New CTT issue

[cnw1995]

Just got the Oct issue today --- in Aug? :) But it looks great. Get a load of the neat article that tests and compares different types of track - also on pg. 61, there is a v. nice 'angled' perspective on the horseshoe curve track plan. It really let me see the way it looks. I'd like to see that again with other issues instead of the directly overhead shot.

[Anonymous]

Got my new issue, too. Also liked the track test article.
Very well thought out and presented. Like the idea of
an expanded "Photo Album". Layout pictures are getting
a little better, but have a ways to go yet. Where are the
pics of the roundhouse that was described? That could
have been a "center piece" shot! The Horse Shoe Curve
pull-back shot is good. Really enjoyed the neat "vintage"
shots. The article about constructing a control panel is
very well done and still relevant in this day of "wireless"
controls. Many of us still like the "old fashioned" way of
operation. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I liked the track test article also. Good to see Lionel tubular track getting some respect. The photography in CTT is a lot better than OGR. The Photo Album feature is one of my favorites.

[Anonymous]

The Horse Shoe Curve layout was very impressive. To duplicate something that big is quite a labor of love.

[FJ and G]

Agree w/all of above comments. This is really a great issue. Guess I'll have to subscribe again for another year. Hope the next few are as exciting as this one was. Even the trackside photos are excellent. Kudos to CTT.

[FJ and G]

Although I mostly read the hi-rail stuff, I was esp. intrigued with the operating power station article. I love these types of articles that get the creative juices flowing. Some years ago, CTT published a this layout that had a lot of similar looking gadgets using erector set parts. But I esp. love the current article because it goes into detail about the actual construction methods.

The horseshoe curve article was equally novel. Who'd a thought of running O and S in such a realistic setting. A very classy layout.

A lot of CTT folks have asked about building a control panel. This article should get them started.

Dennis Brennan's O gauge diorama is unbelievably well done, as are the rest. If hi-rail ain't your thing, just look at Dave Gagnon's 027 masterpiece photo.

It's been a while since I've been this excited about a toy train magazine.

[cnw1995]

Yeah, wasn't that power station interesting? Something I might try to put together. I like how it doesn't assume you know everything about electrics and such. It would be neat to see in action as a 'video' on the CTT website. Dave Gagnon's 027 photo is an inspiration - great angle.

[Big_Boy_4005]

The track article was interesting, but it didn't really contain any earth shattering revelations. The track product that I wanted to see tested was conspicuously absent, namely Lionel's FasTrack.

MTH's RealTrax tested out with the highest resistance joints of all the products tested. No surprise there.

Good old fashioned tubular track seems to hold up well in almost every catagory tested, in spite of the competition.

Of course none of this changes anything for me, since I am 100% committed to using Gargraves regular.

[FJ and G]

Elliot,

There are probably other variables besides just track that affect performance. Among them:

# of drop lines

size of wire

cleanliness of track

condition of trucks, traction tires, wheels, weight, slope, radius of track etc etc etc

style of track is of minor concern for all BUT magna trak fanatics

still, the test was interesting and detailed enough to be replicable by others.

I'd like to see more hobbyists doing these types of experiements; you don't have to be a magazine writer to engage in these activities and compare results w/fellow hobbyists.

Once my writing a7nd layout are done, i hope to be able to add some of these types of input

about 8 months ago, i conducted a number of experiements using DCS recordings and loops and published them in the other forum but been busy of late

again, I cannot say enough good things to encourage CTT to continue in this vein. I neglected to mention, btw, that there were several good pieces in that issue for toy train traditionalists as well as hi-railers. IOW balance was achieved.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Right Dave, this seemed to be a fairly scientific series of tests performed under controlled conditions. I'm not sure if you noticed, but where Gargraves performed worst was in the resistance test on the rail. To lessen that effect, I always place a feeder on every 3' section, all 3 rails. I don't want to think about voltage drop later.

As for the rest of the magazine, I gave it the usual once over and yawned. Call me jaded, but none of the magazines really excite me anymore, not CTT, MR or OGR. I've read, seen, and done so much over the last 30 years in this hobby, the bar is very high for me to get excited. It takes something very special, and NEW to get my attention anymore.

Most of the ideas for my layout are well formed. My problem comes in the implementation, lack of energy and motivation, and severe budgetary constraints are all that hold me back. I was in pretty good financial shape until this divorce. Now things are MUCH tighter. Fortunately I have most of the materials here already.

[FJ and G]

Elliott,

I'm not as jaded as you but see where you're coming from. There's not as much originality and excitement as there could be. To give some examples: working hump yard, having a real lake and river system with real water; a working canal; modeling/scratchbuilding 1830s layout or antebellum; a layout replicating building a large dam; a layout featuring the Panama Canal; a layout with remote-operated container ships (yes, I know it's big), incorporating video or computer images and animation into a layout; adding woofers and tweeters to a layout to give sonic booms from the bass of a diesel; caesar's palace-style sky lighting for ceiling/backdrop; robotic figures and vehicles that can be programmable -----

On, on on, I could go.

I'm talking about new ideas that make you salivate like a Pavlovian dog, instead of same ole same ole.

So, yes, I kinda know where you're coming from.

MR and Trains mag and sometimes CTT excite me----- for now.

Dave Vergun

[FJ and G]

Oooops,

"Divorce" just caught my attention. Been there myself a few times. I figure there are 4 billion people in the world, half are women and even considering age and ugliness and proximity, there are probably a few fish in the sea you can catch.

I'm going to a bachelor luau party, sponsored by my church this Saturday; so hopefully there will be some eye candy

[Big_Boy_4005]

Dave, some of the stuff we talk about here is more exciting to me than much of the magazine content. One of the things that thrills me most these days is sharing all of the accumulated knowledge and experience with the people here on all of these forums.

[cnw1995]

I've seen some v. interesting items along the lines of Dave's 'list' in some European (and British) and Japanese model railroading magazines - of course, they're in another language - even the British ones ;) but it's fascinating to see - especially what is done with small motors and through mechanical remote control - and all sorts of computer-aided effects. There is apparently a larger overseas market ,for example, of small operating cars and trucks that actually move up and down roads according to pre-set instructions. The Japanese mags show some evocative urban layouts - that make use of selective animation...movement, light and sounts...to really set a city mood. And many of these (in both British and Japanese settings) are in N scale! I wonder if there isn't some sort of inertia that sets in with all media organized around a theme or subject - especially those without an aggressive or outward-focused 'reporter' arrangement. You end up getting the same sorts of submissions from the same sort of people because those writers think that's what you want as a publisher or editor. And your readership or listenership or viewers seem to like seeing the same old stuff too. Meanwhile the ones doing really 'new' things are below your radar - not interested in corresponding or connecting with the 'same old' others. An interesting topic...

[FJ and G]

Doug,

This probably would have been a better topic by itself. In the past, I've often alluded to melding toy trains with other pursuits: chemistry, robotics, electronics, computers, clay, animations, Oriental art (like zen brushed backdrops), studio lighting and sound effects, and so on.

The hobby has yet to stretch itself into these areas & take advantage.

And btw, there's a hole in the wall near my computer. It got there from banging my head when I hear about someone who's gotten "bored" or "tired" w/ the hobby (no offense to Elliott, who's "jaded") :-)[:O]

[dougdagrump]

What a BUMMER, mine hasn't arrived yet..[:(]
Guess that's the result of living on the west (left) coast. [|(]

[Anonymous]

Review on K-Line Boston & Albany steamer featured on the cover was IMHO disappointing.

[spankybird]

overall the issue was very good, but the above review was a little short.

[choochin3]

Good to see an American Flyer layout!!!! Those Ace Trains tankcars look great too!!!!

[NYC Fan]

I thought the photography of the Horseshoe Curve Layout was great. Nice job Bill.

Skip

[PaulEFudd]

Well, this is the 3rd CTT issue in a row that featured an outstanding featured layout, I love to see these types of hi-rail layouts. I've seen this layout on Smart builder's website and I recall many other outstanding layouts they've built. I love the way they weather Lionel accessories, this is something I have done myself, albeit not as good as those guys.

Paul

[Anonymous]

Im going to read that artical tonight