Becky's got a point.
For example, pick up a copy of the "New York Daily News" if you're up in that area and the paper's usually a half-inch thick, on Sundays almost three-quarters of an inch thick.
BUT, if and when I find a copy out-of-state, say in a local Barnes and Noble, it's only an eighth to a quarter-inch thick. Amazing what happens when you leave out all that advertising that only applies to the greater New York area.
Advertising does tend to beef up a periodical.
Compare December 2006 CTT to December 2018 CTT. On what page does the first feature story appear? Pg 46 and Pg 38 respectively. Go back a bit further, December 1998, it's page 60 and that issue had 172 pages (counting the back cover). But how many of those non-content pages are advertisements for hobby shops that no longer exist? How many are from stores that do still exist but now rely more on their websites to list product than their print ads?
Personally I think the content is still there. I'm still entertained and I always learn something new. I just have to page through a lot less advertising to get to it.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
sir james I Just for fun I grabbed an older CTT. Dec. 2006 had 114 pages between the covers. If you walk into a store and compare todays CTT with that other mag, which are you most likely to buy? That being said, which mag would you chose to advertize in? Less buyers also means less advertizer's. They are letting this magazine self destruct buy trying to sell CTT articles in soft cover books.
Just for fun I grabbed an older CTT. Dec. 2006 had 114 pages between the covers. If you walk into a store and compare todays CTT with that other mag, which are you most likely to buy? That being said, which mag would you chose to advertize in? Less buyers also means less advertizer's. They are letting this magazine self destruct buy trying to sell CTT articles in soft cover books.
I understand what there trying to do, but I agree with you, as the thiner the magazine gets, and the less issues the more there losing readership. Pretty soon the way this is going, there going to be down to 4 issues a year like Classic Trains is.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
"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
Exhausting of available material can be a problem
For a personal example, back around 1970 or so I started reading an aviation history magazine called "Air Classics." For the longest time there was no shortage of articles about all aspects of aviation history and surviving types of historic aircraft, but by 1976 it was starting to wear thin. I mean, how many articles can you read about how great the P-51 Mustang was? After a while it seems that's all they were writing about. My own field of interest was World War One aviation but they didn't seem to pay much attention to it, the mag's motto might as well have been " By World War Two Air Force vets, FOR World War Two Air Force vets!" So I just lost interest.
The mag's reinvented itself since then with restoration and airshow articles and coverage of ALL aspects of aviation hsitory but it took a while for them to do so.
So, exhaustion of material is something editors have to be concerned with.
Perhaps CTT should have conducted a reader's poll first to determine what their loyal supporters preferred in regards to the elimination of an issue?
There should be no lack of material to fill CTT. As an example, the addition of more S and Standard Gauge would be most welcomed! Also, reducing advertising rates should also help cover production costs as well.
TRBB
Penny Trains Sooo...does that mean that your Mrs is now Lady FLINT storm?
Sooo...does that mean that your Mrs is now Lady FLINT storm?
No Becky, Lady Firestorm it shall remain, she likes the title! Anyway, "Flintstorm" doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well.
The only thing she doesn't like is when I call her a "Brony" or a "Pegasister."
Even if she is one!
Trinity River Bottoms Boomer Eliminating the October issue will be a major mistake. To all CTT supporters who agree we need a Fall issue put on your Yellow Vest and let's set a date to demonstrate outside the Kalmbach offices ASAP! Looks like we'll get a Trick and no Treet this Halloween. What a bummer! TRBB
Eliminating the October issue will be a major mistake. To all CTT supporters who agree we need a Fall issue put on your Yellow Vest and let's set a date to demonstrate outside the Kalmbach offices ASAP!
Looks like we'll get a Trick and no Treet this Halloween. What a bummer!
I agree! Who cares about Spring or Summer. I barely have time to read the mail in those months!
Sorry Trinity, but I have to disagree on this one. I can live without an October issue, especially if CTT's got a problem with material.
I'd much rather live without an October issue if it means expanded November and December issues heavy with Christmas layout pictorials and "toy trains and Christmas" articles.
Remember, it's not easy to publish what amounts to a narrow-interest magazine without running into the very real problem of running out of material.
By the way, just to show my wholehearted approval of Bob Kellers return I renewed my subscription to CTT today.
It's great to hear that Bob is "back," but Carl Swanson did not say that Bob is back as an employee of Kalmbach. He said that Bob will be a contributing editor, i.e., a freelance contributor, which means that he will be paid for the articles that he contributes.
Great news about Bob Keller !
He's best of the best ! Always enjoyed his enormous, and knowledgeable contribuion.
I reckon it's time to fire up my subscription again...
I had log-in problems too, but they seem to be OK now. I suppose the partial cause of the problem was my retiring and turning in the company-owned laptop, had to start from scratch.
By the way, I used to be "Firelock76."
Buckeye RiveterBuckeye Riveter wrote the following post 10 days ago: FINALLY...I'm able to log in! I used the same log in information I have used for 14 years on the forum. It has been over 6 weeks. Glad to hear that Bob Keller is returning to CTT.
glad I'm not the only one that hasn't been able to log in!
Great to hear Bob Keller is back. Recently loosing my job I really felt his pain.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
kovalevSince the Feb 2019 is listed as the 250th issue, maybe I am off with my collection, any input on this list : I have for each year, 1987-1,1988-2,1989-4,1990-1995-6ea ,1996-1998-8ea, 1999-2018-9ea ,that is 247, so with Jan,Feb 2019 ,I have 249,,,What have I missed,,I am going crazy trying to figure this out...Regards
I have for each year, 1987-1,1988-2,1989-4,1990-1995-6ea ,1996-1998-8ea, 1999-2018-9ea ,that is 247, so with Jan,Feb 2019 ,I have 249,,,What have I missed,,I am going crazy trying to figure this out...Regards
We resolved this little mystery above in a separate thread.
I have been a purchaser/subscriber since the beginning and have all the issues. In looking at the early issues due to kovalev's question and noting the years of 4, 6, etc. issues, I feel a return to fewer issues per year will hopefully lead to more content per issue. I am also glad Bob is back in some capacity. Thanks for a great magazine and good luck!
Regards, Roy
I am delighted to see Bob back; I hope it's a real staff position rather than as a roving correspondent (IF that's what he wants).
I have been expecting to lose an issue for a few years now. Considering I get the October issue in August or the very beginning of September, I really don't think its loss will affect my Fall warm up all that much. I'd rather that than, say, lose the March issue which I get before Valentine's Day. The choice is the right one, I think.
Since the Feb 2019 is listed as the 250th issue, maybe I am off with my collection, any input on this list :
Everything costs more these days; paper, ink, postage, nothing escapes inflation. CTT going to 8 issues is one of its effects. Perhaps the magazine could print September to April for those months seem to be of the most interest to train enthusiasts. Anyway, CTT will continue to be read, cover to cover, each and every issue! Keep up the great job.
Wonderful news that Bob is back! Missed his input greatly.
Understandable about the October issue. Whatever helps keep CTT viable.
I am a charter subscriber.
I hope 2019 is a great year for you all!
My dear mom always said you have to take the good with the bad, the bitter with the sweet. So it is really good to have Mr Keller back at CTT and too bad about the October issue. And as my godmother (mom's sister) always said; what are ya gonna do?
I've always thought so!
Hi Frank,
Please call me at Classic Toy Trains regarding the problems you are having renewing your subscription.
Merry Christmas,
Roger Carp
Senior editor
262-796-8776 ext. 253
MI Katt Glad to see Bob is back! Now, I can Renew my subcription! Dave Robinson
Glad to see Bob is back! Now, I can Renew my subcription!
Dave Robinson
Glad to see I wasn't the only one who protested. I won't say how I did it, it'd get me moderated all over again! By the way, it was worth it.
With Bob back I'll gladly renew my subscription as well.
Hurray, Bob is back. Kind of helps me get over the delivery problems I have had of late with CTT. Do hate to lose one issue a year but it's certainly no suprise considering the things that have been pointing that way. Hope that's all that happens. Wayne
I, as well, will add my voice to the choir of those welcoming Major Bob, USAF back to the CTT fold.
Welcome Home, Bob, thank you for your service and your dedication to our hobby.
This is indeed, a very great Christmas present!!
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
FINALLY...I'm able to log in! I used the same log in information I have used for 14 years on the forum. It has been over 6 weeks.
Glad to hear that Bob Keller is returning to CTT.
Now if someone in the subscription department would return my calls and email so I can renew.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
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
TCA 09-64284
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