snjroy I hope they fix the bugs definitely. I much prefer the look and feel of this forum compared to others. Simon
I hope they fix the bugs definitely. I much prefer the look and feel of this forum compared to others.
Simon
Yep, my sentiments exactly.
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Well this is the second forum I used all the time that had died, we shall see if MRH goes too !
I've also had a bunch of problems signing into this forum. Even though I haven't posted as much as some throughout the years, I have always felt that this is the forum for me. The other forum, I don't get that same feeling.
I really hope this forum sticks around. If it does, I'll definitely contribute more.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
They said they didn't want people like me.
It's now October 4, 2024. I have tried to log on at least once a day for a couple of weeks now. I have been met by error messages every time. Now, in my first successful login in weeks it looks like I've dug up the ancient remains of the forum from last July.
So, guys, I'm saying goodbye. I'm going to another popular model railroading forum, where I've come across other modelers I've met here.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
wjstixit's not a stretch to assume someone using the Model Railroader magazine forums actually reads Model Railroader magazine, so would see it in the magazine.
A while back, someone from Kalmbach said that only about one-third of the forum members actually subscribed to the magazines.
This was before all the forum difficulties and the large drop in forum usage.
York1 John
LOL, you guys just won't give it up. The term "letter" is used in this thread because that is the term used in the title and that is because the August issue of Model Railroader magazine calls it a "letter".
As for why no one has actually stated why Mr. Fuller is obligated to inform anyone other than subscribers, that is because no one said that he is obligated to inform anyone.
As I stated at least twice in this thread, Firecrown is "missing an opportunity" by not publishing the letter on this forum. But, that issue has now been resolved.
Rich
Alton Junction
I agree that was more like a guest piece, except that the magazine index calls it "A letter from CEO Craig Fuller", which is probably where the letter business originated.
Thinking about this, I don't believe that anyone has actually stated why Mr. Fuller is obligated to inform anyone other than subscribers what's happening.
BTW it's really not a "letter", it's not like it was mailed to subscribers or something. It's more like a guest editorial that was published in MR and Trains magazines. As I mentioned before, it's not a stretch to assume someone using the Model Railroader magazine forums actually reads Model Railroader magazine, so would see it in the magazine. Plus, a lot of stuff that's published in the magazine doesn't make it to the forums or the MR website.
At least three significant additions since May 1st:
1. Commitment to update and upgrade the forums. We had this from Renee and I believed it, but now we have word directly from the top.
2. The coffee-table quality. Frankly if he does this I may well subscribe again. If he can bring back that magic of combined pictures and words that I remember as a kid in the Sixties, I think he'll get many more 'equally young' new readers...
3. The contact address. This is a dangerous thing to put on the forums, perhaps as a number of recent posts in this thread may indicate. But it does represent a reasonably direct, positive, and accessible way to make constructive criticism.
Thanks to the generous efforts of a veteran forum member, I have been able to print below the actual letter from the August, 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. Contrary to what some would have you believe, the letter in the magazine is not the same as the May 1st announcement published on freightwaves.com.
Welcome to Firecrown Media
By Craig Fuller
rrebellI now get why he did the buyout, it is a scale play and I bet most of his magazine employees will be remote workers with a few people able to do what used to be called paste ups on all the mags and maybe an editor responsable for a bunch of mags each. etc. They will end up owning the space with no one complaining to the feds like happens with big company mergers.
For the record, I agree that Mr.Fuller (or someone like Renee) should have posted this letter, or something like it, here on the Forums. In written form because traffic on the forums is in writing.
But I see nothing that has changed in a meaningfully negative sense from what was posted on FreightWaves the day and hour the acquisition was announced.
I now get why he did the buyout, it is a scale play and I bet most of his magazine employees will be remote workers with a few people able to do what used to be called paste ups on all the mags and maybe an editor responsable for a bunch of mags each. etc. They will end up owning the space with no one complaining to the feds like happens with big company mergers.
OK, Dick, now that you have reduced yourself to name calling, a violation of Forum Policy I might add, this so-called lazy person, as you did directly referred to me, did read the link that you posted.
That article was published on May 1st and while I have not read the letter published in the August issue of Model Railroader magazine, I seriously doubt that Craig Fuller simply included the same identical message in the magazine.
I am continually amazed at the inability of some members on this forum to to read someone else's reply and completely misunderstand it.
Obviously you didn't bother reading my post above.
So for the lazy:
I am thrilled that Firecrown is expanding into the railroad and space media sectors by acquiring Kalmbach Media’s Trains and Astronomy media groups. This acquisition opens up exciting new possibilities for our company.
The Kalmbach portfolio is highly synergistic with Firecrown.
Firecrown proudly stands as one of the leading transportation media providers, serving the aviation, boating, and logistics industries with renowned brands such as FLYING, Boating, Yachting, Salt Water Sportsman and FreightWaves.
The acquisition includes Trains, Model Railroader, Classic Toy Trains, Classic Trains, Garden Railways, and Trains.com, the space enthusiast brand Astronomy, as well as FineScale Modeler, Kalmbach Books, and their digital e-commerce stores.
The rail titles fit perfectly in the Firecrown portfolio and the breadth of experience of our staff.
Trains.com is the world’s most trafficked railroad news and entertainment website, and the print magazines in its portfolio are the most read in the category. In recent years, Trains.com has built an extensive video portfolio, tailoring content around the love of trains and model railroading.
Kalmbach has deep ties in the railroad community, having published magazines and books about railroads and model trains for over 90 years. There isn’t a deeper connection in the rail enthusiast community than the one that Kalmbach built. The Firecrown staff will work diligently to continue and build on that connection moving forward.
Additionally, the rail and aviation communities have a great deal in common. Besides the obvious — both being transportation modes and having similarities in business models — the enthusiast audience is vast in both categories. We believe that “railfans” and “avgeeks” are kindred spirits. With the acquisition, Firecrown plans to invest significantly in Trains’ business editorial coverage, increasing the cadence and depth of coverage of the rail industry. FreightWaves, one of Firecrown’s brands, provides a playbook to help achieve this.
There will be a substantial increase in daily update videos, news content and analysis, virtual events and business analysis for the rail industry, modeled after the FreightWaves media brand’s success covering the logistics industry.
Firecrown also becomes the new owner of Astronomy, the largest magazine serving the space community. Published for over 50 years, Astronomy has become the go-to source for amateur and professional astronomers.
Firecrown plans to retain all of the editorial and content resources of the former Kalmbach Media brands and open a new office in Wisconsin to accommodate the teams currently working on them.
“We are excited to have found a new home for these storied and well-respected brands,” said Dan Hickey, CEO of Kalmbach Media. “While these are always difficult decisions, it is great to know that their stewardship moving forward will be under the guidance of a company and leader dedicated and passionate about their continued growth and expansion.”
The emphasis on space exploration has created massive interest in all things space. This is expected to increase as private companies and government agencies accelerate the second “space race.”
Amateur astronomy is also experiencing a renaissance as new digital telescopes come to market. Telescope and astrophotography manufacturers are introducing smart telescopes that make the hobby more accessible and enjoyable than ever.
These new technologies have enabled even the most inexperienced astronomers to take photos of deep-space objects such as nebulas, galaxies and clusters — all with a button on an app.
More impressively, these digital telescopes built for amateurs rival and often exceed the capabilities of professional telescopes, which can cost 100 times more. This is the Instagram generation’s answer to astronomy. Astronomy may seem like an outlier to Firecrown’s portfolio, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The aviation and space communities have a substantial overlap.
Pilots and aviation enthusiasts are often drawn to the cosmos, dreaming of space flight and exploration. Firecrown plans to broaden Astronomy’s coverage of space exploration and anticipates significant collaboration between the FLYING and Astronomy editorial teams.
Over the past three years, FLYING has rapidly expanded its editorial coverage of space flight and exploration with great success.
Some of the most trafficked stories on FLYINGMag.com are about space exploration and missions. This is a huge opportunity to make space a core focus of our portfolio.
Kalmbach has expanded beyond media to include e-commerce in the past few years. It has two media properties, one focused on railroad hobbyists and the other on the astronomy community. As part of this transaction, Firecrown is acquiring both.
Firecrown plans to expand the product lineup at Kalmbach’s hobby store (which will be rebranded) to include a greater selection of railroad-fan merchandise.
Firecrown has even bigger plans for the astronomy e-commerce operation, MyScienceShop.com.
This past February, Firecrown acquired the largest e-commerce store for NASA collectibles, the Space Store. The plan is to merge MyScienceShop into the SpaceStore, creating a “space enthusiast superstore.” The product lineup of the two e-commerce stores is very different.
MyScienceShop has focused on products that enable space enthusiasts to explore and express their curiosity about the science and love of space. In contrast, the Space Store provides high-quality collectibles for the NASA and space mission community. By merging two properties and products into a single entity, the Space Store will have the largest selection of space-focused products anywhere in the universe.
I love all things transportation — trucks, airplanes, boats and trains.
I’ve always been fascinated by how people and products move. This is really in my blood. While I grew up around trucks, I also had a deep love for trains. I’ve built my share of model railroad layouts and even had the chance to work around the rail industry — first in intermodal operations at U.S. Xpress and then through my work at FreightWaves.
But that isn’t even the most exciting part of this whole deal.
This transaction takes me back to when I was a young kid. My love of transportation is only matched by my passion for astronomy. The first two magazines I ever subscribed to were FLYING and Astronomy.
Each of the Firecrown brands reflects not only my passions but the passions of each employee. We will work to give our audiences the best reporting, information and merchandise available.
maxman richhotrain That was May 1st. The OP started this thread on July 1st when he received the August issue of Model Railroader magazine. I stand by my earlier comment that Firecrown is missing an opportunity by not posting that recent letter here on the forum. Fine. Now it is posted. Can we move on?
richhotrain That was May 1st. The OP started this thread on July 1st when he received the August issue of Model Railroader magazine. I stand by my earlier comment that Firecrown is missing an opportunity by not posting that recent letter here on the forum.
Fine. Now it is posted. Can we move on?
richhotrainThat was May 1st. The OP started this thread on July 1st when he received the August issue of Model Railroader magazine. I stand by my earlier comment that Firecrown is missing an opportunity by not posting that recent letter here on the forum.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL AEP528 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Rich, I agree completely. I can pretty much count on my fingers and toes the useful stuff I have found on youtube, and none of it had to do with model trains. I find most videos excruciatingly boring........ Maybe because I was taught to read. I am self taught in a number of subjects, books are an amazing tool. Since I do still get MR, I did read the letter - we will see. Sheldon I was taught to read. Funny thing is, I'm younger by decades than most forum users and my reading comprehension (and writing ability) is much better than other users. Humans are visual learners. You didn't learn the construction business from books. You learned it by being shown what to do and using written materials when necessary as references. I'm self taught in a number of subjects as well. Often times written instructions are incomplete, or missing steps, or have errors. And I often get clarifications from . . . videos. Not all videos are good, but guess what? Not all writing is good either. It's very, very hard to describe a complex operation in words, and a video will be much clearer. Technical videos are one thing, what I hate is all the "fluff" in most of the crap on youtube. As someone trained in drafting, electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as architecture, a good set of drawings and/or a few good pictures can bring information alive as well as most any 20 minute video that has 4 minutes of actual information. Model Railroader was once a publication full of technical information - that's why I still have all the old ones - it is a shame that has changed. Sheldon
AEP528 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Rich, I agree completely. I can pretty much count on my fingers and toes the useful stuff I have found on youtube, and none of it had to do with model trains. I find most videos excruciatingly boring........ Maybe because I was taught to read. I am self taught in a number of subjects, books are an amazing tool. Since I do still get MR, I did read the letter - we will see. Sheldon I was taught to read. Funny thing is, I'm younger by decades than most forum users and my reading comprehension (and writing ability) is much better than other users. Humans are visual learners. You didn't learn the construction business from books. You learned it by being shown what to do and using written materials when necessary as references. I'm self taught in a number of subjects as well. Often times written instructions are incomplete, or missing steps, or have errors. And I often get clarifications from . . . videos. Not all videos are good, but guess what? Not all writing is good either. It's very, very hard to describe a complex operation in words, and a video will be much clearer.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Rich, I agree completely. I can pretty much count on my fingers and toes the useful stuff I have found on youtube, and none of it had to do with model trains. I find most videos excruciatingly boring........ Maybe because I was taught to read. I am self taught in a number of subjects, books are an amazing tool. Since I do still get MR, I did read the letter - we will see. Sheldon
Rich, I agree completely.
I can pretty much count on my fingers and toes the useful stuff I have found on youtube, and none of it had to do with model trains.
I find most videos excruciatingly boring........
Maybe because I was taught to read. I am self taught in a number of subjects, books are an amazing tool.
Since I do still get MR, I did read the letter - we will see.
Sheldon
I was taught to read. Funny thing is, I'm younger by decades than most forum users and my reading comprehension (and writing ability) is much better than other users.
Humans are visual learners. You didn't learn the construction business from books. You learned it by being shown what to do and using written materials when necessary as references.
I'm self taught in a number of subjects as well. Often times written instructions are incomplete, or missing steps, or have errors. And I often get clarifications from . . . videos.
Not all videos are good, but guess what? Not all writing is good either. It's very, very hard to describe a complex operation in words, and a video will be much clearer.
Technical videos are one thing, what I hate is all the "fluff" in most of the crap on youtube.
As someone trained in drafting, electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as architecture, a good set of drawings and/or a few good pictures can bring information alive as well as most any 20 minute video that has 4 minutes of actual information.
Model Railroader was once a publication full of technical information - that's why I still have all the old ones - it is a shame that has changed.
maxman Seems that the new owner has "published" his comments here: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/firecrown-media-grows-again-with-addition-of-trains-astronomy I think it just about covers what was in the MR "letter". And if you click on the little blue dot below the Astronomy magazine cover, you can hear him speak.
Seems that the new owner has "published" his comments here:
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/firecrown-media-grows-again-with-addition-of-trains-astronomy
I think it just about covers what was in the MR "letter".
And if you click on the little blue dot below the Astronomy magazine cover, you can hear him speak.
AEP528 richhotrain AEP528 The new owner has taken a much better approach - he has given video interviews that are posted on YouTube. And posted on accounts that are closely associated with other publications. Trying to attract new subscribers through written word doesn't work. Getting their attention through videos does. It took a totally digital publication (MRH) years to come to that realization. And MRH also acknowledges that the active forum posters also represent only a small fraction of their subscribers. That's why they put best of the forum links in the magazine. They're trying to drive forum users via the magazine, not magazine subscribers via the forum. The discussion here is about a letter published by Firecrown in a recent issue of Model Railroader magazine. You don't need a YouTube video to publish a lettter. And why would you use a video to publish a letter. I would like to read the letter. Regarding the forum, at least until recently, there were thousands and thousands of views, a heckuva lot more views than posts. That tells me that there are a whole lot of people interested in model railroading who have not read the letter and apparently have no way to read the letter short of going out and buying the magazine. As for a video, if it wasn't for the fact that I read on this forum, on this thread, that Firecrown published a letter in MR magazine, how would I know that there would be a video talking about the content of the letter. Given the demographic of model railroaders in general, it is a generational thing. Most of us don't go surfing the net looking for videos. Firecrown is missing a potential opportunity by not posting the letter on this forum. Rich I was taught reading comprehension. I know exactly what the thread is about. He wrote a letter to his paying customers. For everyone who's not a paying customer, he has done two video interviews. You got what you paid for.
richhotrain AEP528 The new owner has taken a much better approach - he has given video interviews that are posted on YouTube. And posted on accounts that are closely associated with other publications. Trying to attract new subscribers through written word doesn't work. Getting their attention through videos does. It took a totally digital publication (MRH) years to come to that realization. And MRH also acknowledges that the active forum posters also represent only a small fraction of their subscribers. That's why they put best of the forum links in the magazine. They're trying to drive forum users via the magazine, not magazine subscribers via the forum. The discussion here is about a letter published by Firecrown in a recent issue of Model Railroader magazine. You don't need a YouTube video to publish a lettter. And why would you use a video to publish a letter. I would like to read the letter. Regarding the forum, at least until recently, there were thousands and thousands of views, a heckuva lot more views than posts. That tells me that there are a whole lot of people interested in model railroading who have not read the letter and apparently have no way to read the letter short of going out and buying the magazine. As for a video, if it wasn't for the fact that I read on this forum, on this thread, that Firecrown published a letter in MR magazine, how would I know that there would be a video talking about the content of the letter. Given the demographic of model railroaders in general, it is a generational thing. Most of us don't go surfing the net looking for videos. Firecrown is missing a potential opportunity by not posting the letter on this forum. Rich
AEP528 The new owner has taken a much better approach - he has given video interviews that are posted on YouTube. And posted on accounts that are closely associated with other publications. Trying to attract new subscribers through written word doesn't work. Getting their attention through videos does. It took a totally digital publication (MRH) years to come to that realization. And MRH also acknowledges that the active forum posters also represent only a small fraction of their subscribers. That's why they put best of the forum links in the magazine. They're trying to drive forum users via the magazine, not magazine subscribers via the forum.
The new owner has taken a much better approach - he has given video interviews that are posted on YouTube. And posted on accounts that are closely associated with other publications.
Trying to attract new subscribers through written word doesn't work. Getting their attention through videos does. It took a totally digital publication (MRH) years to come to that realization. And MRH also acknowledges that the active forum posters also represent only a small fraction of their subscribers. That's why they put best of the forum links in the magazine. They're trying to drive forum users via the magazine, not magazine subscribers via the forum.
The discussion here is about a letter published by Firecrown in a recent issue of Model Railroader magazine. You don't need a YouTube video to publish a lettter. And why would you use a video to publish a letter. I would like to read the letter.
Regarding the forum, at least until recently, there were thousands and thousands of views, a heckuva lot more views than posts. That tells me that there are a whole lot of people interested in model railroading who have not read the letter and apparently have no way to read the letter short of going out and buying the magazine.
As for a video, if it wasn't for the fact that I read on this forum, on this thread, that Firecrown published a letter in MR magazine, how would I know that there would be a video talking about the content of the letter. Given the demographic of model railroaders in general, it is a generational thing. Most of us don't go surfing the net looking for videos. Firecrown is missing a potential opportunity by not posting the letter on this forum.
I was taught reading comprehension. I know exactly what the thread is about.
He wrote a letter to his paying customers.
For everyone who's not a paying customer, he has done two video interviews.
You got what you paid for.
hon30critterI do have a marketing suggestion. Once they have the magazine up to their standards, they should send a free copy to all those folks who have stopped subscribing. I'm not sure if that is feasible from a cost perspective, but it might encourage some of them to start subscribing again. Cheers!! Dave
Cheers!!
Dave
Or, perhaps a more economical alternative for Firecrown...
Send out post cards to previous customers with a link to view a complimentary copy of a "new" MR issue online. That might persuade some folks to subscribe again and others to go to their local bookstore to pick up a hard copy.
A lot less expensive than dealing with returned issues because of invalid mailing addresses.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Let's see. Firecrown has owned Model Railroader Magazine for how long? Maybe two months?
I am going to give them a few months to figure things out. Personally I think we will see great things.
I do have a marketing suggestion. Once they have the magazine up to their standards, they should send a free copy to all those folks who have stopped subscribing. I'm not sure if that is feasible from a cost perspective, but it might encourage some of them to start subscribing again.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I will keep my print subscription. At 84 years old, technology has passd me by, and I have no intention of trying to catch up. I suspect it's the younger generation who pushes for "everything Digital" As an example, my Medicare provided mailed me information about a test I need. They said I needed to scan my "smart phone' over a square with a bunch of lines on it to get what I need. Really? I don't have a smart phone, I guess my land line is a dumb one, and I'm not going to spend my limited income on a $300 phone and monthly payments. I sent them a letter telling them to "know their customers" and don't send 80 & 90 year olds info they need to spend money on just to read. Good thing I have a 10 year old great grandson to explain it to me. There! I'v vented. MR & Trains every month until it's over.
I think the assumption is, if you're using the MR or Trains forums, you read the magazine. Both have the letter from Craig Fuller in the front of the August issues.
AFAIK he hasn't posted the letter in a video, but has done at least one interview with a model railroad YouTuber, Ken Patterson (who you may know from all his advertising photos, particularly for Bachmann, and MR/RMC articles).
What's Neat This Week in Model Railroading #275 May 18th 2024 (youtube.com)