What's Most Fun About this Forum?

I agree.  However, I will add that I'm here to learn.  I didn't grow up with trains and I'm new to the hobby, so there's a lot to take in.

Weekend Photo Fun

What is really cool about this forum is the people. Even though we are all unique individuals and enjoy different parts of the hobby, we are all sharing the enjoyment model trains can bring into our lives.

For me, it is the wealth of knowledge that some of the members share to help others.

Mikey

The ability to meet other people that live close to you.  Many model railroaders are a very shy, private bunch and not always easy to find.  Yet they feel comfortable posting on a forum.  Maybe it's like a costume party where shy people blossom when they think that no one knows who they are?  At any rate, that has been by far the most valuable part of this or any forum to me.

Art

Good positive articles and feedback, like this.

The ability to get to know folks you never would have had the opportunity to.   Hands down, the best part is the friendships you get to make!

-Greg

Learn a whole lot from people who are enthusiastic about trains and willing to help others

Marty

Moments like this......

These are friends from all over the country that I would never have met without this Forum.

In addition, the knowledge that is shared enhances my enjoyment of the hobby.....

Peter

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I think it is to run trains a little, dream a little, mull things over a little, and then dream up a brand new topic to post on this Forum.

Arnold,

I compliment you on being the most prolific and imaginative "dreamer-up" of Forum topics.

For me, the most fun is posting photographs of my trains and layouts, but I also agree with all the other responses...

MELGAR

If I ever get any of my trains running I'll be able to answer this question.

The fun part for me is re-learning everything I have forgotten about Lionel.....LOL.....There are people on this forum who are much more well versed in the hobby than I am or ever was.  Their knowledge has helped me since returning to Lionel three years ago. 

I also find Arnold's topics interesting and fun.  He has a knack of creating subjects that are a bit on the different side.  

Hands down, for me the best thing about forums like this is the friends I've made because of it. I've been into toy trains all my life, but part of this forum only since 2015, but in that short time, I've met some great people I probably wouldn't have met. 

John

Banter about the pre-Allentown train show breakfast, which, by the way, is 11/10.

Dan Padova posted:

The fun part for me is re-learning everything I have forgotten about Lionel.....LOL.....There are people on this forum who are much more well versed in the hobby than I am or ever was.  Their knowledge has helped me since returning to Lionel three years ago. 

I also find Arnold's topics interesting and fun.  He has a knack of creating subjects that are a bit on the different side.  

I must confess, Dan, that I have a little pride when doing that.

Daring to share something off the beaten track can be a lot of fun. But before I do, I pause to make sure that whatever I say promotes the hobby, is uplifting and is kind and compassionate to all concerned.

By the way, I am a little crazy, and regard that as a good thing. Aren't all of us model railroaders at least a little crazy? 

Maybe that is another secret for a happy life: to embrace the little craziness in us.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Aren't all of us model railroaders at least a little crazy?

I reluctantly have to admit that I think such is the case! Maybe more than a little...

MELGAR

I look at da pictures   

 Some places do hide they    

  Some folk post um tiny    

   Some crude, or sublime, aye?  🙊 

  ☁️☁️  ☁️☁️☁️  ☁️ ☁️ ☁️ ☁️    ☁️ ☁️ ☁️ ☁️   ☁️  ☁️  ☁️  ☁️

🚂.🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃.🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🌫️🌫️

      🎵🎵 16 coaches lo-ong 🎵🎵

MELGAR posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Aren't all of us model railroaders at least a little crazy?

I reluctantly have to admit that I think such is the case! Maybe more than a little...

MELGAR

Mel, assuming you share the little craziness that all of us model railroaders have, you may also be the smartest man I have ever met in my life. I suspected that the first time I looked at your OGR Forum profile, and it was confirmed when we met. Hope to get together with you again, soon.

And I also know that there are also many other very, very smart and good people on this Forum.

"I'm a master model railroader

And songwriter to boot,

Some people say I'm crazy, 

But I don't give a hoot,

Drivin' diesel, drivin' steam,

Clickety clack, down the tracks,

Of my dreams"

From the video/song, Who Am I, Rollin' By, which you can see and hear on YouTube by typing my name, Arnold Cribari, in the YouTube search box.

I really enjoy looking at everyone’s creations, I like finding the “new” announcements. And I like the variety of people on here, and we all have a common love. Trains.

I actually like everything about the forum but what I really enjoy is the conversations and the folks revolving around Menards products.  It's like a breath of fresh air.

Definitely the people met, and friendships.

I agree with you Arnold. However, as it has been mentioned, the people! Nick

The PEOPLE. I have meet so great folks here, made several friends, learned a lot and have had great input and ideas from many of you. Some off the threads are really great like Scott’s Weekend Photo Fun thread. Some can be really funny also. 

1.  Weekend Photo 

2.  S eeing photos of layouts and SIRT's weathering.

3.  Getting ideas on what I could do with my trains/layout

3.  Getting HELP when something isn't going right and I need help figuring it out!

I really enjoy all of the construction photos, and the dialog that comes with it.

But what I like best are the questions that everyone asks: there is always someone on this forum who can answer them. Sort of like a Wikipedia on trains.

People who can stick to the topic of trains without the arguments over my brand versus your brand, postwar versus modern, and what scale is the best.  The comradery is really what I enjoy here the most and luckily a vast majority of members here are wonderful people.

With a few key strokes we can all be whisked away from the daily toil of our lives, if only for a few moments or a few hours. 

So many topics interest me...layout builds, scenery, troubleshooting of all varieties, rare finds, upgrades, weathering, etc, etc...It's all good!

Tops  with me, largely via the power of OGR and its Forum, have been:

• meeting, albeit just via a computer-screen, the various characters aboard.
• seeing the layout work of others.
• when my fellow hobbyists send me a "Like" and/or make the effort to write a comment about what they have seen of my layout efforts.
• knowing I am not alone, tucked away, simply, in my basement, enjoying a passion from my childhood; rather, I have discovered so very many other train enthusiasts who still let themselves play at trains.
• having met, in-person, really authentic gentlemen and creative minds, such as George Brown, Allan Miller, Alan Graziano, and Richard Kughn.
• having had the privilege of clients and customers purchasing my individual dioramas (my "Insta-Ramas") I have offered for sale at the TCA Meets at York, PA, or having me travel to their homes to work on layouts. Quite a privilege and joy, indeed. It all started and was encouraged  here for me.

FrankM

I just go for the trains, and so have since the 1980's.. discovered some Atlas reefers got by me previous to this trip...but l certainly enjoy the discussions on here, about new products, the history of old and obscure, and the opportunity to post my amature modeling efforts.  (And to see some GREAT modeling, and get ideas)

Eddie G.

Internet Friends. Through this forum we connect with people we otherwise wouldn't even know existed.

First and foremost it's the people.  I met one of my close friends, Scale Rail, on The Forum.  Secondly is all the knowledge and experience that is happily given and shared...when asked.  That's one of the things a forum is for.  Matt

I agree with so many of you in saying the most fun is the people.  As a lone wolf modeler going back to the late '60s, I had never gotten to know anyone who liked trains until I got on this forum.  

Secondly is all the great information that is shared here.  Someone is able to give answers or where to find answers on just about any topic I can think of.

Encouragement to continue on designing, building, or whatever I am working on.  On the one hand, I may spend more time here that I could be spending on the layout.  On the other hand, conversations here have been motivators to getting something done.  There is nothing wrong with either scenario.

Thank you Arnold, for another great, thought provoking question!!

Thank you everyone!!

What I'm doing tonight: reading Forum posts, watching the World Series, running downstairs to take pictures of trains, watching the World Series, posting Forum replies and photos, watching the World Series . . . 

The wealth of knowledge I can get from other post.

Gilly@N&W posted:

Internet Friends. Through this forum we connect with people we otherwise wouldn't even know existed.

As a very private person that pretty much says it for me.