Observations on Past CTT Content

[Jumijo]

Recently I visited my local hobby store and came across a stack of old Classic Toy Train magazines from the early-to-mid 90's. I bought them, 18 in all, and have made some observations as I plow through each issue.

The magazine had a very different feel to it back then. Every issue was something of a history lesson. Many articles on accessories and high end sets from Lionel's post war period. Big ticket collector items like MIB PW Hudsons and F3 passenger sets were all the rage.

Collectors seemed to be the real target audience back then. Almost every issue featured someone's humongous, prized collection of either American Flyer or Lionel tinplate. Article after article about variations, prototypes, and accessories from long ago. Marx was also popular subject matter.

The thing that most amazed me was that the cost of items such as locomotives and rolling stock has basically stayed the same as it was a decade ago with the glaring exception of Lionel's Railsounds. A Railsounds tender back then sold for $173.00 on average. That same item made today sells for half that!

Some great information was passed along back then, but in all honesty, I like the mix of content that today's CTT is comprised of. The emphasis seems to have shifted away from the collector with wall after wall of rare trains, to layouts and operators. I know, collections are still written about, but it's no longer THE focus, and frankly, I think that's a good thing. Don't get me wrong, the issues I'm referring to were well done and I did enjoy them. I just think that today's CTT is more about what I'm really interested in. A great mix with something for everyone.

Jim

[FJ and G]

agree!

[Anonymous]

That proves that they are listening to their readers.

[ChiefEagles]

10-4

[FJ and G]

they once had a huge article on train boxes or rich guys walls of trains.

I like to see trains running!

You've come a long ways baby

[Anonymous]

I like CTT much better today than in the late '80s--mid "90s..

[Anonymous]

I would agree. While I enjoyed those earlier issues very much, I always felt a little bummed since those large collections seemed so far out of my reach due to cost and availability of those postwar items.
I'm glad that the hobby has slanted more towards the operation side of things with new equipment. Funny, but most of this stuff is also out of my reach due to cost and availability!!
Mike

view my layout at:
http://home.comcast.net/~graz6/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html

[Dr. John]

Keep up the good work, CTT!

[Big_Boy_4005]

The truth is that the entire face of the 3 rail landscape has changed drasticly since the mid 90's. Back then there was no Atlas. MTH was just warming up. Few people bought Weaver. K-line was still pretty much an also ran, and Williams was similar. All of this competition for Lionel has raised the bar for operators, and put collecting litterally on the shelf.

If you really want to see changes, look at the advertising.

[Anonymous]

Well it is in the manufactures interest to sell new trains. The older issues had more technical info than the new ones do. The new ones almost function as more ads for the manufacturers. The wall of trains is always less interesting than a good article on an unusual model. The old issues had the wall of old trains too and that was also boring but it was just as boring as seeing the same high priced engines on every layout covered. This most recent issue was really a disappointment to me nothing stood out as all that different or unusual.

[Anonymous]

I definetly agree with your observations that CTT has changed a lot. I personally think that the older issues were much better than the current ones. Don't get me wrong-I think CTT is a great magazine and I eagerly await for each issue to arrive! However, the articles I enjoy the most are the ones that focus on the historical aspect of toy trains and people's collections. I have a large operating layout and love running trains, but I consider myself a collector first before an operator. The toy trains that I have are pretty much all prewar and postwar. Modern-era stuff doesn't interest me a whole lot and I don't even pay attention to articles on topics such as wiring techniques for DCS or TMCC. The modern-era and high rail aspects of the hobby are important and I have nothing against them. I'm always appreciative of a good layout, no matter what trains are on it. I just wi***hat there was a bit more on the collecting aspect of the hobby.

However, I have to give CTT two really big thumbs up for producing All-Star Electric Trains of The 1950's! I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it from cover to cover! Exactly the kind of articles that I love the most! I really hope that you guys come out with another special issue like that next year. How about "Top-Notch Toy Trains of The 1930's" or "Fabulous Toy Trains of The Roaring 20's"?

[palallin]

Interesting: A thread very much like this one is running hot over on the MR forum. Only there the general concensus is that MR is going downhill, for many of the same reasons some of you are lauding CTT.

[prewardude]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

How about "Top-Notch Toy Trains of The 1930's" or "Fabulous Toy Trains of The Roaring 20's"?

Amen, Sask! [:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by palallin

Interesting: A thread very much like this one is running hot over on the MR forum. Only there the general concensus is that MR is going downhill, for many of the same reasons some of you are lauding CTT.

As a subscriber to both magazines, I see a general trend at Kalmbach, toward journalism, and a focus on beginners. This tends to disturb some of us who have been around for a long time, as the content appears to be becoming more mundane. Personally, I would rather see less polish, and more grit coming from those who have a true passion for the hobby, instead of journalists who happen to like trains.

I understand why they want to try to bring in new blood, but they may be beating their heads against the wall. How do they expect to get more subscribers when their main exposure, namely hobby stores, continues to dry up? I haven't seen many internet dealers with magazine racks (except Kalmbach of course [swg]).

At least CTT is still publishing train show listings. MR seems to think they can put their space to better use. That single issue is what most of the griping is about over there anyway. I have a strange feeling that by December the train shows will be back in MR where they belong.

On a related note, California will fall into the Pacific, eventually. It's already happening.[:0][;)]

[Anonymous]

Like most of you I've been reading this magazine since inception. Overall I enjoy the publication. On a scale of 1-5,I give it a 4.888889. What I enjoy the most is the true hobbist who starts from the ground up & builds his layout over a span of a few years. The do's & don't of these articles is very informative.What the turn off lately are the articles about the rocket scientist or high income dudes that don't have the time to build their own layouts & go out and pay the "big bucks" to someone else to build it for them. Like they say about the lottery."you have to be in it ,to win it."If you can't build it your self, it's not yours. R

[Anonymous]

I also recently purchased a box of old CCT mags. I collect pre and post war trains and was glad to see that the majority of articles were devoted to these items.

While I don't have anything against modern trains, they don't interest me as much as the old stuff. It seems as though the focus of CTT increasingly less on old stuff and more on new stuff. To me the name Classic Toy Trains implies that the focus would be on the pre and post war trains. I personally still like CTT, by now only a smaller portion is devoted to the classic toy trains. If I had my way, I would like to see 2 seperate mags. One devoted to the classic toy trains and the other to the newer, semi scale models.

Just my 2 cents.

[lionelsoni]

I find it ironic that some of those who look down on others for buying rather than building their own layouts are looked down on by yet others for buying rather than building their own toy trains. I guess if you can't build your own (insert Lionel, MTH, Williams, or K-Line model number here), it's not yours.

[Anonymous]

I think that much of the reason that many look down on the "wealthy layout buyer" is simply because they, themselves may not have the financial means to do the same.
If I could afford to have my layout built by someone else, I wouldn't hesitate to do so! I like running the trains, not slinging rigid wrap on styrafoam!

view my layout at:
http://home.comcast.net/~graz6/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html

[Anonymous]

I guess there's 3 types of modelers.Those who have mucho money that build their own. those with money that can't build their own. those with no money that build what they can. No hard feelings intended to anyone. Easter

[3railguy]

My stack of CTT goes back to day 1. Being a postwar collector first and new stuff operator second, I loved the postwar articles on collections, employee interviews, dating pieces, etc. The walls of prewar and postwar trains were simply fascinating to look at. The collections of people like Chuck Brasher, Al Cox, and Gary Magner come to mind. However rich they may be, I credit these people for preserving fine pieces from the past just like they came out of the factory. A lot of time, money, and effort was put in to aquiring these collections and in my own mind, they have done society a service (as well as feeding their addiction). Jim Bunte was an asset to Kalmbach in the sense he inspired me with his articles. I often felt I was in the same room as he interviewed collectors.

[Anonymous]

I've noticed less pages in CTT over the years but the quality of content and features are still there, if not better. My only complaint is the attention given to elaborate layouts that are far beyond the means of the average joe. CTT still beats OGR hands down. I liked it better when Myron B owned it.

[laz 57]

No Matter what I LOVE it!
laz57