Thanks OGR Forum!

"As a long time member, going on 20 years now, I would just like to take a few minutes to thank the OGR forum.  Members, Sponsors, and the OGR Magazine Staff that keep it going.  The last few months have been tough on a lot of people but coming here and being able to leave most of that behind has been a blessing.  While we couldn't ignore it all together because it does impact our hobby and the train shows and meets, for the most part the administrators have done a good job of keeping the conversation relevant when they needed to be and at the same time keeping the drama from getting out of hand the best they can."

Marty hit it on the head!

I'm approaching twenty years here, too.  It has been  great place to learn.  Thanks, OGR.

But, truthfully, the ONLY way to thank OGR for this Forum is to SUBSCRIBE to the OGR magazine & buy goodies from the OGR store.  And, while you're at it, re-up your subscription to CTT, too.  Subscribing to the mags is a minor, humble, yet important way to support this, our great hobby.

Anything less than a subscription is, well, just words.

I don't know .... I might pay extra for Alan and Rich to a PBS pledge style event.  

"If you commit at the $20 level you get an chance to win an OGR mug!" 

In all seriousness, this forum has done a lot for my hobby.  Any way we can support it is important.  It has been a wonderful distraction from my always eat at home, work from home, and drink from home days that now seem endless.   

Subscribe if you haven't to do your part.

I've been a member now for 7 years, it has been quick but packed with knowledge, fellowship and good will and love to all model railroaders.  I'm glad that I was able to discover this forum, I couldn't  have prospered without it.  Thanks to all of you, staff, members and enthusiasts.  -  MARSHELANGELO

Marty, as everyone else has said, words well spoken!..many thanks to the guys that run this program, and the sponsors who keep the lights on....and to the wealth of knowledge found on this forum, .....as a reformed OGR hardened criminal myself, thanks for my parole....I think Alan’s my parole officer, so thanks Alan!...I’ll do my best to behave!...

Pat

Dilly! Dilly!

Bob

@GG1 4877 posted:

I don't know .... I might pay extra for Alan and Rich to a PBS pledge style event.  

"If you commit at the $20 level you get an change to win an OGR mug!" 

 

LOL! Maybe that would be fun to watch.

I just found this thread and I have to say that your kind words about OGR are so very much appreciated!  First, thanks Marty for starting this thread....so kind of you to do so.  I want all of you to know that we realize how we "run" this forum may sometimes not make sense...or seem unfair to some of you.  I get it....decisions we have to make about posts get complicated under certain circumstances and so we do our best to weigh pros and cons and then make the best decision we can....and sometimes that decision is not the best one.  I have second guessed a lot of things since I took the helm.  In any case....this forum is possible because of everyone that is here....the members, the sponsors, the readers, and the "rest of us".  It has not been easy this year and as noted above in some of the posts, we have lost not only friends but relatives (my brother passed in March from this horrible virus).  We have also lost too many of our hobby shops and other outlets that supplied us with our train "fixes".  This makes it tough not only on the hobby but also on the individuals and businesses trying to make a living in this hobby.  In particular, publications are taking a big hit...just look at your bookstore magazine racks and even hobby shop magazine offerings.  Seriously, if you want forums like this to continue someone has to pay for the upkeep, bandwidth, etc.  Social media sites do this with commercials....take a look at Youtube and the ads that pop up while you watch a video...same for Facebook and other sites.  We try not to do that to you.....we have resisted advertising pop-ups and commercial interruptions like Youtube and others impose on you.  So....if you can, magazines in this hobby need your subscriptions.  You will be making an investment in the hobby for yourself because if you buy a subscription, you are doing your part to make sure that you and others will have forums and publications to enjoy in future years.  OK...I always go into my sales mode so please forgive me....  Again, thanks to all of you for your support and friendship over the years.  I hope that everyone will remain healthy and safe so that we all can enjoy the hobby and magazine for many more years to come....

Well said Marty. Alan, thank you for all the hard work you have done to keep the OGR Forum the best in our hobby.

What a wonderful tribute this thread is to this Forum, and its moderators, sponsors and members. It is heartwarming to hear the words of gratitude all of you folks have expressed here.

I will never forget that day in November 2017 when I called OGR Magazine and had my first conversation with Alan Arnold, who listened and spoke to me for 45 minutes and suggested that I visit this Forum. Little did I know that when I took Alan up on his suggestion, that it would dramatically change my life!

Like Peter, I had been a lone wolf as a model railroader, but unlike Peter, model railroading was one of several interests of mine, and well down the list of those interests. 

Alan, when you invited me to check out this Forum, you created a monster! LOL.

What does this Forum mean to me? Many wonderful things: a place to be creative taking photos and videos of the trains and layout and to share my passion for model railroading that has grown exponentially since that November 2017 day; a place to learn about all aspects of the hobby; a place to share the modest knowledge I have with others; a place to find out who can fix the beloved trains that I can't fix; and a place to visit the websites of our sponsors knowing that if I make a purchase, they will stand behind the product and treat me well and respectfully as their customer. 

However, what is most precious about this Forum is its members. This reminds me of a lyric from one of the songs of The Doors: I have "a feast of friends," thanks to this Forum.

Arnold

Alan, our posts on this thread crossed each other. I just read yours, and want to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your brother. Arnold.

After reading this thread, I checked my own profile and saw that today, July 30, marks exactly twenty years since I joined.  When I joined, I could not have imagined the resources that I would be able to access over those twenty years.  As amazing as they were even at the beginning, they have just continued to multiply.  The most recent example is the digital archive - amazingly well done and useful in so many ways.  O scale may be a minority compared to HO and N scales but we have the best resources in the hobby in OGR and the OGR Forum. 

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

............(my brother passed in March from this horrible virus............

Alan,

My condolences to you and your family, very sad.

I know what it is to loose a brother, my "baby" brother (10 years my junior) suddenly passed 2 years ago, and then his wife, my dear sister-in-law, passed this April at only 54. With the virus we couldn't even have a Mass or memorial for her. Could not even get out of the car at the cemetery. 

Again, my condolences to you and your family. Thoughts and prayers to everyone struggling, in one way or another, with this virus. I pray for a quick miracle therapeutic and vaccine to end it all.

This forum offers a small escape from all that is happening.

Alan, my sympathy for the loss of your brother!  It has been a tough year, indeed!  I do want to say that I took on the digital subscription in addition to the print subscription a couple years ago, just to show my support.  For all that I type here, I very rarely look at the digital subscription.  I'm an old fashioned (I guess that term is old fashioned now; I should say old school or retro) paper reader!  I've had a few posts deleted.  I right away realized I had gone off topic in each case.  I assist administering a fairly large Facebook group.  Moderating a group can be difficult.  We have discussions often about whether something should stay or go, and unfortunately if a belligerent member should stay or go.  I've even been guilty on perpetuating a thread that breaks the rules on that group.  As I do here, I confess my sin to the group, and know I am forgiven by them.  Thank you again to everyone !!!!!

@Lionelski posted:

Alan,

My condolences to you and your family, very sad.

I know what it is to loose a brother, my "baby" brother (10 years my junior) suddenly past 2 1/2 years ago, and then his wife, my dear sister-in-law, passed this April at only 54. With the virus we couldn't even have a Mass or memorial for her. Could not even get out of the car at the cemetery. 

 

Ski, In the risk of going off topic, My 94-year old aunt passed on in mid March, but it was from the aging process.  I couldn't get her nursing home pastor to officiate the funeral, the assistant funeral director officiated.  My wife and I, brother, sister and her husband, and one of my daughters and her husband were the only ones to attend.  Our Mum couldn't even attend her sister's funeral, though her memory is so bad, she can't remember her sister and brother passed on.  Maybe for the best.

Alan, I know it had to be difficult for you and your family!!

Thanks guys for the nice comments....  The purpose of my post was not to discuss the loss of a loved one to a virus..probably should not have mentioned it so to be fair, lets keep this discussion on Marty's topic....I liked it better...

Sorry Alan. Sometimes it is hard not to say things that you sort of need to share.

To get back on topic, why not share something that delights my Friday's and weekends. I don't remember when exactly it was(years ago I guess), but I stumbled upon Scott Smith's weekend photo fun thread. There is always plenty to see and it is all over trains(real or models) and fun. Have a look.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...c/148957538610983910

Very well stated, Marty!  Though I would find Alan on a PBS pledge style event hilarious (in a good way)! 

This forum is one of the few places available where one can go to get away from things and focus on something fun.  

I'm grateful for it and all of you!

-Greg

Good points Marty!

Imo,  this is still the forum with the easiest format to read and navigate, and most of all, its pop up free.

When you realize it's most of the same folks, posting the same topics, on other forums . You might as well hang out here.

I agree with you about that "Alex guy". One of the nicest, as well as most helpful, people in the hobby.

If he goes,I go.....lol!

I joined in 2009.  This is the best forum with the friendliest and most knowledgeable members.   I may not post much, but I visit multiple times everyday.

Thank you so much for providing the premier O Gauge forum.