All aboard. We welcome you to join us on a first class experience of model trains with the release of the O Gauge Forum’s first edition of its Tractive Effort Digital Magazine. During our many upcoming adventures that lie ahead, we look forward to exploring the many areas that the model railroading hobby encompasses. They are too numerous to list. This issue alone includes articles and columns on more than ten different topics. There are countless surprises and experiences just waiting to be uncovered in our magazine adventures. So, hang on to your tickets, grab a comfy window seat, and get ready for an exciting ride as we prepare to depart the station and embark upon a journey into the fascinating world of O Gauge model trains.
When reflecting upon my own fondest memories of model trains, I’m quickly taken back to the days of my youth when I was a young child gazing in awe at a train going around the Christmas tree. I remember the wonder I held as a child sitting on the carpeted hardwood floors in front of the tree for what seemed like countless hours while I watched the train faithfully chugging its way along the track.
I felt like a real-life engineer whose mission was to safely guide the train along its tracks from destination to destination. I had the power to speed it up or slow it down, as well as determine the direction it went up and down the trestles in forward or reverse.
Model trains have been a love that I’ve always shared with my four brothers, but my love for trains was not shared by Mom as she thought it proper that I should be playing with dolls rather than sitting around a train track with my brothers. Yet, some of my fondest memories of bonding with my siblings are inexplicably tied to the train circling the base of the Christmas tree.
With the intention of getting us into the holiday spirit, we begin our first issue of Tractive Effort featuring Emile and Jennifer Henault. They are known for their mesmerizing Epic Christmas Village series of videos which are seen internationally on YouTube. If you have not enjoyed their videos, please consider taking a few minutes to check them out as they have a unique talent for capturing the essence of Christmas. Emile’s article explains how to locate the videos.
As we begin this new holiday season, I hope you will enjoy the articles that many O Gauge forum members have shared. It’s been a great pleasure reading through each of the articles as we added them to our new magazine. We not only include feature articles but we also have regular columnists to enjoy as well. I want to give a special thank you to those of you who have submitted the magazine content, and we look forward to receiving more in the coming months.
In addition, I want to thank Publisher Trey Conway for his work in laying out the magazine. His work was tremendous.
Future issues are planned quarterly. Included are plans for additions such as member’s comments, an introduction of sponsors (no ads means we are free to tell it like it is), member’s layout and other photos, and product reviews. And we are looking forward to the continuation of several articles from this month.
Tractive Effort and the staff welcome suggestions, photos, comments, and additional articles and columns, Please contact me at: oldhokie70@charter.net.
From our home to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Paula R. Webb
Editor In-Chief
