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Some Suggestions For CTT

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Posted by hrin on Sunday, June 6, 2010 10:30 PM

Respectfully.  

Other than send more money to CTT...

What can be done to see more items we may be interested in, reviewed in the mag? Maybe its just me that is surprised your not flooded with product to review?

 

Ogaugeoverlord
I can only address the reviews - I don't like to re-review the same item (a few exceptions being mainly starter set engines with sets) within a four or five year period. Reviews are mainly limited to NEW, new items or items that may not be new, but which we have not reviewed.

Second, if we don't have it, we can't review it.

I have a fairly tight budget for buying trains for review of the magazine, and I supplement this with trains I buy for personal use. I'd love to turn the clock back to when I was reviewing four or five locomotives an issue - but as the market has become saturated with product, manufacturers are making fewer NEW new locomotives for us to review. That is why in the new issue I critique Atlas O's new Trainman line cars and a bridge kit.
:
I've been doing the reviews for 14 years and virtually every locomotive we've received has been reviewed. If we had more product to cover, I'd cover it.

 

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Posted by tjsprague on Sunday, June 6, 2010 8:08 PM

 I really like CTT. In my 10+ years in the hobby my interested have changed a bit, but i appreciate all aspects, and like to see what others are up to.

 My one suggestion has to do with photos. I know that the goal is to get down into the scene and really get lost in the world that the modeler has created, but it would be great reference to include in each article a wider, overall view of the layout. I'm interested in these as I plan and build my layout, though I know that it these may not be quite up to the high standards of CTT and there is limited page space, so maybe they could be an "online exclusive"?

 

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Posted by DennisB-1 on Saturday, June 5, 2010 7:20 AM

 Can you spell Chicken Little?

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Posted by LittleTommy on Saturday, June 5, 2010 7:07 AM

 

Well, just in case you are wondering when CTT will be entirely on the web, did any of you subscribers notice that there was NO hard copy of the index for last year's CTT bound into the issue?  You can only get it online.  The powers that be tried to eliminate the index a few years ago, but then brought it back.

 Furthermore, there was NO hard copy of the index for last year's MR bound into the issues.  I've been a subscriber for over 25 years and this is the first time they have ever eliminated the index. 

So by baby steps, first they have exclusive free online content, then they have web only downloadable content that you have to buy, then they take away the index but you can get it free (you just have to pay for the ink and paper to print it), then they charge you for the index, then they charge you a premium to get the magazine in print form.  Slowly but surely you will lose the magazine. 

Am I the only one who likes to read a magazine in a hammock or in bed, and doesn't want to take the chance that an iPad will be destroyed if I drop it on the ground when I fall asleep? 

Little Tommy 

 

 

 

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Posted by Bob Keller on Thursday, June 3, 2010 11:03 AM
I would say "not anytime soon," but if it did happen, it would be on a corporate level (all KPCs titles) and probably toward the iPad (or a color device) - not the kindle or nook - since virtually all KPCs titles are color photo driven. But like I said, probably not anytime soon.

Bob Keller

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Posted by cnw1995 on Thursday, June 3, 2010 7:58 AM

 How about an add-on 'e-magazine' version? I know we've talked about this before and OGR is trying it. I'd like something I could view on an e-reader like the nook or Kindle. Though I prefer the paper mag.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by Boyd on Thursday, June 3, 2010 2:30 AM

 How about 3D paper pop out engines, scratch n sniff smoke or even sound like those cards you open up in the card isle at Wal Mart?

Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.

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Posted by nickelplater on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 12:19 PM

I have subscribed to CTT since their 2nd magazine was published.  And, I still have every copy.  I like CTT for their historical stories about Lionel and the people who used to work for Lionel.  The Joe Algozinni articles are great as are the how-to articles.  I live in an area of Northwest Florida where hobby stores are rare and train stores are not up to par on those found up north or in bigger cities.  I therefore use CTT and another magazine as well as on-line access for ALL of my train needs.  I haven't been to a train show in almost 9 years.  It for these reasons I really look forward to CTT as a window on the hobby.  CTT does a great job. 

 I suggesed one thing to CTT a few months ago but never received a reply.  It dealt with their photos.  I was hoping that the photo caption could provide the train number for the loco, caboose, etc shown in their photos. Not every item shown, just those showcased up front in the photo.  For example, CTT recently published a photo of an Milwaukee E6.  I have tried without seccuss to learn the MTH part number for this diesel.   I would like to purchase one if they are available.   I also wrote MTH and asked if they planned to build another Milwaukee E6.  MTH didn't respond either.

I'm easy going.  Whatever way CTT goes is the way I'll go.  Their mag. is great.

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Posted by wallyworld on Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:04 PM

Timboy
ChiefEagles: I agree! I've been through all the other magazines I can find. I probably SHOULD have a script for the S Gauge mags out there, but all they ever seem to feature is all the new stuff. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it's not for me. When my script to Model RR'er expires this fall, I'll pony up for CTT. Despite some flaws in it at least it deals with classic toy trains; whatever THEY are. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) Probably the second best mag out there (hold your pants on - I'm actually gonna say it) is the O Gauge mag. Have whatever toy trains you want with however many rails turns you on, but I have found that a good model railroading idea is a good model railroading idea - regardless of the source. I've stolen a lot of good ideas from the most unlikely places (from a Flyer point of view). Sigh. -Timboy

 

 There does seem to be a market for either older heads or folks interested in (surprise) older toy trains such as history, all the different makes etc beyond Lionel, or for that matter ubiquitous Hi Rail such as Dorfan, Marx, Voltamp, Hafner, Kusan or the odd forays into HO scale by O scale manufacturers.. I have found some good but incomplete info on Marx, and my first train was a AF..The first editor Rodger (?) of CTT seemed to include more "classics" which since has wandered into the equivalent of O Gauge Magazine, although they have more info and less pictorial content...it's really all we have in the market until someone mines the wealth of these areas exclusively..I think a bi monthly or even quarterly mag would do well. Do any of the national clubs or associations put out magazines?

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.

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Posted by Warburton on Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:04 PM

I would love to see CTT at 12 isswues -- and gladly pay for the privilege of having one each month.

As far a content, I think it is super as it is.

My interest in in postwar "display style" layouts and trains (and collecting) but it's always nice to see hi-rail, too ...

I only have room for a 4x8 layout so I naturally love the small layout articles best.

As far as technical stuff is concerned, my technical expertise extends to lubing the engines. Other than that, I take 'em to a service station. So how-to fix it articles are pretty well bypassed by me! That dosn't mean they shouldn't be published, as I know many folks appreciate them.

A good well-balanced mix of articles and features is best, and I think CTT does a nice job with that already.

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Posted by Timboy on Sunday, May 23, 2010 10:57 AM

 

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Sunday, May 23, 2010 10:40 AM

I think they do a dang good job.  12 months, yes.  More of the close to the back page articles on old cars and engines.  Great to read.  More on how to spruce up old engines and accessories.  That is great info for those who have the "old" stuff.  Love the modern reviews as I am mainly a "modern" railroad guy.   

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by laz 57 on Sunday, May 23, 2010 9:06 AM

Buckeye Riveter

fifedog

Just 1 suggestion - Monthly (12 per year) publication.

                                       Approve

Couldn't have said it better.  Approve

Yes SIRs, also for the same price.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:18 AM

fifedog

Just 1 suggestion - Monthly (12 per year) publication.

                                       Approve

Couldn't have said it better.  Approve

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

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Posted by fifedog on Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:02 AM

Just 1 suggestion - Monthly (12 per year) publication.

                                       Approve

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Posted by Captaincog on Saturday, May 22, 2010 11:33 PM

Texas Pete

Banks

Less Hi-rail and custom built layouts

 

BINGO!  Or put another way, more toy train layouts.

More "traditional/classic" layouts, although I understand that the boyz at the magazine are in there pitchin' with these.

Improved writing/editing in the "how to" articles, including better error-checking, particularly in the stories dealing with wiring and electricity. Includes proper errorless schematics.

More reviews of operating accessories and operating rolling stock.

The "best" articles (to me) so far in 2010 were in the March issue. They were: "How To Make one-of-a-kind buildings," "1954: Lionel builds a great store display layout," and "2010: A modeler builds a better postwar-inspired Lionel display."

Focus on CTT roots: Concentrate on "Classic" and "Toy."

Bottom line, CTT is doing a pretty good job. It can't be easy to try to please everyone all the time.

Pete

 


 

I completely agree. A couple more suggestions or reviews on operating your layouts, i.e. challenges or something like railroad puzzle solving. Something that after reading makes the reader want to go play with their trains.

Jeff Meyer

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Posted by jwse30 on Saturday, May 22, 2010 9:46 PM

 I too think that CTT publishes more articles about Hirail items than I'd like. I do think that I am in the minority of subscribers though, in that my layout is intended to look more like a postwar dealer display than anything else.

I think that the articles they publish are indicative of what their readers want since aren't most of the articles submitted by readers? I can also see that a lot of the "classics" have been written about already. How many articles do subscribers need about a 252 crossing gate? 

 Keep up the great work,

 

J White

 


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Posted by cnw1995 on Saturday, May 22, 2010 7:14 PM

 Love reading these comments and enjoying the passion behind them! I enjoy the unveiling of each issue of CTT. I appreciate the forum, for being able to connect to fellow hobbyists who are at least familiar with the latest CTT  - and the online extras for subscribers - Roger Carps commentaries, Bob's reviews, and especially the Train Box.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by Timboy on Friday, May 21, 2010 8:38 PM

 

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Posted by balidas on Friday, May 21, 2010 8:24 PM

balidas

Personally I prefer magazines, and would be happy to receive anybody's unwanted, unloved issues. The issues I do have I look through repeatedly, checking out what other's have done on their layouts and studying the tech articles. I love that. I don't spend any real time in the reviews or ads.

 Having said this, I will also say I love this forum. A tremendous amount of good info here. It's also good to know that I am not the only one scratching my head at times, and, as servoguy would say, "talking to myself".Big Smile

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Posted by Timboy on Friday, May 21, 2010 8:14 PM

 

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Posted by wallyworld on Friday, May 21, 2010 6:38 PM

Texas Pete

lionroar88
There is far more to 'O-Gauge'ing than Pre- and Post- War...

 

Of course there is, but aside from some of the absolutely terrific modeling being done it just doesn't happen to interest me much.  Different strokes, and all that.  The last thing I need or want on my setup is realism.  I don't even care if my trains are not "exact scale."  Life is plenty realistic enough, it doesn't need to be barging in on my little fantasy world.

For me, part of the charm of toy trains was/is their simplicity, which means that many modern iterations of them leave me cold.  From the last paragraph of the Q&A column in the July 2010 CTT - "Most subassemblies on recent products are not simple for users to repair."  Rather than repair the part that needs it, a whole sub-assembly gets replaced.  This is utterly ridiculous, and it needn't be so.  Modern society is gadget-crazed to the point of absurdity.  Planned or otherwise, obsolescence runs rampant.  Hobbyists sweat beads of blood when their newest million dollar baby fails to perform as advertised or shows up DOA.

Anybody else want a little K.I.S.S.?

Pete

 

I would second that. Anyone want a quadraphonic stereo or a beta max real cheap? How bout an 8 track tape? I want to see these systems thirty years from now and when left in an attic or basement, how well they perform...of course Ill be 90, and won't care anyway let alone know what planet I'm on...I love toy trains but at close to grand, or at 1200 or 1400 per engine, my common sense tells me my imagination will do just fine thank you..I have Marx crossing bells that sound like doorbells and I love their anachronistic, out of scale oddness..the colorful lithography..anytime the train goes by it sounds like a teletype is coming through...  the real litmus test is my grandchildren who love the Marx more than the others with all the scale what nots and "realistic sound"..I don't feel my blood pressure rising when they careen across at warp speed as a smile comes over their faces...now that's toy trains! If that isnt classic I don't know what is...The push button Girard station gets a work out...none of this entering this address, then Johnny select the correct key and then go back to the menu and blah, blah..they don't care as to the level of sophistication...toy train products if they are to hypnotize youngsters need to be simple, affordable and fun...I must be a kid at heart.

 

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.

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Posted by compengsvs@comcast.net on Friday, May 21, 2010 5:32 PM

How about getting rid of that annoying pop up when we sign on. It really is what did I say, oh yeah annoyinggggggg!

"Censorship is evil and should never be tolerated no matter what the pretense for it is"
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Posted by Timboy on Friday, May 21, 2010 3:16 PM

 

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Posted by Texas Pete on Friday, May 21, 2010 2:39 PM

lionroar88
There is far more to 'O-Gauge'ing than Pre- and Post- War...

 

Of course there is, but aside from some of the absolutely terrific modeling being done it just doesn't happen to interest me much.  Different strokes, and all that.  The last thing I need or want on my setup is realism.  I don't even care if my trains are not "exact scale."  Life is plenty realistic enough, it doesn't need to be barging in on my little fantasy world.

For me, part of the charm of toy trains was/is their simplicity, which means that many modern iterations of them leave me cold.  From the last paragraph of the Q&A column in the July 2010 CTT - "Most subassemblies on recent products are not simple for users to repair."  Rather than repair the part that needs it, a whole sub-assembly gets replaced.  This is utterly ridiculous, and it needn't be so.  Modern society is gadget-crazed to the point of absurdity.  Planned or otherwise, obsolescence runs rampant.  Hobbyists sweat beads of blood when their newest million dollar baby fails to perform as advertised or shows up DOA.

Anybody else want a little K.I.S.S.?

Pete

 

"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light."  - Edward Abbey -

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Posted by fredswain on Thursday, May 20, 2010 11:01 AM

I like seeing hi-rail layouts. I don't think it should only be limited to tinplate on a board. Classic Toy Trains as a name means more than windup toys on the carpet or prewar or postwar. There is more to it than just retail pieces scattered around a layout. I do enjoy seeing a good postwar layout built in the traditional Lionel catalog style but I also enjoy seeing the handiwork of those who wish to add a bit of realism to it. If you go back to Lionel's Model Builder Magazine from before WWII, you can see that they were fully into the idea of custom building and realism. It is completely appropriate to see those layouts associated with Classic Toy Trains. I think it's nice to have a balance. Some prewar, some postwar, some hi-rail, some not, etc. If you limit it only to a segment you also limit your customer base.

I wish we could see more pictures of layouts. I know it comes down to room but take N-Scale magazine as a prime example. They have 1 large feature layout every month and it gets 15-16 photos. There is a nice article but then followed by several pages of just photos of the layout. Obviously you wouldn't need this many pictures for small layouts but the point being that if you have a layout with lots of custom work, you showcase it.

I'd like to see more how to articles that go into detail rather than a simple tips and tricks section although admittedly some tips and tricks are simple and don't need much room. I don't want to see how to make streams or mountains using modern techniques as that's what Model Railroader is for. I'd like to see old techniques. A full step by step how to when it comes to Lionel postwar showroom layout groundcover or perhaps postwar layout tunnels. Old techniques using sawdust and paint. Basically articles that show techniques that can be used to build a modern recreation of old layouts that is more than just a simple trackplan.

One other thing I'd like to see is at least one feature on old outside 3rd rail setups. How it was done and why, pro's, con's, etc. I've always had a fascination for it and have several pieces but it is about as classic toy trains as you can get. It is really a lost art and no one mentions it anymore. It still has validity. Even Lionel sold outside 3rd rail pickups at one point!

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Posted by balidas on Thursday, May 20, 2010 10:29 AM

Personally I prefer magazines, and would be happy to receive anybody's unwanted, unloved issues. The issues I do have I look through repeatedly, checking out what other's have done on their layouts and studying the tech articles. I love that. I don't spend any real time in the reviews or ads.

Another aspect is all the current talk among "lawmakers" about charging us even more for internet access.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 20, 2010 9:01 AM

Texas Pete

Banks

Less Hi-rail and custom built layouts

 

BINGO!  Or put another way, more toy train layouts.

More "traditional/classic" layouts, although I understand that the boyz at the magazine are in there pitchin' with these.

Improved writing/editing in the "how to" articles, including better error-checking, particularly in the stories dealing with wiring and electricity. Includes proper errorless schematics.

More reviews of operating accessories and operating rolling stock.

The "best" articles (to me) so far in 2010 were in the March issue. They were: "How To Make one-of-a-kind buildings," "1954: Lionel builds a great store display layout," and "2010: A modeler builds a better postwar-inspired Lionel display."

Focus on CTT roots: Concentrate on "Classic" and "Toy."

Bottom line, CTT is doing a pretty good job. It can't be easy to try to please everyone all the time.

Pete

 




There is far more to 'O-Gauge'ing than Pre- and Post- War. I personally like seeing the DIFFERENT layouts, Pre, Post, Modern, Hi-rail, Classic, etc. IMHO, CTT shouldn't change a thing. All of my O-Gauge trains are Toys (they aren't revenue generating devices - just ask The Q!), and all are Classics because I own them. Smile It is all in how you view the world.

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Posted by Texas Pete on Thursday, May 20, 2010 8:44 AM

Banks

Less Hi-rail and custom built layouts

 

BINGO!  Or put another way, more toy train layouts.

More "traditional/classic" layouts, although I understand that the boyz at the magazine are in there pitchin' with these.

Improved writing/editing in the "how to" articles, including better error-checking, particularly in the stories dealing with wiring and electricity. Includes proper errorless schematics.

More reviews of operating accessories and operating rolling stock.

The "best" articles (to me) so far in 2010 were in the March issue. They were: "How To Make one-of-a-kind buildings," "1954: Lionel builds a great store display layout," and "2010: A modeler builds a better postwar-inspired Lionel display."

Focus on CTT roots: Concentrate on "Classic" and "Toy."

Bottom line, CTT is doing a pretty good job. It can't be easy to try to please everyone all the time.

Pete

 


"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light."  - Edward Abbey -

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