Frankly, in case you haven't noticed, CTT has lost a lot of advertising over the past few years as these folks switch to on-line venues, particulary their own websites. As they see it, why run a 3- or 4-page magazine ad to list items for sale when they can run a one-page (or smaller) ad directing readers to their website for a complete listing.
As long as the influx of ad dollars stays down, I am surprised that CTT can maintain its current 9-issue schedule.
Actually, I would look to CTT to raise its subscription rate to cover for this lack of ad income. (Not that I like it.)
Aha!!!! I finally know!!!
Thanks guys! It means a lot to me!
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Gosh, I am more critical and passive aggressive than most, but I am generally well pleased with the magazine as it is now. I think the writing is far better than it was in the first few years, and the layout visits are more interesting.
If I could improve anything, I would like to see more about Classic tinplate including wind up trains and I would like the layout visits to specifically say something about what is special about the layout operationally (e.g. having elevated reverse loops in the middle of the layout frees up more space for scenery and the city scenery hides staging that allows passinger trains to seem to travel great distances).
However, I'm just being picky. I remember when there was no CTT and the folks at MR and RMC treated those of us who operated Toy Trains as a lower life form.
Right now, Life is good.
Little Tommy
Getting Dissappointed with the Magazine
I would have rather you named your post, "Changes I would Like to See". It is far to easy to tear something good down, and it takes a long time to build it up again. When I first saw your post, it carried negative conotations. From reviewing the posts, it isn't that you don't like Classic Toy Trains, but you are hungry for more. Make your wishes known.
Alan
I for one, will be watching and waiting!
Anyway, it ain't the Christmas season 'till the CTT big Christmas issue shows up!
If you like Becky's work (as we do) keep your eye's peeled for our December issue!
Bob Keller
I would buy a book featuring more of Becky's work. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to study the photos she posts here. Inspirational, clever stuff!
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
It absolutely is time for CTT to put out 12 issues a year.
Maybe an update to the "Classic Toy Trains Layout Tour" book of 1993 then? I've often wished they'd put out a new one.
Pete and Penny they would do an special issue if they thought they could sell it for about $15 a issue
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
That's not a bad idea Pete. But I doubt they'd do it before going to 12 monthly. (I'm always poking for at least that 10th issue! )
Publishing an enthusiast magazine, especially one about a hobby as diverse as this one, is a balancing act, no doubt about it. I think that, all things considered, CTT is doing a dam good job.
Perhaps a yearly photo special issue along the lines of "Great Model Railroad Layouts" is in order, something like "Great Classic Toy Train Layouts."
Pete
"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light." - Edward Abbey -
100% agree!
CTT,
I love the magazine, have every issue....but CAN YOU PLEASE PUT MORE PHOTOS IN THE ISSUES WITH SOME OF THE GREAT LAYOUTS YOU PHOTOGRAPH? And not just 2 or 3? Come on................
Thank You
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