https://www.freightwaves.com/news/firecrown-media-grows-again-with-addition-of-trains-astronomy
Same me, different spelling!
I don't know any more than what the press release stated, but I'm decidedly optimistic. Sad about the departure of Kalmbach ownership (hey, I've been a customer since the December 1966 issue of Trains), but pretty pumped up by a new owner who sees future potential in the railroad-related titles.
Bob Keller
I hope they can bring new life into what has already been developed by Kalmbach, they did a great job, but feel there are some areas lacking. ( this forum for one. ( I understand going best deal as a money thing, but in this case I feel they were misled and were stuck with what we have)
The trains family is a good family, just needs some refreshing in my view. Wish them the best.
Interesting. Hmmmm...
Well, let me say a few things. First off, while I've had NO issues and have had nothing but respect for the Kalmbach personnel in the trenches putting out the various publications like Trains, Classic Trains, and Classic Toy Trains I've had my doubts the past few years about whether whoever the "Big Cheese" was really understood the publishing business, the hobby publishing business specifically and the hobby publishing customers especially. Add to that the fact the costs for the publications kept going up and the content kept going down. In addition to which there was what struck me as a not-so-subtle attempt to push the clientele away from print publications and into on-line publications.
Again, I don't blame the Kalmbach people doing the grunt work. Like good soldiers they have to say "Yes sir!" salute smartly and carry out the orders, but quite frankly I don't think whoever was giving the orders knew what the hell he was doing. That thought struck me immediately when Bob Keller was let go several years ago. I know what I had to say about it!
Anyway, let's see where this goes. It should be interesting. If the outfit that's purchased the Kalmbach family of publications understands the business then all should come right in the end.
Blame Dan.
Flintlock76 Interesting. Hmmmm... Well, let me say a few things. First off, while I've had NO issues and have had nothing but respect for the Kalmbach personnel in the trenches putting out the various publications like Trains, Classic Trains, and Classic Toy Trains I've had my doubts the past few years about whether whoever the "Big Cheese" was really understood the publishing business, the hobby publishing business specifically and the hobby publishing customers especially. Add to that the fact the costs for the publications kept going up and the content kept going down. In addition to which there was what struck me as a not-so-subtle attempt to push the clientele away from print publications and into on-line publications. Again, I don't blame the Kalmbach people doing the grunt work. Like good soldiers they have to say "Yes sir!" salute smartly and carry out the orders, but quite frankly I don't think whoever was giving the orders knew what the hell he was doing. That thought struck me immediately when Bob Keller was let go several years ago. I know what I had to say about it! Anyway, let's see where this goes. It should be interesting. If the outfit that's purchased the Kalmbach family of publications understands the business then all should come right in the end.
The area in bold was when I first thought there was trouble brewing in kalmbach. As a whole I believe they ( the soldiers ) are very good at what they do, and put out excellent articles.
As stated price kept going up, less per magazine and unless you bought digital, you could not get paper, all of reasons I feel a lot have stop buying it. I do have to state though I'm glad they have not turned this into a dictatorship like a certain other company has with there forum.
I thank them for being the great company they have been, and hope it keeps doing as well as it has in the past to present time.
Edit: one thing I wish CTT would look into is stories on Standard Gauge as it is alive and doing well. Not as big as O but there is a large following, With the remake in late 80's early 90's and talk MTH is talking about reproducing more again.
Bob KellerSad about the departure of Kalmbach ownership (
That's actually the piece I found more than a little heartbreaking. It's not A.C.'s empire any more. I hope they do a massive tribute to the Kalmbach legacy and honor it better than Bachmann did with Jerry Williams' life's work.
smokey1 I do have to state though I'm glad they have not turned this into a dictatorship like a certain other company has with there forum.
Strangely some people seem to enjoy being told what they can think these days.
pennytrains smokey1 I do have to state though I'm glad they have not turned this into a dictatorship like a certain other company has with there forum. Strangely some people seem to enjoy being told what they can think these days.
smokey1
I do have to state though I'm glad they have not turned this into a dictatorship like a certain other company has with there forum.
pennytrainsThat's actually the piece I found more than a little heartbreaking. It's not A.C.'s empire any more. I hope they do a massive tribute to the Kalmbach legacy and honor it better than Bachmann did with Jerry Williams' life's work.
Oh man, DON'T get me started on Bachman and Williams!
smokey1 pennytrains smokey1 I do have to state though I'm glad they have not turned this into a dictatorship like a certain other company has with there forum. Strangely some people seem to enjoy being told what they can think these days. I spent 17 years of my life serving to give you and others the right to make that choice.
Exactly! Which is why I'm just so amazed and confused that so many would bow down and give up their freedoms so readily.
Flintlock76Oh man, DON'T get me started on Bachman and Williams!
I just remembered, THIS guy already got started. Made a good job of it too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S94-4d02vxI&t=2s
(There's probably going to be a commercial. Give it a few seconds and you can hit the "Skip".)
pennytrains smokey1 pennytrains smokey1 I do have to state though I'm glad they have not turned this into a dictatorship like a certain other company has with there forum. Strangely some people seem to enjoy being told what they can think these days. I spent 17 years of my life serving to give you and others the right to make that choice. Exactly! Which is why I'm just so amazed and confused that so many would bow down and give up their freedoms so readily.
I just received a letter from Kalmbach (I have a pension and some stock) and remaining assets will be disposed of and the company closed by the end of the year.
Wow so you don't have anything come the end of the year. Man that stinks, sorry to hear Bob, wish you the best.
Bob Keller I just received a letter from Kalmbach (I have a pension and some stock) and remaining assets will be disposed of and the company closed by the end of the year.
Sounds like typical business practice after an aquisition Bob. The outfit I started working for in 1989 was bought and sold three times in the thirty years I was there. Each time when it happened the old company went out of existance, the name never to be seen again although the properties and personnel stayed on. I had a pension starting with Company #2 which still pays out though.
But that would refer to Kalmbach Publishing as a corporate entity. That doesn't mean CTT won't continue with, we hope and pray, all of the editorial staff as long as they're recontracted satisfactorily under the new ownership.
Only time will tell.
Penny, looks like the tracks titles will have a great future under the new owner. My comments were referring to the Kalmbach Media corporation, ergo it will no longer have a business. The future of the magazines looks brighter than ever.
At any rate it strikes me that it's obvious Firecrown Media sees value in the Kalmbach stable of publications and believes they can do something with them. Considering their own successful line of pubs it's also obvious they understand the business, which is no small thing.
I'm reminded of the near-demise of "Railfan & Railroad" magazine and other Carstens publications which I'm sure many here are familiar with. White River saw value in those magzines even though the Carstens organization itself was failing, bought the line, and now they're very successful again.
Only time will tell of course but the Firecrown puchase of Kalmbach could be a VERY good thing in the long run.
Well Holy Guacamole, it took all week but I finally got back on the Forum! I came in through the back-door, that is the "Trains" website.
Don't know why the CTT Forum's been foo-barred all week but here I am.
Anyone else out there?
Same here!
Think we should all say our goodbyes now.
I'm thinking it may be safe to add the s and n to the beginning of the fubar
Generally when one company buys another, they take over things like the first company's pension plan - which often is outsourced to a third party anyway. So I hope Bob K isn't actually going to lose his pension - as some folks seem to assume.
pennytrainsI'm thinking it may be safe to add the s and n to the beginning of the fubar Add Quote to your Post
We used to have a local radio show here in the Twin Cities called "The Fubar Omniverse". Only starting realize how true that is.
wjstixWe used to have a local radio show here in the Twin Cities called "The Fubar Omniverse". Only starting realize how true that is.
Ah, I've got a story!
Back many moons ago when Lady Firestorm and I were "keeping company" we went to a Dairy Queen in Rochelle Park NJ, one of Lady F's favorites. Anyway, as I parked the car I saw a building in an industrial section with a sign that said "Fubar Manufacturing." Being a student of military history I knew exactly what "fubar" meant and started laughing. "What's so funny?" asked Lady F. "Oh, that sign that says 'Fubar Maufacturing'" I replied.
"What's 'fubar' mean? Every time we come here my father starts laughing at it but won't tell me what it means!"
"Well, if your father won't tell you I'd better not either!"
At that she grabbed me by the shoulders and began shaking me furiously:
"WHAT'S THAT MEAN? TELL ME WHAT FUBAR MEANS!!!" So I told her.
When I got her home her father was in the family room watching TV so in she runs yelling "Ha-Ha! I know what 'fubar' means!" Her father looked right at me and I wailed "SHE MADE ME TELL HER!!!"
The Dairy Queen's still there, but "Fubar Manufacturing's" gone now. Too bad, I always pictured it as an American success story. Two GI's home from WW2 and starting a machine shop business which lived for years. Oh well, times change, things change, but I'm sure those guys had a good run!
Probably bought out by a big conglomerate with a lot of government contracts. To really get things fubared you need politicians.
Anyone concerned about the future of the magazine, this was posted by the new owner on X/Twitter.
In recent days, I’ve received a number of questions about our intentions with the Kalmbach hobby brands, including Model Railroader. Firecrown is fully committed to investing in the hobby community, as we are an enthusiast brand first.
Nearly 90% of Firecrown’s revenues come from the enthusiast category, including our marine and aviation titles. We currently have 3 LOIs for acquisitions in the enthusiast category tee’d up.
I can only assume that Kalmbach’s competitors are threatened by an aggressive and ambitious firm that has taken over the largest player in the space that propagate rumors that we plan to shutter Kalmbach’s hobby brands. Nothing could be further from the truth. We play to win and don’t need the practice. We wouldn’t have acquired the Kalmbach brands if we weren’t committed to making significant investments in the brands and community.
Thanks Bob!
Ok. That's all I need to hear! It's going to be a whole new day very soon and I can't wait to see what new ideas emerge from the transition!
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