OGR Website RIP

[Anonymous]

Hi all, this is Will from the OGR Forum. I have been registered here for a few years, but never posted.

Walt, I understand your jumping to the OGR Forum's defense, but I really haven't see a lot of bashing going on, at least in this thread. If people are a little angry, that's understandable. After all, its the members that have made that Forum what it is and it belongs to them as much as anyone, in spirit any way. I saw the thread you started over there, and wish you hadn't. It can only start a war.

As for the assessment that its not a place where a totally free discussion can go on about some of the very things that are important to us, I'm afraid I agree.

Hey, I just saw my registration date and post count! I've been here three years and 1 post! That means I've got seniority on all you guys so watch out![:p][}:)]

Seriously, I registered at Trains.com along time ago, but have never visited the forum. OGR was like family to me. And I think that's why so many people are peeved. Otherwise they'd just disappear quietly. I really think Rich is making a mistake and may not have explored all the options. Look at all the ads here.

[Anonymous]

Hi

me new to this forum, I liked the OGR forum because the things I created I was will to share for FREE. Now this $18 pay to contribute is just stupid.

Looky OGR is basically two guys Rich Melvin and Jim Barrett;
with the forum they have 4000 readers and a few hundred contributors that they did not have to pay;

They advertised the forum to in the magazine and to advertisers the forum was another outlet for their product promotions;

Just ask them to print OGR articles in the forum instead of the teasers and of course they wont; that they cab get money for


Alan Nelson

[Anonymous]

Hell, with all the little Cliques they have on that forum, it's no wonder they are charging. When I was on there, if I said anything against the "flow" of what the "regulars" thought, I was rudely told to shut up. No kidding. I have let my subscription to the magazine lapse because of that too because Melvin refused to tell the clique members to be civil. Now they can have their own private site and listen to one another spout BS that only they themselves believe. LONG LIVE CTT and TOY trains!!

[jonadel]

It's good to have choices and I'm looking forward to this board and what it will provide for all of us. I've been a long time subscriber of both magazines and have enjoyed the special "uniqueness" of both products. I haven't decided for sure as to what I will do on June 1, maybe just lurk.

Jon

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Harding

Just bid the OGR Forum adios. I participated for about four years ...mostly just checked the topics every now and then to see if there was something that could help me. When I'd post a question I seldom got any replies. Seemed to be more of a clique than anything else.......but that's just me.... Bottom line is, I would not pay 18 bucks on top of a magazine subscription. I still subscribe to OGR along with Model Railroader and CTT and I'll continue to take all three until the OGR subscription runs out ...then I'll probably let it drop. John Harding

Funny--I just noticed this post ealier....Guess it wasn't just me!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

I feel a lot better now. I just did my final post on OGR, wishing everyone the best. On to some new forums now.

Dave Vergun

Welcome David. And thank you for your story that you did on my wife Wilma some time ago! Welcome to CTT. I never considered you part of the "Santa Fe Jim" Click.

[Anonymous]

I think it is unfortunate that OGR is going to charge for its forum. I think it will shrink the range of participants, myself included, I didn't post that often but it was nice being able to step in every once in a while, give advice, or praise someone's efforts. I am not going to pay a yearly fee to do that. I will continue to monitor it but fear it may turn into a rather sterile place.

[Anonymous]

I can only hope that you CLIQUE guys from OGR don't try that stuff here. If you start the name calling and all and I have to not let my son be a part of this form Neil is going to hear from me personally and I think he'll be a little more responsive than Rich Melvin was.

[Anonymous]

Well I will be trying out this forum, will not be paying the $18.00 for the ability to post on the OGR forum. I was not a major poster on the OGR, about 900 postings over 4 years.

Bill T.
Seattle & Yakima RR

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys!

I couldn't get in as Chugman, so I had to use Chugman1. I am curious who is the original Chugman on this forum? Good to see so many familiar names.

[Anonymous]

Easy there Jack, no need to get your panties in a bunch yet. The Clique guys are staying put. I won't hesitate to contact Neil if you rub me the wrong way also.

[Anonymous]

I signed up for this forum quite a while ago, and have never posted. I have paid my $18 over on the OGR forum, since I believe that it is a good forum. I overlook any name calling (HO as "weenies', etc). It doesn't bother me. But, that is just me. I have enjoyed reading from the OGR forum, and have learned a lot. I enjoy this website for the articles (I subscribe to CTT, but not OGR). I really hope that the people that come over here, from there do so in a graceful maner, and don't sling any more names or other slander. Both are good forums.

[Dr. John]

I'm new to this forum and a veteran of the OGR forum. I am undecided on paying the $18.00 fee. I have enjoyed the other forum and have no animosity toward anyone on it. Hopefully, I will enjoy this forum and learn as much.

[brianel027]

Thanks Amtrak Jack.

Whoa! The action here lately is unbelieveable. Almost makes me wish for last week when it was just me and Spankybird, or me and Big_Boy4005 or about 6 or 7 other combinations!

Well seriously, this has been a wonderful site over the past 5 months to talk about 027 NON-SCALE trains and not be ridiculed. It's great to admit to reading the Model Railroader without being called some name (used all too much at the OGRR Forum) and that's not because I lack a sense of humor or am too sensitive... it's because I REPSECT ALL SCALES!

I've seen some amazing layouts in all different scales. I've seen neat layouts on a 4'x8' board as well as ones that fill the basement. And prior to the member/posting surge of the past few days, the tone here has been outstandingly civil. Even when we disagree, it's with understanding someone's viewpoint and tastes.

There were alot of posts with questions around the holiday on starter sets, and getting out/cleaning up the old trains... what set to buy... how to set it up. Those of us here at that time: Lionelsoni, Sask Tinplater, Big_Boy4005, Amtrak Jack, myself and maybe a few others I forgotten did our best to make those people feel eveybit as much a part of the hobby as some of the pros.

This is an exciting time here. I hope the tone of respect for ALL aspects of this hobby shall continue. Many of you guys from the OGRR Forum are intelligent guys who know your trains. There's wonderful opportunities here.

I don't think the OGRR Forum is dead yet. Obviously there's changes happening, and the dust will settle eventually. Hopefully folks will see that both Forums offer something to the hobby. Just as both Classic Toy Trains and O Gauge Railroading magazines do!! I look forward to both magazines. They both focus on slightly different things which is great.

I'm sure at some point, there will be some heated issues. We had one here a couple weeks ago on FasTrack. But everyone spoke their piece with no mudslinging. Many novices check out this forum first. We have a responsibility and an great opportunity to help this hobby grow. Remember, it starts with the kids.... the dream grows from there. And most of us are still kids at heart, even if our trains have grown-up in scale and detail.

Cheers and welcome everyone!

[KeithL]

I've been a member of the OGR Forum since December 2000, with about 100 posts, and a member of this forum since February 2001, with a handful of posts. I won't be paying $18 to continue participating in the OGR Forum--I wouldn't pay anything to participate in any online forum.

The OGR Forum has been a great source of information, but it was definitely more fun in the early days, when it was more open to a range of interests. I think that the OGR Forum, like OGR Magazine, is increasingly converging on O SCALE railroading (albeit with a 3rd rail) as opposed to O GAUGE railroading. This is a much narrower and more serious focus.

CTT is more open: hi-rail O gauge, "toy" O gauge of both modern and classic vintage, as well as other gauges of trains. For me, this is a more interesting and FUN approach. Actually, I dropped my OGR subscription and now only pick it up in the three months that CTT, to which I still subscribe, doesn't come out.

I look forward to participating in this forum more.

Keith

[Anonymous]

I really like the CTT magazine and am a long time subscriber. But as regards this forum---good luck guys. With an ornery badger attitude like Amtrak Jack's you will need it . CTT and Neil B. will soon find out why moderation("censorship") is necessary.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brianel027

Thanks Amtrak Jack.

Whoa! The action here lately is unbelieveable. Almost makes me wish for last week when it was just me and Spankybird, or me and Big_Boy4005 or about 6 or 7 other combinations!

Well seriously, this has been a wonderful site over the past 5 months to talk about 027 NON-SCALE trains and not be ridiculed. It's great to admit to reading the Model Railroader without being called some name (used all too much at the OGRR Forum) and that's not because I lack a sense of humor or am too sensitive... it's because I REPSECT ALL SCALES!

I've seen some amazing layouts in all different scales. I've seen neat layouts on a 4'x8' board as well as ones that fill the basement. And prior to the member/posting surge of the past few days, the tone here has been outstandingly civil. Even when we disagree, it's with understanding someone's viewpoint and tastes.

There were alot of posts with questions around the holiday on starter sets, and getting out/cleaning up the old trains... what set to buy... how to set it up. Those of us here at that time: Lionelsoni, Sask Tinplater, Big_Boy4005, Amtrak Jack, myself and maybe a few others I forgotten did our best to make those people feel eveybit as much a part of the hobby as some of the pros.

This is an exciting time here. I hope the tone of respect for ALL aspects of this hobby shall continue. Many of you guys from the OGRR Forum are intelligent guys who know your trains. There's wonderful opportunities here.

I don't think the OGRR Forum is dead yet. Obviously there's changes happening, and the dust will settle eventually. Hopefully folks will see that both Forums offer something to the hobby. Just as both Classic Toy Trains and O Gauge Railroading magazines do!! I look forward to both magazines. They both focus on slightly different things which is great.

I'm sure at some point, there will be some heated issues. We had one here a couple weeks ago on FasTrack. But everyone spoke their piece with no mudslinging. Many novices check out this forum first. We have a responsibility and an great opportunity to help this hobby grow. Remember, it starts with the kids.... the dream grows from there. And most of us are still kids at heart, even if our trains have grown-up in scale and detail.

Cheers and welcome everyone!

Brianel
I have a feeling you may wish for last week more than once.
Keith

[dk99358]

Well I'm here too now. Never did post much on the OGR forum but paying for the few I did make really rubs me wrong. No other problems just moving on.

Take care,

Dale

[maddognc]

Maddog will check in here too, but will stay involved in the OGR forum. Happy chatting guys.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Wow! It's great to see so many familiar names here.

Ed

(formerly MICHAEDX)

[Anonymous]

Greetings All,

I also am shifting from the other site. While I enjoyed it and did occasionally post a message, I actually posted only 50-60 times a year. Just isn't worth paying $18 for that. I suppose I'll lurk there a bit and maybe even post one or two more times until they shut us non-payers off in June. But I'm hoping that this site will become my first choice.

Dave

[penn station]

Hi guys,

I wanted to grab my username over here. Ironically, it was the anti-bashing topic at OGR that led me to check this out.

Cam

[brianel027]

Well I hope not Keithrd... I'm trying to be a little more of an optimist in my old age. Hey, I know we all want different things from the companies... we all have different takes on what should be done... we all have different product likes and dislikes.

For example, I don't buy a whole lot of MTH stuff (mostly for size issues) but I still have immense respect for what Mike Wolf has done for the hobby as a whole.

And yeah, our beloved Amtrak Jack can come off a little ornery - but I've been reading his posts here - he doesn't mince words - but he cares about the hobby and does his homework on stuff... our FasTrack topic from a few weeks ago is a fine example.

Like I said before, good can come of this if folks want that to happen. [:)] And regardless of some of the readjustment tensions, there's been good over at the OGR Forum too. You guys all know MTH has acknowledged the help and insight with DCS that they got from the OGR Forum. So hopefully folks will figure where they want to post. There's no pressure from anyone here.

But again, there has been a tone of respect here for tinplaters, semi-scalers, and 027 modelers that was sometimes lacking at the other Forum. At least that's what has been perceived by some, whether it was intended or not.
Jack's tone above was defensive, but well meaning... I know he wants the tone of respect to continue.

No reason why it can't or why it shouldn't.

Many of you OGR guys are smart guys who are knowledgeable on different aspects of the hobby. There's a wealth of information available with folks here... and that's what it's about.

And what better advertisement for the hobby or any train forum than to have a newcomer, or a modeler with a train problem thank us for getting them off to a good start. [^]

[Anonymous]

I just signed up over here. Cancelled my subscription to OGR today. Been a member of their forum since 2001. But I'm done over there now! Just wanted to say hello.
Barry

[MartyE]

I think once evryone settles in all will be fine. It's a big change for everyone and will take a bit for everyone to get used to. I just hope everyone will give it a little time to achieve an equalibrium.

[brianel027]

That's what I'm hoping for too Marty. And this hobby is too much fun and these trains so special to all involved for us to not let it happen!

[spankybird]

Hi All,

I just wanted to add my two cents. I like Brian run 027 tube track. Some of my trains go back to 1947 from what my dad bought us kids.

Remember, all our trains are TOYS. Unless they are hauling real freight, going from city to city, paying your bills, they are TOYS, no matter how many rivets they have.

I love to run my trains and play with them like I did when I was 10 or 12 years old.

This is just my opinion of our Model Toy Trains.

tom

[Anonymous]

Hello. I've just stopped by to check this forum out. I vaguely remembered it was here, but I had never bothered to register. I subscribe to both magazines, and just re-upped with CTT after having had it lapse for a couple of years. As far as forums, I started out on the AOL Boards in the mid-90's, and tried rec.model.ralroads (which can be an "insult-a-thon") before settling in with the TTML and the OGR Forum. I also follow some of the Yahoo lists, relating to Hornby Trains, Marx Trains, Plasticville and similar "toy boards". I run TMCC and have some of the modern, scale stuff, but I am not a "hi-railer" to the extent of many others. Give me some pre-war tinplate and tin lithographed buildings, and I'm as happy as many others are with scale fidelity. I haven't decided what I'll do regarding the new tack of OGR, and I hope that perhaps some of its new policy may be reviewed before June 1. I'm just glad I've found another place to post, and hope that my posting time doesn't double. See ya! J. J.

[Anonymous]

Amtrak Jack,

I was not aware of any cliques over at OGR, and I know I always tried to answer a newcomer's question as did many others. In fact I would make a point of looking for threads with zero replies, and if possible, answering the question.

I don't think naming names of those you thought of as clique members is very productive or considerate.

Will

[Anonymous]

I think that I have resolved the two Chugman User Names? I see quite a few OGR members here. It will be interesting to see how well received some of the Hi-Railers are here? I started reading the topic warning the CTT members that the dreaded Hi-Railers were coming. I do not believe that is a very widespread feeling, but only time will tell. Most people are very flexible in this hobby and tolerant of each others views, I know that I am.