Animations guide?

Search for  "Animations for your Layout" by Roy Everett About $18

This should get you started

A lot of more advanced automation, plus lights and audio have an Arduino foundation to them. If not familiar with all that an Arduino does, I'd recommend looking into that arena and getting one of their starter kits

I'd be surprised if you can find a resource specific to O-gauge animations.  I also can't imagine anyone has published a comprehensive soup-to-nuts resource.  Should it cover how-to solder?  How to use a lathe or milling machine?  How to read a schematic diagram, or design a circuit to blink an LED, spin a motor, or fire a solenoid? How to write software/code such as for an Arduino or similar microcontroller?  How to use a 3-D printer to make a custom cam, gear, lever arm, whatever?

Since it's only $13 (free shipping) on eBay, I suggest the above book.  It's outdated (2005) and is more oriented toward HO but you will pick up a few ideas...

If you're willing/able/comfortable sharing what you're trying to do I'd say your best resource is OGR.  At least the price is right!

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  Those two books are exactly what I was looking for.  I'm looking for ideas to put some life into my nearly-completed new layout (besides all the Lionel operating accessories I have - crossing gates, switch tower, log unloader, milk car, coal tower, gateman, etc).  Things like swings, rotating signs, working backhoe, see-saws, etc.  I grew up seeing all of the great animations at the Buhl Planetarium layout (now Carnegie Science Center) in Pittsburgh, and those are the sorts of things I have in mind.  I have looked throughout this excellent forum and will continue to do so for ideas, but since I'm kinda old school, I do my best working with books.

Thanks again, Stan, CJ and CPC!

Dale

Check out this article of mine from 2014.