O GaugeWatch.com

For those of you that subscribe to OGaugeWatch updates or visit on a regular basis, it has been obvious that I haven’t been posting on a regular basis for some time.  I’m finding it more and more difficult to devote time to maintain OGaugeWatch on a regular basis due to job and family commitments.  As a result I have informed all my advertisers that I will no longer be maintaining OGaugeWatch on a regular basis and wanted to let you know too.  I had a lot of fun building up the blog over the past few years and met some great people along the way.   

I’m still wild about O Gauge Trains and G, HO and N scale too.  Model railroading is definetely the greatest hobby and I want to thank everyone who has supported OGaugeWatch and wish all of you continued success in the hobby!

Dave

Check out this blog post on the TMG blog.

Hi everyone, it’s funny how time flies when you’re busy.  It’s been 3 weeks of idle time for OGaugeWatch thanks to me being very busy with work, home improvement projects and such.  Here’s a few links to stories about Lionel’s exit from bankruptcy and other stories that have transpired since my last post.  Enjoy.

By the way, all the Lionel DVD winners have been contacted by email.

Dave

Lionel and Neil Young Roll Down the Tracks Together
Lionel CEO:  HQ has moved to NY but Mich. keeps major office
Lionel:  Long may you run
Model train maker Lionel emerges from bankruptcy
M.T.H. Electric Trains Officials To Speak
Last Whistle to Blow at Train City

Here are a few stories from the last week or so that broke while OGaugeWatch was on vacation.

1. After a long absence, "Clyde Coil" over at Hi-Rail Times wrote a few posts about Lionel’s Legacy control system.
2. MTH introduced the final Steelers Superbowl Boxcar in the series (unless they win another).
3. The TCA’s New England Division will host the National TCA convention in 2008 in Burlington, VT.  They announced the 2008 convention cars and they are nice.  I’m sure the Ben & Jerry’s refer and the Vermont Railway maxi-stack cars will be a big hit.  Save 5% if you order by 10/31/07.  See all the cars here.
4. 3rd Rail released production photos of their C&O Greenbrier.  What a sharp looking piece.  View the photos here.
5. Marc over at the Standard Gauge Blog found several videos on YouTube of the late Tom Snyder interviewing Ward Kimball, the legendary Disney animator and railroad enthusiast..  Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
6. Joshua at the  prewar times Blog posted that MTH is releasing a new tinplate catalog at this October’s TCA York meet.  Keep an eye on prewar times for possible pre-release information about the catalog.

It’s almost the start of "model train season" again (mid September through the holidays into late winter). If you’re like me, the season never ends. OGaugeWatch experienced a considerable increase in visitor traffic
during the model train season last year and I expect even more this
year.  When I started OGaugeWatch back in the beginning of 2006, one of my primary goals was to help develop more interest in the O Gauge hobby by presenting a free source of O Gauge
news and information.  Every blogger knows the best way to build an audience and generate interest in the blog’s subject is to post good content.  There’s no better time to present good content than when a blog’s traffic is up.  To that end, I want to post as much original O Gauge content as possible in the upcoming months.  To achieve my goal, I need some help.  That’s why I’m looking for guest bloggers.   

Continue to read WANTED: Guest Bloggers

OGaugeWatch has been dark for the last 12 days because I’m taking a little vacation from the blogosphere.   Look for new posts starting next week.  In the meantime, if you need a fix of O Gauge information get yourself caught up on the O Gauge legal sagas by reading all of Erol Gurcan’s posts (dating back to  January of ‘06) here. 

If you’re thinking about building your first Christmas layout this year (yes, Christmas is just about 4 months away) take a look at some of these past OGaugeWatch posts:

How to Build A Train Platform
Building Your First Christmas Layout - Part 1
Building Your First Christmas Layout - Part 2
Removing 0-27 Track Pins
O Gauge Track Plans

Also, be sure to check out all the links near the bottom of the right sidebar of OGaugeWatch.  Here are some of my favorites blogs and sites (in no particular order):

Standard Gauge Blog
Norm’s Train Blog
Prewar Times
Tin Plate Times
Lionel Lines.net
Lionel Lines Blog
Al Z’s Train Pages
ToyTrains1’s Blog
Black Diamond Railway
Drew’s Train Layout

There are more giveaways on tap for the fall courtesy of JT’s Mega Steam, Evan Designs and Ready Made Toys.  I’m also looking for guest bloggers and will post about it next week.

I’ve been having a great summer, hope you are too!  Check out my summer project here.

Be well and thanks for reading OGaugeWatch.

Dave