CTT Forum's " 15 minutes " of Magazine time

[Blueberryhill RR]

I am directing this Post to Bob Keller and the Staff of CTT Magazine.
I would like to suggest an idea that I think would be favorable to all members of this Forum. And that is.... A page or an article in each month's issue, about a Member of the Forum's trains, layouts, or other achievements.
I have enjoyed the CTT magazine very much and also being a member, for the last year of the Forum. I have learned a great deal from the people on the Forum. I have also seen a lot of talent that deserves to be recognized.
The articles and pictures in CTT magazine have been very interesting. A lot of the layouts shown are made by professional people and are great.
I would like to see the layouts made by people like me. We save up for an engine. We run our trains on the carpet of a spare room until our layout is finished. We build things and are proud of it.
I think we deserve our " 15 minutes " of Fame.
I would love to pick up an issue and find someone that I talk to everyday, in an article about what they have done. The pictures alone, from Sunday Photo Fun, tell the story. THAT issue would be priceless.
I would appreciate some consideration in this request.
Chuck[:)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Chuck, I think that's a great idea. It also promotes the forum to those readers who haven't discovered it yet.

[ChiefEagles]

Me too. [:)]

[ChiefEagles]

Funny, my reply is here but not on main page????? Great idea.

[eZAK]

Good idea Chuck!

We'll see if they are listening or 'eh reading[:)]

[Anonymous]

Hi Chuck,

Thanks for the suggestion. Everyone is always welcome to send in a photo of his or her work for the Photo Album section of CTT (it's usually on page 14). That includes photos posted here each Sunday (they've got to be hi-res, however, for magazine publication).

The same goes for feature stories, how-to stories, and layout tips. Information for those submissions can be found on page 8 in each issue.

Most of CTT's 50,000 readers are not forum participants. For many toy train hobbyists, internet posting apparently is just not something they find pleasure in doing.

I don't want to exclude these folks from anything in CTT, and also, as an editor, it only makes sense to have as big a pool of people as possible from which to obtain stories or photos.

Thanks for the suggestion, however, and thanks for your active interest in our website.

Sincerely,
Neil Besougloff
editor, CTT

[jonadel]

It's a great idea because there's so many great homemade layouts out there plus innovative ideas with wiring issues and construction design. I enjoy the solutions presented on this forum and find them to be informative and creative, furthermore it just amazes me at the knowledge level from the average train nut who has a real job and family to balance out the picture.

Great idea Chuck, I hope it takes off.

Jon[:)]

[Blueberryhill RR]

Thank you for your response, Neil. I appreciate that.
I guess the answer is, for each Forum member to send in, thru proper channels, photos and ideas that could be used.
One member's comment, that I would like to bring your attention to, is the fact that , my suggestion would encourage more people to visit the Forum.
I, for one, was a subscriber to CTT magazine, for several years, before I knew there was a Forum.
Thanks again,
Chuck[:)]

[Anonymous]

"Most of CTT's 50,000 readers are not forum participants. For many toy train hobbyists, internet posting apparently is just not something they find pleasure in doing."
-------------------

I agree that the vast majority of folks in this hobby are not forum participants (this, or any other forum), and I can well understand why. The majority of those actively engaged in a hobby--any hobby--are in their hobby for relaxation, personal or family leisure time enjoyment, and as a way of escaping the trials and tribulations of everyday life. No forum I know of, in any scale, truly affords all of those possibilities--at least not for long.

That is by no means intended as a put-down of Internet forums in any way. It's simply a matter of acknowledging that, while some may feel that the Web offers the end-all and be-all in up-to-date information relating to a hobby (and the timeliness certainly cannot be disputed), this is not always the kind of information that many folks--probably a significant majority--seek on a regular basis when they spend time actually involved with their hobby.

The content goals of a printed magazine do not necessarily coincide or even mesh well with the goals of a web site or on-line discussion forum. Certainly magazine editors spot prospective content and content providers when they read and see what is posted on-line, but most rely on the participants themselves to provide that content--primarily because the magazines themselves have limited staff resources.

Just about anyone on this forum has the potential of seeing his or her name in print in CTT or one of the other publications. But the glory doesn't come free, because there's a good amount of work involved in writing and illustrating an acceptable article, or even in producing and submitting a single interesting photo that is worthy of display on the publication's photo album pages. It's not hard work, and can even be fun work if you like to work with the written word or are good with a camera, but it does take time and it isn't something that can just be thrown together.

I enjoy participating on this forum and reading what others have to say about their experiences, but the ball is in the individual's court when it comes to submitting something suitable for the printed version of CTT's enterprise.

[ChiefEagles]

Well, I've seen some mighty good photos on Sunday Photo. Some may not be from the FANCY layouts but still are part of the train operating. I have a feeling that there is a large portion of the CTT readers that do NOT have the fancy layouts. Maybe that is why they are the "silent" readers. They feel they are not "nice" enough to be shown. [2c] It would also be nice to see track plans and photos for something less than a 16 by 34 or a 12 by 24 and so on. Some of the forum folks [and readers] are young with children and don't have the $$$$ to spend on big fancy layouts. Some are young kids with allowances to spend when enough is saved up to by another car, engine or operating accessory. Lets not forget them. [soapbox]

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller
[br but the ball is in the individual's court when it comes to submitting something suitable for the printed version of CTT's enterprise.

Tomorrow CTT is cutting staff at the magazine because they do not have enough work to keep everyone busy. The readers are now required to provide all of the articles and photographs. Neil, as editor you can stay because we will still need someone to staple everything together and put them in the mail. As to the rest of you slackers, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. [;)][(-D][(-D] [:D]

Chuck, good idea. I receive other periodicals that do something similiar.

[Anonymous]

Buckeye:

Readers have always provided the bulk of editorial content to CTT and all the other magazines Kalmbach (and others) publish. If they relied on on-line resources to provide what they need, they would have gone belly-up a long time ago. Instead, if you read the published bylines in CTT, MR, GR, and similar publications offered by others, you'll find that the vast majority of names are those you have never seen in an on-line forum.

Unless things have changed significantly since my days in Waukesha, I imagine that CTT and the others have a pretty healthy backlog of material that is planned for future issues, with more coming in all the time--some of which is from folks who are active on-line, but a whole lot more from folks who are not. Plenty to keep their rather small staff busy, and fully employed.

[Jumijo]

For what it's worth, I enjoy reading CTT and looking at the great photos in each issue. I've learned a lot from it's pages as well. But with all due respect, the knowledge I have absorbed in all of those issues I've read wouldn't hold a candle to what I've learned on this forum. And that's in no way a knock against the magazine. What I mean is that this forum is part extended family, part information network. And it's all at my fingertips daily! I'm a neophite to this hobby, and truth be told, I just don't know as much as some - yet. But I do know people here who do know their stuff and they have always been extremely generous with their knowledge. This forum has been instrumental in getting me up to speed on a number of topics regarding the hobby. If I get stuck, I know I can turn to the forum members and get the information I need to get back on track so to speak.

With that in mind, I too wi***hat CTT would somehow find a way to "publicize" for lack of a better word, its fine, incredibly useful, forum if for no other reason than to let subscribers and occasional readers not aware of it in on this great resource. Even a small, one-shot article would be a great idea.

Think it over some more, CTT staff. And in the mean time, THANK YOU for providing all of us this forum. It really has been a haven for me and I'm sure many others would agree.

Jim

[cheapclassics]

To all,

I think I can speak from both sides of the fence. I read (frequently) and post (infrequently) on the forum. I have from time to time been honored to have some of my writing published in CTT. A brief note or comment written here can take as little as a few minutes, or it can involve some time to do some research to answer to someone's question. Usually the amount of actual writing is around a paragraph.
An article is somewhat different. Almost always a reference book of some sort is involved. While personal experience is helpful (especially in how-to-do-it selections), drawing on and consolidating the knowledge of others is useful. Finally, the article has to be "readable". It not only has to have proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling, it also has to have a "hook" to attract the casual reader. For example, I used the "Cheap Classics" moniker for my series on less expensive rolling stock as a way to get the reader's attention. Sometimes I can dash off an item in a few hours, and sometimes a piece can ferment in my mind for a couple of years.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Jumijo]

Mike,

I greatly enjoyed the Cheap Classic series of articles. As a matter of fact, I wi***here had been one on locomotives. Maybe there was and I missed it. Nice work.

My first experience in O gauge as an adult was this past Christmas morning, operating my kid's set. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to look on the internet for O gauge forums. I immediately found this one. From my enjoyable experiences here, I decided to purchase issues of the magazine. The forum actually sold me on the mag, not the other way around. The same can be said for the OGR, although it took me a lot longer to want to purchase that magazine, based on the way that forum operates.

It would be great if the forum could somehow be highlighted in an upcoming issue. If the correct pronunciation of Lionel [zzz] [2c] can be the subject of an article, so can this forum.

Jim

[cheapclassics]

Jim,

Thank you for the compliment. As far as one on the engines, I know there was not one published and I do not believe I ever wrote one. If enough readers would be interested, I would be happy to do one. I have written articles about DC-only engine powered sets such as the Black Cave Flyer, the James Gang, and the New Englander, and those engines could be the basis for such an article. I do have a trivia question for those of you who are playing at home. What DC powered engine appeared in more sets than perhaps any engine in Lionel history?

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Blueberryhill RR]

I recently was looking thru a 1953 issue of " Toy Trains " magazine. On the cover was a picture of Sport's Person... Bill Stearns. With him was a young boy. They were watching a Lionel Santa Fe diesel pull a train. The magazine was not thick, and did not have a lot of advertising. But, it DID have a lot of articles about people and things to build. It seems that the focus, nowdays, is on money and not people. As with television. A re-run of a 30 minute, 50's TV show, now takes 60 minutes with commercials.
My point is: It would be nice to see articles about people. That's a personal touch. Somehow, there has got to be a way to do this. A Forum Newsletter,
article in CTT, or maybe an Insert, in the magazine about the Forum Members.
Let's not forget about people.
Chuck

[Jumijo]

I enjoyed the New Englander article too, Mike. Haven't a clue as to which engine was in the most sets. Either a 4-4-2 or a 2-4-2?

Jim

[cheapclassics]

Here's another hint. It was a 2-4-0. Answer tomorrow.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[daan]

My 2 cents are just that I love this forum, it's members and the magazine. It is much more fun to share a hobby and talk about it, instead of just sitting on the attic watching the trains go around on your own.
The magazine brought me to this forum and the possibilities of internet gave me the idea to set up a simple homepage. May be another hint is to get the magazine out every month instead of 9 times a year. That way there is more room in the magazine for things about this forum...
Apart from that, all thumbs up for CTT..

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller

Buckeye:

Readers have always provided the bulk of editorial content to CTT and all the other magazines Kalmbach (and others) publish. If they relied on on-line resources to provide what they need, they would have gone belly-up a long time ago. Instead, if you read the published bylines in CTT, MR, GR, and similar publications offered by others, you'll find that the vast majority of names are those you have never seen in an on-line forum.

Unless things have changed significantly since my days in Waukesha, I imagine that CTT and the others have a pretty healthy backlog of material that is planned for future issues, with more coming in all the time--some of which is from folks who are active on-line, but a whole lot more from folks who are not. Plenty to keep their rather small staff busy, and fully employed.

And he thought I was serious and stupid. [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[tschmidt]

Maybe the folks on the forum need to have their own "Forum Convention." Of course it would have to alternate between the north and south!

Tom

[prewardude]

FWIW: In my opinion, this is the classiest three-rail forum on the Internet. It isn't overly moderated, and it is very well run - just like the magazine that it represents. Kudos to all the CTT staff for a great mag and a great forum! [tup]

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tschmidt

Maybe the folks on the forum need to have their own "Forum Convention." Of course it would have to alternate between the north and south!

Tom

I agree. In January we should all meet at Doug's house in San Diego and run the trains a Balboa Park.

[Blueberryhill RR]

[:)][:)][:)]
I gave serious thought to sending in to CTT, some pictures of the layout I am building. The only problem is........ My " hi-res " digital camera, is currently pulling a 12 car freight train on my layout. With whistle and smoke.
I guess I will have to save up.
Chuck[:D][:D][:D][:D]

[ChiefEagles]

I talked to Dougsnotagrump last night. I mentioned Balboa Island and he did not know what I was talking about. I've been there. [:D] Could have a winter meet in Detroit. Only place I've seen it snow and the sun shining. [:(]

[cheapclassics]

To all,

The answer to yesterday's trivia question is the 8902 Atlantic Coast Line 2-4-0 steam engine. It first appeared in 1979, and was used in countless uncataloged sets. A lot of those sets were variations of the original set with a sponsor's box car substituted. The first set had the 9339 GN box car, the 9340 IC (I think) short gondola, and the 9341 SP ACL caboose. The numbers of the rolling stock did not fit with any of the prior numbering patterns and made no sense until seen in the context of this set.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[jonadel]

San Diego in January......... what's the date? I want to order the tickets today! Sounds like Heaven to this mid westerner[8D]

Jon

[Blueberryhill RR]

Sunny and cold. That's Detroit in the winter. Chicago is too windy. We need to find a place, maybe in NC. We could have a steer roast and take pictures. What should we have to drink? Kool Aid?

[Blueberryhill RR]

[code]IT'S NOT OVER YET[/code]
[code]In the last month, I have seen a
lot of postings, by Forum folks that deserve
some type of credit. Namely in CTT.
Chuck[/code]