Don't care to see 'em in the magazine (Texas-Size Layout, Feb. 2016 issue). Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against them. I can understand that some folks don't have the time to roll their own and that's cool.
However, I much prefer to see articles about layouts that individuals or groups have made with their own blood, sweat and tears. If you've got the dough you can buy anything, but it takes some honest desire and motivation to to make something your own self.
Pete
"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light." - Edward Abbey -
I used to dislike articles about professionaly built layouts when the articles written about the layout said something like "I had trains when I was a kid , but I put them aside as I got older, but then, as I matured, I wanted a big layout but I didn't have the time/skill so I had one built and I love it". However a few years ago the writing in CTT improved and the articles now go over what kind of operation the layout design allows or what type of scenic features went into giving the layout the kind of "atmosphere" that it has and mention other topics that are of interest to both layout builders and casual observers.
I guess what I am trying to say is that it really is important how the article about a professionally built layout is written to make it interesting. It is a tribute to the improved writing/editing in CTT that there seldom are "puff pieces" and most of the articles have at least a nugget of something for everyone in them.
Keep up the QUALITY WRITING!!
Little Tommy
I have no problem with the quality of the writing. I do, however, prefer articles about layouts that have been built by folks, rather than bought.
Merry Christmas, y'all.
I worked in retail for 16 years and almost all of those jobs had me involved in setting up the seasonal departments. In September, which is when you start setting Christmas merchandise these days, I'd hear "ugh, already?" at least 10 times a day from passing customers. But then they'd walk up and down the aisles and see what we were doing and many would buy things right out of the packing crates before we even finished putting the stuff on the shelves. So I decided after a time that it's never too early to have the Christmas spirit. What people didn't like was being reminded of all the money they were going to spend before December the 25th. I suppose it's a bit like that when I see big expensive layouts in any magazine. I don't like being reminded that I can't afford gigantic layouts no matter who did the construction.
I can't afford thousand dollar plus locomotives either but I love seeing them in the catalogs each year. So what's my point? EVERYTHING inspires me. Looking at the latest and greatest heavy mikado or berkshire in the Lionel Signature catalog makes me think about how I could improve the looks of the low end equipment I can afford. Maybe that 4-4-2 would look a bit better with a big protruding feedwater heater at the top of the smokebox. Or maybe a few sanding lines would dress up that old 2-6-4.
Layout photos do the same thing for me. I always try to get Great Model Railroads each year (though there are holes in my collection) and I read MR, Ogre and RMC if the mood strikes me to spend money on an issue here and there. I have other gauges/scales in my collection but for the moment at least I don't have the space for HO, N or G scale layouts. But that doesn't stop me from appreciating what other modelers have done. To the contrary, it inspires me and gets me fired up to improve, develop and work on the layouts I build.
What does bug me is that professional layout builders often (not always) guard and covet their modelling techniques as if they were the launch codes for the nation's supply of nuclear missiles. To be clear, I like hearing the human side of the story told from the perspective of the layout owner. But when the work is done by someone else they often don't have the full picture as to how things were done, which is often what I search for in the articles. I'm not saying that things would be better if all articles were written in the style of a technical manual. Far from it. But I do like hearing how the great scenes showcased in CTT were created.
In the grand analysis I look at CTT as a work in progress. It's a snapshop of a moment in time in toy train history. A guidebook and catalog of the layouts of our age, great and small, and each issue adds a new chapter to the story. Based on what I see, I can't say that the end of the book is anywhere in sight, and that's very comforting.
Becky
PS. NOBODY ever says "Ugh, already?" when the patio furniture would appear in December! No one but ME!
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Well said Becky.
I especially like this somewhat humorous statement:
Penny TrainsWhat does bug me is that professional layout builders often (not always) guard and covet their modelling techniques as if they were the launch codes for the nation's supply of nuclear missiles.
I agree.
The cover article did describe construction materials, track and power sources, so it is not devoid of hints that can be used on small do-it-yourself layouts.
..........Wayne..........
Well. I look at it this way.
Roger and the crew aren't going to travel hundreds of miles just to see everyones home made 4X8's, as much as they'd probably like to. It doesn't make sense jounalistically or financially.
So, if you're good with a camera, or know someone who is, if you can string a sentence together or know someone who can, tell the story of your own layout and send it to CTT. Who knows? Maybe they'll show it to the world.
If they reject your article, so what? You don't do this for a living, do you?
I like to build my own layouts, however I need some help at times with putting the sheet of plywood in place or setting up the 2 by 4 braces. Having somebody build a professional layout just don't seem correct to me and it's not half as much fun either. I like to see what others have done, and sometimes I might copy something somebody did.
I worked retail for about 6 years and I didn't like the early holiday selling of merchandise either. Also in retail you can be asked to work long hours or work on holidays.
I'm glad now that I am not working anymore and can devote more time to my new train room. Have the lighting done so far and an around the ceiling shelf with an 027 train able to run on it.
Penny, I so much enjoyed your comments. They obvoiusly came from the heart.
The thing about train layouts, when you have someone else build it, you miss all the fun. And that's the real point, when you have blood, sweat & tears involved, you can't help but take it more personally.
I read the magazine and these forums to gain knowledge and motivation. If I can provide the same to others, there is satisfaction in that, too.
I can gain knowledge and motivation from a well built 4x8, an orphaned diorama, a former classroom full of a model subway, or a professionally built empire. Each has it's own appeal.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I read a layout article till I come to the part that say's it was a paid to build. After that I enjoy the pictures and move on. However they gotta sell magazines so all our grumbling won't change a thing.
"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 guess I should have added that it doesn't matter when I whine and snivel, CTT remains my favorite train magazine by far. It's simply not possible to please everyone all the time.
Despite my own mild aversion to "realism" on a three-rail layout (it's got three rails after all), and a preference for the whimsical toy side of the hobby, the magazine has what I feel is good overall editorial balance. My remarks are a reflection of my personal taste.
I'm way too lazy to make a layout worthy of publication but I did post some "how to" quickies on my blog at the J&C Studios O Gauge Archive.
Texas Petewhen I whine and snivel,
I never read it that way. This is the CTT forum, the most laid back place I know.
There's no whining and sniveling here, it's all spirited and healthy discussion!
Whining and sniveling occurs on newspaper website story comment sections. Trust me. That's why I gave up on 'em.
Texas Pete ... However, I much prefer to see articles about layouts that individuals or groups have made with their own blood, sweat and tears. If you've got the dough you can buy anything, but it takes some honest desire and motivation to to make something your own self. Pete
...
The above explanation seems to be the common sentiment from those who have a distaste for articles about professionally built layouts. No offense intended but I guess I don't understand that reasoning.
Granted, no one seems to have a problem with wonderfully crafted layouts built by talented individuals or groups. So the issue as stated above seems to be about sweat equity -- the idea that unless you build it yourself it has little value to the reader.
Let's put it another way: If the the exact same layout was built by the the owner or a group, then there would be no issue. And this is where I'm confused. Because, you should understand that professionally built custom layouts are not churned out assembly line in a factory but are handcrafted by talented modelers with much input by the customer.
As a freelancer, I have worked alongside Roger Farkash at TWTrainworx and I can tell you he is an extremely talented modeler who helps his customers realize their dreams. As well, all who work there are artisans. I don't see how this is any different than a group of talented non professionals who band together to work on a layout.
Many model railroaders purchase dioramas, pre-built kits, have professional modelers build kits or scratchbuild structures and yet this is acceptable. The actual difference then seems to be one of scale and dollars. If I've missed something, please explain.
DennisB-1 . . . Many model railroaders purchase dioramas, pre-built kits, have professional modelers build kits or scratchbuild structures and yet this is acceptable . . .
. . . Many model railroaders purchase dioramas, pre-built kits, have professional modelers build kits or scratchbuild structures and yet this is acceptable . . .
It is?
Let me put it another way - it's not something I would do. What anyone else does is none of my business.
V8Vega I wonder if Frank Sinatra built his layout or even did much with it other than show it to his friends.
I wonder if Frank Sinatra built his layout or even did much with it other than show it to his friends.
You can learn more about Sinatra and his trains in the 2015 November and December issues of the magazine. Sounds like he was a pretty serious collector.
I personally think that they have as much place in the magazine as anything else. I doubt that even 5% of the readers find interest in EVERY article. The magazine has to strive to find as much as possible that interests as many as possible. How many professionally built layouts are featured each year? If it is one per issue, I don't have a problem.
A whole issue of them, too much, but then an issue of nothing but restoring postwar locomotives(of NO interest to me) or building trees wold be too much as well, and such issues should be seperate sale special issues.
I understand that many Enjoy the process of building a layout, BUT NOT ALL DO, I work an average of 55-60 hours per week, with some runs 2-3 days long sometimes back to back where I am gone from Monday morning until Friday evening. I simply don't have the time that a retiree does. If I had the money (and space, which is also a current issue) I would have a layout built professionally in a heartbeat.
It may not be the "Hands On" work, but don't discount the creative effort that I imagine most buyers put into a custom layout, few if any are "Catalog" layouts. I would imagine the vast majority of buyers have spent countless hours thinking about the track plan, scenery, structures, etc.,etc. There were likely many plans and revisions during the process. I am sure that the vast majority are layouts that the buyer has dreamt about building for many years, not something ordered over a speaker in a drive through lane on a whim.
Myself, I find running the trains relaxing, and my main focus, I enjoy the locomotives, the history behind them, and to ME the layout is just the stage on which they perform.
So I do understand those who enjoy building a layout, and even APPRECIATE, the time, skill and effort that goes into building a layout, there is no reason to be so NEGATIVE, towards those that DON'T share that passion.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
Pete,
Perhaps, you misunderstood the point of my post. I'm not saying or advocating that it is something that you or anyone else should do.
DennisB-1 Pete, Perhaps, you misunderstood the point of my post. I'm not saying or advocating that it is something that you or anyone else should do.
Dennis, it is not something that anyone should HAVE to do, but should be something that anyone CAN do, and without being criticized for doing.
All I was trying to say is that I don't care for those kinds of articles. No big deal.
What other folks do is none of my business.
Doug, we have both made some excellent points in support of professionaly built layouts being as valid as any other approach to the hobby. And whether or not a layout has been built by a hobbiest or a professional should make no difference in one's enjoyment of the artistry behind it. There are many hobbiests capable of building a similar layout and if the layout in question was built by the owner himself, we would not be having this discussion.
Texas Pete All I was trying to say is that I don't care for those kinds of articles. No big deal. What other folks do is none of my business. Pete
Don't care to see 'em in the magazine (Texas-Size Layout, Feb. 2016 issue).
Pretty much sounds to me like you are suggesting that they SHOULDN'T be included in the magazine. I don't care for post war trains in any way shape or form. I just don't read the articles about them, and don't feel that they should be excluded from the magazine, I understand that others DO enjoy them (yourself included, IIRC)
The magazine has to appeal to as many as possible, hence a variety of topics. We should all enjoy our trains in our own ways, WITHOUT denigrating how others enjoy their own trains.
Dennis,
I agree completely, a Beautiful layout, is a Beautiful, layout regardless of who built it, Almost any layout will have something to offer somone, in terms of technique or other ideas that can be used or modified on their own layouts. If a layout is featured and identified as such, I don't mind, and am actually a bit Jealous. I would be interested in what various layouts and features cost on custom layouts, but granted that is similar to asking what someone earns, and is considered to be a bit personal to some. It would be interesting if a builder gave some pricing guidlines, without actually discussing a particular clients layout, especially some particular scenery or structure pricing.
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