I’ve been reading some old issues of the Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, and came across some ads for a magazine called “Outdoor Railroader” devoted to “realistic large scale modeling”. I assume this magazine is no longer published, as I’ve never heard of it until now and can’t find it online. Has anyone here seen it? How long was it around? Was it any good?
Ray,
Outdoor Railroader was published for some years before it was morphed into (as in a forced name change) Finescale Railroader when Kalmbach acquired Garden Railways.
Finescale Railroader soldiered on for a few more years slowly disappearing until it became a two issues per year annual. One logging and the other mining I believe.
The website still exists although there is very little traffic anymore.
Outdoor Railroader is the first incarnation of what we now have as Finescale Railroader which comes out as a “soft back book” 3 or 4 times a year. Can’t keep up with them as they keep changing.
OR used to be the mag for MODEL railroading outdoors in Large Scale…as opposed to GRs emphasis on the GARDEN part at the time…was great…Now the Gazette is our lone bastion…
It was a neat magazine, had some good articles. Worth looking for. Russ now has three annuals a year, usually chock full of plans. Logging, Industrial and Modeling are the 3 issues. $15 each or $45 for all three. Get his jazz cd also-it’s good! Jerry
Interesting. Thanks for the info and link.
Ray,
I have picked up a bunch of these on eBay. Lots of good stuff in them with regular contributers like Mac McCalla. The editor was very interested in promoting accurate scale modeling. While 1:20.3 has become the narrow gauge standard, 1:32 never became the standard gauge standard predicted.
-Brian
Brian, that’s because corporate power overruled common sense.
Ray as others have pointed out, OR changed into FR and now into three Annuals. OR/FR was a fantastic magazine, I preferred it way above GR. It was almost as good as NG&SLG but it had smaller volume and was aimed at large scales. The graphics part was and still is the strong side of the Editor, I would say it was even better than that in NG&SLG. But large scale market is not that large - although petunias still seem to bloom… - the Annuals are all that survived of OR/FR. BUT they are worth it - I recommend them if you like highest quality presentation, prototypical modeling and solid historical insight into our hobby. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi
Warren Mumpower said:That and the [b] WOW[/b] factor. It's the Jumbo Shrimp syndrome!
Brian, that's because corporate power overruled common sense.
Warren Mumpower said:Warren, You'd complain if they were going to hang you with a new rope. Do you ever have a good day?
Brian, that's because corporate power overruled common sense.
Ric, now that I’m scratch building what I want and getting my parts from the “Mom & Pop” dealers that are also modelers, I’m having a FANTASTIC DAY…!!
Fantastic! I know that when I get up in the morning and get breakfast with nobody shooting at me, its going to be a good day. If get to lunch and I haven’t had to reload, LIFE IS GOOD!
The hardest person that I have to convince that I live a good life is myself. And some days I’m a hard sell, but there is nobody that can make me have a bad day, except myself. “Scratch building” is probaby the way we should all approach every day.
My Drill Instructor, SGT Breen, once said, "If G_d made a perfect day, I’d be p*ssed because it wasn’t a day sooner! He was such a pleasant fellow. 
Ric, I like your philosophy. Just remember to get your first shot off fast. That will make him hesitate long enough to make your second shot perfect.
I’m glad I don’t have to worry about anyone shooting at me…I don’t own a gun…
The three Annuals produced by Russ Reinberg, are must have reading if you are past the froth & bubble of Garden Railways, I subscribe to both joiurnals and enjoy each for their own niche articles. Well worth supporting in my opinion.
Ric; my friend…I’ll always admire your attitude… all kidding aside, I MEAN IT.
Generally I’m “On the top” each day, and there is no other way to be, if you ever want to see your friends and associates in the best of light. By being positive, it just brings out the best in others, “IN SPITE OF THEMSELVES”.
Here we are with another 6 inches of snow on the ground, but I did notice first, that the calendar shows us to be half way through February (Almost). All that is left, before a chance to look at the railroad in the back forty, is that old month of March.
We can look at March, as a small “Blip on the screen”, or a cow pie in the face…I’ll take the blip…!!!
Who knows; if I can find some kindred soul to drive to York; I might even consider it !!!
Great days ahead…if we just keep our shop warm, and be in touch with our friends.
Fred,
Jan and I are off to Perry, Ga. for the SELSTS. One of the great things we will talk about will be our friends and friendships in Ottawa. If you feel your ears burning on Friday and Saturday, it might be an infection so be careful.
With as much sincerity as I can muster, my life is better because of all you guys being in it. Yes, Warren, even you. I have got to be one of the luckiest people in the World. If any of you don’t believe that, you haven’t met my wife.
Ric Golding said:Ric, thanks for the kind words. Enjoy SELSTS! Zubi
With as much sincerity as I can muster, my life is better because of all you guys being in it. Yes, Warren, even you. I have got to be one of the luckiest people in the World. If any of you don't believe that, you haven't met my wife.