How do you read MR

[Anonymous]

Thought I'd throw a fun thread in. I have found over the years the way I read an MR has changed. Now before I go any further this is not a thread to slag MR so please save your MR slagging for another thread. This is about openly admitting you anxiously await the next issue and aren't afraid to tell the world. There has been enough negative posts about MR. But I for one still wait for it the most of all the mags - and heck - I'm in N scale (and trust me, the guys at MR will get that joke).

So when you get home, how do you read MR? Do you plow through it in one sitting, do you hunt and peck looking for specific articles, do you go slow rationing portions out over time. How do you read MR?

I've found that for me, it has changed over time. When I first read it, it was a two night affair, with specific articles sought and read in the first night. Then it was finished the second night. All my reading is done at night.

Now, when I first purchase it and get it home, I first go through it quickly, not really reading anything specifically but getting a feel for it. I mentally bookmark certain articles I want to read. I now call my method the "slow tease" approach. The second night I will read what I have bookmarked as my favourites, there are usually three or four articles that call out to me immediately.

From there, I go to the "secondary articles." They could be secondary because its something I'm very familiar with - like a how to ballast approach - and am skilled at, to issues that I'm interested in but have put on the back burner - like directional running.

Then there are articles where I want to be fully awake, bright and bushy tailed before I approach them, often this read is on day 3 or 4 of the mag being home. Any article by Bruce Chubb will fall into this category and anything slightly electronically challenging to me also falls into this category. I'm fairly secure in DCC basics so that the DCC article has to be a bit complex before I feel I need to be fully awake to get it. Oh yes, signalling articles fall into this category as well.

From there, are the "left over" articles. Something that isn't pulling at me but I think might put a smile on my face - like the O scale coffee table layout that was published. This is where I will read the "other scale's" offering.

I might then put the mag away for a week or two and pull it out again. This is when I go through it with a microscope. And MR will be happy to hear this: it is this time that I start reviewing all those little ads I never paid much attention to in the past. In fact, I will yellow sticky a page that has an interesting ad and go to their web site and check it out. A NOTICE TO ALL ADVERTISERS IN MR - IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WEB SITE OR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE ON THE MOON IN MY BOOKS.

And what do I read last, well all the product offerings in the "other" scales.

But its not over. I know only keep 10 years worth of MR. So once a year, I will spend one evening reviewing 2 mags from the priori year until I have re-read all 12, then on to the next year...etc ... until I have reviewed all mags for the past 10 years. I do that every year and give my last years mag to a "needy" teen.

So how do you read your MR?

[n2mopac]

Well, I for one am glad to hear that someone else truly enjoys reading MR on a monthly basis. I often wonder why many on this forum bother subscribing to a mag which they seem to enjoy so little. Anway, that said, I read MR by beginning at the front cover and reading the short articles as I go. When I get to the features I save them for last. I especially enjoy Tony Koester's column. I read all byt the features the first day usually. Then I ration the features over the course of a week. As I go I make my own index on my computer of articles that I believe my be useful to me personally in my own modeling.
Ron

[BR60103]

For me, it varies a bit. If there's a cover article that really draws me in (Scottish steam engines of the 1920's), I read that first. Otherwise, I may flip through it. I look at the list of adverisers inside the back cover and find that there's an old editorial or article there instead, so I read that. Then I go to the contents to see where the cartoon is. Then I look through all the little columns and hobbyshop ads looking for the cartoon. Then I read the little columns at the back, and work my way forward. (That's because our newspaper used to have the comics on the 3rd last page of the inside section.) Then I look at the articles to see if there's anything urgent.
Then my wife calls me for supper and I put the magazine down. When I get back, It's been tidied away to the shelf my magazines always go to. I spend the rest of the month reading bits and pieces from all the magazines on the shelf.
I have a pretty solid collection back to 1959, and I never throw out. You never know when you might decide to model the Santa Fe line through the Alleghenies.

[Anonymous]

Ist thing I do is page through the entire mag, just pulling out the renewal cards for MR and Trains.[:(!] I already get both magazines! I wonder how many trees we could save by only putting them in copies destined for the newsstand[?]
Then a quick scan of the articles and its off to the "throne room"[:0], where a special spot on the bookcase awaits it. Then over the month, in 15 minute breaks, I get from cover to cover read. Ditto with Trains.[^]

[Anonymous]

I think too many people rag on MR. Theirs is truly a great magazine (up there with Time wich I enjoy)

I read it on the light rail going home from wherever I went to run errands.
When I get home I fini***he articles and go to the layout photos in the back, then the MR issue gets stuck alongside the other 11 boxes of magazines I have.

Popular Science
Popular Mechanics
Time
U.S news
(MR at the newstand)

Those subscriptions really are expensive!

[Anonymous]

Hey All, I generaly read MR over a couple of nights. Maybe an article a night or more. I usually then send if off to my custom built mag drawer by my Thrown and reread and peruse the adds and products. I will add that the bashing of MR around here is kind of odd... I mean they provide a great mag and forum for us to discuss are thoughts to others and to help get are questions answered.
I curently model in "S" and look to start in "G" MR doesn't cover these scales as often as I like but I take ideas from other scales and "kitbash" them to mine.[2c]

[Fergmiester]

My month would not be complete without MR. I normally pick it up at the LHS, thumb through it, look at the pictures and put it in my brief case. When I go to sea out it comes and I read a section before lights out. makes going to sea all that much bearable.

[IRONROOSTER]

It's my favorite magazine of the month, but I have no particular way to read it. Sometimes straight through, sometimes I poke around. Some aricles are skimmed some are read twice. I keep all back issues and have bought more - I have all but about 6 issues back to thru 1950, plus several more from the 40's.
Enjoy
Paul

[CP5415]

Over & over & over again until the next one comes out then I start the same process all over again.
I also try to read back issues I have as well. I pick one or two a month & scour it for ideas.

Gordon

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kbfcsme

Ist thing I do is page through the entire mag, just pulling out the renewal cards for MR and Trains.[:(!]

I pretty much do the same thing every month with my MR. [:D] It helps me to turn the pages easier...

In the first reading, I plow through the magazine to enjoy the pictures and lead articles.

Then I dive in deeper with each subsequent reading. This is usually done while on “lifeguard” duty (my kids taking baths).

A week later and I’m yearning for the next issue. Maybe MR should consider turning into a weekly publication?

[Anonymous]

In the bathroom ov course [:P]

Seriously, i read it right away when it arrives, then if something in it had caught my attention, i'll reread it later in the month.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Waiting a whole month for another issue I try to make the new information last a week.

Day 1. There is always one article from the cover that tickles my interest more than the rest so I read it first. Then go back to the index and read the next article or two of intrest.
Day 2. I start from the front and read all the articles - scale doesn't matter - I always learn something from every article.
Day 3. I go back and re-read the articles that I found most interesting, absorbing the information at a much slower pace, thinking about how this could apply to my modeling and/or layout.
Day 4. I leaf through looking closely at the photos and think about what I've learned from each article.
Day 5. Test day! I look over the cover and index, recalling the info from each article and how I can apply the info to my modeling and layout.
Day 6 until next issue. I read the ads, look at pictures and photos looking forward to the next issue.

In reality... I wish I could discipline myself to do the above but I can't put the dern thing down and end up craming day1-5 into one day and wishing that it was a weekly publication!! [:D]

[tomwatkins]

First I truly enjoy the magazine and look forward to receiving it each month. I think it's the best overall coverage of the hobby that's available. I'll usually flip threough the whole magazine, scanning everything that's there. Then I'll go back and read articles and product reviews that are of particular interest. Then over the next several days i'll read it thouroughly but in no particular order. I do pay attention to the ads large and small. I'll look at the large ads from merchandisers for particularly good prices and the really small ads for cool stuff that I want and need. I agree that web sites are becoming more important to me.

I'll also admit that "Trains of Thought" is usually read from start to finish on the first pass through. I don't always agree with Mr. Koester's viewpoint, but his column is well written and it makes me think about the hobby, about various approaches to it, where it is going , and where I want to go with it. I consider that time well spent.

Have Fun,
Tom Watkins

[GerFust]

Here is how I read MR:

Day One - when it arrives I start plotting when I will have a chance to look at it
Day Two - (which is generally the next night) - Start reading from cover to cover before bed, ignoring the ads
Day Three - finish reading cover-to-cover before bed
Day Four - go back and review the ads.

Sometimes I get a little anxious and skip the product reviews until the second night.

I know it has been a busy week when I haven't been able to finish it. I'm still working on the May issue at the clip of two articles a week. It's been a very, very hectic month!

-Jer

[johncolley]

Wow! Oh kindred souls! I too anxiously await my next issue through the last week of every month. It takes enormous restraint on my part to keep from devouring it as soon as I get it. I generally start with the cover and inside the cover ads then page by page until I get to a featured article or layout. I may go through that with a fine tooth comb for a day or three before continuing on. Sometimes I come back during the month with a magnifying glass looking at layout features. If something really grabs me I will keep an issue out on the reading stand for a month or more revisiting it. Usually, though I am finished at the end of the second or beginning of the third week. Then I have a system using the small 40 load laundry detergent boxes, one for each year complete with the Greatest Layouts, and MR Planning annuals. I keep these on shelves under the layout for reference when I am doing a particular project. Keep 'em coming! John

[Anonymous]

I can't read but the pictures are great!

Just kidding! MR is the only model railroading magazine I take and I look forward to it arriving in the mailbox each month. I read it cover to cover and enjoy it (though I miss the cartoons!!). Most of my reading takes place on the throne...

[DavidH]

I generally skim through all of the articles and departments looking for items that particularly catch my eye to read first. Other stuff gets reviewed in declining order of interest until the whole thing has been read. I will then re-read endlessly articles of particular interest. Also, although I model in a particular scale, I consider most of the material to be non-scale specific. I am looking for ideas and inspiration, not, "put n scale peg A in n scale hole b".

David

[Noah Hofrichter]

I usually start from the begining and page through it in order, untill I have read all the articles. This could take an hour or a week, It depends on how interesting the articles are. Then I go back and re-read the articles I like again, and again and agian, looking at the ads as I go. I also agree that if the companies don't have a website where I can look further at a product, I put it out of my mind.

Noah

[Anonymous]

Hey All!!

I read it from cover to cover very thorough. One of the best magazines I enjoy getting in the mail!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Scottish steam engines of the 1920's. . .

That might make me part with $5.37 (cover price plus Washington State sales tax). Otherwise, I've found I've outgrown MR based on its typical content these days. RMC, Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, and the British model railway magazines stimulate my modeling efforts more. MR back issues from the '60s through to about a couple years ago -- there's good stuff in there.

Sad to say, but true -- I don't find much in today's MR worth reading.

[Anonymous]

When I first get it, I go through it and drink up the eye-candy. Then I read the articles as I have the time over the month.

---jps

[cisco1]

Man, this must be how an addict feels waiting for his next fix! It's hard not to wear out an issue before the next one arrives! Seriously, MR has the best mix of articles and features. I'm to the point of building a library of back issues just so I don't miss anything! Ditto on the websites in the ads. If they have one, I'm on it- if not.....[zzz]

[Anonymous]

> Then a quick scan of the articles and its off to
> the "throne room"

I can't believe that Karlb and I are the only forum members that relegates our MR to the "reading room" or "tiny library" to savour over the month.

[vsmith]

How do you read MR?

With my EYES of course....


I'm in class sitting thru a rather dull lecture, so I'm sitting there, eyes closed, when suddenly I hear,

"Mr Smith are you listening?"

"Yes", I reply,

"Your eyes are closed"

"That because I'm listening with with my ears today..."

[Anonymous]

Well the first thing I do is page through and get rid of all the annoying dropouts and "hard card" advertising so I can read the magazine without being bothered by them. The second step is to just breeze through and see what kind of articles there are month.

The first thing I read, though, is Trains Of Thought. I really enjoy Tony's column as it always makes me think about my modeling and approach.

Next I go to the main article and then just start picking through various areas. I normally take MR with me to work and adjust my reading to time available at lunch or a slow time there.

I used to go to the want ads but find I don't even read them any longer as the internet, ebay and other sources are more useful to me.

I still enjoy reading MR even after almost 40 years. The styles have changed and the approach is different than in the first years but I still like seeing what others have done and how they did it.

Compared to RMC.............well.............there is no comparison even though there is sometimes an RMC worth looking at. The other mags like RMJ and MRRing just aren't even close to MR.

Roger

[cwclark]

I picked up my first MR in 1975 and have read it just about every month since....(except for the lull when I was in the Navy and the early 80's when I got married.)..If there is an article that graps my attention, I like to put a post-it on the page for future reference...that way I can find what i'm looking for from any certain article in the boxes and boxes of MR's i've collected over the years...Now, the way I read it...First , you have to thumb through it and look at all the pictures and layouts...Then check out all the advertisments for items on sale..(credit card not included)...Then read the titles and sub- titles....Then the first and last paragraph of each article...Then actually read the articles..(I think that was a study technique they taught us in college...It's supposed to help memory retention or something)....But, the best way to read MR is... well...in the throne room where I sit and can do my best thinking....

[MRTerry]

I read it on black-and-white laser copies, and then I write my thoughts in the margins and give them to one of my colleagues to read. Then we repeat that process until we're satisfied with what we have. Don't you guys do that also?

Seriously, thanks for all your kind words and thoughtful insights. We couldn't make MR without the support and creativity of our readers, including you.

Have a great weekend!
Terry

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LightBender

> Then a quick scan of the articles and its off to
> the "throne room"

I can't believe that Karlb and I are the only forum members that relegates our MR to the "reading room" or "tiny library" to savour over the month.

No you're not the only one's, It's just some of us are more modest[:I]

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MReditor

I read it on black-and-white laser copies, and then I write my thoughts in the margins and give them to one of my colleagues to read. Then we repeat that process until we're satisfied with what we have. Don't you guys do that also?

Seriously, thanks for all your kind words and thoughtful insights. We couldn't make MR without the support and creativity of our readers, including you.

Have a great weekend!
Terry

You're gonna get into trouble passing notes and all. You're supposed to be working! [;)]

[CBQ_Guy]

I flip through the new issue to mainly glance at pictures and see what's coming up. As far as reading, I just start at the beginning and slog my way through to the end EXCEPT, I save Train's of Thought for last. I love to read anything by Mr. K. as I enjoy and appreciate his insights AND his writing style. Many feel he is telling others how they MUST participate in the hobby. I don't believe or agree with this statement at all, and neither would he. Mr. K. is what's been called the thinking man's model railroader. He is just presenting some well thought out and considered ideas, concepts and observations on our hobby. We're free to accept or reject, but it's supposed to make us think. Yes we all have opinions, and in that respect he's no different than the rest of us. However, I'm just virtually spellbound by his delivery and, as I say, thouroughly enjoy his thoughts and presentation of all things railroading very much.

So, I feel I'm just saving the best for last!
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