Several years ago, while in a bookstore about an hour away from home, I discovered a copy of OGR magazine for sale on the shelf. Until then, I didn't think there were magazines that specialized in O guage. I picked up my copy and took it home. It rekindled my desire to get back into trains. Like every person of my age group, my brother and I had lionel trains, but they were long gone over the years. Family and work had prevented me from doing anything serious towards building a layout.
After subscribing to O Guage Magazine, it made me aware of the latest products available, the OGR Forum, the TCA and York( and Thursday at Fridays). I started thinking about a possible layout. My wife bought me a beautiful Lionel train set that included averything required to get into TMCC (the Overland). For a couple of years I did the carpt central routine, all the while thinking about a future permanent layout. I was going to build something in the unfinished portion of the basement, but my wife and I finally decided to add a second story to our garage to become my train room. We did this a little over four years ago.
I live in very northern New York State, about ten miles south of the Canadian border. Montreal, P.Q., is a little over an hours ride from my house. There are vary few O guagers in the region, and no O guage clubs. I relied on the Forum for most of my information. I read about the RR Trak software program being discussed and purchased a copy at York. I spent a year designing my layout while continuing to peruse the Forum. After finally deciding on a track plan, I paid special attention to the layout building forums. After I had my tables completed, I used information from the Forum to decide what type of track and switches I would use.
When I finally started laying my track, I used information gleaned from the Forum on information and tips on laying track and switches. After winter settled in this year, I finished laying my track and about three weeks ago I started doing the wiring. I had been paying special attention to the electrical forum. Thanks to information provided by several knowledgable contributors I have been successful, at least so far. All I have left to wire in are a dozen switches. I expect that I will begin building my second level next winter season and then start the landscaping.
I guess that the point of all this is that thanks to the OGR Forum and it's various contributors, I have not been building my layout alone, but have been constantly receiving assistance all along from O Guage Magazine, the OGR Forum, and it's various contributors, even if they didn't realize it. I want to say thanks to everybody and really appreciate the help.
EL Bob
