What should Model Railroader do "Better" "Different"?

[Sunset Limited]

Bring back the articles on the Hobby Shops. We need to support our Hobby Shops! They are dying breed now. More pictures on the featured layouts and club layouts. Railroad history, have articles on railroads,railroad monuments. The return of Paint Shop and Student Fare. Enough with the DCC articles...it seems they are trying to brain wash us! Why not have an electronics column, install a mars light, interior lighting..with only DC. More N-scale articles.

[pbjwilson]

More photos. I pick-up a copy of an N scale mag at my LHS now and then - just for the great pics. And the magazine is pretty much all photos.

I do like the MR articles on small layouts for beginners.

[randybc2003]

Well, I might as well ad my$0.02 worth.

About "REVIEWS": I read them sometimes - especially if I am considering a purchase of the product. I suspect most of them are chosen for central popularity in the hoby, and of what most often comes out from the manufacturers. I hope and pray the integrity of "blind review" is and remains in force. I do remember an incident of the late '50's or early '60's. It seems A.K. reviewed some Paint, and turned a real "thumbs down" on the product. There was a real Donybrook with the manufacturer. I think it was a big supplier and advertiser. They jerked their advertising and told him "never again". His staff wanted to modulate the review and (possibly) apologize. He said 'NO WAY". He understood that the bread was buttered by the subscribers and customers. Betray their trust, and the mag. really would go down the drain. The paint Co. held out for about 7 years, and finally capitulated, and started buying ad space in the mag.

Dear Editor: HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE PRODUCTS TO REVIEW?

I know they ran a "blind test" a few years ago on mail order outfits.

I would like a specification for the question "what is free-rolling".

I like the "Trackside Photos". I understand most modelers take pride in their work, and prefer photos that "decieve" the observer into thinking they are looking at the real thing. This ever since John Allen. I agree with a return, periodic or cyclic if necessary, to Student Fare and Paint Shop. The former OFFICIALLY recognises the youngsters in the hoby, and I think they should be encouraged as much as possible. Paint shop was good for, among other thing, IDENTIFYING AND MIXING COLORS. Some of us poor schumcks are wholy or partially COLOR BLIND.[banghead]

While I model mostly HO, I DO appreciate articles on other scales. The IDEA in the article is what is important. The technique on kitbashing, scratchbuilding, etc., can be applied to any scale. I do like articles on particular "quirks" - such as possible layout on ON30, etc. I do miss the little "Dollar Model" projects. These were easy projects which would teach scratchbuilding techniques. I do understand you need to respond to the mainline of the hobbiests.

Please do try to get your electronics projects correct. The critisim of mistakes I feel is valid. I now always check 2 months later to check for "corrections". Your column on Command Control is timely, as this is a technology that is comming in to it's own, and needs to be explained to neophites and experts alike. Usually the mag comes out with an article solving a problem just a month after I or the club I belong to put our foot into it. I do like the detailed and accurate drawings of track plans, and don't mind the "details" of layouts. I try to collelct the mags, and save them. I can read articles later as my interests grow or change. I do like the old-timer, wood-burning era. Don't let them tell you that you can't put decoders into the little Wood-burning American Standards. I have done it, and may send pictures one of these days!

Randy

[Anonymous]

Put "Modelrailroading if Fun" back on the cover.

[eastcoast]

Where I feel that the photography is excellent in MR, I sometimes
like seeing the "progress shot" in wide angle view. I am very aware
that many of these featured layouts are in progress when sent in.
Nothing wrong with showing that "bare bones and ugly" photo or
the arial view. I find I learn more when the prettiness is peeled away.

[Anonymous]

Bringing back student fare would be a good place to start, same with paintshop. And could we see a feature about lionel strangs layout? The man's articles are my favorite part of the magizine but i dont ever remember seeing a full size feature done on his layout.

[CNJ831]

I'd very much like to see MR return more to its roots in its content. Let's see more articles on "realistic-sized" layouts instead of empires in the $50k+ range that only the very rich can replicate. And, please, drop those articles about commercially built home layouts. In addition, photos accompanying layout articles should include some step-back or overall shots. Including just shots showing one square foot of a layout may be impressive but fail to convey much worthwhile to the hobbyist building his own layout.

Likewise, let's see more how-to/kitbashing articles like Art Curren used to do and less stressing of "buy this RTR item". Lately I get the impression that MR's slogan should be altered to "Dream it, Plan it, BUY it." Model railroading is not just about buying, it's about craftmanship and building your own stuff.

Return Paint Shop and if you really believe in WGH, bring back Student Fare. Undoubtedly, most of the points cited above have contributed significantly to your unflagging loss of readership over the past decade, now amounting to some 45,000 readers.

CNJ831

[philnrunt]

It seems to me that more than most mags, MR, RMC and the rest are reader-driven. Without reader input, they have no way of knowing which house on which street has a museum class layout running around in it. Trackside Photos would be empty without reader input. To expect a major mag to be able to respond immediately to whats going on in the industry is a bit unrealistic, as it has to take awhile to set it all up, and what happens today will be mentioned in 2 months.
As for controversy, I think Terry and crew still realize this is a hobby, and not life and death stuff. His editorial on the licensing issue was well stated . The fact that he dosn't try to start discord is a sign of a quality mag. And just by reading this post, it's obvious that we are a pretty divided bunch, so which side do you take? If it's only Terry's take on a subject, he makes that clear.
The reviews come down to one thing, most products today are lightyears ahead of where they were just a few years ago. I am always amazed by the new releases, and how far we are moving away from the old days. Then I get to the MSRP and see that I can't afford it anyway, so it was a good fantasy read.
The layout articles are usually great, no bones about it. Seeing what the rest of you are creating floors me. The mix of ideas, different approaches to basically the same thing, this is what I get the mag for.And Koester's TOT.
RMC does do more scratchbuilding articles, and they are usually more complicated. MR does articles more up to date in their scope, i.e. the BN crew building a few issues back. I suscribe to both mags, so I can get the best of both worlds.
One thing I do miss is the guest editorials written by readers, but again, this has to be a reader supplied item, and my bet is that there wasn' t enough input. But I suspect that if someone sent in a good one, they'd find room for it.
This forum proves that if you take a stand on an issue, you will soon have a small battle on your hands, and that is as it should be. Opinions are free and unique. I don't agree with about a third of what has been mentioned here, but I think MR, RMC and the others do a fantastic job of balancing things. And I am glad to be able to read all of the differing views.
Overall, MR does a fair and balanced (sounds like a Fox News commercial) overview of model railroading as it is today. I know I will keep getting it as long as it does.

[pedromorgan]

i would like to see some more advanced electronics. perhaps even a microprocessor or two.

the debate about guiving a bad model a bad review is an interesting one. in this country, there have been 4 bachmann models recently (37/20/55/40) that have simply not quite been up to the standard that we expect from bachmann in this day and age. (i think bachmann is much better over here than it is over there!) starting with the 37. most of the magazenes published rave reviews but one magazene inparticular got out the photos and published a scathing review. the mag was subsequenty punished but not being given early acess to the next few models. i think the final straw has been the 40, tht got bad reviews in nearly every mag. there is now talk of bachmann not making diesel/electric models in future because of the controversy they cause. so nobody one the battly. the mag is still in the "dog house" and we arnt going to get the diesels we want in future.

peter

[douginut]

MR is bought every month.
The ONLY thing that I would suggest as an improvement is
PERFECT BINDING like your annuals.
My issues of MR fall apart when new and moreso as they age.
since you don't sell a CD or DVD edition (exactly likethe print one)
I must baby my copies.
MR's advertizing and layout are some of the finest of any magine of any
type. In the years of being in business I used your magazine to tell my magazine ad people "this is how to do it right". It still is 22 years later.

your content varies from very good to great and the articles that don't interest me DO interest me just before the next issue and are all worthwhile.

but again, PLEASE perfect binding or a CD edition.

Thanks for enjoyment since 1957.
Doug, in Utah

[TBat55]

I just re-subscribed to Railroad Model Craftsman after many years and received this month's issue. Just Great! RMC is now what MR used to be: how-to-build articles with historical facts and "I didn't know that!" comments. Read the RMC article on pile trestles for example.
Suggestions: More how-to-build articles like the Turtle Creek project; less verbage/more photos; address issues raised in this and Atlas' Forums (example: bad decoders on the market, recurring problems, turntables)

[NevinW]

More layout designs would be my preference. Even proposed designs and layout ideas would be welcome in all scales. The layout design contests are always enjoyable. My pet peeve is an article about someone's layout that doesn't show a drawing of the layout design. - Nevin

[bsteel4065]

Firts of all........MR is the best on the market, no 2 ways about that.
I would like to see more 'timed' history information. Tony Koester made the point a while back that it would be helpful if manufacturers put a date period indicator on the boxes that freight, passenger cars, etc came in. Along the same lines as this, I would dearly love to see regular articles about period history of the US. For example, the visual changes from 1900 to present of road markings, no parking zoning, the way shops looked, automobile and truck styles and the points at which they became more coloured and more plentiful. Road signs, buses, the rise and fall of trollies, commuter transport, the rise of the shopping Mall, even grafitti. Maybe lined up with political and world event indicator as a look up table to use as a reference 'look' for any period when modelling. (With plenty of photos.)
Also, more articles on inter-urban, urban, streetcars, trollies and commuter trains.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER

I have always regarded the product reviews as in depth product announcements. As noted above, there is a reason Consumer Reports doesn't sell advertising. One thing I always liked were the drawings that MR had. It doen't seem to me that they do as many as they used to. I would also like to see more coverage of the minority scales - S, O, TT, OO, etc.

Still all in all, MR has been and is still my favorite magazine. I have all the issues back to 1965 and most (90%) of 1950-1964.

Enjoy
Paul

[rockythegoat]

Before I get the hatchett out, MR is my mag of choice when it comes to RR. It is the only one I consistently get and I will continue to get. It is a high quality product and I always anticipate reading the next issue. However, to sweeten the icing:

1. More overall room shots.

2. More variety of shots. I think a recent issue had three shots all located within a couple of feet of each other.

3. Subscription cost too high. But then again, and off topic, so is the Walthers catalog!

4. The change to different type and layout was "refreshing" however, the articles need to be separated from the advertising better. I can't really explain it. [?] "Finescale Modeler" does a better job of it. Actually, I prefer their magazine layout better.

5. More articles on smaller layouts.

6. I personally would like to see Model RR Planning and Great Model RR go away and put that content in MR. Do them as "mega-feature" articles.

7. I don't operate as of yet and maybe never will worry about it, but, I agree with the one post that it would be nice to know why the builder did what he did as it relates to operations.

8. I disagree on an HO only format (or separate magazines). I like to see what other scales do. Ideas germinate from various things.

9. More articles on modern railroading, short line railroading.

10. I agree with the post on industries / RR's / you can model.

phew. out of breath.[xx(]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tpaulsen

The greatest change that has come that has left me somewhat ouit in the cold is the progression away from detailed do-it-yourself articles that included a goodly amount of prototype background.

Do you also read RMC? They seem to do more scratchbuilding and detailing articles. The current ongoing series on detailing freight cars has been really awesome, in the details, photography, and scope. While I doubt if I will ever make the models described, I do admire the efforts of the author (can't find a recent issue to name him, sorry!).

Other mags do a decent job in this field too - Model Railroading, and my favorite of all - the Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazette.

Bob boudreau

[Anonymous]

Things I've noticed about changes in MR cover more than a few years. As an example, when the 25th anniversary edition was published, it turned out to be everything it was advertised to be. I was stunned at number of articles, the scope of those articles in that edition. Ensuing anniversary editions have just not measured up. I remember one that was mostly narrative, input from those considered to be "in the know" at that time. That issue should have been flushed. The greatest change that has come that has left me somewhat ouit in the cold is the progression away from detailed do-it-yourself articles that included a goodly amount of prototype background. Gordon Odegard was a master at generating these types of articles. The 60's were kind of fun. How to make your own pantograph was neat. I built one and still use it (I like scratch building). There were articles about making a rivet impression tool and on and on. I miss the type article produced by Art Curren. Kitbashing articles in recent issues just don't have the same clever insights and pizzazz.

On the other hand, MR has made great strides in format, the use of color and producing a politically correct magazine. I do understand that the hobby has and will continue to become less kit and scratchbuilding oriented. More and more RTR cars and locomotives (of very high quality) are being made available all the time and, I feel, reflect where the body of the hobbvy is headed. MR does a great job of bringing the hobby to this group of folks, and, as such, is the leader in the field. You at MR have addressed the needs of the masses and are successful. I remain where I have always been, bumping along enjoying scratch building, kitbashing, making my own turnouts and the like. Rather than criticize you, I simply acknowledge the changes you have needed to make to remain the leader. I, for one, do miss the detailed articles of the past, but I am just one.

Tom

[peterjenkinson1956]

I must say that i did not renew my subscription to MR this year..please let me explain why...I had 35 years of MR .. .Trains etc and decided to remove all the articles i wanted and put them in different folders..n scale.. ho ..scenary ..track ..etc..i noticed that most of the newer magazines did not have articles of interest..i now look at the magazine at the local shop and see if there is any thing of interest...i must admit that i will not be renewing my subscription to trains magazine due to the same reason....too much old stuff...i would like to see a new magazine that was devoted to modern railroads..nothing before 1980...please no emails

[Anonymous]

I need to ad a comment regarding my post. I am not saying by any means that MRR is not a good publication, just that the content for the most part doesn't appeal to me. I am sure that a lot of steam-era Smokey Mountain modelers are tickled to death to have such beautiful layouts to look at and replicate, but there just isn't much for ME and my little empire.

[Anonymous]

seems like the last couple issues i got had a lot more advertising and not as much info in them. hope we can get a couple more how to articles for us beginners

[StillGrande]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rails5

Second: more "overview" pictures is a suggestion that comes up again and again. If you look back over the last couple of years I think MR has responded to this. I suspect, based on the layouts that I've visited (inluding several that have been featured in MR), that two issues are (a) the portion of the layout that is unfinished, and (b) the amount of junk / clutter that would be in the picture. So I don't go as far as wanting "warts-and-all" overview photos. Plenty of those are available on personal web sites, and I enjoy them and sometimes find them instructive (especially good reminders to keep my own layout area tidy), but I want the photos in MR to remain high-quality.

I have noticed that their has been a greater tendancy lately to show at least one "overall" shot. It is helpful to me to see how the decks look stacked, or how the yard in the layout diagram really looks stretching around a corner. There was some argument that these types of shots dispelled the illusion of a real railroad, but hello, we are reading MODEL Railroader not Railroader.

I have found myself lately more interested in how the layouts are run rather than how they are constructed. Stories which tell me how the operators get the trains through a session help me to evaluate the elements of the railroad. I am not as interested in following one train through the layout unless it actually does something along the way. The local community college access channel has been running some of the old Kalmbach Layout tour videos on Sundays. They are fine, but there is no life to them because there is just a set of scenes. Nothing about how the elements really fit together to come to life. Even if the operating session is "I sit in the middle and watch my trains go round and round because I like railfanning" gives me some idea of why the builder did what they did.

[dknelson]

My suggestion also has to do with product reviews but from a different angle -- I would like to see more reviews of detail parts, trucks, vehicles, gadgets, electronics, decals and the like -- back in the 1960s these tended to be fully reviewed including critical comments about accuracy etc. Reviews are mostly of locomotives these days. Other products would benefit from critical commentary, not just a product announcement.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

I think all current subscribers should have full no-charge access to the PDF articles. Very little useful info in the month to month publishing of the magazine "for me" as I don't do steam, old, or PRR (any eastern lines). I do enjoy looking at photos of some of those huge "I will never accompli***hat because I am not a millionaire and I also have to work for a living" layouts, as I think we can all get some ideas on what to do with our layouts, but I think more photos showing more areas and better detail are needed. I know the last time I was critical about the magazine a bunch of smart-a's suggested I should publish my own magazine. You don't need to know how to do something to be a judge on whether it is done well, or to your liking. You all voted for your choice on who was best for President, but none of you knows how to do the job. Some of you even suggest you subscribe for the ads. Well, that was one of the reasons I purchased my first copy a little over a year ago, and the ads haven't changed. The sales (?) at MB Klein are the same today that they were 6 months ago. I really enjoy this forum and the website, and have enjoyed bits and pieces of the magazine, but not enough to spend $40 for a subscription. My first sub, I believe, was $19.95. I think I would renew for that, but I am not wealthy, and TO ME, $40 is more like charity than paying for what I am getting.

[JDCoop]

I like the layout articles no matter the scale, but I would like to see more photos of the main layout feature.

I like Information Desk as a regular "column" and I like Step-by-Step with Mr. Popp.

I really like the annual articles on Industries You Can Model, Eras You Can Model, Passenger Trains You Can Model etc... Not to mention the competition, but I really enjoyed the series in Railroad Model Craftsman where they profiled the meat packing industry and then took it a step further and modeled it. That is the next step I would like to see in MR with the "...... You Can Model" articles (although if I remember correctly, I think they did this with one of the passenger train articles...or maybe I'm just confusing it with something else.)

Anything dealing with scenery, kitbashing, or scratchbuilding gets my vote for becoming an article.

I personally like the photo contest, but hey, it's just an opinion (just as is this entire post).

I still read Trains of Thought right out of the gate. It's usually about the 2nd or 3rd column I read after receiving the magazine in the mail.

As far as the product review, I don't rely soley on them before making a purchase. I read what others have to say on the forums, as well as checking it out at my LHS. I'm wondering if most of the reviews seem mostly positive since MR only reviews approximately 50 to 60 products per year. We all know that there are hundreds and hundreds of products released each year. Maybe the reviews are just hitting the highlights of the overall realeases in the market. I would think that if every single new product were reviewed, we would be reading about some real stinkers.

My ideas for the future include a "rotating" monthly column. It would reprise Paint Shop, Student Fare, and mix in something new so that each would appear once each quarter. I know that many of us miss Paint Shop and Student Fare, but running them each and every month probably isn't feasible anymore, so why not run them once a quarter. You wouldn't be taking up additional pages every month since you would be rotating them. Just a thought.

Since Model of the Month Award went by the wayside, how about an annual "contest"? The winning entry would then be turned into an article. I am specifically thinking about a structure kitbash contest and resulting article. That might be a way to discover the next Art Curren (although I'm not suggesting that he could be replaced).

The last idea that I have is reviving the layout design contest. The twist on this one would be to have the contest to design the layout amongst the readers and then have the "professionals" build the layout in a series of articles.

Overally I am happy with MR (I still anxiously await its arrival in the mail...some of us never grow up [:)])

Jeff

[Anonymous]

I enjoy Model Railroader every month and always find something useful. But I wi***here were more at times-- for instance, in the latest issue there's an article about modeling 1905. I'm interested in this time period, so it's very informative, but how about a prototype drawing of one of these unique cars? Or a companion article on detailing a loco so it matches 1905 technology? What were signals like in 1905? Depots? I sometimes feel that the articles are a little underwritten--I could use more in-depth information.

Gary

[Anonymous]

I've read MR on and off since the mid-70's. I've always considered MR the leading modeling mag around. Others have tried and though they offer different perspectives of the hobby, I feel they do not provide the same quality.

As Joe mentioned "for my money MR is still the best magazine in the hobby."

Thank you for allowing this opportunity to voice an opinion.

[MudHen_462]

I'll just add "THANKS TERRY, AND ALL YOUR STAFF FOR A GREAT MAGAZINE".
I look forward to it, each and every month !!!

Bob / IronGoat

[Anonymous]

Terry, As the instigator of this post, I want to say "Thank you" for your comeback on this thread. I have to say, after I wrote my response to Joe Fugate's response on reviews in all magazines, it made me quite depressed to think that a hobby magazine would pull punches on a bad product! Your subscribers rely on you to be fair and honest when doing a review of a product. It's nice to know that honor wins out on this issue from the stand point of the editor and that the founder believed in these precepts enough he attempted to put them forward as a guide for the future of the company!

Many of us are beat-up by and discouraged by the tome: "Money is the be all and end all" as far as American Business is concerned. It's Nice to know there are others whom do not believe in this depressing thought!

Could you explain what you are alluding to in the following;
"Not only that, but what some of those who posted are suggesting isn't even possible, and it sure wouldn't be smart business".

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern

...So if you want your local club or whatever in MR, prepare an article and send it in yourself...

That very idea occurred to me a split second AFTER I clicked the submit button! [D)]

QUOTE: ...Or find someone in your group who can do the photos....MR says they can fix up your writing but can't do much with less than suitable photos.

I think I could get some great shots with my Canon Digital Rebel, as long as I bring a tripod and an adequate supply of photo-floods.