MR editors take note!

[Anonymous]

So far there have been threads about what models we would like to see in the near future, now I ask:
What kind of articles would you like MR to publish in the near future?

Here are my ideas:
- A complete article about John Allen's Gorre & Daphetid
- A series about scratchbuilding a brass... something
- More layouts set in the midwest (there have been too much east coast layouts lately)
- Drawings of the M-10000, early EMD E units or some unusual piece of rolling stock
- The return of "Student Fare" and "Along The Line" (I miss those sections!)
- An article about scratchbuilding with wood (I'm tired of styrene)

I hope someone from the crew sees this!

[Anonymous]

As a student in college I would like to see the return of "Student Fare."

[egmurphy]

I agree that a "Gorre & Daphetid Revisited" would be something I'd like to see.

Ed

[Fergmiester]

I'm in for building with wood and more articles on weathering (step by step would be nice. That article last month on painting brick and stone was excellent, Thank you

[orsonroy]

I'd like to see MR publish one plan per issue. Buildings, freight cars, passenger cars, steam or diesel; it doesn't matter. Heck, raid the 75+ years worth of backissues and start republishing plans. We few remaining scratchbuilders need SOME inspiration!

[Hawks05]

i'd like to see something geared towards teenagers, sounds like that Student Fare is it. this is probably biased but more HO modern style layouts. i'm a teenager and i never grew up around steam engines so i don't really care about them all that much. i'm all about the modern day locomotives and stuff. thats just me though.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawks05

i'd like to see something geared towards teenagers, sounds like that Student Fare is it

It was. Modelers in that age range sent their letters, photos, and even an occassional article - the January 1997 issue features a remarkable piece about containers that was written by a 15 year old.
There was this other section called "Bull Session" where they displayed the odds and ends of the hobby. I recall a letter sent by a noted modeler about a grasshopper that got runover by one of his trains! There was also this piece about a brass Super Chief consist that sold for a stinkin' $15,000.
The section I miss the most was Along The Line. It featured a really nice model photo accompanied with little story. It really itcked me off when they took that one off.

[brothaslide]

I would like to see more photos in the layout articles. It seems like many times a few key areas of a layout are photographed but I would like to see what the rest of the layout looks like.

[Anonymous]

I want to see the return of Student Fare and Paint Shop. Those were my two most favorite columns. The Return of One Readers Opinion would be nice as well.

James

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Heartland Flyer

As a student in college I would like to see the return of "Student Fare."

[#ditto]

[ndbprr]

I am somewhat surprised at the request for G&D material. From roughly 1955 through John Allan's death there was rarely an issue of MR that didn't have photos or articles about the G&D including a couple of issues that took up nearly the entire magazine. In addition Kalmbach published one of their soft cover books that is probably still available about the G&D. John Allan was a man who advanced the hobby on many fronts incouding scenery, operation, photography and layout design. He did things with materials and rolling stock that would be thrown away today. I have to say that when the G&D was destroyed along with John Allan and Linn westcotts deaths back to back was a very upsetting couple of months. I don't think the G&D needs to be covered in the magazine at this time. I think most people would be disappointed as it would be a very dated railroad and not what most people are interested in based on the above mentioned items. Beside, I think every picture taken has been published. Just look for the issues from that era.

[Anonymous]

I vote for the return of the Paint Shop.

[the-big-blow]

MOST DEFINATELY An article Drawings, illustration, pullout of a Three Unit Gas Turbine. Would you expect a comment of anything else from me?

[cwclark]

I would like to see more "Back to the basics" articles..There are a lot of new people in the hobby and they need some of the most basic questions answered, especially on wiring, kitbashing, decaling, benchwork, painting, DCC or DC, ect...most of the time MR has really high tech articles which are fine too, but they can turn a lot of people away from the hobby if the easy simple stuff isn't explained more throughly....Chuck[:D]

[rayhippard]

I disagree with ndbprr ( by the way you should put some info in your profile ) as I think many young modelers would enjoy seeing what John did with his layout. They would see what can be done with steam engines and may even get bitten by the " Steam Bug "
The G&D was a " timeless layout " in the use of features that are still innovative today.
John interjected humor throughout his layout. Even the name was humorous. Also some may not have the $ to spend on the book which I think is out of print. Ray

[Anonymous]

Deffinatley student fare, I like reading all the old magazines and reading what other kids did befor i was born. It be nice to see what other kids my age were doing.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rayhippard

I disagree with ndbprr ( by the way you should put some info in your profile ) as I think many young modelers would enjoy seeing what John did with his layout. They would see what can be done with steam engines and may even get bitten by the " Steam Bug "
The G&D was a " timeless layout " in the use of features that are still innovative today.
John interjected humor throughout his layout. Even the name was humorous. Also some may not have the $ to spend on the book which I think is out of print. Ray

The book is in fact, our of print, and it's also very hard to find, and if you find it, expect to pay $130+ for it. It rarely pops on eBay.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: I have to say that when the G&D was destroyed along with John Allan and Linn westcotts deaths back to back was a very upsetting couple of months.

John Allen died in the early 1970s. (There was another famous model railroader who died about the same time, but his name escapes me.) Linn Westcott died in the early 1980s.

[Anonymous]

What I'd most like to see is the return of Paint Shop & at least one scale drawing per issue, preferably 1 structure and one locomotive/rolling stock drawing.

Student Fare would be nice, but I don't really miss it as much as Paint Shop.

[rayhippard]

flyingscot, Thanks for the info on the book. I have one and I wish all my $20 purchases would be worth $130 today !!! Ray

[jfugate]

Having been a magazine/fanzine editor, when people start making article requests, the first thing that pops into my mind is:

You want it, then either write it or find someone else who can.

Much of the content of a magazine like MR comes from submissions. Someone has to write it. The editors mostly *assemble* the magazine, they don't author the bulk of the material.

As to columns, same story. Who's going to write it? It should be someone with a passion for the topic rather than just trying to fill space. I think the main reason Student Fare went bye-bye was the guy with the passion for the topic (Rick Selby) went on to other things. It happens.

I think the latest columns in MR (like the DCC column) fit today's hobbists well. You can't just keep adding columns to the magazine or you'll end up with no space for feature articles, and that would be a bummer indeed.

I'm writing some articles for MR even as we speak. Are you?

[MudHen_462]

I'll vote for the G&D / John Allen story.... PLEASE !

In fact... let me also throw out the suggestion that some manufacturer do another limited run of G & D cars (copies of just a few of John Allens rolling stock....). I would definately be a buyer !!!

Thanks

[Wdlgln005]

I'd like to see an article about the Clinchfield N scale project layout. I'd like to see more Nscale articles. Paint Shop could also cover doing decals & relettering or renumbering cars. Student Fare could bring back all the easy to do cheap project new modelers need.

Perhaps the MR editors could use this site & determine what questions need to be covered in their magazines, with more details.

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by IronGoat

I'll vote for the G&D / John Allen story.... PLEASE !

[#ditto]
Absolutely! I've heard the G&D referred to so often but have no idea what it was like. I even did an Internet search for photos and came up with very little. There must not be much on the G&D in the public domain. I would love to read an article and see MANY photos of this layout that has been referred to so much.

[:)]

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roadtrp

QUOTE: Originally posted by IronGoat

I'll vote for the G&D / John Allen story.... PLEASE !

[#ditto]
Absolutely! I've heard the G&D referred to so often but have no idea what it was like. I even did an Internet search for photos and came up with very little. There must not be much on the G&D in the public domain. I would love to read an article and see MANY photos of this layout that has been referred to so much.

[:)]

[#ditto][#ditto]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rayhippard

John interjected humor throughout his layout. Even the name was humorous.

I disagree. Gorre & Daphetid is "cute," not humorous. After a while (for me, about six seconds), "cute" turns into "tiresome" and a while later (say, after about ten seconds), "tiresome" become "silly." A short time later (maybe as long as two more seconds), "silly" becomes, as the British would say, "bloody stupid."

John Allen was an innovative model railroader who set a high standard in his day for others to follow. However, he had his faults, Gorre & Daphetid being a prime example.

[Nieuweboer]

what I'd like to see is a series of illustrated articles about the development of various kinds of freight cars. When were the first box cars used and what did they look like; when were the first 50" boxcars seen, when did wood change to steel etc. The same for tank cars, reefers, hoppers and covered hoppers, flat cars, gondolas etc. Illustrated with photos of the different types of cars and even maybe with lists of model mfgs who make a certain type of cars these articles could be run as a fixed contribution MR for many issues and certainly be a boon to all who are uncertain about what kind of cars are appropriate for a certain era.

[Anonymous]

First and foremost, John Allen did not appear in every issue of MR. Articles on the G&D appeared at widely spaced intervals because in nearly every issue folks would be complaining about too much John Allen in MR. And the articles on the G&D never occupied a full issue of the magazine, not ever. So much for the previous misinformation.

I miss the articles dealing with the little details of railroading, like the type and placement of lineside whistle posts, derail features, section crew facilities. Gordon Odegard was the author for much of this type information, but he up and died. I do miss him, his wit in print, his knowledge. And kitbashing? I would shake with excitement every time I would find an article by Art Curren. There has never been his equal where it comes to the artistic balance of a structure and how to place it for maximum effect. And his article on LeWot Bog. A masterpiece. So Art dies and takes his skills and talents with him. My loss.

I also miss the monthly feature, "Model of the Month." It featured some truely outstanding models. But that is just my opinion. The features and aritcles I miss most are simply gone. Those great men, modellers even, that created them are gone. I honor them in what they gave, the inspiration they left for us. That is why I keep and maintain all my back issues of MR.

Model Railroading With John Allen is now worth $130? Who would have thought it. I do wonder why Kalmbach does not run a re-print, as in volume 2.

Keep blowin' that steam.

Tom

[Anonymous]

I've actualy thought about writing an article or two for MR but it seems someone has already written about the topics I've thought of. [:(]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by YNCS
I disagree. Gorre & Daphetid is "cute," not humorous. After a while (for me, about six seconds), "cute" turns into "tiresome" and a while later (say, after about ten seconds), "tiresome" become "silly." A short time later (maybe as long as two more seconds), "silly" becomes, as the British would say, "bloody stupid."

Well, they say that he really wanted to change the name, but he couldn't because it had already stuck. And.. I never thought of "gory and defeated" as cute, sounds more like... rugged.
As for pictures, you gotta know where to look:

(eBay)

(World's Greatest Hobby website)