The editor’s note in the February issue, mailing to subscribers now, contains several items of interest to readers. The editorial is reprinted below. Thanks for reading!
Changing times and familiar faces
As we mark our 250th issue, a familiar name returns to our masthead. Bob Keller, who served as associate editor of Classic Toy Trains for more than 20 years, returns as contributing editor.
Bob joined the staff in 1996, following his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, where he held the rank of major. In the succeeding years, he wrote hundreds of how-to and product review articles, becoming one of the most respected voices in the toy train hobby.
We’re thrilled to have Bob back in our pages. Look for his byline in the coming months.
You’ll notice another addition to our masthead. Cody Grivno holds the newly created position of group technical editor for CTT, Garden Railways, and Model Railroader magazines.
Cody joined the Model Railroader staff in 2002 as an assistant editor, was promoted to associate editor in 2007, and now serves as group technical editor for Kalmbach’s model trains group. An expert in many aspects of layout construction, Cody has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of what models were produced by which companies and when they were made. He has appeared in more than 300 videos on the MR and MRVP websites, most notably “Cody’s Office” and “Cody’s Workshop.”
Cody enjoys trains in all scales. He currently has a couple of O gauge freight car projects on his workbench that he is looking forward to sharing with CTT readers.
For more than 30 years, Classic Toy Trains has been – and continues to be – the leading voice for O and S gauge operators and collectors. In this time, we have seen many developments in the hobby we serve, including the rise of the Internet and the changes it has brought.
The magazine business has changed as well. Paper, printing, and postage costs have increased exponentially. Classic Toy Trains must also change.
We will no longer produce an October issue, as Classic Toy Trains shifts to an eight times per year publishing schedule in 2019. Current subscribers will receive the same number of issues they had purchased under their original subscription terms.
Future renewals and subscriptions will reflect our new eight-issue frequency.
This adjustment will better position the magazine to deliver the finest stories, tips, and ideas to our loyal readers and support the hobby we serve for many years to come.
___________
Carl Swanson, editor
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine
Thank you Carl for the wonderful news! Bob's return is the best Christmas present Kalmbach could have given us!
Does this mean we can look forward to Bob's product reviews and new editions of "Bob's Train Box?" I hope so!
Glad to hear Bob will be back!
I guess the old saying is true. "You don't know what you've got until it's gone"...
Not so glad about the one less issue. Especially a fall issue. That's when I like most, really start to get into the train spirit. In my opinion you should have ditched a spring or summer month.
I'll gladly trade an issue for the purposes of keeping the magazine in print and keeping the staff employed any day! back Bob and Cody!
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Penny Trains I'll gladly trade an issue for the purposes of keeping the magazine in print and keeping the staff employed any day! back Bob and Cody!
Amen sister!
158 views and only four replys? Where is everybody?
Good evening all,
Interesting pieces of news. First of all, glad to see Bob back and Cody joining the team. Secondly, the reduction in issues is no surprise. Thought that would have happened long ago. Glad to see it only drop by one. Thirdly, I can see where print media is heading and that is towards more video content. Some of us may prefer the printed version of stuff, but we are dying out and any appeal to the kids has to be visual and online. I am just thankful we have any content at all. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Times change. I understand the reason for eliminating one issue in a calendar year but must agree with one reader's request. Please retain the Fall issue!
I note that Garden Railways will only be published quarterly instead of bi-monthly starting in 2019 as well. Fine as long as each issue contains 100 pages! GR could use a website overhaul as well. A new dramatic masthead for a start would be welcomed.
That said, keep up the great professional work guys and gals!
Joseph Toth
Good that Bob will have some input on CTT but the big question is. Back on the job or just being paid for his articles? As for video mags, not my thing, I like to have and to hold.
"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'm with you Sir James, video or on-line mags aren't my thing either.
I'm not bringing the computer in the bathroom!
Good news on the staff positions. Dissapointing news on loosing a print issue.
We've tried converting to on line versions of the two newspapers that we suscribe to. We found that this conversion did not work for us, to the point that we will probably cancel one of the subscriptions.
I realize that the times and technology are changing for most industries and the customers must adapt. I'll remain an optomist and give the online content a try hoping that it will be easy to use and not littered with excessive and unrelated advertising.
I too am pleased with Bob Keller's return.
BK - Were you able to pull all of your company logo shirts off of ebay...?
Ha Ha! youll be the first to know!
Bob Keller
I'd like to see CTT sonsider publishing a 100 page special on Lionel and Ives Standard Gauge trains in 2019. Appreciate if you can present my request at a forthcoming board meeting.
Thank you,
Bob, Glad to see you are back. Never understood why you left but it is what it is. I had cancelled my subscription but if they let you bring back your "Bob's Trainbox" I might consider signing up again. Anyway, glad it worked out for you and Merry Christmas.
Dean
My CTT shirts are still ready just in case.
Bob Keller My CTT shirts are still ready just in case.
Great news to have Bob back! The readers have spoken!! ( I know we had no influence, but we'll take some credit anyways.)
Oh oh, that pesky fat finger...still, please consider a 100 page special on Lionel and Ives standard gauge trains in 2019. A chapter on their return by MTH would be welcomed as well as the modern McCoy era.
FINALLY...I'm able to log in! I used the same log in information I have used for 14 years on the forum. It has been over 6 weeks.
Glad to hear that Bob Keller is returning to CTT.
Now if someone in the subscription department would return my calls and email so I can renew.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
I, as well, will add my voice to the choir of those welcoming Major Bob, USAF back to the CTT fold.
Welcome Home, Bob, thank you for your service and your dedication to our hobby.
This is indeed, a very great Christmas present!!
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Glad to see Bob is back! Now, I can Renew my subcription!
Dave Robinson
Hurray, Bob is back. Kind of helps me get over the delivery problems I have had of late with CTT. Do hate to lose one issue a year but it's certainly no suprise considering the things that have been pointing that way. Hope that's all that happens. Wayne
MI Katt Glad to see Bob is back! Now, I can Renew my subcription! Dave Robinson
Glad to see I wasn't the only one who protested. I won't say how I did it, it'd get me moderated all over again! By the way, it was worth it.
With Bob back I'll gladly renew my subscription as well.
Hi Frank,
Please call me at Classic Toy Trains regarding the problems you are having renewing your subscription.
Merry Christmas,
Roger Carp
Senior editor
262-796-8776 ext. 253
I've always thought so!
My dear mom always said you have to take the good with the bad, the bitter with the sweet. So it is really good to have Mr Keller back at CTT and too bad about the October issue. And as my godmother (mom's sister) always said; what are ya gonna do?
Wonderful news that Bob is back! Missed his input greatly.
Understandable about the October issue. Whatever helps keep CTT viable.
I am a charter subscriber.
I hope 2019 is a great year for you all!
Everything costs more these days; paper, ink, postage, nothing escapes inflation. CTT going to 8 issues is one of its effects. Perhaps the magazine could print September to April for those months seem to be of the most interest to train enthusiasts. Anyway, CTT will continue to be read, cover to cover, each and every issue! Keep up the great job.
Since the Feb 2019 is listed as the 250th issue, maybe I am off with my collection, any input on this list :
I have for each year, 1987-1,1988-2,1989-4,1990-1995-6ea ,1996-1998-8ea, 1999-2018-9ea ,that is 247, so with Jan,Feb 2019 ,I have 249,,,What have I missed,,I am going crazy trying to figure this out...Regards
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