CTT is very fortunate to have a class act in our hobby like Roger Carp. I am not surprised that he weighted in on this. Unlike other train publications, they listen and answer.
Merry Christmas to all.
Good evening all,
This is a really good thread. There are a lot of valid points and it was good to hear Dr. Carp's perspective on this as well. Another point that could be made is that CTT can only publish what they have advertising dollars to support. I am sure they and MR and GR would love to publish 200 page issues monthly with dozens of layouts, but you have to have the income for that. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Speaking of layouts appearing in the pages of CTT...when are we going to see Dr. Carps????
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Actually I think CTT has improved. They have gotten away from the huge custom built layout and Highrail. For the most part the big layouts are built by the owner and friends or a club. They have also gone back to more vintage trains.
Way to go. Keep up the good work
I got a bit concerned by a mention of realism in the last issue. I hope it was a fluke and they are not moving towards operations.
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Roger, thank you for your response. Hopefully it will lead to some submissions from our fellow forum members.
- James
Thank you very much Roger for some direction on this.
Kevin Myers,
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
The members of the editorial staff at CTT have enjoyed reading this thread--we continue to learn from our readers and appreciate their sharing views on the magazine.
Here are some insights regarding the layouts we feature. To put it simply, we seek to showcase the best in the hobby today: the most innovative, the most attractive, and the most inspiring.
The dimensions of the layout, vintage of the trains, level of realism, and money put into the construction do not matter. What matters is how the layout looks and what it can teach and show our readers.
Each week I have the delightful opportunity to learn about the O and S gauge layouts readers are building. They take the time to mail prints or email digital images of their layouts to me for consideration, either in Photo Album or as potential subjects of feature articles. I hear from people I have never met as well as hobbyists who have introduced themselves at train shows and talked about their layouts.
The fundamental point is that we cannot and do not know about all the great l layouts being built and operated by our readers. The way to bring them to our attention for consideration in CTT is to send to us 8 to 10 close-up shots of the best areas of your layout. I recommend sending no more than 10 and being sure the pictures you send truly represent your best work and the finest scenes on your layout.
Some tips on getting good pictures:
Be sure there is one train in every picture--not showing a train will not work, and putting in several seldom makes for a good picture.
Be sure the photos are in focus--sharp and strong images.
Be sure the photos are well-illuminated--night scenes do not work.
Be sure when you send the images that you put your full name, mailing address, and phone number with them so we can contact you and discuss the pictures.
This process has worked successfully for CTT since its beginning--we continue to learn about and see great layouts that we feature in the pages you enjoy.
The size of the layout does not matter. However, my experience is that modelers who have improved their skills at making scenery and designing layouts typically move up in terms of the size of their layout. Meaning, they go from small ones to medium-sized layouts. We do want to hear about attractive small layouts but tend to find the best work is being done on larger ones. After all, individuals who refine their skills and commit to spending more time, energy, and resources on this hobby seem to prefer to build larger layouts. No different from hobbyists who refine their skills in a sport or a musical instrument and buy more expensive sports equipment or instruments.
So we look forward to hearing from you about your layouts and seeing more photos. You can contact me directly at the magazine to learn more or have questions answered: rcarp@classictoytrains.com
Have a happy, healthy, safe, and peaceful holiday season.
Roger Carp
Senior editor
I think JamesP had the best comment. “Perhaps someone from the CTT staff would weigh in here with input for us? I think we would all like to be constructive in this thread, and if it is possible for some of us to contribute something useful to the magazine, so much the better.”Does CTT even have a policy for how they decide on what they put in their magazine?? It would be nice to know. Before someone should knock down any doors maybe you need to know if they want you to first.
The point to made is if you are waiting for CTT to knock on your door for your layout to be published, you will wait a very long time. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE.
If you think it is good enough to be published (and yes, the publisher has to have high standards just to sell magazines that make this Forum possible), then send them into Roger. He is a great guy and we give you an honest appraisal.
Just complaining does no good at all. Knock and it shall be opened unto you.
Merry Cristmas to all. And Becky, beatuiful job with your layout.
Becky, I and others recall and we always said you did great work, and what I was driving at, (hope it helped you get the spotlight you earned) and now, think that is the last issue like that I do recall. Two years ago. Hope you are not the last. Thanks for making my point.
Again Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Go back to December 2013 issue and take another look at my layouts. While I never claimed myself to be the "Queen of Toy Trains", that is the title of the article. My budget is nonexistent. Really. When you have a zero dollar income you have a zero dollar budget. I don't own the computer or the printer I use to download, print and build paper models nor do I pay for the use of the internet. If we're talking purely on a monitary basis, the model railroads I build belong to my mother, not me, since it's she who pays for it all. (Why? Because I'd go insane if I didn't have SOMETHING to do.)
So, mom pays for the paper, the cardstock, the ground foam rubber, the paint, the glue and the whatever and I go off and build crazy and complicated things using all that stuff and whatever junk is lying around. If I had buckets of money, yeah, I probably would pay somebody to do something for me like maybe benchwork which I really don't enjoy doing myself. I'd also consider paying someone to teach me how to handlay track, how to solder and tell me the difference between watts, volts and amps. ( I use the old "if it don't blow a fuse it must be OK" method of wiring.)
So what you see in that article and what I post pics of all the time right here on the forum is all handmade junk. And I think that's the key. I posted a lot of pics right here at the forum and it created a groundswell that resulted in having an article written. I took the pics myself and what I got for doing that paid for new equipment for the layouts (I.e. the Lone Ranger general that now pulls the Disneyland RR.)
I am not saying what they do is good or bad, that is their choice. Just I think the thought line I have here is why does CTT not look "actively" to seek out some of the other smaller normal guy layouts ? And why should anyone have to beat down their door to get noticed. They can see SPS and other post with pictures of smaller layouts. For some are not sure if they want to open their house to the masses. That said it is all fine but I would think CTT would be looking for more and asking for more. The point is a large amount of great stuff is passed up when they only follow the big, and great. I renewed my scrip but just wonder why sometimes when I look at the same old content when it could be so much more fun to see all of it.
You will never know unless you try. No matter what size, all layouts bear an interest. It is a matter of bringing out that interest in your layout that will put your layout into the published catagory.
I have been thorugh this and will go through it again. None of our work was done by professional layout builders. We are not special, we just had the determinaton to carry out our ideas.
A better comment would be what do I need to get my layout published. There are many here that would help you including photography and article writing.
I like to see all kinds of layouts - anything from the large, realistic, fully scenicked modern style layouts all the way down to the simple ovals on a partial sheet of plywood that is painted green. While it seems that there is much more of the former in CTT than the latter, perhaps some of us with smaller, simpler toy train style layouts need to inquire and submit articles about them. CTT may or may not accept said articles for publication, but one thing is certain - they can't publish what they don't receive. I'm as guilty of this as anyone... I am hesitant to submit an article on my small clockwork train layout, as I feel it isn't good enough to be in CTT. Yet, at the same time, I would love to more see articles on small layouts running vintage equipment - no matter what the style or skill level - in the magazine. Perhaps someone from the CTT staff would weigh in here with input for us? I think we would all like to be constructive in this thread, and if it is possible for some of us to contribute something useful to the magazine, so much the better.
I do want to give CTT props in another area - there seems to be a lot more "Classic" in CTT nowdays, with more articles on vintage Lionel, Marx, Flyer and other trains. While I can appreciate the latest & newest 3 rail and S gauge trains, I also like to see plenty of the older toy trains, too... especially the "Fallen Flags" like Marx and Ives. Thankfully, CTT seems to be making an effort to cover all those areas of interest.
Repectfully,
James
It does seem they have drifted away from the "classics". This issue has been brought up several times but it's their magazine and they seem to have set their course.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
I actually stopped subscribing to CTT because I got tired of seeing all the 'over-the-top' layouts and advertisements for rolling stock most could never afford. There seemed to be less and less of what folks were doing w/ older toy trains and emphasis on what was biggest and newest.
That said, I recently started subscribing to Model Railroader and found the emphasis there was quite different. Smaller railroads and interesting budget tips from how-to articles. The reviews are on regular items that one might actually see in a shop and conceivably afford.
In the end, I guess it all has to do w/ what sells a magazine. If the main interest of their subscribers and advertisers is on the top end items, then that's where they would want to focus.
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
With all respect.
You know I love seeing great layouts on the pages of CTT but I often wonder why they only showcase the 1% of layouts out there. Something out of this world or some display layout in the true sense of the original layout. Sure if I had the funds of Warren Buffett or Bill Gates I to could have something beyond belief. Just that I wonder why the regular guy’s layouts that have to be in budget never make the pages of CTT. There is so much talent and so many good ideas on many smaller less spectacular layouts that those of us without deep pockets would like to see and try. I have found that to get into the magazine the managers of CTT want you to do your own photography work before they will even consider placing pictures of a layout. I think they could do themselves well to look at how those without big money can and do and improvise to make the hobby great and work for the everyday guys who just want to have fun. You know I can live with this but I just think there is a lot more out there we never get to see that could be great to see and great for CTT.Am I the only one thinking like this?
Hope they don't bump this but we will see.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
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