I just received my December issue and saw Ed Boyle's third article in his series on the Lionel 6464 Box Car Remake Series. I read his second article first, which prompted me to go back and read the first article. At this point I realized that the few 6464 cars I had purchased over the years were from this series and that this series existed. This prompted me to find and purchase the remainder of these cars and now I am fortunate to have them all - at prices lower than I originally paid for them new. I focus on Post War and Post War re-makes and I run everything I have sooner or later. But does buying all of something produced make me a (gulp) COLLECTOR?! Oh-No Ed, what have you done? 
Seriously, I do "collect" some train stuff because I want to own all of a particular series. Other items not so. But these articles were interesting, well written, and very informative and helpful to me in my enjoying the hobby.
Another article in a recent issue I found of benefit was George Brown's article on the early MTH Rail King locomotives from the mid 1990's. It is kind of surprising to realize these locomotives are that old (or how long I have owned some of them). I suddenly feel older than I did a few moments earlier. Since I like Post War and conventional operation (using a Cab 1) these locomotives are very appealing to me. I remember when they first came out - I bought a Steam Loco and it was not a PullMor motor or buzzing E-Unit, but it was very nice. George reminded me of the few of these that I did own and how much I liked them. And he pointed out a few I would like to own and sent me on my way in search of some he mentioned (UP Turbine) and others (Alco PAs, RDC, several Steam Locos). I found all of the ones of interest to me in New in Box or Like New condition, again at prices far less that the selling price when they were new.
So thanks to the OGR staff for their breadth and depth of knowledge and experience with various products and aspects of the hobby. These types of articles are enjoyable reading and have been very helpful to me. These are great times in the hobby for people who share my (or similar) interest in older models - rising availability of new or like new items for a fraction of the original price and far less than the price for current products. That is not a comment against the newer stuff, just a comment on my particular interest. But the OGR gang make it even more fun. Now if they could just do something about my depleted train budget.
