The Old MR Kinks Monthly Feature

[cedarwoodron]

I have a well-used copy of "764 Helpful Hints for Model Railroaders" that represents a collection of reader-submitted material. I still enjoy looking thru it as I always get some inspiration from some item. Today, this forum provides a similar value and service, with photographs and the opportunity to provide more detailed infirmation. So...having said that, a couple of questions:

1- How long (until what year/month) did the old Kinks column run in MR.?

2- I realize that the four topical divisions of the MR Forum represent broad areas of focus, but-apart from the complexities of electronics applications- wouldn't a "Virtual Benchtop" topical area devoted to simple modeling tips be a good idea, to provide a modern "Kinks" analogue? 

I'm old enough to remember enjoying the old Kinks column back when (1960s) with artfully done drawings. Or maybe I'm being nostalgic...

Cedarwoodron

[tstage]

Hi Ron,

I'll toss in my POV on this.  From the time I've been a member here on the forum, there have been suggestions given by members over the years about the possibility of adding new divisions to the four that we already have.  In the past, the hesitation by the administrator(s) has been that adding another "category" would further compartmentalize/segment the forum.  It also poses increased challenges in moderating the forum properly.  From that perspective I don't see this changing anytime soon.

Perhaps a thread containing useful tips submitted by forum members would suffice and be similar to the helpful hints collection you referenced.  Reading through the thread wouldn't be much different than perusing through a magazine - i.e. unless the latter is divided into subcategories.

Tom

[gmpullman]

tstage

In the past, the hesitation by the administrator(s) has been that adding another "category" would further compartmentalize/segment the forum.

How long did it take to remove, or swap, the "Sightings Of Wisconsin Central M-R Boxcar" with the "DCC and Electronics" category? Seemed like two-years at least.

I sometimes browse other forums  and note that there are a few with WAY too many topic categories.

Recently I began a thread in the "Layouts and Layout Building" asking about a particular resin car kit. My thought was that rolling stock runs on the layout, and it is a kit so falls into the "building" subject so it belongs here. I guess the moderators didn't agree and moved it to General Discussion. Sometimes It seems there should be a few more topic categories but, again, simplicity is good, too.

tstage

From that perspective I don't see this changing anytime soon.

Nor I...

Cheers, Ed

[SeeYou190]

I started reading Model Railroader in the late 1970s, and I beleieve the kinks column was already gone.

.

I just share simple ideas in the General Discussion area.

.

My copy of 764 hints is also very well read.

.

-Kevin

.

[tstage]

gmpullman

tstage

In the past, the hesitation by the administrator(s) has been that adding another "category" would further compartmentalize/segment the forum.

How long did it take to remove, or swap, the "Sightings Of Wisconsin Central M-R Boxcar" with the "DCC and Electronics" category? Seemed like two-years at least.

Wow, Ed! - I totally forgot about the MR boxcar category.   I'd guess that one disappeared around '07 or '08???  I know I didn't lose any sleep over it...

Tom

[Union Pacific 428]

cedarwoodron

1- How long (until what year/month) did the old Kinks column run in MR.?

 

 

One of the recent Off The Rails episodes over on MRVP was all about the Kinks column. Gerry Leone did a great job with it. 

[IRONROOSTER]

SeeYou190

My copy of 764 hints is also very well read.

And mine.

I think the kinks column was gone in the early 70's when I started reading/subscribing MR.

Paul

[dknelson]

The Kinks column was not appearing in every issue by 1970, and March 1971 seems to be the most recent one I could find although it may have made an odd appearance here or there for all I know in later years.  I suspect MR found other places to put reader ideas, such as "Clinic" and moreover by the 1970s the word "kink" had taken on a meaning that, well, MR did not intend. 

More to the point, I think the Kinks column was never really edited or the ideas tested out and vetted.  If it sounded plausible it got published and from time to time MR would have to retract a "Kink" that they had published, particularly when guys started to submit model railroad uses for products like Easy-Off oven cleaner and other caustic chemicals and such.  This started to happen more and more often.

Dave Nelson 

[cedarwoodron]

You mean tips like "I use radio-isotopes to keep my lichen ground cover looking fresh" or "just hitch a squirrel cage wheel to your turntable as an auxiliary power method"

Cedarwoodron

[chutton01]

cedarwoodron

You mean tips like "I use radio-isotopes to keep my lichen ground cover looking fresh" or "just hitch a squirrel cage wheel to your turntable as an auxiliary power method"

Nah, nothing like that, actual tips like using depleted uranium to add weight to your N scale locomotives.

[NWP SWP]

That goes up there with the kid that build a WORKING nuclear "breeder" reactor in the toolshed in the backyard of his Detroit home.