I subscribe to Classic Trains mag and Trains mag. "
Just got another “Reminder: Get a FREE ISSUE of Model Railroader”.
Hmmm … all the issues I get are free … from the local library. However, interesting head line on the cover: “Realism done right - learn how research shaped this layout”.
That sounds almost like “blasphemy”, what will be next?
I bet the realism they’re referring to is mostly operations and not so much the modeling.
What Ray said…
The level of “modeling” in MR has been pretty homogenized over the last few years. Not much variation… Same scenery, different layout name. Where they have been pushing lately has been in selling Operations. At least that’s what my impression has been.
And when they do an article about scenery it’s about so and so payed this guy to scenic his layout… Glad I gave up on MR a long time ago. Thinking about pulling the plug on GR as well.
I guess I’ll find out when that issue arrives at the library. They certainly have pushed the operations aspect, Tony Koester and Andy Sperandeo see to that.
@ Craig,
SWMBO brings home MR from the library and most often I’m done with it that same evening. But every once in a while there is some new product or new method that catches my eye. That doesn’t seem to happen when I browse through GR at the store.
What really makes me green with envy is reading my friend’s #1 Gauge blog. The European mfgs are producing the perfect accessories for the era we model and it’s all in 1:32, not even a sprinkling of 1:22.5 in sight. GRRRRR!
PS on those custom finished layouts. I guess there are some people rich enough to hire people and honest enough to admit that they couldn’t build to that quality standard.
A lot of aero modellers strut around with super built models. They pay someone else to build their model(s)
They are known as cheque book modellers in the UK…
Ross Mansell said:
A lot of aero modellers strut around with super built models. They pay someone else to build their model(s)
They are known as cheque book modellers in the UK…
I wonder what the facial expression of the owner looks like when one of those models does a kamikaze stunt or the MH 370 move.
Do they kiss that cheque good-bye before they hand it/mail it to the builder?
Craig Townsend said:
And when they do an article about scenery it’s about so and so payed this guy to scenic his layout… Glad I gave up on MR a long time ago. Thinking about pulling the plug on GR as well.
Yes I have noticed that also, its a definite trend, and probably explains alot of the homogoninity I see in the smaller scale layouts these days, its the same 4 guys over and over.
The “realism” in this case belongs to Ron Pearson, a long-time EBT modeler. Trust me–when it says “realism,” it refers to his models. He’s thoroughly researched pretty much every aspect of the EBT’s coal operations from mining to transporting to cleaing. He’s written many detailed, multi-part articles for the Friends of the EBT’s magazine, the Timber Transfer along the way. His modeling reflects that attention to detail. If you ever need to know how something worked relative to the EBT’s mining operations, you need only look at his models to figure it out. They’re probably only one or two steps away from being completely operable. (If he modeled O scale, they probably would be)
Later,
K
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Ross Mansell said:
A lot of aero modellers strut around with super built models. They pay someone else to build their model(s)
They are known as cheque book modellers in the UK…
I wonder what the facial expression of the owner looks like when one of those models does a kamikaze stunt or the MH 370 move.
Do they kiss that cheque good-bye before they hand it/mail it to the builder?
“If you can’t afford to wreck them, your in the wrong hobby” Truest words about RC planes ever offered…and why I do trains.
I think that they are more than eager for just business. I think they are also eager for contributing writers.
I think that Todd Haskins had the last two “If I Had Only Known” articles in Garden Railways, (congratulations Todd) and I think the column died for lack of contributors.
“If I Had Only Known” that they needed content, I would have sent in a few more. As it is, the one that I did send in got published, and I didn’t think it would be of enough interest dealing with spacing of integrated circuits on perforated board. So I’m thinking that maybe there was a lack of interest in the contributions.
I hope they do better on the “One Page Projects.”
Vic Smith said:
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Ross Mansell said:
A lot of aero modellers strut around with super built models. They pay someone else to build their model(s)
They are known as cheque book modellers in the UK…
I wonder what the facial expression of the owner looks like when one of those models does a kamikaze stunt or the MH 370 move.
Do they kiss that cheque good-bye before they hand it/mail it to the builder?
“If you can’t afford to wreck them, your in the wrong hobby” Truest words about RC planes ever offered…and why I do trains.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/dMZwYHJFDe0
An estimated 20-40,000 Pounds Sterling augered in…
[youtube]http://youtu.be/68WZ6PgsBhM
Todd Brody said:
I think that they are more than eager for just business. I think they are also eager for contributing writers.
I think that Todd Haskins had the last two “If I Had Only Known” articles in Garden Railways, (congratulations Todd) and I think the column died for lack of contributors.
“If I Had Only Known” that they needed content, I would have sent in a few more. As it is, the one that I did send in got published, and I didn’t think it would be of enough interest dealing with spacing of integrated circuits on perforated board. So I’m thinking that maybe there was a lack of interest in the contributions.
I hope they do better on the “One Page Projects.”
Darn, that’s too bad. I liked reading the Oooops moments being recounted.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Ross Mansell said:
A lot of aero modellers strut around with super built models. They pay someone else to build their model(s)
They are known as cheque book modellers in the UK…
I wonder what the facial expression of the owner looks like when one of those models does a kamikaze stunt or the MH 370 move.
Do they kiss that cheque good-bye before they hand it/mail it to the builder?
Huh!..no money…no plane!!
Why is it that so many people are negative towards “Operations” ?
To “Model” the operation of a railroad is part of the great hobby of Model Railroading. It seems to be of great enjoyment to so many people around here that they are not even interested in just watching a train go round and round. Some have even come back to the hobby, since being introduced to operations.
Not everyone is going to enjoy any one part of the hobby, but to avoid any part, in the publishing of a magazine is not in the interest of appealing to all the interests, or selling the magazine.
I know from reading GR, I do appreciate the “Beautiful” aspect of the garden railroads, but when I see an article about a model railroad that actually involves the operation of a train on the pike; my interest is stimulated even more.
The railroad, with a bit of operation involved, keeps your interest involved far more, and for a longer period of time, than just a round and round action Twenty people, showing up, almost every Saturday morning to operate a railroad; sort of gives me the thought that there is an interest in operations…but what do I know…maybe someone can explain why they show up without any advertisement.
Well, if Clambake really wants to improve circulation, it will have to take a stand on certain things, like reviews being impartial or not, how willing are they to withstand bullying by the manufacturers/advertisers.
Note well: recent brouhaha about TOC’s review on the Peter Witt streetcar.
I don’t subscribe any more because:
reviews are controlled/censored by the manufacturer
I get more current ads on the internet, many times quoting a price in the magazine I am told “oh, that price is 2 months old”… then don’t put a price up if you cannot guarantee it until publication.
Too few articles I am interested in. In my case, there’s a lot of technology out there, but few worthwhile articles on it. I don’t need primers any more, nor do I need non experts giving expert advice.
Greg
Fred Mills, BSc, BS, SD said:
Why is it that so many people are negative towards “Operations” ?
To “Model” the operation of a railroad is part of the great hobby of Model Railroading. It seems to be of great enjoyment to so many people around here that they are not even interested in just watching a train go round and round. Some have even come back to the hobby, since being introduced to operations.
Not everyone is going to enjoy any one part of the hobby, but to avoid any part, in the publishing of a magazine is not in the interest of appealing to all the interests, or selling the magazine.
I know from reading GR, I do appreciate the “Beautiful” aspect of the garden railroads, but when I see an article about a model railroad that actually involves the operation of a train on the pike; my interest is stimulated even more.
The railroad, with a bit of operation involved, keeps your interest involved far more, and for a longer period of time, than just a round and round action Twenty people, showing up, almost every Saturday morning to operate a railroad; sort of gives me the thought that there is an interest in operations…but what do I know…maybe someone can explain why they show up without any advertisement.
Fred, you have a valid point, a few valid points. The general public doesn’t understand nor care about operations. When I start switching an industry, on the club set up at train shows, the audience quickly dwindles. I might enjoy operations if I were to be exposed to it differently. But my only real exposure is switching puzzles that confound me. To do operations that don’t involve working a complex puzzle I might enjoy.
GR is constantly getting bashed by someone. The first argument I heard was they concentrate too much on narrow gauge. Then it was they concentrate too much on mainline modeling. Then it was not enough how to articles and so on and so on. I have found their content lacking lately myself, but then they will come up with something interesting. I would hate to be in charge of a publication, because someone will always be unhappy with it.
Greg, having non experts give expert advice? Yes, that can be a problem anywhere. That’s why people need to do proper research, so they can weed out the crud.
Fred Mills, BSc, BS, SD said:
…
The railroad, with a bit of operation involved, keeps your interest involved far more, and for a longer period of time, than just a round and round action Twenty people, showing up, almost every Saturday morning to operate a railroad; sort of gives me the thought that there is an interest in operations…but what do I know…maybe someone can explain why they show up without any advertisement.
With tongue very firmly in cheek
They only show up to escape the “honey do” list waiting at their house.
Having many years of operating sessions under my belt I dare say for some people operating is almost like going to work. Any layout with an operation that emulates the proto will require some thinking and those who don’t, can’t or won’t get with the program best stay away.
I never forget the day when two of the type (ToT) were asked by ex-SWMBO : “Why are you standing around?”
ToT “We find it too strenuous and pick the easy jobs”
ex-SWMBO: “Then why do you show up?”
Oooops. I always suspected that they liked the coffee, cake and BS session after the “stress” the best. 
David,
The prototype doesn’t build switching puzzles, doing normal switching jobs is involved enough without having “a puzzle”.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Todd Brody said:
I think that they are more than eager for just business. I think they are also eager for contributing writers.
I think that Todd Haskins had the last two “If I Had Only Known” articles in Garden Railways, (congratulations Todd) and I think the column died for lack of contributors.
“If I Had Only Known” that they needed content, I would have sent in a few more. As it is, the one that I did send in got published, and I didn’t think it would be of enough interest dealing with spacing of integrated circuits on perforated board. So I’m thinking that maybe there was a lack of interest in the contributions.
I hope they do better on the “One Page Projects.”
Darn, that’s too bad. I liked reading the Oooops moments being recounted.
That’s very interesting considering the last time I inquired about submitting something on the pizza the reply I got was along the lines of “well you can go ahead and send it but we already have so much stuff already we’ll probably never get to it” coupled with their ridiculously insane photo requirements, at which I kinda lost interest.