Got my CTT today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tmcc man]

I just went to the mail, and CTT is now here. Who else got theirs? Lets keep this topic going so we can discuss the articles.

[tmcc man]

Just got finished reading about the attic layout. It is a pretty nice layout. That would not work for me. The entrance to the attic is located in my parents bedroom. I like the idea of the "hidden rolling stock." I think i lke the track plan on pg 74. it looks like a great layout.

[Anonymous]

A little thin, this issue. It is thje December issue too, the one most likely to be seen as the holiday shoppers go to the hobby shops en masse. Wonder why they are making the issue so thin these days?

[Anonymous]

I doubt that they're going out of their way to make this or any issue thinner (I haven't seen it yet, so don't really have an accurate basis for comparison). My guess, though, is that if this or any other magazine has fewer pages, it's primarily the result of less advertising. Advertising pays the bills in publishing a general circulation magazine, and the overall amount of content is directly linked to the amount of advertising purchased for a given issue--there's a basic formula they follow for this.

Face it, folks, the toy train segment of the hobby--not to mention other segments--is in a bit of a consolidation phase, for a variety of reasons. For example, there's an oversupply of product, coupled with a market that has not grown sufficiently in recent years, or which has become more finnicky and demanding in some cases. This has made it tough on the manufacturers and especially tough on the dealers. Legal difficulties among some manufacturers also have not helped the situation. And lots of folks are simply wary about other things that are going on in our economy, not the least of which is rising fuel prices which will invariably lead to a rise in the cost of everything else (we're already seeing that). This kind of consumer uncertainty (which is on the rise according to the University of Michigan survey of such things) does not bode particularly well for any area of the economy, including hobby pursuits.

But my own feeling is that most of the blame for what is happening in O gauge, in particular, rests with us hobbyists. We gripe and complain about what we see happening (you see that all the time on the various hobby forums), but precious few are really willing to get involved and do anything to really expose more people to the fun and creativity of model railroading--to really get out and sell it as a great leisure-time activity. Most folks would rather place that "burden" on the industry, or let someone else do it. That, in my opinion, is just a recipe for continued decline.

As I see it, this period of retrenchment was somewhat inevitable, and was predictable--and predicted--some years ago. It's really just a somewhat natural and expected part of the evolution of the hobby that could be anticipated--or should have been anticipated--back when the hobby grew at a faster rate than could logically and realistically be maintained. The manufacturers should have seen it coming; the dealers should have seen it coming; and we hobbyists ourselves should have recognized the impending problems and tapered back on our often unrealistic demands for more and more "stuff" at less and less cost. As I've said before: We made our bed; now we must sleep in it.

But this is not a doom-and-gloom forecast for the future of the hobby, and it should not be construed as such. The hobby will go on regardless of what happens in the industry, and no matter how many of today's hobbyists fall by the wayside because their self-centered interests are not being met. There are still plenty of folks who are perfectly content with what they have, or with what is being offered, and there will always be new faces drawn to the hobby by the creative opportunities it offers, by the thrill of having a train around their Christmas tree, and by the long-standing interest in American railroading that transcends time and generations.

[cnw1995]

Reading, I'm sure it's not Kalmbach's idea -- the more advertising the better - I'm eyeballing it to Dec copies from the last two years and it doesn't loo appreciably thinner. I wonder how they got everything in that attic [:)]

OK, I pulled out last Dec :138 pp.v. this year's 122 - same amount of editorial

[Dr. John]

I thought it was a very good issue. I was intrigued with the attic layout (probably not feasible in the deep south during the summer) and the article on hiding the bases of accessories.

[tmcc man]

I just finished the article on Lionel's forgotten '45 layout. I liked the pictures, and it was very realistic looking. The showroom was also very modern looking from looking at the first photo on the first page of the article. My favorite photo is the first one across the two pages. I wish i had enough space for something like that in my house.

[Anonymous]

I understand there's an article in there about adding "snow" to holiday layouts. That's one I'll definitely be interested in, and will pick-up a copy at the local B&N as soon as they're in.

[tmcc man]

Allan
I will probably read that article soon because i am creating a small village under our tree this year. You want me to tell you about the article?

[Anonymous]

No need, TMCC Man! Wouldn't want to ruin the fun for others who will also enjoy reading that article along with the rest of the magazine. There's still plenty of time before the holidays, and I've always been one who can patiently await the arrival of new reading material. I enjoy browsing the aisles at the bookstore; picking up a favorite magazine or two; and sometimes even buying a new book about railroading or Civil War history.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller

I understand there's an article in there about adding "snow" to holiday layouts. That's one I'll definitely be interested in, and will pick-up a copy at the local B&N as soon as they're in.

What was really great about this article was that 3 ways of doing snow were shown, then the pros and cons of each method was explained. I thought this would be a great format for future "how to" articles.

[prewardude]

Mine showed up today, too. That Lionel showroom layout was very impressive looking! I haven't had time to do a thorough reading of this issue, but it looks interesting.

I see that next month's issue is going to be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Standard gauge. I can't wait for that one! [:D]

[cheapclassics]

To all,

I really enjoyed the new issue. The attic article and the snow articles were really good. I like the reviews as well. As I mentioned in another thread, the product announcement pages had a picture of a Lehigh Valley 400E. The catalog does not do it justice. Wow!! Even though I probably won't ever have one, just knowing they exist is sometimes enough for me.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[laz 57]

LOVE IT JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER ISSUES.
Keep up uhr good work GIZ.
laz57

[ChiefEagles]

Mine was waiting on the kitchen island when I got home. Have not had time to look at it. Wish it had come Thursday so I could have carried it on my trip. Long flight from RDU to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Especially when it cloudy most of the way.

[Blueberryhill RR]

I got mine today. I agree with Dr. John on the intrigue of the attic
railroad. Just goes to show that a guy will build a railroad almost
anywhere. He did a good job in the available space.
Chuck

[thor CNJ]

I used to subscribe to several magazines. Not any more. Most of them didn't make the cut.

I insist on keeping my CTT subscription current. This magazine is worth getting. I enjoy it. Nice articles, and it is presented well. Good page layouts and typesetting make for comfortable reading.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Mine arrived today. No ads from Lionel or K-Line. Williams remembered to put their name on the ad this time.

Attic layout; too hot in the summer in Ohio.

Forgot to mention, great article on snow. I sure wished I had read it about 15 years ago when I destroyed the motor in my Lionel engine after it sucked in plastic snow.

The article on hiding the bases was also good especially if you have a plywood top. By using the foam in my layout, cut the hole down into the foam for the accessory to hide the base.

[daan]

I got my CTT on saturday. I thought I had a claustrofobic trainroom, but the attic used for the attic-layout is even less high them I have.. At least I can stand right up in my attic..
But the layout and ideas in this attic are great.. Somehow I thought that the houses in America are always huge and have plenty of room for a big train layout in a big room, but luckily with that article I'm put back on my feet with that idea.
0 gauge is big and needs lots of space. I'm not the only one struggling with the room to get the best out of it and knowing that is a real comfort.

The best in the CTT I think are the articles about homelayouts and the postwar Lionels. I also enjoyed te black GG1 article (not that I'll ever own one).
Together with this forum, the magazine is a huge booster to my pleasure with the 0 gauge trains!!

[Anonymous]

I thought it to be a very good well-rounded issue. Beginning with Neil Besougloff's "Editor's Desk" feature, right through, and including "Collectible Classics."

I think what sets CTT apart from its competition is that it's Editor, Neil Besougloff, always starts each issue off with an upbeat postive tone in his Editorials.

Unlike the competition's Publisher and Editor who have, until recently, used their features to push products.

Recently the question has been raised as to why CTT issues appear on the "thin" side. Well their page count is a bit off, but I'm sure that's a result of two separarate and distinct reasons:

1. Advertisers feeling that their ads in two similiar publications may be redundant, have cut back on advertising.

2. CTT makes better use of their professional print publishing skills. Resulting more attractive pages, which are easier to read and have less empty white space on them. Thus they can get more features into each issue with less total pages.

But a slightly lower page count really doesn't matter much to me, as I'm interested in the quality and superior content CTT provides me. Not the quantity of pages in each issue.

BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[Anonymous]

JEEES now I can't wait to get home and see if it showed up!

Dennis

[CB_Fan]

Gee, you are the lucky guys! I still haven't received my November issue. Called CTT last Monday and learned my ZIP code was one of many on the embargo list because of hurricane damage, even though there was very little damage in our area. I think CTT is bulk-mailed to an area where there was damage before being separated out for mailing of individual copies. I was assured that the mailing would be made last Tuesday, Oct. 18, so maybe I'll get both the November and December issues next week.

[tmcc man]

CB FAN, I hope you do get yours soon so you can diccuss it with us.

[PaulEFudd]

I liked the "lost 1945" Lionel layout article, that layout looked awesome for its day. The multi-level Christmas layout was nice but short of coverage (pictures) IMO.

I was disappointed in the issue as a whole, very thin for a Fall issue and it didn't flow as well as others. And, why hasn't CTT reviewed a modern Lionel engine lately? Is it because Lionel hasn't advertised in it? A review of a modern steamer with Railsounds 5.0 would be appreciated. Railsounds 5.0 is the best feature to come down the toy-train pike in a while! If that ain't toy train news I don't know what is?!

Paul

[Bob Keller]

I'd qualify the Canadian Pacific Dash 9/AC 4400 we reviewed in the October issue as being both Lionel and modern.

The fact is that we have not received anything from Lionel for review in over a year. Lionel products we've shot have largely either been from clubs (custom-run cars) or personal staff purchases.

I suspect you know that you don't have to buy an ad to get a review in CTT, you just have to loan us the product to test. You'll note that K-Line doesn't advertise either and they get plenty of coverage.

Thanks for your comments, Paul.

[palallin]

I really enjoyed the '45 layout article. The coverage confirms my initial react to reading about that layout: it is the best of Lionel's showroom layouts. It's much better than the more famous '49 layout. I may be branded as a heretic for that statement, but it's probably the hi-railer in me.

That said, I am getting sick and tired of coming to the end of an article only to be told that I can find more information in this Kalmbach book or that Kalmbach download, for which I have to pay additional money. I suppose I understand the marketing logic, but it's backfiring with me. I strongly resent the teasing nature of it. I pay subscription for CTT to get the whole story, not glorified ads for Kalmbach books and downloads. Either put the whole article in the magazine or make it a chapter in a book, but don't dribble the information out to me just to milk me for cash.

[Bob Keller]

If there is any "leftover" material from a feature story, it goes on the website for free.

[PaulEFudd]

That Dash-9 diesel obviously escaped my attention, I stand corrected.

I still hope that CTT (and OGR for that matter) reviews a Lionel scale steamer with RS5.0. As a buyer of both Premier and Lionel scale steamers, I can say unequivocally the chuffing and whistle sounds in the newer RS5.0 steamers are state of the art, and more importantly, they are fun to play with [:)]. When I ran the N&W J No. 611 I thought the real thing was in my basement!

Paul

[Bob Keller]

If Lionel ships us one, we'll review it.

[dwiemer]

A Little off topic, but I got my K-Line advertisement last week. In it I noticed the ice cream parlor and hamburger shack. I thought about ordering these and luckily, the wife wanted to go to Sears. I found the same products and more from Lemax for $10.00 cheaper per piece. Also, they have a good deal on lights etc.