Some OGR Forum History Questions

@Rich Melvin posted:

Love it Marty!

I never worked an event as big as a Super Bowl when I worked for an ABC affiliate, but those surroundings do look a bit familiar. Well...at least the patch panel and the monitor do. There were no computers back in my days doing remotes. 

Lol. Well this should really throw you a curve.  Our new Audio/Video router. IP gateways to SDI and a Arista 7508R network switch. This ain’t your fathers router. Lol. Sorry to get off subject.

IP to/from SDI Gateways w/ audio processing and Multiviewer.

7508 Switch.  All fiber with 40/100Gbe ports

You live and work in a totally digital world. My world was all analog.

I come from the Norelco PC70 and RCA TK41 world.

Norelco PC70

RCA TK41

Interesting thread.

This forum does have a very colorful history. I agree that it has evolved into a forum populated by a great group of enthusiasts that get along great, as well as we all are very accommodating to the various persuasions within the hobby.

Don't know if it's accurate, but the join date at my profile page says November 25, 2000. I seem to recall my reason for joining was because at the time was I was exploring the possibility of doing 3-rail in a small room.  That didn't prove to be my long-term direction, but I've stuck around because this is an interesting place with lots of fine folk! (OH, and I DO still have some 3-rail!)

Andre

A pdf of a forum post about traction tires from 2003 should be attached.

@illinoiscentral posted:

A pdf of a forum post about traction tires from 2003 should be attached.

That's a heck of an idea. Especially as a guy with a locomotive that seems to hate traction tires like my dog hates the boots I got him for those -5F Ohio winter days.

And just how did a forum post about forum history change to a subject about traction tire replacement substitutes?

Chuck

@PRR1950 posted:

And just how did a forum post about forum history change to a subject about traction tire replacement substitutes?

Chuck

The traction tire thread was from 2003 and contains posts from people who were part of the early forum but do not post here anymore.  I for one enjoyed seeing those names again.  The subject matter has nothing to do with it.

Bob Bartizek (joined the Forum in September, 2000)

@MartyE posted:

Oh no not the elders.   Some folks thought too highly of themselves and coined the term “Forum Elders”.  I pretty much laugh every time I hear that now.

LOL, as a newer member (2006) I remember some of these threads!

I have taken a couple of breaks from the forum over the years, but do honestly appreciate Rich hosting this place for all of us to get together.

I don't have any experience on the IT side or hosting, but I do remember my first "real" computer, a Zenith 'laptop', that I bought in 1987(?) for $1800 at a student discount while in grad school.  I remember not being concerned about the memory, because it had 20 Mb, and who could ever need more than that!

Jim

@jd-train posted:

...I have taken a couple of breaks from the forum over the years, but do honestly appreciate Rich hosting this place for all of us to get together...

I appreciate the kudos, but I don't host this forum. It's all of the OGR Staff, and especially CEO Alan Arnold, who make this forum work.

I'm not officially a member of the OGR Staff these days. I retired from OGR back in September of 2018. I still do some IT and admin work for the company, but I'm not on the payroll or the staff.

Thanks for the memories.  After several months of following the forum, we finally joined 25th October, 2001.  One of our best memories was watching the landmark lawsuit play out in the courts of when the mouse (MTH Electric Trains) took on the Lion and won.  There were many threads at the time that made for good reading.  Whatever become of Clyde Coil, Tony Lash and Rocky Mountaineer?  I miss their posts.

I'll be honest, I know this thread is intended to be about the history of OGR but I have enjoyed the nostalgia of the technology of my childhood tremendously. I belonged to two forums growing up and seeing/hearing about the tech that ran this forum really made me smile while I learned this history of this place.

It's been a good thread!

Don't know about Clyde Coil and Tony Lash, but Rocky Mountaineer has moved to other locations, unhappy with some of the operating rules here.  Even elsewhere, though, his participation has dwindled.

Chuck

@PRR1950 posted:

Don't know about Clyde Coil and Tony Lash, but Rocky Mountaineer has moved to other locations, unhappy with some of the operating rules here.  Even elsewhere, though, his participation has dwindled.

Chuck

Didn’t Clyde Coil marry Daryl Hanna?

@MartyE posted:

Didn’t Clyde Coil marry Daryl Hanna?

😂🤣🥸

@Rich Melvin posted:

I appreciate the kudos, but I don't host this forum. It's all of the OGR Staff, and especially CEO Alan Arnold, who make this forum work.

I'm not officially a member of the OGR Staff these days. I retired from OGR back in September of 2018. I still do some IT and admin work for the company, but I'm not on the payroll or the staff.

OK!  Thanks Rich for getting the forum started and thanks to Alan and the OGR Staff for keeping this wonderful place to discuss all aspects of real and model trains.  The forum is the first that I check in the morning and the last that I check at night.  This forum is a true blessing for all of us with a passion for both real and model trains.   NH Joe

@New Haven Joe posted:

OK!  Thanks Rich for getting the forum started and thanks to Alan and the OGR Staff for keeping this wonderful place to discuss all aspects of real and model trains.  The forum is the first that I check in the morning and the last that I check at night.  This forum is a true blessing for all of us with a passion for both real and model trains.   NH Joe

Ditto! Now back to soccer (Italy vs Brits in Eurocup final)….

@JR Junction Train & Hobby posted:

Whatever become of Clyde Coil, Tony Lash and. . . .

Tony Lash sold his business, but I'm not sure what became of his layout. He does show up at York on a fairly regular basis. I really like that big guy! His heart is as big as his body!

As for Clyde Coil: Funny you ask! I was planning to write about Clyde in the most recent issue of the magazine (Editor's Corner), but was provided a lot of great info from former Clyde Coil associates and decided to hold my column until the Oct. or Dec. issue. Folks new to the hobby wouldn't know who the heck we're referring to, but Clyde was a very popular and controversial figure back in the early 90s.

Great stuff this...

Thanks to all for the stroll down Memory Lane!!!

(From a long time lurker who finally joined)

Allan......I hadn't checked this for years but www.coilcouplers.com is still active......and, I guess Clyde Coils's identity remains a secret to this day .....or, has any figured out who he is?  Looking forward to your column!

Peter

Yes, Peter, the website is still active. My report will provide a lot of information that will help clear the air about the mysterious, but always informative and entertaining, Clyde Coil

@Allan Miller posted:

Tony Lash sold his business, but I'm not sure what became of his layout. He does show up at York on a fairly regular basis. I really like that big guy! His heart is as big as his body!

Amen!

Many years ago when I was shooting the OGR video of Tony's layout, he gave me a tour of his extensive MTH collection.  His "stash" was distributed among several offices within his office building. He owned at least two of every locomotive MTH had ever produced.

As we walked through his office, we came to a room filled with several hundred entry-level train sets. I said, "Tony, you collect train sets, too?" Tony's reply was a perfect embodiment of his soul.  He said, "Naw, Rich. I don't collect 'em. Those are for the kids at Christmas. I give 'em away."

Yeah...a great big heart.

@Putnam Division posted:

Allan......I hadn't checked this for years but www.coilcouplers.com is still active......and, I guess Clyde Coils's identity remains a secret to this day .....or, has any figured out who he is?  Looking forward to your column!

Peter

Did I mention he married Daryl Hanna?

Tony is one of the nicest men you'll meet in this hobby.  While he was pretty good at chumming the waters during the lawsuit era with "Pay Da Money", in reality he came across in person someone who loved the toy train hobby no matter who made 'em.

Unfortunately yes a lot of folks are gone either through death, leaving on their own, or being shown the door.  The good news is those that left on their own or otherwise are around.  I usually see them at York or travels on other forums.  Contrary to some folks beliefs, you can belong and participate on other forums.

@MartyE posted:

Did I mention he married Daryl Hanna?

Ah, yes........it was always speculated he was the elusive Clyde.......looking forward to Allan's article.......Marty, wasn't there also someone named "Magnetta" back in the old days?

Peter

@MartyE posted:

Unfortunately yes a lot of folks are gone either through death, leaving on their own, or being shown the door.  The good news is those that left on their own or otherwise are around.  I usually see them at York or travels on other forums.  Contrary to some folks beliefs, you can belong and participate on other forums.

All true, Marty.  From my perspective, the vast majority of the best forum contributors are no longer here due to death, illness, or changing hobby interests.  I think the OGR forum should be commended for providing us an "in memoriam" section to remember those great contributors that have passed away (https://ogrforum.com/forum/in-memoriam). As for those that were "shown the door", fortunately, posters that have wigged out are a very small subset of the more substantive participants that are no longer here.

When a forum loses anyone no matter the circumstances its sad.  Even those that left involuntarily provided some good content and perspective but OGR has it's TOS in place for a reason.  It's up to each individual to follow them or unfortunately leave.  The hobby is too small not to see them around. 

@MartyE posted:

When a forum loses anyone no matter the circumstances its sad.  <snip>  The hobby is too small not to see them around.

Yeah, it's too bad Hans Zimmer isn't here anymore.

@Bob posted:

Yeah, it's too bad Hans Zimmer isn't here anymore.

What about Vox.  I've saved some of those threads.  He was a hoot but the bane of the moderators at times.

Some of the OGR offerings were cool too.  I have an OGR tank car.  I'd like to see them maybe resurrect some of these type items.  With the way MTH and Lionel to a lesser degree have been pushing custom runs seems natural for OGR to make a 20th Anniversary of the forum car.

@MartyE posted:

When a forum loses anyone no matter the circumstances its sad.  Even those that left involuntarily provided some good content and perspective but OGR has it's TOS in place for a reason.  It's up to each individual to follow them or unfortunately leave.  The hobby is too small not to see them around.

These things happen Marty. Its just a fact of forum life. I've participated in many forums in this hobby and others and you see the same pattern - sometimes people wig out, sometimes discussions get heated, sometimes people get overly sensitive. some people refuse to play well in the sandbox, some want to dominate, some want only their perspective to be heard, some only think that they are allowed an opinion or that their view is the only acceptable one, etc. Its human nature and yeah it can be sad, but sometimes you can also have a little addition by subtraction. In fact, I've seen some lightly moderated forums descend into chaos and become useless because of that  lack of moderation.   As for this forum, whats great is that from my perspective, its been a very small subset of substantive posters that have been "shown the door". That for me is always the saddest, but often necessary, occurrence.  If someone doesn't like the TOS or feels its too burdensome, there are plenty of other places to chat. To each his own and I hope everyone finds that special place to gather and enjoy this hobby to its fullest. I don't find it  "unfortunate" if people make that decision,  but view it as just a fact of forum life. For me, I am very pleased being here for all these years along with you (I still remember your dog!) and appreciate such a well run and friendly forum with a great group of hobbyists.  It has truly helped me to better enjoy the hobby.  Moreover, I get a kick out of all the new, productive posters that have joined in the last few years. It really has grown tremendously from when we first joined. I really like all the new and varied content from these newer folks as well as the old saws like you! The sheer magnitude of the content and daily discussions keep this the center of my train discussion universe and I'm truly thankful for it.

@MartyE posted:

What about Vox.  I've saved some of those threads.  He was a hoot but the bane of the moderators at times.

Some of the OGR offerings were cool too.  I have an OGR tank car.  I'd like to see them maybe resurrect some of these type items.  With the way MTH and Lionel to a lesser degree have been pushing custom runs seems natural for OGR to make a 20th Anniversary of the forum car.

Well here is a VOX thread.  LOL!

@MartyE posted:

Well here is a VOX thread.  LOL!

Wow, fantastic! 🤣🤣🤣

We could use a little more of that around here. 🙂

@MartyE posted:

Well here is a VOX thread.  LOL!

Amazing!

Long time lurker here, occasional poster. Since  November 27, 2000. I found the magazine at Barnes & Noble and saw there was an online forum and joined. I have alwayts been impressed by the level of committment so many folks have to help others. The forum has been a valuable source of information over the years. Thanks to all the staff who make it work and have made it work over the years.

Rick

@MartyE posted:

Well here is a VOX thread.  LOL!

Hey, I'm in there!

@New Haven Joe posted:

OK!  Thanks Rich for getting the forum started and thanks to Alan and the OGR Staff for keeping this wonderful place to discuss all aspects of real and model trains.  The forum is the first that I check in the morning and the last that I check at night.  This forum is a true blessing for all of us with a passion for both real and model trains.   NH Joe

If my memory is correct I believe the forum was started while Myron Biggar owned the magazine but it was a short time after that he sold everything to Rich and the current owners. I remember my first forum meeting at York when Myron and Barbara gave me a name tag. I also have to thank Rich and all the current moderators for making this a great place to talk trains. There were times as the forum grew that I felt the moderation was a little heavy but over recent years I feel they found a sweet spot where it is just right.

It was a real hoot to see some of those old names on those saved threads. I don't remember this VOX fella. I guess I missed his threads. He was certainly a character.

Found another Old Forum View  where they made a forum wide announcement that populated all the sections.  I happened to reply and was "King of the Forum" for about 30 seconds.   A few less sections even back in 2011.   Only 16 members on line.  Wow have we grown!

I believe I joined sometime around July 6-8 2000.  I was one of the first ten here... but I still haven't caught Bob Coniglio on Post Numbers!

Jon

@Hudson J1e posted:

If my memory is correct I believe the forum was started while Myron Biggar owned the magazine but it was a short time after that he sold everything to Rich and the current owners...

This forum started some time in 2000, when the magazine was indeed owned by Myron Biggar. I had been doing the OGR web site for some time and had encouraged Myron to start an online forum.

We closed the deal to purchase the magazine from Myron in August 2002. The original partners in OGR were:

• Rich Melvin
• Ed Boyle
• Jim Barrett (deceased)
• Fred Dole (deceased)

The first issue of the magazine under our ownership was Run 189, the October 2002 issue.

Time passes quickly when you're having fun...

@rplst8 posted:

From humble beginnings…

Some of the user names on the screenshot take me back to a time when I first got in to O gauge trains!

I made the OGR forum meet at York in 2005, my one and only TCA experience. I was a DCS beta tester and flew in to Baltimore, met up with Barry Broskowitz there and we split a rental for that trip.

Good times!

Iirc, the forum members also met at a restaurant one evening.