Magazines

PBracy posted:

When it comes to Magazines , is one better then the other for O guage trains. 

Thanks 

Over the last year or so the TCA Quarterly has really excelled IMHO. Lots of interesting articles, lots to learn. 

It used to be that York was the main reason for my TCA membership, the Quarterly has taken over that position for me. This says a lot, I've only missed 3 Yorks out of the last 54

Our two layouts are three rail hi rail.  For us, OGR is the most useful and applicable. A two rail modeler may find another magazine better for his/her hobby.  Craftsmen/craftswomen may subscribe to a different magazine for their niche in our hobby.  John in Lansing, ILL

This is a question I think only you will be able to answer for yourself since only you will know what you like to read about.  There are four main O scale/gauge (you do know the difference, right?) magazines;

1. O Gauge Railroading,

2. O Scale Trains,

3. Classic Toy Trains, and

4. O Scale Resource.

But, since many facets of model railroading are common to all scales/gauges, you should not rule out magazines like Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman or Model Railroad Hobbyist.

My suggestion would be to see if any local libraries carry any of these magazines.  If so, check out and browse through a few of each.  You will quickly decide which fits your needs.  Otherwise, look around at train shows and flea markets for old issues that might sell as cheaply as 25 cents.  Buy a few and do the same decision process.

By the way, O Scale Resource and Model Railroad Hobbyist are both free on-line publications.  But in the case of MRH, you have to subscribe to see all the content.

Have fun.

Chuck

If you are into the modern trains and you are an operator & not a collector, O gauge RR is for you. If you are into the trains from 1900 to 1969 and you are a collector or you have a layout, Classic Toy Trains is a better magazine for you. 

I have scripts to both OGR & DIGITAL , AND CTT.  Each one looks at our hobby from different perspectives,  so they each have a lot to give you.

Well worth the scripts to both. With OGR I  have 4 years print  & with OGR Digital I have all issues available , with CTT I have most issues back to 1990,

( i preferred print)

What’s better, a Ford or a Chevy?

It all depends on your personal interests and preferences.

I subscribe to both magazines and when finished I drop them off the local barber shops. It’s a way of letting the world know that trains are alive and well. Its a way to hopefully increase the interest. 

I agree with Rich.  Test drive all of them and see which appeals.  The two rail ones l find articles in, mostly construction, rolling stock and structures, but not often enough, and are hard to find on newstands.  MR  now mostly babbles HO, and relevant electronics, so l dropped it after subscribing for decades.  I have a big file of historical MR's when their emphasis was different.  Same for CTT, dropped after long subscription as emphasis diverged.  Only you can decide.

If you are into modeling, then Fine Scale Modeler is great, as so many of the tools and procedures can be used on our trains and scenery. For those of us who like foreign trains, Conitental Modeller from the UK, MIBA from Germany and Loki from Switzerland are unbeatable in my opinion. Miketg

I’ve subscribed to both OGR and CTT for the past 30 years and love them both!  

Now; if someone said “Curt, you may only have one”; I’d choose OGR.  I like that the articles are written by contributors and not by the same staff individual following a formulaic approach.  

Curt

Is this a loaded question?  I agree with Rich and some of the others, everyone has different interests and may not always see eye to eye, this is the case for OGR and CTT.  I like both magazines, to me OGR has more articles on the super dooper layouts and CTT covers more of the medium to smaller layout plus Ive noticed that they are doing more Flyer layouts and articles.  As for me personally, I don't have a favorite of one over the other, I'd have to say I like both OGR and CTT equally the same, I look forward to their arrival each month.  My hats off to Alan for continuing to bring us a great magazine and also for trying to improve it each month and it also goes to the gang at CTT, keep up the great work guys.  And last but not least, a huge THANK YOU to the OGR Forum for its members, I've learned more from the members than I have from the magazines.  I also agree with Lionelski about the TCA Quarterly, it is getting much better.

PBracy posted:

When it comes to Magazines , is one better then the other for O guage trains. 

Thanks 

Yes.

PBracy posted:

When it comes to Magazines , is one better then the other for O guage trains. 

Thanks 

You do know where you are, do you not? Manners, please.

Rich Melvin posted:

What’s better, a Ford or a Chevy?

Dodge.

D500 posted:

Dodge.

<thread hijack on>

Ah...now I know where that D500 handle comes from!

I've been a MOPAR guy all my life. My '07 Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition carries the license plate number of "HEMI NO3." I have joked that I will be buried in this car.

My 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee carries plate number "HEMI NO5."

I sure wish I had kept "HEMI NO1." It was a '67 Dodge Charger with the 426 Hemi and a 4-speed. One of only 180 built. Worth $250,000+ today. Ouch.

</thread hijack off>

I subscribe to OST, OGR, Narrow Gauge Gazette, RMC, MR. I use all of them.

Two railer

Dick

eddie g posted:

If you are into the modern trains and you are an operator & not a collector, O gauge RR is for you. If you are into the trains from 1900 to 1969 and you are a collector or you have a layout, Classic Toy Trains is a better magazine for you. 

I second Eddie's answer!

I enjoy both CTT and OGR. The OGR digital version is by far the best value, not only does the digital edition have expanded coverage with additional pictures of the layouts, you also get all access to all of back issues so its like one stop shopping.  I have enjoyed reading the back issues,  many of which have timeless articles on layout building , scenery and landscaping.  

Two words.. rod ratio.

Mopar design started off solid as a rock and a block lasts because of it.

Amen, David.

You got it just right about the Digital Edition of OGR.

More additional editorial to come in new issues! 

Great value and more high quality reading  make the Digital Edition such a good deal for Forumities and everyone else who gets a digital subscription..

Ed Boyle

Partner, Associate Editor O Gauge Railroading Magazine

Before OGR swiched from O scale to 3rail and before CTT there was nothing and I mean nothing for 3 rail people. I was overjoyed when CTT started.

@Dennis Rempel posted:

Before OGR swiched from O scale to 3rail and before CTT there was nothing and I mean nothing for 3 rail people. I was overjoyed when CTT started.

You shouldn't talk in Absolutes.

• Before CTT there was O scale Railroading which had a LOT of 3 rail articles [See issues #1-90]
• Before CTT, The K Bach Co experimented with a bunch of hi rail articles in MR.
• you also had Model Builder Magazine from Lionel back in the 1950's
• Toy Trains Magazine in the 1950's
• The Great book of Model Railroading that had a bunch of Lionel layouts and articles
• Operating O and O27 trains by MDK:

Greenberg had a Bunch of Lionel books

And Others that escape me at this time

@Rich Melvin posted:

What’s better, a Ford or a Chevy?

It all depends on your personal interests and preferences.

Neither, a Mopar! Seriously, you are right, it is the individual's preferences that count.