OGR and CTT

[Anonymous]

Just got my latast CTT and decide to make a comparison. I guess I always preferred OGR, but now I'm changing my mind. They are both good, just with different twists.

OGR may have more pages of stuff, but CTT is published more often. The two seem on a par for content.

OGR does seem more oriented to the newer stuff and scale. CTT covers that too, but adds some of the classics with some historical stuff as well. I like that.

This latest CTT reviews some of the lower cost stuff that I can buy, a rare event at OGR.

I am not much into collecting, but I think I have missed out on some interesting stuff by not getting CTT in the past. I won't let that happen again!

Okay, let's see if I can get one of those smiles...[:D]

[trainsopray1]

OGR never finds fault with a reviewed product. Because of this I can not trust their reviews.

[Anonymous]

Will these posts never die?

[Anonymous]

CTT is the best. No comparison!

pax[C):-)][#welcome]

[Anonymous]

they will never stop. i feel sure that someone is watching for the last one to drop off the forum and THEN. BLAMMO! some jack-rabbit fires off another one.

hey gil, whats your favorite "Friends" episode?!?![:-,][;)][:P][D)]

[Anonymous]

I read both magazines and get something of value out of each one. I feel I am in a win-win situation with OGR and CTT.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I too read both magazines, and feel that Kent has made a very PROFOUND OBSERVATION.

Both are wonderful, but look at different aspects of the hobby. One difference is that OGR makes no effort to discuss standard gauge or S gauge, and makes no bones about it. It is the title of the publication, O Gauge Railroading.

CTT focuses more on all of the things that go along with the TOY aspect of our trains. It too is true to it's name, Classic Toy Trains, and does include other sizes and types of trains.

Neither magazine is better than the other, just different. My taste has shifted over the years, more toward the scale side of the hobby, and the kinds of things more often seen in OGR, but I won't stop reading CTT because of that.

The secret is for US not to view this as a WAR, because I don't think that the two publishers see it that way, DO YOU????

[Anonymous]

I agree with you Elliot, and I hope nobody thought I was attacking either mag, like I said, they are both good! There must be sensisitivity about this.... I didn't mean to start any fights. Guess us newcomers have to learn to what the "Bad Topics" are.... maybe somebody can publish a list?

[Anonymous]

Anyone into 3-rail O-Gauge trains should subscribe to both magazines. As long as I get one nugget of information out of each issue, then I'm satisfied. Too many collectors/operators make the mistake of spending hundreds even thousands on their hobby but neglect to INVEST in good reference materials.
Bill
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[Buckeye Riveter]

I am now a subscriber to CTT and think it is great! One of the differences between OGR and CTT is availability at the newsstands. As one who travels, I find myself many times roaming a bookstore in the evening hours. (Many train/hobby stores close much earlier than the bookstores.) More often or not, CTT is available at the newsstand enticing me to purchase it.

[Anonymous]

I also subscribe to both and even though I don't post anymore on you know where, I did not take the drastic step of cancelling my subscription. I read them both and find both equally informative. As to the comment above about each one not viewing this as a war I am not so sure. I seem to remember a while back (I can't remember which one) one of the editors stating they were not going to carry some train show announcements because they were some how connected with the other magazine. This seemed kind of petty to me and I admit to not knowing all the details but still on the face of it, there seems to be some bad blood between the two.

Anyway I don't see a day when I will be canceling either subscription.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hey Gomez, its OK to say OGR here, nobody will delete your posts. It kind of reminds me of Hary Potter and the fact that most of the characters don't want to say the name "Voldemort" out of fear. They are always saying "He who must not be named" or "you know who". We're cool here, and beyond the need for not saying things, as long as they are polite and respectful, even if they are critical.[8D][8D][8D][swg][swg]

I firmly believe that Kalmbach is a great defender of the First Amendment!!![tup][tup]

Of course its your choice if you don't want to use their name.[;)]

[Anonymous]

I read both magazines and they definitely do have different styles & takes on the hobby.

I didn't take this thread as a rant on OGR. The title might have been one given to a more vitriolic thread, but once I read it, I realized it was just talking about the different perspectives of the magazines. Nothing wrong there.

Tony

[Dave45681]

I subscribe to both since I've been active in this hobby.

While I don't collect PW trains, I do have an appreciation for their history and others' collections/layouts. I especially appreciate the one page history lessons found on the last page for many (all?) CTT issues.

[Anonymous]

I've subscribed to CTT since issue #1 and will continue to do so. I've also subscribed to OGR for nearly as long and will continue to do that as well. The mags IMHO compliment each other, rather than compete. I'm willing to bet that most of us who have been in the hobby a while get both, so I agree with the posters who indicated that they wi***hese posts would go away. Simply no point to them really.

[waltrapp]

I love them both. Why does a comparison have to be made??? Enjoy.

- walt

[ChiefEagles]

Have not been here long but what is the question? I subscribe to CTT and not OGR. Why not OGR? Not really familiar with it except what I read here. I have not problem and actually welcome the OGR folks here. Has made this board more active and I sure welcome the knowledge from all. And I quote waltrapp, "Why does a comparison have to be made???"

[FJ and G]

I prefer MR over both OGR and CTT, because I'm more interested in scratchbuilding and construction tips than I am in locomotive reviews and new product information, which make up perhaps half of the content.

I'm up to my alligators in trains and am in the building mode right now.

Having said that, there is always something interesting to read in CTT and OGR and quality of both magazines has improved. If you don't believe me, pick up a current mag now and compare it with 10 years ago, heck 5, hel* even 1 year ago.
dav

[Anonymous]

I subscibe to both magazines and have for many years. I enjoy them both very much. Heck, if there were ten magazines devoted to toy trains, I'd probably subscribe to all ten!

Richard Bjorkman

[superwarp1]

I get both but prefer OGR due mostly being into the new stuff. I don't do post war anymore, I guess I like all the bells and whistles.

Gary

[Anonymous]

The Rock subscribes to both and will probably continue to do so. Since The Rock is primarily a toy train type with a postwar interest, he prefers CTT over OGR. Both are good magazines. Hopefully, OGR doesn't go down the hi rail road. If it does, The Rock might consider dropping OGR.

[Anonymous]

I have to find fault with OGR over their reviews. One lately was a review of a MTH M-1 with a sand dome incorectly installed. Now i know many of us are picky, but we are willing to overlook the occasional small blemish. But a complete sand dome reverse, with no way to correct. ALso they have alot of engines that don't work out of the box, but are like, hey no problem, we returned it and recieved another and it worked fine. We should not have to deal with defective hardware, and both CTT and OGR should be shouting that loud and clear. Happy Bill

[Anonymous]

Right now I subscribe to both but CTT is by far the more professional publication. Photos and Graphics are top notch and it just has a more professional look to it. I've always felt the photos and artwork in OGR are quite often amateurish. Content-wise I also give the nod to CTT. It's almost always a good read and lately even more so. . John Harding .

[BigJim]

I just received a sample copy of Model Railroad News. They seem to cover the whole spectrum of model railroading. I was most impressed with their product tests.

[Dr. John]

I subscribe to both OGR and CTT. As has been stated, they have different emphases, which is fine. Some issues of both are great, some not as great. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with CTT.