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CHANGES IN THE WORKS AT OGR

Rich MelvinRich MelvinOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Does that old O Gauge Railroading magazine cover look familiar? It’s the cover from Run 189, the October 2002 issue of O Gauge Railroading. That was the first issue of OGR I had the honor of publishing.

Back in August 2002, Jim Barrett, Ed Boyle, the late Fred Dole and I purchased this magazine from The Myron Biggar Group. Fred stepped down in 2005, but Jim, Ed, and I are still actively involved in the publication of the magazine, along with our dedicated editorial staff consisting of Editor-in-Chief Allan Miller, Associate Editor George Brown, Ed Boyle, Jim Barrett, Kathryn Brown and many other contributors.

Fast forward to today and a few things are changing here at OGR Publishing. I turned 71 years old in October and I’m ready to retire. My wife of 49 years and counting, The Lovely and Gracious Linda, and I purchased a nice motor home a few years ago and we want to travel this wonderful country of ours before we’re both too old to be able to do it. Consequently, Run 296, the January 2018 issue, will be the last issue where my name will appear on the masthead as the Publisher.

Alan ArnoldI have turned over the responsibility for publishing OGR to a guy that some of you know, Advertising Sales Manager Alan Arnold. Starting with Run 297, you will see Alan’s name on the masthead as he steps into the role of publisher of this great magazine. I will still be CEO and majority owner of the company, providing some administrative support, advice and counsel behind the scenes.

Alan will lead the future of O Gauge Railroading magazine. He is actively involved in the hobby with a huge 3-rail layout in his home. Tall buildings, long trains, and lots of action are the hallmarks of his layout. Alan will bring a fresh perspective to the Publishers Corner column in the magazine precisely because he’s so deeply involved in the hobby. He also understands social media very well and will take OGR to a more active presence on Facebook and other social media sites. Watch for that!

It may have been 15 years ago, but it seems like it was just yesterday that Run 189 hit the streets. And here we are 107 issues later, about to publish Run 296. There is an old saying that applies here, Time passes quickly when you’re having fun.

Yep, it’s been fun!

Last edited by Rich Melvin
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jd-trainjd-trainOGR Forum Member

Glad to see you are leaving!   First priority should always be to enjoy time (especially travel) with your spouse!

Hope you have a safe, and enjoyable time!

I retire in 4 years, when I turn 62.  Between the time we sell our current house and buy our retirement house, we hope to do some extended travel as well. 

God speed!

Jim

Engineer-JoeEngineer-JoeOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

WOW! This is bittersweet.

I hope all the best for you. Many years ahead of joy and peace.

However, it will never be the same without you looking over this. Your presence here has kept this forum fun and interesting. I know things have to move forward. It just will be different. I will look forward to any comments you post in the future. I will also look forward to reading of your future successes.

If your ever nearby..... please say hello!

Last edited by Engineer-Joe
prrhorseshoecurveprrhorseshoecurveOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Congratulations to Alan and Rich. Rich it's a well deserved retirement. Hopefully someday we will see an article on Jim Barrett's layout as well as Alan' s layout. 

Also Rich, be safe out there in that motor home. Don't be going down a desert highway at Max speed(notch 8) setting the cruise control then getting up and walking to the back and making a sandwich. Technology has N O T made it there yet!

 

T TomlinsonRunRROGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Rich,

For the short couple of years that I've been a forum member, you have set the tone and the high-level of professionalism and information sharing that the forum and magazine are noted for.  Your changes and improvements to the forum have always been welcomed.  I'm glad to hear that you will still be connected to both; but I wish you and your wife, Linda, a wonderful retirement and memorable travels (memorable in a good way, that is! :-).

Alan, congratulations, and thanks for stepping in to keep this valuable community and the magazine going.  I'm looking forward to watching as you advance your own ideas about the hobby.

Best of luck to you both,

Tomlinson Run Railroad

sordsordOGR Forum Member

Congratulations, Rich.  I do hope you enjoy retirement.  Very sad to see you go as you were one of the first persons I saw to recognize the importance of bringing the youth into the hobby.  Now there's going to be a vacuum in the discussion forum when it comes to Lash-ups vs. Consists.  Going to miss your expert advice.

Steve

John HJohn HOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Congratulations, Rich. The best to you and your wife in your travels. Save my address, and if you make it to Western NY, you have a welcome place to park that motor home (Think Niagara Falls, Letchworth Park, Finger Lakes, and much more). I will miss your level headed and common sense responses on your well run forum, as well as that smiling face hanging out of 765. Have at it!

Marty FitzhenryMarty FitzhenryOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

Rich, enjoy your deserved time to do Rich things.  You are leaving the magazine in excellent hands.  We all know Alan as a top shelf train guy.  We have all seen pictures of his beautiful layout.  He is also a top shelf person who will make you proud.  Alan will do great things.  He has great people with him in Jim and Ed.  I am very happy for Alan and know we are in for great things.  

Rich, thank you for everything.

O ogaugeguyOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Congratulations to you, Rich and wife Linda, on your dual retirements from OGR, you as Publisher and Linda as OGR's Chief Financial Officer. Hopefully you'll both enjoy the happy, healthy, and long retirement you're both so deserving of.

Also, I'd be amiss not congratulating you too, Arnold, on your promotion to Publisher for this fine organization. You certainly are deserving of your meteoric rise to the helm of OGR  in the 50 months you've been here. For those forumites who may be unaware or have forgotten the accolades graced upon you during your first year here, simply refer back to a post titled:

Alan Arnold - A great Salesman, https://ogrforum.com/...old-a-great-salesman

Putting you in charge. Alan, of publishing this fine magazine is a testament to Rich's business acumen and his astute judgement of character. We're all counting on many years ahead with OGR under your stewardship and capable leadership.  I look forward to that first of many issues you'll "birth".

 

 

Last edited by ogaugeguy
Putnam DivisionPutnam DivisionOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Rich.......congratulations on your retirement. You deserve it. I have been a big fan of yours since you got involved with Myron on the OGR Video series. As Publisher of the magazine and moderator of this Forum, you have set the bar as a class organization. I thank you. You have made the hobby much richer with your efforts.

Alan......congratulations on the assumption of Publisher of the magazine. You know that you have a tough act to follow.....I know you are up to it. I expect that the magazine and Forum will continue to be very successful. Best wishes. I look forward to seeing what you have in store!

Peter

Captain JohnCaptain JohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER

Rich, you have taken OGR to a higher level the past 15 years both in the magazine & videos. Thank you so much for your hard work in doing so. I wish you & Linda the best in traveling around in your RV. 

Alan, congratulations in your new position. We wish you the best in continuing the excellence that OGR  has had on our great hobby. Hopefully in the near future we can all see your layout and story in OGR.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Congratulations on retiring Rich, I am so glad I was able to meet you, Alan, Jim and Ed at my very first York. I am definitely going to have to change my "go to the newsstand" and change that to an active subscription. I really did enjoy yesterday when I managed to catch you at the booth before I left York and got that look from you, that look of, "Oh, you", when I said autostoker. I'm glad I said, " no, Otto Stoker, O-t-t-o" and I think you cracked a smile. Jim chimed in with, "yes, Otto Stoker, he invented it". I still have to post about my first York experience hopefully later on tonight.

Thanks Rich for being here and helping to make more peoples railroad dreams come true. I wouldn't have gone to York if it wasn't for the forum.

Ingeniero No1Ingeniero No1OGR Forum Member

Congratulations, Rich!

You will most certainly enjoy retirement! I will be 72 in a few weeks, retired when I was 66, have had a ball since, and it just keeps getting better. I first became involved with O-Gauge in 2008, started with DCS, watched your Video Guide to DCS DVD, and really appreciated the excellent job you did making DCS understandable.

I learned about everything I know about 3-rail O-Gauge from the forum and the magazine, and found both to be extremely well run and organized. I thank you for this.

Congratulations, Alan!

I cannot think of a better and more qualified person than you to assume the role that Rich is vacating. I hope you will have time to continue working on your layout (they are never finished, right?), taking beautiful pictures (and posting them), and enjoying the hobby hands-on. 

Alex

R rtraincollectorOGR Forum Member

Rich enjoy your retirement. I retired when I was 59 ( medically ) and I have seen a decline in what I can do now and what I use to be able to do. Bottom line I'm glad I did. Glad I didn't try to keep working. So far I have had 3 great years and able to spend time with my wife who has put up with so much from me. She's one in a million. Travel as you can. 

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