as any one any experience of joining this?
David
I have been a member for many years. They offer a good quarterly magazine (either online or in print), a directory of operating layouts, op sessions and clinics at some meets, and have published two good books, one on timetable and train order operation, and one just out this month on operations in general. I find the group well worth the money. There is also an affiliated Yahoo OPSIG group that is a very reliable source of information.
Agree 100%. Best investment one could make if interested in purposeful operation.
Well, I paid up for 3 years back in January and so far have had one magazine. Three weeks ago,I asked for postage for their latest book to the UK but no answer so far. When I ask what is going on, I get told - well, we are a voluntary organisation so we do our best. The trouble is that they take money by Paypal so that answer really isn’t good enough.
I was surprised that I was blocked from all of the history of magazines. I would have paid extra to get access but that doesn’t seem to be an option.
I will hang on and see when/if the next magazine arrives.
David
SBX, contact me via a private message or my website in my signature and I’ll see if we can get you connected to the correct person for international shipping on the book. They had a lot of inquiries as soon as the book was annoucned and are working through them
The magazine is published quarterly, and so far this year only the first quarter has been published. So you have probably not missed anything yet.
No, I didn’t say that I hadn’t received anything for years. I said that I signed up for three years in January and so far all I have is one magazine (January 2017).
I am not complaining, just trying to see if others are content, in which case I will be happy to wait and see.
I believe that currently back issues are only available in paper. So you aren’t personally “blocked” or singled-out, that’s the current policy of the group.
Managing electronic back issues in a way that is fair to the members, authors, and organization is a big job. Staffing such a task with volunteers is challenging for many SIGs, historical societies, and the like.
Sorry, I mis-read your original post and have corrected my response.
Again - not a complaint but an expression of surprise. I didn’t believe that I was being personally excluded:-)
Oops, I forgot an important point. The OpSIG’s Dispatcher’s Office magazine is going through a volunteer editor change, which is one reason the 2nd Quarter 2017 issue is slightly later.
I expect that it will be published before the end of the second quarter (at the end of June).
A 100% yes from me! The Dispatcher’s Office magazine is only something like $7 per yr. U.S. in their digital version (emailed to you). There are plans to put the older back/print issues into a digital form in the near future.
Even if some of the articles are over your head at lst (seems like everyone wants to do their own versions of car cards, switch lists, or more prototype accurate paperwork in general which can make a newbie’s eyes glaze over…
BUT the reviews and photos of Operations based layouts on the “Op 'til You Drop” style weekends held around the country and in Canada are as much fun for me as seeing a “new” layout displayed in Model Railroader Mag. BUT with the entire emphasis on ops.
Now that I’ve attended two (going on 3) such weekend gatherings (Utah, Calif. British Columbia) and have gone back through my back issues in my subscription period, I suddenly understand most to all of it. Will wonders never cease?
Finally, the OpSig’s site has layouts listed that are open to guest operators around the country(ies) that you might visit and play on, on your next business trip or vacation. Invaluable if you’re addicted to Ops like I’m becoming.
I honestly think that this may be or will become the aspect of our hobby with the most growth or at least appeal to younger/new model rairoaders who have grown up with computers and video games. Here’s hoping anyway.
Hope that helps the OP with another [tup] There have been a couple of articles about a British layout and that owner’s ops system in the past 2-3 yrs. so European layouts and articles seem to be welcomed.
Jim