This may have been covered on another thread, but OGR keeps getting better and better IMHO. Obviously, the "mix" of articles will always appeal to different people in different ways, but I really like the "mix" under Allan Miller's direction. This is not to say that I didn't enjoy previous editions of OGR, but these last issues have been exceptional.

It is a very difficult task to appeal to so many different groups when creating such a magazine, but I thoroughly enjoy all of the "How To" articles, and the Layout articles. Obviously, Allan Miller is a very special talent when it comes to writing, as I have said even before he became editor of OGR. The magazine really benefits from his stewardship.

Thanks for all of the hard work!

cordially,

Dennis

OGR is doing an excellent job. They throw in a very good mix of topics and layouts.

I always look forward to finding OGR waiting for me in my mailbox every time a new issue comes out. The whole OGR crew does such a fine job that I think that the only way they could improve OGR would be to go monthly.

Then again, I'm sure they have more surprises already lined up for us.

Andy

I heard the magazine is getting a new name: "Jim Policastro's super helpful tips and articles and pictures with an occassional other author allowed too".

Jim: you gotta know I'm just joshing with you, right? Your articles are so down to earth practical they always are my favorites.

I haven't read the issue yet but just browsing thru it makes me anxious to get to it. Looks like a fabulous issue.

I agree that I think the magazine is taking a better direction.

- walt

quote:

Your articles are so down to earth practical they always are my favorites.

Walt:

You are 100% correct. Jim's articles are really excellent, and I always look forward to reading them.

cordially,

Dennis

I just received mine earlier today and will sit down and read it with a cup of coffee tomorrow morning. I can't wait!

Paul

Clearly with the amount of time Miller is putting into the Magazine it's a wonder that he still has time to get into an argument or two right here.

A cold one this weekend to all you guys on the OGR staff.

The article in the latest OGR detailing how MTH is coping with the present economy was very informative. If the economy picks up, there will be some nice technology transfers to O gauge---

quote:

Originally posted by walt rapp:
I heard the magazine is getting a new name: "Jim Policastro's super helpful tips and articles and pictures with an occassional other author allowed too".

Jim: you gotta know I'm just joshing with you, right? Your articles are so down to earth practical they always are my favorites.

- walt

Hi Walt,
It's a big pool with plenty of room for everybody.

Hope you and other forumites will give it a try and submit an article or two. It's really fun. Besides taking pictures of a project as it progresses is a great way to improve your modeling and give you a reason to keep the work area neat.

Thanks to you and Dennis for the kind words.

Jim

quote:

Hope you and other forumites will give it a try and submit an article or two.

I, too, hope others here will seriously consider following Jim's suggestion! The magazine is as great as you--not I--make it, and submissions are always welcome. Not all can be accepted--that's true of every trade publication--but if you have the germ of an idea that we feel will educate, inform, and entertain our readers, we'll work with you to bring it to fruition. We always need more step-by-step and nicely illustrated how-to articles of all types, but also welcome submissions for layouts to be featured, along with Readers' Rails photos.

Indeed, as Walt noted above, Jim Policastro is an especially prolific and talented contributor to our magazine. He's a great person to know, talk with, and work with as well. I value his work, I value his friendship, and I value his incessant willingness to share, and the same applies to all who are helping to grow the magazine in terms of both content and acceptance.

Recognizing that the O gauge segment of our hobby encompasses a number of diverse interests and skill levels, we will nevertheless continue to do the best we can to provide material that will offer a bit of something for every O gauge enthusiast and every potential O gauge hobbyist.

quote:

This may have been covered on another thread, but OGR keeps getting better and better IMHO.

As Allan notes, the various articles and other contributions to the magazine are vitally important. Implicit in the title to this thread, is that the articles in the magazine have been entertaining, instructional, and, "One Great Read". Personally, I have enjoyed many of the articles in, "Product Reviews", "Features", and "Divisions" of the magazine.

Without minimizing the contributions of the other authors to the magazine, I regularly enjoy George Brown's very detailed articles. Having an author thoroughly review a product from top to bottom, and, give an honest appraisal of the strengths and weakness of the product is truly refreshing.

Similarly, Ed Boyle's Collector's Gallery, and, his other contributions, are also a favorite. I enjoy seeing how past production of various items "age gracefully" over time, and, how collecting some, or all ofthose can add an element of fun to the hobby. Such enjoyment includes the "thrill of the hunt", owning representations of the past, and having various items to enjoy with fellow hobbyists who might make a visit.

Additionally, I always learn something new while reading Jim Barrett's contributions, since he obviously brings a special talent to his "hand's on' presentations.
Some of the projects may be very specific, but the method of approaching them, and many of the skills employed, are easily transferable to other projects.

As noted above, Jim Policastro's articles are wonderful! The same is true for Dr. Bramlage's many contributions over the years. Each of them somehow finds a way to utilize common, everyday materials in a new and unique way for the present and future benefit of the hobby - not a simple task for a hobby such as Model Railroading, which has been in existence for a very long time. As an example, the Club that I belonged to for a number of years has a member that will soon attain the status of, "Master Modeler". This member can create scenery that ranks among the best that I have ever seen on a layout in a very short time frame. I plan to share Jim Policastro's article and photos titled, "Multiple Uses for Real Stone on Your Layout" with my friend at the Club. There is no question in my mind that he will be thoroughly thrilled to begin using Jim's new technique on the Club layout and on his home layout. I can't wait to see the results because I am sure that they will be breath taking.

I could easily continue discussing various additional articles in recent magazines that contain excellent contributions by other authors, since each have contributed to making these issues special. I have always said that if I attended a convention or a seminar, and learned only one thing that I could regularly utilize in the future, then the time and expense for the convention or seminar was well spen. For me, Jim's article for multiple uses of "Real Stone" on the layout, is one of those gems that will have longstanding utility. And the same could be said for the contributions of Dr. Bramlage and others .

So, to repeat, "Thanks for all of the hard work!"

cordially,

Dennis

I have to jump in here and agree with the comments about it being a great issue.

Jim's articles are always well thought out, have excellent pictures, and always pertain to something that could help us with our layouts.

Allan Miller's influence on the magazine has been a very big plus. You can tell that he is a person that enjoys what he is doing and is good at it.

As a Chicago area resident, I have been very impressed with the Hi-Rail Train Group that is featured in this issue. I particulary love that they are bringing so much scale detailing to their modules and equipment. While it is very entertaining to watch trains run, it is so much better on detailed scenery. They are giving visitors a chance to see how cool a detailed, properly sceniced, model railroad can be.

Art

Yep, I posted it before but this is the best mag out there. I have not got the newest issue yet, but it usually pops up today. On a side note, I have learned a lot of other stuff like how to take and post pics, and how to get along.... well you all know I'm still working on that one. Keep up the great work all. I think the website with the mag makes for a great experience. I am still in awe of the wide diversity of people on here from all around the world! Joe
(hey Art, just watched the latest video, very nice)

Yet another new = great issue. Already read it twice through in just 3 days.

Enjoyed the article on building interiors (working on some of my own right now) and the new product reviews.

Jim, the stone use is really timely, was about to start on a coal crib area for my engine servicing diarama. Might go with the stone look now instead of wood.

And for me I have to thank all the advertisers. Seeing the new figures, buildings, vehicles etc makes OGR a one stop shopping place. Been looking for years for a campfire setting and sure enough there it is from Scenic Express.