OGR Website RIP

[Anonymous]

Hi guys! This is my first post also and I'm glad we have an alternative to the OGR Forum. As of late they have become repetitive and boring and perhaps just a little too scale focused for a traditional toy train operator like me. I use Lionel's TMCC and I enjoy both talking about new traditional sized trains and Lionel Postwar. [:D]

[waltrapp]

Some of you know that I've been on both forums for a long time. I post on both (my most recent post on this forum was about 3 weeks ago - about K-Line switches vs. Lionel O27 ones but I have answered a few questions too for others).

I don't like the bashing of the OGR forum that you ex-members are doing. I read the same negative comments here from the same people as I did over there. It seems like certain disgruntles want to bash and bash. Just post here and forget about venting and bad-mouthing.

I'm not sure what I'll do in regard to OGR. I'm not interested in posting albums and avatars and participating in Acela chats, but I do post and learn much on that forum. If you didn't know, they have a forum exclusive for TMCC and another for DCS. MTH POINTS TO THE OGR FORUM FROM THEIR PROTOSOUND 2 SITE!!!!! That's how good that site is. And many of the 'answerers' on that forum are in direct and daily contact with the DEVELOPERS of MTH. Not too shabby.

So if you object to the fee (which I too am against BTW) don't use that to try to point out how crappy the OGR forum is. That's really not fair.

I realize I'm sticking my neck out a bit here by saying these things. I don't plan on being the defender of the cause in any way. I just don't think the bashing going on here was fair.

I will continue to post here as I have been doing since almost its inception. What I decide to do over there I don't know. I do know that I enjoy the OGR gathering at York - where else can a regular joe like me get the big-time players (reps from the various train companies, Brady e.g.) in the game to talk directly to you and answer your questions?

- undecided Walt

[Anonymous]

I am undecided whether to dump the OGR forum or not. I subscribe to both OGR and CTT magazines. I am puzzled why a subscriber to the magazine would also have to shellout to post to the forum. I don't see the added value right now., but am willing to look and see after June 1. Meanwhile, I will put the CTT forum on my favorites list.

Thats my [2c]!

Dave

[MartyE]

I agree with Walt. The OGR forum is very good. It does have it's issues as all do or eventually will. They are going through a big chnage with the introduction of the fee. Like I said earlier I will sign up for one year and see what I get. It's a personal decision that folks have to make as far as $$$ vs value.

I would be wrong to say that the wealth of information gained there was invaluable and still is. I hope to gain as much here as well. I think folks obviously have strong feelings about this and eventually it will simmer down.

[bowlerp]

I have only 2-3 posts on this board, and 700+ on the OGR board over several years - a modest amount. I haven't decided whether I will pay. I do agree that there is much material that is irrelevant to me personally, but I just move on and look for another topic. When it gets personal - I leave.

It is incredible to me that an individual not personally acquainted with another will deign to openly criticize and excoriate a fellow enthusiast. It is all quite distastful and arrogant behavior and not helpful to the hobby. On the other hand, many people are extremely helpful and bend over backwards to post information to answer someone's technical questions. That spirit of helpfulness and cooperation is what makes the hobby rewarding on that level.

My personal feeling about OGR is that perhaps Rich is trying to regain a piece of his life and reduce the amount of time he must commit to that Forum. It has become a monster to manage. I certainly understand those feelings, as well as the real concerns about the cost of running the Forum in ca***erms for servers, memory, bandwidth, etc. The Forum certainly has been a great help to the new owners of OGR to establi***hemselves with their reader base. I hope they can continue to connect with us.

I enjoy both magazines by subscription, and the hobby is richer for having the two of them.

[Anonymous]

When the fee subject was first raised last year, I was against it as a matter of principle. As a group, we have to keep the use of the internet free. Paying a fee for access encourages others to charge one. I'm pleased to see CTT evolving by offering more for the non-tradionalist. Perhaps this forum can evolve into the forum of choice for all O-gaugers.

[Anonymous]

Hello everybody. Greetings from Coastal Carolina It's great to see some familiar names from the other forum.. I've been a member here for a while now. I've also posted on the Model Railroader forum. Lots of levels to comment in over here. If you're into trains, model and the real deal, this is heaven. John Harding

[Anonymous]

I started posting on this board, but moved to the OGR board because I got a higher number of responses to my topics, including Frank Ellison and postwar repair questions (see my posts about the 182 crane on both forums). I found it interesting that some felt that this forum was THE one to get helpful postwar info; I found the reverse to be true, initially.
However, seeing CW (whom I am still beholden to) and eZAK and Allan Miller, in additon to the icon Brianel, and a myriad of others (including odd-d), leads me to think that perhaps this forum will now be the 'happening' place.
My concern is not the charge, but whether the cameraderie is good, the exchange of ideas helpful and friendly, and whether Mr. Keller can keep it from degenerating into a name-calling, 'my-trains-are-better-than-your-trains' free-for-all.

[Anonymous]

JimTT,

Nice picture. Is that from your layout? I like scale or more realism too, but I have lots of post-war stuff that blends in nicely. This looks like a good forum, so I bet we'll have more and more OGR immigrants landing here over the next few weeks.

[eZAK]

[#welcome]

It is a pleasure to see some familar names here.[^]

nblum (aka;Neil) I surprized you didn't stay and pay everyones way. [;)] [(-D]

Just Kidding! [swg]

Pat Zak

[Anonymous]

Hey, I forgot I was a member here. I wonder how many posts I've made?

I paid OGR my $18 to give them a chance to prove themselves right. Seems only fair since I enjoyed their forum for so many years. But if they don't, I've wasted more money on less...

Let's see now, OGR, Atlas, and Model Train Journal. Where will everyone end up? Gotta cover all the bases!

RR_4_FUN

[Anonymous]

Hello everybody. I, too, am a "refugee" from the OGR site. I joined there on
the recommendation of a friend. I've had a subscription with OGR since the
"Scale O Railroading" days, but the subscription, too, shall end. (See my rea-
sons why in the OGR site. I did not bash and I learned a lot the short time I
was there. The comaraderie was not there.

I have had a subscription with CTT since the very first issue. (Actually the 2nd)
My late father showed me issue #1 and I signed up right after.

I am a 3rd generation toy/model train guy. I have spent 50 years actively being
involved with the hobby (even thru GIRLS/WIVES!) without a break. Tried a few
different scales, but never ditched the O Gauge stuff. Still have the ORIGINAL
trains from my grandfather, great-uncle, and my father. I have two sons one of
whom shows an interest (mildly) in the hobby, and three grandchildren who
also LOVE the stuff! Many other contemporary members of my family are also
O Gauge train hobbyists.

Am retired, fixed income, finally getting out things that I purchased specifically
years/decades ago when I could afford them and enjoying them now.

Hope to learn and also maybe even share information regarding this wonder-
ful pastime.

Thanks.

[Phil1361]

Well, it isn't dead yet. I hate to say it but I see a slow and agonizing cancer coming on. First, June 1st they will lose 1/2 to maybe even 2/3 of their membership. Then during that first year a good portion of those people will see that other forums (such as this one) have gotten much better and realize, "Why should I pay for it here when I can go to a better forum for free?" Eventually what you will have is a small clique of hobbiests who will stay together. New people won't join due to the fee. And the worst part about it is they are even going to lose subscriptions over this. I will keep mine as it is still a good magazine. And that's how it will stay unless OGR shuts it down or changes policy.

Of course I could be wrong. If I could predict stuff I would be rich by now!

I've noticed that a lot people have said I'll pay since I have been using their forum for years. Well, remember when Myron J. Bigger was at the helm? They had the OGR Forum tank car which the profits for that were to pay for the forum expenses. Why don't they just run one of those per year? I bought one the tank cars in support of the forum. Not only did I support the forum but I got a nice tank car too. But the best thing about that was the guys who couldn't afford it did not HAVE TO BUY IT!

Happy Railroading
Phil (Hudson J1e)

[Kooljock1]

But will we have to burn our OGR Forum shirts after June 1st???

Jon [8D]

[FJ and G]

I just just lurked over at the OGR website and the cry is out that we are bashing them on this website.

How childish! So far, I haven't read anyone badmouthing them at all. Just wishing them the best.

I do think that Rich & company really killed a good thing, however. That is the most "bashing" I will say.

[Anonymous]

I too think that the RIP may be premature. No one knows for sure what will happen to the OGR forum until the thing works itself out to the end, whatever that may be, bitter or otherwise.

May I also point out that the name calling thing works both ways. That is, the folks on the OGR forum shouldn't be calling anyone names, and neither should the folks on this forum. Frankly, I do not consider myself part of any "clique" on the OGR forum, and I have already paid for my subscription & will remain active there. I find the insinuation that those who decide to pay the subscription fee & continue to use the forum offensive. Whether or not I renew my subscription will, of course, depend up on how things turn out.

Tony

[NH_Chris]

Change is constant, and not always for the better. I think the OGR website is a victim of its' own success. Something not mentioned (often) in these discussions is the $$$ it must be costing OGR for the software, bandwidth, etc.

I also regret the bashing, which is not pretty for anyone involved.

Geez, now I have two forums to follow...

NH Chris

[Anonymous]

Another OGR refugee here, I didn't post much there because I never really felt like I belonged. I don't have a huge layout and I don't run thousand dollar engines so I felt out of place. After looking around here this place just feels better. BTW CTT I just sent in a check for my subscription to show my gratitude for this forum.

[thor CNJ]

What's this nonsense about thousand-dollar engines? I run Marx, and most of mine cost less than $25! [:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am here also. I had never been on a forum other than OGR even though I subcribe to both magizines as well as Garden railways.

I hope it works out for everyone on both sides of the fence.

Don

[nitroboy]

I will be a new member here. Won't pay $18 for a site that I mostly just read.

Dave

[cnw1995]

I wish I knew where Thor found his wonderful Marx (and $25 engines). ;) The New Marx is pretty expensive.

[thor CNJ]

I found some of my Marx here:

http://www.trainmarket.com

Keep in mind that mine is all original pre-1975, and it is much cheaper in cost than the new Marx.

[Anonymous]

I have not been one who makes alot of posts on forum's, so I can't see paying for something I don't use that much. In looking at the forums and seeing posts numbering in the thousands,I wonder how these people find time work or even run their trains? I subscribe to both magazine's and enjoy both. Best of luck to OGR pay per view fourm.

Keith

[cnw1995]

Thank you, Thor! I am interested in that era as well. I love their color and their operating accessories.

[Buck216]

Hi to all soon to be OGR lurkers, like myself. I am just Buck on OGR and while a member here for a while this is my first post. I don't quite get OGR's logic on the fee, but I don't own a magazine or a forum so my imput is not even worth $0.02. I truly wish OGR the best of luck with its new venture. Is this the age of a super train forum, who knows? As I stated at OGR, I have never paid to use a forum and do not intend to start now, enought said.

[Anonymous]

As a OGR forum member, I'm on the fence about the $18.00. I can understand that if you can afford $1200 for a scale locomotive, what's $18.00? OTOH why pay for advice that can be gathered for free elsewhere? I think charging may take some of the fun out of it, but I'll wait and see.

I've been a subscriber to CTT for the past year, and I find the magazine to be very helpful. I am in the process of finishing a 031 version of the Coal Trestle layout featured in the last 4 issues. I find the magazine to be very informative and helpful. OGR is a great magazine as well, but my wife got me a subscription to CTT[:D]. Plus CTT gives you two more issues.

Glad to be here on the "other" side of the tracks[:)].

[okiechoochoo]

I just read the ogr forum myself. I don't go there often as I wasn't aware of the 18 fee until today. I won't be paying it so I will be coming here. I saw all those posts about the bashing here also. I read every post here and I didn't see any bashing. This will no doubt be a nicer place.

[Anonymous]

Welcome OGR folks. I am an on again/off again hobbysit who just finished the worlds best shelf layout and am hooked big time. I run my dad pre war sets (3) as well as a variety of postwar and modern stuff. I am looking to buy the TMCC equipment since the remote control works well with the 7 foot shelf. Happy to have all the great minds in one place!

[Trainman52]

I'm here too !! It isn't the $18.00. There are many forums on the Net that are free. Those users who want "deluxe" features such as posting photos should be the ones who pay the premium for additional storage space on a server.