The MR forum is the only other one I frequent. But I am on the 1966 Batman message board! I'm the official batboard refugee!
Over-all, I like CTT a lot and I can't say there's ever been an article I didn't or couldn't learn something from. But I do have my wish list like everyone else.
1: More American Flyer. Like many others out there, I rely on the printed CTT as a source of information. Not just current, but historical too. I really enjoyed the articles you've done in the past on Lionel employees, Gilbert employees and the like. For someone like me who wasn't even born till after Lionel, Flyer and Ives were part of General Mills, the memoirs of those who were there are both fun and important. So not only more Flyer layouts, but more about the A.C. Gilbert company would be greatly appreciated.
2: More Standard Gauge. And pre-war O too!
3: More photos. I often see from the diagrams published with the layout articles that the photos were taken of less than half of the layout being featured. I realize that there are a lot of factors involved which are unique to each situation, but often there's something drawn on the diagram I wish someone had taken a picture of.
4: More CTT! Seriously, when are we going to get to 12?
5: Display layouts. If you're going to build a layout special for an article, why not re-create the great Lionel and Flyer display layouts with modern techniques? I'm not talking about going out and making mountains out of steel or anything like that, but ideas on how to "fake it" would be fun.
Last but not least, #6: Articles on restoration techniques. Including ideas of how to strip, repaint and reletter tinplate, how to touch-up scratches in lithography and how to properly document and either mark or provide info with your restorations so future collectors will know what you've done.
Just my .
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
As a long time reader of CTT magazine I can say that I have NEVER missed a single issue and that I have all of my copies. Some issues are A++ and some are C in content but over all I would grade CTT as a B+ to A- magazine. And that is only because of what I would like to see in each issue. CTT can not possibly put into every issue the things that I would like to see. Over all I feel that CTT is a top notch magazine and I look forward to each and every issue's arrival in my mailbox. And, if you are worried about the cost, subscribe. Not only do you save some money, you won't miss an issue and you will have access to the Subscriber Extras. About the only thing that I would like too see changed are more photos of the featured layouts. Thanks CTT for listening to us.
Cobrabob.
BTW Bob, we need a new Bob's Train Box. Please!!!
Toy Trains, they are not just an adventure, they are a way of life !
sir james I Why would we. he has the same thread going on OGR and its been on both for almost a year.
Why would we. he has the same thread going on OGR and its been on both for almost a year.
I'm not actively campaigning to get my RR into any publication. Frankly, I don't think it's good enough.
Just to be thorough for anyone who sees my posts on any other given forum:
I'm also on the S-Gauge branch of this forum:
http://www.modeltrainforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37
And this forum as well:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Trains/messages
The MRR S-Gauge branch, along with the OGR S-Gauge branch were created for S-Gauge enthusiasts. The S-Trains Yahoo group is a pure group in that it is not a branch of any other gauge. I've been known to shill for that group. Actually, I'm also guilty of shilling for this forum as well, believe it or not. This is the only mixed bag forum I am on, but it is a "classic" toy train mixed bag forum and I run "classic" trains.
OBTW, it's not unusual for someone to be on multiple train forums. I see duplicate cross-posting all the time. While some of us inhabit a second, third or - in my case - fourth forum; there are some who are only on one given forum, for whatever reason they have. That said, let me pose this question if anyone would care to chime in: Who of us are on other train forums and which forums are they?
Regards,
Timboy, The American Flyer Nerd Who Just Might Pop Up At A Dog & Pony Show
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Ogaugeoverlord Actually, we don't ban. We now just "moderate" their posts so each one requires an approval. I don't believe there is a time limit on actually approving/disapproving them, however.
Actually, we don't ban.
We now just "moderate" their posts so each one requires an approval.
I don't believe there is a time limit on actually approving/disapproving them, however.
Ok, then if we can't get Timboy banned, perhaps we should start a movement to get his new American Flyer layout featured in CTT magazine.
I hereby make a motion that CTT magazine consider Timboy's layout for consideration in its magazine.
Anyone care to second the motion?
Rich
Alton Junction
I guess I might as well weigh in on this topic. I am not a subscriber. Financially, I have to make every penny count so I go to my local bookstore and check the content of the latest offering- if it has something of value to me, I'll buy it , if not, I pass and wait 'til next month. Same with Trains magazine, if they ever discover that railroads exist in the South, I'll buy that magazine. I have to be picky.
Bob Keller
Ogaugeoverlord LOL Timboy.
LOL Timboy.
Bob,
Shouldn't Timboy be banned from the CTT forum for use of the word "shill"?
Firesteel I think CTT has something for everyone. Clearly, this part of the model railroad hobby has a very diverse group of hobbyists whose interests vary from one person to another. Many people like realistic Hi-rail layouts while others prefer prewar and postwar trains running on really nice floor layouts. This diversity is what makes the toy train hobby so interesting and fun. The average issue of CTT has articles relating to classic trains, new trains, small layouts, large layouts, Q&A, industry news, etc. My layout leans toward the Hi-rail side, but I am always fascinated by floor layouts and older trains. I guess I would say that I am interested in all forms of model railroading and I feel that CTT contains an excellent balance of articles. Karl
I think CTT has something for everyone. Clearly, this part of the model railroad hobby has a very diverse group of hobbyists whose interests vary from one person to another. Many people like realistic Hi-rail layouts while others prefer prewar and postwar trains running on really nice floor layouts. This diversity is what makes the toy train hobby so interesting and fun. The average issue of CTT has articles relating to classic trains, new trains, small layouts, large layouts, Q&A, industry news, etc. My layout leans toward the Hi-rail side, but I am always fascinated by floor layouts and older trains. I guess I would say that I am interested in all forms of model railroading and I feel that CTT contains an excellent balance of articles.
Karl
Karl You!
"3-rail operators? I call my self a 2 railers with a spare!"
Good afternoon all,
This is an interesting thread in the way the discussion has headed. CTT has always had to walk a fine line ever since the beginning. The title says "Classic Toy Trains" and that is the focus it has always tried to follow, but there is the advertising quandry it faces. Unlike MR or GR or Trains, which can draw advertisers and articles based on current products and ideas as well as ones from the past, CTT did and does not have a strong base of advertisers with products at their "titled" subject matter. Last time I checked there were not too many vendors of Ives, Marx, or Dorfan (outside the rare MTH reproduction). Even AF does not get that much "new" product attention. So CTT has to do some articles to new items in the market place as well. One way to do that is with project layouts. Every aritcle is a balance between content and photos as well. Every issue has to have some balance among the various "interest" groups as well. As a past and hopefully future contributor to the magazine, I can relate to some of the decisions that are involved in making an issue. I know all the people who are involved with the magazine. They are hard working dedicated people who want to see the magazine reach as many people as possible, and to see our hobby grow. However, if anybody wanted to know what I would like to see in terms of content, an issue solely devoted to Standard Gauge would be just the ticket :-)
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Timboy Ogaugeoverlord: Yes, feedback is always welcomed. Well alrighty then. I was trying to take the high road out of respect, but if it's um, er, ah feedback you want... I think CTT is merely a shill for Lionel. Yeah, I said it. Why are they featuring all the high-end stuff that some of you say you can't afford? That's where the money is, folks. Why is it always this, that and the other thing about Lionel? That's who pays the bills. Why isn't there more information and articles about Ives, Marx and Flyer? That doesn't pay the bills. It's big business. Lionel revenues dwarf all the other larger scales by much, much more than just a little bit. So who gets all the copy? Everybody, with me - - - - - LIONEL! That's just the way it is. Now, was that feedback or feedsmack? Regards, Timboy, The American Flyer Nerd
Ogaugeoverlord: Yes, feedback is always welcomed.
Yes, feedback is always welcomed.
Well alrighty then. I was trying to take the high road out of respect, but if it's um, er, ah feedback you want...
I think CTT is merely a shill for Lionel. Yeah, I said it. Why are they featuring all the high-end stuff that some of you say you can't afford? That's where the money is, folks. Why is it always this, that and the other thing about Lionel? That's who pays the bills. Why isn't there more information and articles about Ives, Marx and Flyer? That doesn't pay the bills. It's big business. Lionel revenues dwarf all the other larger scales by much, much more than just a little bit. So who gets all the copy? Everybody, with me - - - - - LIONEL! That's just the way it is. Now, was that feedback or feedsmack?
Timboy, The American Flyer Nerd
I don't subscribe to CTT magazine, just Classic Trains and MRR magazines.
So, this all surprises me if what Tim says is true. I would have thought that CTT covers only vintage stuff. Not true? Cripes, why call it CTT if it is all about modern Lionel stuff? That ought to be covered in MRR not CTT.
Roger Carp made a comment about halfway through the thread mentioning the website, which I rarely look at, and that is my loss. Last week, I read the article on the web under subscriber extras dealing with photos in the 1946 catalog and what they might tell us about planning as the war ended. It was excellent! The content was very complete. Truth be told, I don't expect to have to read and reread a hobby article that closely; it verged on scholarly. Certainly demonstrates the quality of this publication
I see that CTT is doing there job just fine as I read through this post I see some of you want more Toy Train layouts and others like myself want more Hi Rail layouts so with that said ,keep up the work CTT and I will keep the copies I like and discard the ones I don't.
As long as we're throwing out ideas, may I point out that man does not live by trains alone. Tell me more about accessories - how to find 'em, how to fix 'em, and which ones are the coolest.
Seriously, I really enjoy the magazine, and I have no complaints. I buy it every month. I don't subscribe because this way I have something to buy at my local hobby shop on those days I'm actually just wandering aimlessly throught the aisles.
I'll second Brent.
Jason
B&O = Best & Only
Ogaugeoverlord Yes, feedback is always welcomed.
Guys I think what you are missing is CTT doesn't know who has layouts... they are reliant on people to submit articles and pictures of their layouts in order to determine what to publish. If you have a layout and you want it published, take the pictures, do a little write up, and send it in!
Since we are complaining, I mean giving feedback, one problem I've had as of late is the focus on high rail and not the toy train aspect. Most of the reviews these days seem to be on high priced engines rather than traditional sized engines. Maybe they have been done already, I don't know. I would also like to see more traditional sized layout features rather than these hi-rail ones where most of us cannot or can't afford or don't have the space to do. One of the best features ever was the American Flyer layout where the 2 guys became good friends and I don't even like American Flyer.
Also more Roger Carp articles.
Feedback is always welcomed, but does it have to be on the forum?
If the OP has an issue with the content of CTT, write to Kalmbach.
The forums ought to modify the rules to prohibit making negative comments about magazine content or subscription information, etc.
Why are we biting the hand that feeds us?
I enjoy the toy-like layouts. It was nice to see the Misty Mountain layout but a layout like that is beyond the means of almost everyone who reads CTT. I prefer layouts and ideas that I can reasonably incorporate in my layout. Not every issue of CTT is a home-run, but many are.
Earl
Not everyone has the requisite skill set or background to be producing their own magazine articles. I used to write articles for a computer magazine, and believe me, not everyone can do it...
With all due respect, I disagree.
I do R/C airplanes too, and many years ago, on a lark, I submitted an article to a model airplane publication. Much to my astonishment it turned up in the magazine and led to me being invited to produce quite a few build and fly product test reports. If I can do it anybody can. And besides, how can anyone know if they don't give it a shot?
Pete
"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light." - Edward Abbey -
OK ! I gave the magazine another look over and I need to say I jump the gun.
This issue was ok, but Bob and Kent need to stop building layouts and go get
Some feature layouts for CTT from outside CTT.
sir james I kiss kiss Feedback is good for us and them. It lets them see what we think.
kiss kiss
Feedback is good for us and them. It lets them see what we think.
Guys:
I'm not so sure this thread serves us very well. Isn't it rather like biting the hand that feeds us? After all, we are airing this out on a public forum that is provided to us by CTT. Not too cool, IMHO. Perhaps PM's to the principals of CTT would be more in line. I'm just sayin'...
Timboy, The American Flyer Post-War Classic Train Nerd
It seems the mag has gone from Classic toy trains to big layouts and Hi rail. It may be due to what material is available to them but I think they have moved in that direction. Me, as soon as I read it was built for me, I look at the pictures and move on. I vote go back to the Classics, where it all started.
Bottom line, I suggest that anyone who has a problem with the magazine's content should check the publication guidelines and submit the kind of article that they would like to see. It's like jazz guitar immortal Joe Pass said, "Anybody can do it."
This is rather a glib answer. It's like saying "If you don't like your car, then all you have to do is build your own, since anybody can do it," or "If you don't like the music on the radio, all you have to do is write, produce and record your own, since anyone can do it." Not everyone has the requisite skill set or background to be producing their own magazine articles. I used to write articles for a computer magazine, and believe me, not everyone can do it, Joe Pass notwithstanding.
As for the magazine itself, any reader who doesn't approve of the content should simply stop buying it. That's something anyone can do.
Whenever I read that "Classic Toy Trains" isn't the magazine it once was and that it needs to cover more vintage Lionel and American Flyer, I wonder whether the person writing that comment is checking our website on a regular basis. Every month, I write or edit a brand-new research article on some aspect of prewar or postwar trains. This article on the website does not appear in the magazine and represents new research and writing. These articles tend to be longer than what would be in the magazine. So all I can suggest is once more to go to ClassicToyTrains.com and look under "Collecting" for "Web Exclusives."
Between the magazine and the website, there is more available for our subscribers than ever.
Roger Carp
Senior Editor
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