October 2006 CTT magazine

[thatboy37]

got mine today and i was at the box to grab it from the postman skimmed through it and it seems like it is going to be a nice one

[Anonymous]

I like the CTT Oct 06 issue.  hats off to the CTT staff. In this day and time  with gas taking up of a lot of our disposable income iam surprised that they can find enough ads to pay for  9 issues  .  this day and time iam surprised that any one is placing ads. keep up the good work. The editorial staff of  CTT  does a great job. Thanks Neil, Roger ,Kent, Bob Kelly Terry and Dick. Keep up the Good work.                                              

[GregM]

I would rather have fewer but better issues per year.  Back when CTT and OGR were both every other month I felt they were better than they are today.  I realize that probably would not be to most peoples liking but I prefer quality over quantity.

On another matter completely, I see that Trainworld is really blowing out the K-Line reefers.  Only $19.99 each.  I tried to find the list of 19 assorted numbers on their web site but had no luck.  Has anyone found the list?  That price makes it worth while to get a few more even though I don't need  any.  Some would be Christmas presents.

[Anonymous]

"I don't know if the problem is a lack of subscribers, advertisers, topics, or all three."
------------------------------

Actually, it's a whole lot more complex than that.

Every magazine wants to--and continually stives to--attract as many subscribers as it possibly can.  After all, the circulation base is an important factor in determining what a publication can charge for advertising (and advertising is what really pays the bills).  But this is a small niche in a small hobby, and growing circulation to the extent where a monthly issue might be viable would be a very difficult, if not near-impossible, task.  It is, after all, a business for Kalmbach and a leisure pastime for the rest of us.

Advertisers are another tough nut to crack.  These, too, are small firms--some very small--and they have to watch every dollar they spend on advertising, not necessarily because they want to, but because they simply have to.  I sincerely doubt that most CTT advertisers, including the manufacturers themselves, could or would opt to buy the same ad space over 12 issues.  Just doesn't make sense in a hobby that is, for many (and excluding some of the folks who regularly participate on these various forums), a somewhat seasonal activity and probably somewhat flat in terms of recent growth.

As for topics:  How many here have actually taken the time and effort to write (and perhaps even provide images for) an article that might be considered by CTT?  The VAST majority of hobbyists, like everyone else in this society, are perfectly content to let someone else do it--generally using the excuse that they aren't capable of writing for publication.  Certainly there are exceptions--those who are regular contributors or who are willing to make the sacrifice of time and effort for little reward--but you can be 100% certain that the exceptions are few and far between.  And just writing an article on something you like or know about is not enough.  Magazine editors have to select articles that meet their editorial mix, and that narrows the field even more.

And then there's the matter of resources:  CTT has a handful of folks on its editorial staff (could count them, but I'm too lazy to go into the other room to dig out the latest issue).  But beyond that, one has to consider the design team resources, including artists and photographers, as well as the production team and, finally the printing and distribution resources.  You just can't add more issues without significantly impacting all of those resources AND significantly adding to the costs.

Yes, many folks would like to see 12 issues a year, and probably even a couple of special issues thrown in for good measure, but my guess is that very few here would be willing to bear the costs that would be necessary to be provided with that monthly bill of fare.  Heck, some in this very thread have already indicated how they would like a lot more issues and content, but would not be willing to say for certain that they would pay extra for it.  Well, folks, this ain't exactly the day of free rides!

Personally, I think readers of any of these special interest magazines--this and most other hobbies--should be thankful that they're getting what they already get.  It has to be quite a challenge these days for a publisher to attract new readers and to maintain the required level of advertising support.  And I imagine the battle from a publisher's perspective is going to get a whole lot more difficult before it gets better, so I can't imagine that Kalmbach or any other publisher of special interest publications is really looking for ways to expand the frequency of their product beyond the current level.  Most probably feel lucky if they are able to stay afloat with what they now have.

Just my opinion, but supported by a decent amount of experience in this field.

[dwiemer]

Still have not received mine, but I usually get it a week after the first sightings from the rest of y'all.  As to the people that work for the USPS, I have found a few as mentioned above, little more than robots, but I have also had a good number who have been very friendly, remembering my name and asking about the family, etc.  I guess it is just how they deal with the job they have, for me, it would be monotanous and drive me nuts.  Also, there are enough morons out there that I would have to come over the counter if I had to deal with them all the time.

Still waiting and looking forward to the next CTT.

Dennis

[Night Train]

Got mine yesterday (Thursday).  I agree with the rest of you... it would be nice to get an issue every month.  I don't know if the problem is a lack of subscribers, advertisers, topics, or all three.

I've been a continuous subscriber since the very beginning.  I have noticed that over the past few years the number of pages has decreased while the subscription rates increase.  The latest issue has only 100 pages (if you include the front and rear covers as CTT does).  I tend to think that increasing the number of issues/year will force a reduction in content.  I sure would like to see the magazine grow rather than shrink.

[cnw1995]

I too wish for an issue a month but candidly might not be willing to pay the premium for the extra issues. Funny how radomly browsing old magazines leads one to rediscover topics featured again in new magazines.

[Dixie Line]

Wish mine had arrived.  I did get Lionel catalog today - finally!

12 issues per year would be super!!

[mitchelr]

Got mine today. Just got home. Too tired to read it tonight maybe over the weekend.

Mitch

[ChiefEagles]

Mine came about 1 PM.  Scanned it but been on the go.  Might look at it until the 11 PM news comes on [unless there is a good western on the Westerns Channel].

[BMRR]

I got my copy today. Guess I'll start reading it tomorrow after work, when I got more time. I also would like to see 12 Issues. But.......... I'll take what I can get. After all CTT is a great magazine!!

Stan.

[1688torpedo]

Chief-  Sounds like the Roseyville Post Office needs to update their delivery system from Ponies to Jeeps with GPS Systems so that the mail is on time. Take Care.

[crip]

Didn't get my copy today and Tigers lost this afternoon. I was looking forward to reading about the 5x9 fastrack plan. No tigers, no CCT, I guess I'll just keep quiet,stay out of the way and watch my wife lay laminate wood flooring !

Mark

[csxt30]

Hope mine comes today [mail comes anywhere from 11 AM to 7 PM].  Roseyville has grown [so many chickens, cows and pigs] that it now has two courier routes.  On days when one courier is off or out, the one courier brings it all [where is the backup???].  Also if one of the poneis goes lame, same thing.   What happens if both courier get sick or both ponies go lame?????   Town has filed official complaints with no replies from USPS. 

12 ISSUES PLEASE

LOL Chief !! I always say the people that work in our post office are Robotts, or from another planet !! If you have to go in there, they never say anything extra & never change their voice level or change facial expressions & they won't give you your money back when you loose it in their stamp machines !! Like talking to a brick wall !! Other post offices in other nearby ares are so much more friendlier & helpful & actually talk to you !!

Thanks, John  

[cnw1995]

I know nobody else cares, but I got mine unexpectedly today here in northeastern Illinois - nice Burlington unit on the cover. Want to savor / save it fo the train commute tomorrow. Can't wait to read Bob's MTH subway review.

[jonadel]

We have just added a 5th digit to our address so emergency services can use their new GPS more effectively.  What a disaster for our local USPS, I'll bet I've spent 3 hours on the phone with them, the emergency honcho and the GPS folks.  Everyone was fine except the post office, they really don't care--of the six days of delivery per week I am getting at least 3 days of my neighbors mail and vice versa.  If our house ever catches on fire I hope the fire dept. is better than the post office
Jon

[ChiefEagles]

Hope mine comes today [mail comes anywhere from 11 AM to 7 PM].  Roseyville has grown [so many chickens, cows and pigs] that it now has two courier routes.  On days when one courier is off or out, the one courier brings it all [where is the backup???].  Also if one of the poneis goes lame, same thing.   What happens if both courier get sick or both ponies go lame?????   Town has filed official complaints with no replies from USPS. 

12 ISSUES PLEASE

[thor]

Yes, I'd like a magazine for each month but only as long as it doesnt threaten the quality.

[Jumijo]

I agree with Dennis. 12 issues a year!

If Chuck got his today, that means I'll get mine on Monday or Tuesday.

Jim

[dwiemer]

Don't really care what month they call it, just wish we could get 1 per month.

I know that they would have to add to the subscription fees, but it is a good magazine and I would just like to see more of them.

dennis

[Cheese]

 

October?????? Its not even September yet. Why in the world can't the monthly naming go along with the correct month its released in?

Anyway, I'll head to the bookstore later. If they have it I'll buy it.

Cheese

[Blueberryhill RR]

My October 2006 Classic Toy Trains magazine arrived today. This is early for October issue. Great layout from Smoky Mountains.