.  We picked up the 2004 car at the factory during the tour.  Purchased the 2003 car at a train show sometime later.

Greg, I really like the Weaver cars. If you notice, the first photo starting off this thread was taken of the items placed on......my carpet!

John

My wife just showed me this OGR pin that she keeps in her jewelry box.  I think that means she likes it.  The pin is about 1&1/4 inches wide by 7/8 inches tall.

This is really a great thread!

You folks have already found almost all the the items I have in my personal collection, including the OGR pin Greg's wife keeps in her jewelry box. However,  I am still digging through the "stash" to see if I can find more things. Looking for the Miller Engineering lighted sign now.

 These things bring back some great memories and as I look back, I am honored and humbled to be a part of our OGR family.

Gratefully yours,

Ed Boyle

Ed,

I agree this thread has become something quite remarkable. I think what comes through clearly  is that folks have great affection and memories for OGR. It holds a special place in our lives. The fact that we have saved all these little bits of history is quite notable in this day and age.

This online community has given me far more over the years than I have ever given. My little  OGR screwdriver set in a nice intangible way, connects me to that tradition and community.

Thank you,

John

Very great topic. Sadly I don't have any of the oldies but goldies to speak of since I got here late in the game. Time will tell. Please pop more of these somewhat forgotten goodies or hidden treasures as it were.

Dave,

Youre not too late to the game, anytime you get involved is just the right time.

I'm sure that the good folks at OGR have taken notice of the fact that we love our little OGR goodies! I'm hoping for a 50th anniversary re- issue of the favorite screwdriver set!

John

I had forgotten about the about the BEEP......look behind the Conrail SD70.....

Peter

Guys...this thread has been moved to a featured topic!!  There are items here that I have never seen!  Keep in mind that you can still get OGR "goodies" by going to our webstore.  We have over 600 items like hats, totes, shirts, windbreakers, coats,...etc.  No...we don't have the screwdrivers or letter openers but I am going to look into these since it appears many of you would like them.

Thank you Alan! I'll be refreshing my OGR subscription and perusing the online shop. You know Christmas is coming...

John

Folks

Here are a couple of other shots of the OGR Beeps. We had over 230 of them made with two numbers before RMT told us that was the limit for the run.

By the way, we did a Collector's Gallery recently on the Beeps and the wide variety of roadnames that were produced.

Dave Siburn and I even modified one with TMCC!  Kind of nutty but what the heck...they are Beeps

Ed Boyle

Those Beeps are nice little buggers Ed. Kind of nutty, nah. You know, we all have our little quirks in regular everyday life, but railroading is not a quirk of us. So nutty, nah. Maybe to a non-railroader. But to us, just something interesting for everyone to see.(maybe pop that as a story header, lol). What is it that non-railroaders say when they happen to be where a layout or display is running? Same thing we do, "wow".

How's that?

That's great, Dave!

That is how it is for  me.

Ed Boyle

I have the badge holder, small pin and tank car.

John Meyncke posted:

Brian, I think you're one of the East Coast OGR members that has migrated to my neck of the woods. Welcome to Southern California. It's mostly sunny, but with some wind and rain mixed in about two days a year....lol  Those Miller signs sound great, post a picture if you can.

John

 

John, thank you for the welcome!  I am enjoying the weather here, except for all the rain and those chilly 60 degree temperatures the last few days. 

Since we don’t have basements here, my Miller OGR signs are packed away in storage until I can get my layout building constructed. They are window sized signs. 

I also have the OGR pin pictured above. 

I am thinking that this topic would make for a great 50th year anniversary story in the magazine!  Can't figure out why we didn't think of this...!  Thanks goodness for forum members like you guys!  OK...Ed....get to work and lets see what you can come up with.  You have lots of contributors here and surely a few interviews with key folks should result in finding out most if not all promotion items OGR made over the years.  Guys...keep these coming!!

Whoo Hoo!

Just found a Miller Engineering OGR sign we gave out at a Forum Meeting some years ago.

Keep 'em coming folks, trying to get as complete a list of OGR promotional goodies as possible.

Thanks for your help.

Ed Boyle

Ed Boyle posted:

Whoo Hoo!

Just found a Miller Engineering OGR sign we gave out at a Forum Meeting some years ago.

Keep 'em coming folks, trying to get as complete a list of OGR promotional goodies as possible.

Thanks for your help.

Ed Boyle

Ed, you are a wizard. Don't doubt it. Now I just have to wait and see what this looks like.

I’ve got two of those Miller signs. Lynley was with me at the forum meeting and she got one too. 

Beep close up.....

Peter

Found my Miller sign......

Peter

I have the OGR 25TH Anniversary silver box car. I don't know who made it but it is pretty heavy for a box car. I guess they don't make them like they use to.

Jim D.

Peter,

Yep.

That's the same packaging I have for my sign. Now to take it out, light it up and photograph it.

Peter, I would appreciate it if we could use your packaging for a photograph...yours is in better shape than mine.

We will be gentle.

Ed

You know, my first York gave me quite an open door into all the other things besides trains. Something in particular stuck with me and took a bit to track down today that definitely belongs here. I know I'm a little choked up because of the recent events since Sunday's post, and you all may be as well. I don't rightly know if these were something that was for sale way back when, I just remember Marty posting the below.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...46#75481396441134446

Dave, 

This is an astonishing piece of historical detective work! The tire cover is without a doubt the finest article of OGR memorabilia there is! With the news about Marty, it is so appropriate right now. Please accept my sincerest thanks for finding this and posting this.

John

A couple of years ago, I decided to try to obtain OGR Tour Cars. I decided to convert them to scale wheels and Kadees (I haven't done the MTH cars yet). Here's what I've obtained so far (the last two were released by MTH; the others are Weaver):

OGR 24th Anniversary. This one is autographed by Jim Barrett, Fred Dole, Ed Boyle, and Myron Biggar.

OGR 25th Anniversary

OGR 100th Issue Commemorative

OGR 1990

OGR 1991

OGR 1997

OGR Weaver Models Tour 2004

OGR MTH Tour 2008

OGR MTH Tour 2009

Matt this is really a great collection. I especially like the 1991 car listing the old monthly article topics in the magazine. I miss "Scrounge" and the "Traction" articles.

John Meyncke posted:

Dave, 

This is an astonishing piece of historical detective work! The tire cover is without a doubt the finest article of OGR memorabilia there is! With the news about Marty, it is so appropriate right now. Please accept my sincerest thanks for finding this and posting this.

John

No problem John. Not knowing Marty like everyone else has had the opportunity to is something I wish I could have. I do remember that 2017 York very well because it was my first and my coworker Bob came with me. I do remember seeing Marty there in the Gold Hall(can't remember exactly where he was). I think it was just before York or maybe after that I started following him. I couldn't remember what the topic Marty put it as, but knew OGR Tire Cover would probably shake it out in the search.

I was telling Bob(my coworker) about Marty. He hopes that some good news will break.

Miller Engineering sign

Looks good Allan!  Can you tell us approximate size, to get a sense of scale?

Thank you,

John

Allan,

The Miller Engineering Sign you just displayed now gives us two lighted OGR signs for the article.  Thanks for finding and sharing it on this thread!

I believe there are still more items to find!  This is an OGR historical treasure hunt resulting in some fond memories.

Ed Boyle

Ed Boyle posted:

Peter,

Yep.

That's the same packaging I have for my sign. Now to take it out, light it up and photograph it.

Peter, I would appreciate it if we could use your packaging for a photograph...yours is in better shape than mine.

We will be gentle.

Ed

Certainly, Ed.......let me know when you want to do it.....

Peter

From my picture archives, Christmas 2016.....

Peter

Peter,

Wonderful use for a great Beep

Just found some more OGR items in the "stash"to show you all, going to photograph them tonight.

Ed Boyle

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

You know, my first York gave me quite an open door into all the other things besides trains. Something in particular stuck with me and took a bit to track down today that definitely belongs here. I know I'm a little choked up because of the recent events since Sunday's post, and you all may be as well. I don't rightly know if these were something that was for sale way back when, I just remember Marty posting the below.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...46#75481396441134446

Nice picture of Marty.

I have three OGR pins & MY favorite from Myron is the OGR Tote Bag.  I have used it at all the train shows I go to.  It has held up very well.   The OGR Beep #2005 of which I ordered in person with Ed for #2002, but I kept # 2005.  He sent me an email stating I was the first to purchase the OGR BEEP (I kept the email ).  My Beep is also used to run the Christmas train each season.  I have a couple of boxcars with the OGR logo on them, but I decided not to dig for them right now (If I run across them, I'll post them here).  Dennis

More OGR things for us to see!

Thanks Dennis.

Ed Boyle

Should have more images of OGR goodies to show tomorrow after the photo shoot tonight

Putnam Division posted:

Ed Boyle posted:

Peter,

Yep.

That's the same packaging I have for my sign. Now to take it out, light it up and photograph it.

Peter, I would appreciate it if we could use your packaging for a photograph...yours is in better shape than mine.

We will be gentle.

Ed

Certainly, Ed.......let me know when you want to do it.....

Peter

Peter...the best thing to do is to take some good quality pictures of your packaging with the sign in it.  Sending it to Ed and then getting it back to you really doesn't make sense when all we need is a few pictures. 

Alan,

Amen.

Ed

Since my mug says 25th Anniversary and now it's the 50th Anniversary that makes my mug 25 years old. I received it at a TTOS National Convention 25 years ago if my math is correct.

OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Putnam Division posted:

Ed Boyle posted:

Peter,

Yep.

That's the same packaging I have for my sign. Now to take it out, light it up and photograph it.

Peter, I would appreciate it if we could use your packaging for a photograph...yours is in better shape than mine.

We will be gentle.

Ed

Certainly, Ed.......let me know when you want to do it.....

Peter

Peter...the best thing to do is to take some good quality pictures of your packaging with the sign in it.  Sending it to Ed and then getting it back to you really doesn't make sense when all we need is a few pictures. 

Will do!

Peter

From my 2013 archives.......I would venture that this is the only OGR Beep that was actively employed in "Helper Service". 

On the modular layout......

On the home layout......

Peter

Peter, that looks great! Thank you for sharing that.

John

Folks,

Had some problems photographing the new buttons and items I found in the "stash".

Please have patience and  I believe you will see them shortly.

Thanks.

Ed Boyle

First time out of the box for pictures.

Good stuff Woodson! Is that second item a gold ingot?

John

Here is one of the small OGR lighted signs from Chris Miller. I incorporated it in a custom billboard along with my favorite OGR magazine cover.  It was my first cover photo for the magazine. Hard to believe that was Run 227, way back in February/March 2008!!! 

Jim

Stuff keeps turning up.......

Peter

I just came across my set of screwdrivers- not the most practical screwdrivers ever- hard to get any purchase on that smooth handle and they are small!

By the way, I have a box or two of old OGR magazines from 80s and 90s I may sell. I'll dig them out one of these days and see what I have.

Found this old magazine picture, looks familiar

John Meyncke posted:

Good stuff Woodson! Is that second item a gold ingot?

John

Unfortunately, no.. It is a sticker on one end of the Weaver box...

Jim Policastro posted:

Here is one of the small OGR lighted signs from Chris Miller. I incorporated it in a custom billboard along with my favorite OGR magazine cover.  It was my first cover photo for the magazine. Hard to believe that was Run 227, way back in February/March 2008!!! 

Jim

You talking about this one, Jim?? lol

Somewhere in my junk is an OGR mousepad. Now I have to start digging.... 

Traindiesel posted:

I use my OGR badge holder at York tucked in the front clear pocket of my TCA badge holder. I just took off the clip and it slides right in. 

That's really neat Brian. Someday you'll probably be able to sell it at a premium as a factory error.

Gerry

Great thread. It is said that memories last forever. Each one of these items recalls a different period in model railroading history along with some happy times among many friends at the meets and shows. 

Here are some more photos of OGR goodies

Two more "Family Members" buttons

Here are a few more images from the "stash".

Here are more rectangular OGR buttons from the "stash". They are earlier buttons that used our web address before we started using the "OGR Family Member" tag on our rectangular buttons.

Also found an envelop opener. If you have one you can put your own business card in it to personalize yours.

More to come , folks !

Ed, 

You definitely have a " Smithsonian" class collection. Thank you so much for sharing these items. I'm looking forward to any future story you may write about these OGR items. How decisions were made, who thought up the graphics, any interesting bits of OGR folklore you might uncover I think would be of great interest to everybody.

John

Here the Miller OGR window sign installed at the OGR world headquarters building on my layout - to save some money, OGR shares the space with a local dairy...or so it seems!

I'll bet none of you guys has one of these...

Carefully note the number.

I have one of these (not sure what the road number is), and it has an ElectricRR Sound board that has Ed Boyle's voice announcement!

jon

You may have an OGR Beep, but I'll guarantee that the number is not 2004.

We did these in 2002 and 2005. The 2002 release coincided with the birth of my first grandson. When the second grandson was born in 2004, I had one of the 2005 units renumbered to commemorate the year of his birth.

Rich,

I was wondering how long it would take before you showed the folks OGR Beep #2004. It looks great as well as meaningful.

Jon, I didn't realize you still had the Beep with the Electric RR sound board with my voice on it. I am flattered. Thanks for letting us know it still exists.

The OGR family is broad and deep...and you are still a part of it with the things you did to help the hobby advance electronically and what you did to help us too.  Did you see the Genset article in Collector's Gallery recently? Had your picture holding  a  prototype  UP Genset..you and the diesel really looked good!

Thanks to you and Rich for being part of this thread. Found some more stuff.  More to come!  Stay Tuned!

Ed Boyle

These images were shot earlier this evening. The Miller Engineering OGR sign came out very brightly. Also am showing the back of some of the OGR business cards we made. They turned out to be impractical because we could not write on the back of them to take quick notes, which is something that proved very valuable to do over the years at train meets and trade shows.  The three OGR logos looked really nice though.

Ed Boyle

Still More To Come!

Found some OGR promotional coffee cups in plastic and one in ceramic. Interesting story behind each kind that I will share with you after I get them  photographed tomorrow. Amazing what you can find when you look around, especially in the area of the "stash" 

Ed Boyle

Lionel News selling OGRR magazines.

Weaver Tour 2009

Side Rod,

Nice Shots!

Never thought to do that with the news stand...neat!

Ed Boyle

Given by Sir Edward hissownself.  Note the side trim thingys are gone but it's still functional. 

Love the look & the sign. Does anyone have one of the lighted OGR signs that they are willing to part with?

Really great stuff guys.  What's the possibility of having Menards release an OGR office/warehouse combo building set so boxcars of inbound newsprint and outbound OGR magazines can be included on OGR readers layouts? 

Better yet, why can't OGR and Menards consider working together to expand both company's structure product lines?  That would be, in one word: WOW!

Joseph Toth Jr.   

Late arrival to the party, I know...

I've seen pics of one or the other of the OGR beeps. I haven't seen pics of both of them together:

The 2005 I got from the OGR booth at the Allentown meet...in 2006 The 2002 I got directly from RMT's website almost a year ago. I think I've test-run them, but not yet together. I also thought I had an OGR mail opener, but mine is just a generic clear red opener with no logos.

I'm pretty sure I have a couple of the MTH-built tour cars (again courtesy of the OGR booth at Allentown), the Weaver MJB boxcar, Bardot hopper and 100th issue tanker, but those have already been covered.

---PCJ