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<p></p> <p></p> <div>I apologize in advance for this being a somewhat long post, but there's no way to do this justice without the detail.</div> <div> </div> <div>Purely for sentimental reasons, I've kept a copy of the February 1967 Model Railroader.</div> <div> </div> <div>I happened to come across it when looking for something else and decided to thumb through it.</div> <div> </div> <div>Allowing for the changes in technology over the years, there are some real differences in the content of the magazine.</div> <div> </div> <div>First, they had "Off The Train Wire", a section that included some current product information, then some editorial on the model railroading market.</div> <div> </div> <div>Then, "Schedules", a list of upcoming shows and attractions.</div> <div> </div> <div>Next, "Trade Topics", basically a forerunner of the current product reviews.</div> <div> </div> <div>The next section was "Railroader's Library", a review of new books.</div> <div> </div> <div>"Railway Post Office" was the same as the current section with letters (e-mails) from modellers.</div> <div> </div> <div>The editorial page was entitled "At the Throttle", and when I say page I mean a full page.</div> <div> </div> <div>There was a selection of articles on various topics. As always, some of these will be of interest to some readers, others will not. That's the same as today.</div> <div> </div> <div>But, one thing that seems to have been lost over the years is the "Dollar Model Project".</div> <div> </div> <div>I think we can safely assume that the dollar aspect of that can be relegated to history, but not the concept. I think it'd be a great idea to run simple, evening or two projects in the magazine. You know, for those times when you'd like to do something but you don't want to start a large project.</div> <div> </div> <div>Trackside Photos featured pictures and details on models and layouts.</div> <div> </div> <div>Then, another "Dollar Model Project".</div> <div> </div> <div>Next was something I'd like to see return, prototype photos and drawings of railroad equipment.</div> <div> </div> <div>"Scratchbuilders' Scrapbook" had photos and details of a real-life industrial facility.</div> <div> </div> <div>"ABC's for Model Railroaders" was, as  the description says, "Tips for new model railroaders - and perhaps veterans too".</div> <div> </div> <div>Then, more prototype equipment pictures and drawings.</div> <div> </div> <div>Towards the end of the issue, there was "Bull Session", including "Ol' Ray says...". This included helpful technical information and some opinion.</div> <div> </div> <div>In this issue, the "MR Clinic" provided a complete listing of scale relationships and useful dimensions for all scales followed by help with wiring projects.</div> <div> </div> <div>In case anyone thinks it's unfair to compare an issue from that long ago to today, I also have a copies of issues from the 80s and newer.</div> <div> </div> <div>One of things I miss from not that long ago were the humorous stories from John Page and others.</div> <div> </div> <div>If you've been reading the magazine long enough, you'll probably recall the beautiful renderings of big-name passenger trains including the Super Chief, Empire Builder and 20th Century Limited. I'd have bought the magazine for those alone. Suddenly, and with many other trains to choose from, they stopped running them.</div> <div> </div> <div>Then the list of advertisers. It was unbelievable compared to today. I doubt it's an exaggeration to say you could have spent hours pouring over the ads, learning what new products were available or announced.</div> <div> </div> <div>Of course, I'm sure MR would be quite happy to run any ads they can get. I suspect this has a great deal to do with a number of manufactures no longer being in business, and of course, the Internet. Many companies may figure that if we want to know what going on, we can visit their web site.</div> <div> </div> <div>Am I complaining?</div> <div> </div> <div>If it sounds that way, I didn't intend it.</div> <div> </div> <div>It's just that I think a few of these "old" ideas still have merit today and I'd like to see them at least considered.</div> <div> </div> <div>I’d be interested to hear if any of you would like to see any of these features, or any I haven't mentioned make a return.</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>
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