Large Scale Central

MR's focus on "Operations"

Operations
#1

Model Railroader magazine for January 2007 has a new article on the back inside page on “Operations”. This particular article is about “OSing”. Its history and what the term means. Looks like a pretty good start for a series.

“OSing” according to MR means “On Sheet” as to the train has passed this location and is now on my sheet of trains going passed this location. In the past, I was always under the opinoin that “OS” meant “On Station”, which was a statement that never made quite as much sense. The most interesting statement to me was that the train was put on the sheet as the last car passed that location. “OS” being the telegraph code and then carrried forward as Station Agents moved to communication with the Dispatcher by telephone and then teletype.

#2

Weird - I read the column this morning over breakfast. I don’t subscribe to MR but every once and a while they send me the Free Issue offer tickler and I always take them up on it. This was my one freebie. The only other article I saw that might be worth reading was painting back drops.

Of all the Klambake publications I’ve tried, only Classic Trains is read from cover to cover. My GR subscription is up for renewal and I’m thinking of letting it drop. I do like the pictures though :smiley:

JR

#3

Jon,
The article is inside the back cover, did you not see it or did you think it was worthless? My simple brain enjoyed it. :wink:

#4

As a former operator/dispatcher myself I enjoyed the article.

#5

Ric -

I guess I wasn’t clear… I said Weird because I read the article less than an hour before I read your post.

I liked the Operations column. I think it’s a good addition, especially if they keep up with the background info. It always helps to know the origin of terms you just take for granted.

The only OTHER article I noticed that was worth reading was the Painting Backdrops. Get it now?

I keep trying MR, but I rarely find things I can use, so I don’t take the subscription. If they keep adding things like th Ops column I might change my mind. It would also help if the paid more attention to the large scales. MR could easily become the LS Modeler’s mag of preference while the Garden Railroaders are best served by GR. Those of us that try to do both might buy both.

JR

#6

That was weird.

I’ve read MR all my life and I have some columns I like and some I have no use for. There is something about MR coming in the mail. I remember when it was a real big thing in my life. I don’t know if I can say I have ever found an issue where every artcile was worthwhile.

I am on a list of people that get surveyed each month about the articles, the like and dislikes. I try to be pretty honest with that and have stressed items that I find interesting. Operations has always been something I enjoy, along with “'how to” articles for experienced modelers and people new to the hobby. I also always put emphasis on Large Scale, battery operations, radio control and the internet portion of the hobby, plus other parts I enjoy.

I gave up Railroad Model Craftsman a number of years ago, but still pick them up at the hobby shop every once in awhile. Really, of all the magazines I get, I like “The Dispatcher’s Office” best. It comes from the OPSIG (Operations - Special Interest Group), which is closely associated, but not part of the NMRA.

#7

Ric,
Like you I’ve been getting MR ever since Sept, 1961 always my favorite magazine, usually had a couple of articles of interest in every issue. Really enjoyed the features on “operation” and stories concerning Whit Towers, Frank Ellison, John Allen, and of course Bruce Chubb, Tony Koester and Allen M. During the early 70’s RMC was of great interest but always liked MR better. Stopped getting RMC in 2002 and got out of HO in 2004 but I still subscribe to MR although GR is now my favorite.

#8

Fred,

Since the internet is where all the breaking news is now. I look to the periodicals as a way to get a more in depth look at almost anything. They fail many times. So layouts with well described track plans, how to articles and soap opera sagas of how something is being built are something to look forward to. One of the best, that was covered for a long time, was modeling “Up Clear Creek” in many issues of the Gazette. I do feel Kevin Strong’s 4 part article on his new layout in his Colorado backyard was shorter, but much of the same caliber. My prejudice to that probably reflects our shared interest in the EBT.

#9

Hey, Jon, you see the CTT with the feature on Bill Spaulding’s NP 3-rail?

See who wired it?

See the old paint scheme F-3?