Misleading Magazine Title

[MTsteamfan]

I am surprised that O is as popular as it is. Being somewhat isolated in Montana like I am, I had pretty much figured the O guage market was dead until I discovered CTT back in the 90s sometime. I had no idea it was the thriving community that it is! (Discovering that one issue of CTT has cost me a lot of dollars over the past decade but the fun I've had rediscovering toy trains has been worth every cent.)

As for CTT itself, the only thing I would like to see change in it, is to make it bigger! :)

[Anonymous]

O gauge enjoyed a very healthy collector following up through the early 90s, but it wasn't really considered all that much of an "operator's" scale until firms like Right-of-Way, Weaver, and Williams began offering more scale-like items and then, shortly thereafter, MTH entered the O gauge market in a big way. MTH gave the O gauge industry a real kinck in the butt, and things haven't been the same since. So you actually entered the hobby when it (O gauge) was still enjoying its dramatic upswing.

I'm one of those who believes that the peak for O gauge--for the industry itself, that is--was reached in 2000-2001. Others will disagree and contend that the best is yet to come. I figure we'll pretty much know who is right or wrong about that in around 2010. For now, though, there's more stuff out there than was ever before available in O gauge, so my advice is to take advantage of it while it's still there.

[otftch]

I wonder if you ever noticed an Alco PA has three wheels on each truck ?

[daan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MTsteamfan

I am surprised that O is as popular as it is. Being somewhat isolated in Montana like I am, I had pretty much figured the O guage market was dead until I discovered CTT back in the 90s sometime. I had no idea it was the thriving community that it is! (Discovering that one issue of CTT has cost me a lot of dollars over the past decade but the fun I've had rediscovering toy trains has been worth every cent.)

As for CTT itself, the only thing I would like to see change in it, is to make it bigger! :)

It happened exactly the same way with my hobby. Years ago I was into swiss h0 and found a magazine in the local magazine-shop, it was the CTT, somewhere in 1996. It was an issue covering the F3's made by Lionel in the postwar time. I really liked the engine and the size of it, but didn't realize it was still for sale. (Not in europe anyway).About 2 years ago I found an F3 postwar Lionel set on a local trade and sell page and bought the stuff for 300 dollars. That's when my 3 rail hobby started. The magazine I bought years ago was still available and I subscribed. Since then I discovered the website and through ebay and internet I could buy the big trains as well.
It still is hardly available in Europe, and I'm one of the very few odd ones out, but I really don't regret the switch into 0.
In the January issue of CTT was a nice article on building a layout for S gauge, but when I look at the layout as one, I really miss the "toy train effect" the 0 3rail layouts have. How clever the layout is built, when it's finished the trains run in circles and regarding the result it's more like h0 then any "toy-train-experience" found on other layouts. That's what is making the difference to me.

[lionelsoni]

I count six, Edward.

[otftch]

Looks like I should have said three axles.Sorry.
Ed

[dwiemer]

I love trains. That said, when I set up my old Lionels, I looked for a magazine that gave me information on what I wanted to do, gave me direction. For my needs, CTT was the best. I had bought several single copies of all the different mags I could find to make my choice. Now I subscribe to CTT, but still will go to the bookstore to pick up other single copies of other mags because they have information that is not scale specific, ie using tiles and foam for scenes. I won't sink to the level of being critical of another's choice in scale/guage, if this forum or CTT do not meet your needs, go where they do. As to the title of the magazine, it's just a title, remember the old saying about judging a book by it's cover. I suggest you purchase some single copies of other magazines and find what best suits your needs BEFORE you subscribe.

[FJ and G]

I'm trying to limit my intake of magazines to 3.

I ditched OGR and will let MR expire and have limited it to CTT, Garden RR, and Trains.

Nothing wrong with OGR & MR, just had to limit the costs.

I think CTT has well designed layouts, thoughtful and informative writing, and holds my interest, even when it's a subject I'm not into like tinplate, S gauge and post and prewar stuff. I'm not sure they can hold my attention, however, about box collecting. :-)

[overkill-phil]

Welcome to the forum!
My suggestion?

Take two smoke tablets and call S-Helper in the morning![:D]

[Anonymous]

I like CTT and MR. I think they both do a good job presenting quality layouts and lately the focus seems to be on building scenery that looks great. The how-to articles are very well done in both mags. The layout in Jan 06 CTT page 63 is very impressive. I actually cannot tell where the backdrop begins in the picture on page 66. I am thinking that the water may be part of the painted backdrop...but I am not sure?

[mackb4]

I like CTT and it's format .I think CTT covers a little of everthing old,including "s" gauge.If your gonna make that commet then "ho" collecters could complain to because all of the manufactures marketed "ho" in the past,long before K-Line and MTH and others entered the market,making them classic by todays standards.But those gauges like as mentioned do have thier exclusive magizines that don't cover "O" gauge.You have the right to air a view,but it doesn't hold much credential ,and that's not being rude in my remark,just honest.Look how CTT just covered standard gauge this issue.I don't have one piece of standard,but I loved the article,and the history relayed.Enjoy this forum and CTT,for it would not be possible without it.And be open to remarks ,comments and suggestions.We all are brothers/sisters in model train collecting/operating .[;)]

[FJ and G]

Topdowndesigns,

Agree that the Jan06 CTT backdrop is impressive; one of the better layouts, in fact.

The most realistic model train photos I've ever seen & indestinguishable from the real thing, is to be found (pull out your old issues) in MR magazine, Jan 05 issue, pages 126-127 of the N scale Monon passing thru Bloomington, Ind. There's even a light frost on the ground!

Then on the next page, 128-129, check out the cold winter morning with snow on the Soo line in Genoa, Ill.

I often go to those 2 photos and admire them. In fact, the magazine is falling apart from too much handling. I've seen many other great photos but nothing quite this realistic.