Trains Magazine Format

[samfp1943]

Recently, I have been reviewing some of the back issue TRAINS accumulated over the years, and rereading some of the newer ones, most recently I have begun to develop a sense that more and more industry advertising is taking over the space that used to hold photos of equipment and or activities. The first person experience stories are facinating. I understand the need for profit in order to continue, I guess that I was comfortable with the older formats, columns and lots of rail subject photos.. I remember when I was able to buy TRAINS and MODEL RAILROADER for fifty cents each. I guess I am wondering if it is just me that would like to see some of the old formating come back? Or am I the only one who feels this way, also I am disappointed that the On-Line Trains is not updated during each day, but at the end of the day. It was nice to be able to read some new news in the mornings and see what developed during the rest of the day.

[Anonymous]

Well, most trade magazines strive for a 70/30 advertising to editorial mix: 70% advertising and 30% editorial. The formula used may vary a bit from one publication to another, but that's the ballpark mix and it has long been that way. These publications are, first and foremost, a business, and advertising pays the bills. Subscribers like to think that they are footing the major part of the cost of publication, but I can assure you that definitely is not true. Subscribers are important because they help to sell advertising by making the publication a viable sales tool for prospective advertisers--the greater the number of readers, the better the chances of attracting advertising dollars.