It was a long, long time ago.
In a roundhouse far, far away...
OK, It was back in late July 2000. I think I read about it in OGR Magazine.
I honestly can't remember.
I came here on a round about way.I was on youtube and found a news story on a steam locomotive.That had been rebuilt and was being tested.They video of this locomotive.It turned out to be 765.I read some of the comments about the locomotive.A few stated about o gauge magzine.Did some more web surfing and here I am.
Back in 2008 I was looking for O Gauge track plans via Google and here I am a few evenings a week.
There has been many a great posts and lots of great information.
I found it ‘medium rare’
I didn't know it was lost.
I was posting on Classic Toy Trains... and saw a link there.
To long ago to remember
Back in 2004 I was in San Francisco visiting my daughter and stopped by Chan's train shop. On the way out the door I saw the OGR magazine and bought it to read on the flight back to Baltimore. Well the rest is history, Chan's is no longer there but I'm still here 15 yrs later.
I found it by accident. I was surfing the net for something related to trains and this popped up in the search. I went to it to see what is was and well as they say the rest is history.
Its been 18 years so I'm not positive but I think it was through the OGR magazine.
Found it threw Google search for my first O scale layout. The forum had all the answers I was looking for and a lot of great help! about 1 year later I really started getting involved here.
I had been a regular on the old AOL Boards (the Wild West of the Interwebs...) and stumbled here looking for relief. I think I was one of the first ten guys here.
Jon 
In 2003 I came to the realization that I would never have a home layout due to family space constraints Started looking for a train club to join. Google searches led me to two train forums that had pleas from the then President of the NJ HiRailers looking for members to help with constuction. Been a member of both ever since
I don't remember what day of the week it is. I certainly don't remember the question just asked.
Well, I had heard via YouTube that it existed, but didn't pop my nose in here to look. Well, I had seen a wonderful layout on YouTube(someone else's that wasn't plugging the forum) and I wanted to see more. Well, that led me here. It took about 4-5 months after browsing more of that layout here and seeing some of the other things going on before I joined the forum.
From a note in the magazine 16 years ago.
Joined July 15, 2000, had "dial up", no fast internet speeds, but then there wasn't a lot of "train sites" on the web. Found it and joined immediately. Surfing the web was painfully slow then.
I am member #56.
Steve
Seems I was on the Sunset 3rd rail interactive website quite a few years ago.......maybe someone mentioned it.........and, wallah, here I am ! Wonder what "wallah" means?
mark s posted:Seems I was on the Sunset 3rd rail interactive website quite a few years ago.......maybe someone mentioned it.........and, wallah, here I am ! Wonder what "wallah" means?
It's actually "violá" (vwa-la) French for calling attention with a note of aproval; "here it is", etc.
I spell it with a W for context sake too.
I am a late-comer to this forum and I have forgotten exactly how I discovered it but I'm sure glad I stopped by. The wealth of information available is priceless just for starters. There are some real characters hanging around here and it's like a small village in many ways. Always a pleasure to read the posts. If I ever need to ask about something it usually doesn't take long to hear an answer. Amazing.
AOL Train forum
Neal Jeter
My Google Foo brought me here. Don't remember what I was looking for but I sure found it here.
Lew
Adriatic posted:It's actually "violá" (vwa-la) French for calling attention with a note of aproval; "here it is", etc.
I spell it with a W for context sake too.
It's voila , not "viola." The latter is a stringed instrument played with a bow.
My friend Kanawha introduced me to it during a lunch break at work.
I picked up the June 2012 issue of OGR at the Giant Eagle grocery store. I never knew the magazine existed. I saw the advertisement for the Forum, and joined on the spot! You have been stuck with me ever since!
I've come out of hiding, I joined in 2011 to find some answers I had. I remember it was the "old" forum.I don't write or answer much, but I do read a bit every day, I have my next layout designed, just need to find the time!! I think I workk too much!
A shout out too all the formites in Western PA and Pittsburgh!!!! 
catnap posted:Adriatic posted:It's actually "violá" (vwa-la) French for calling attention with a note of aproval; "here it is", etc.
I spell it with a W for context sake too.
It's voila , not "viola." The latter is a stringed instrument played with a bow.
or a flower 🌸🌼🙃
I don't know if I should blame "spellwreck"or not.
I make mistakes thumbdays 😬
Someone on the old AOL Boards mentioned the site. I joined in 2002. One of my favorite places to visit.
Ken
mark s posted:Seems I was on the Sunset 3rd rail interactive website quite a few years ago.......maybe someone mentioned it.........and, wallah, here I am ! Wonder what "wallah" means?
Hi Mark S, That's probably a phonetic spelling of Voila! which is "an expression used to call attention, express satisfaction, or suggest an appearance as if by magic." (Merriam-Webster)
FrankM
I found it through surfing the net, and I joined on 12/18/2000.
"Wonder what wallah means? You could remove the "h" and say it twice .. it would be a town in Washington state.
Rusty
"Diverging" - a bit of old, dark humor: "Sirhan Sirhan is alive and well in Walla Walla" !
I periodically go to Barnes & Noble to read magazines. Years ago I stumbled upon OGR Magazine which lead me the OGR Forum.
Ran across the forum quite often as I was getting back into the hobby about 5-6 years ago. More often than not when I was looking for specific, detailed, information the first link that answered the question on a google/etc search ended up being a thread on OGR. I tend to avoid 'social media', never had FaceSpace or the like and to date I think this is one of 3 forums I've joined. The other two are/were an old Ford forum that has since disappeared, and the Arduino forums on which I post about twice a year when I need some information I can't find documentation on anywhere.
Finally joined OGR after running into a thread that was so full of incorrect/disinformation that I felt a need to respond. Stuck around mostly because it felt like a good bunch of people, and I though the average user could use some on-the-cheap, hobby level electronics know how.
Took a break due to being unenthused/confused about an editorial choice of the previous publisher, and mostly just lurk now, unless I'm killing time between shoots at work as I am now.
Over all, I find the OGR forum the most useful place for folks in 3 rail O gauge information, just not as enthusiastic about the place as I once was.
According to my profile I joined in 2012. Don't recall how I found the forum, but I did lurk for a while before joining. I knew nothing about trains (toy, model or real) back then, not that I know a lot now, but have learned quite a bit about all three here.
It all started when I got my grandson a train set for his birthday in 2011 (or maybe it was 2012?). Anyway, while shopping I was amazed by all the new things in O gauge from what they had years ago when I was a kid (I'm still amazed to this day). The electronic controls put me over the edge so I got back in the hobby, after trying to figure out where to start. I also retired at the beginning of 2012 so I had the time and trains were a good fit for something to do, also not too physical as I was beginning to have some health issues. Somewhere along the line I stumbled onto this forum and it's been a great place to learn not only trains but electronics too. This forum might be better than finding the trains again? It sure helps with learning and keeping up with all the modern features.
Walla Walla? Sounds like something a Witch Doctor once said...Or was that a Chipmunk?
Deciding that HO was not all that much fun for little kids around the Christmas tree, I started to search Lionchief. Had American Flyer when I was a kid, and did not like the looks of Lionel track. But once I saw fastrack, I loved the look. That is when I found the forum.
Oldmike
Joined in 1998 web site went down and lost everybody's name and had to rejoin in September of 2000 I believe. Lots of people have come and gone and it's been a great ride.
Dave
I don't remember how I found out about this forum initially, I do know that like others I lurked for some time before joining after having a conversation with Jim Barrett at Davis Trains. That was over 18 years ago, a lot has changed since then.
