The Feb. CTT cover reads...

[prewardude]

Regarding the lack of any MTH "duds," I will quote John Grams' last paragraph in his introductory comments to the aforementioned article:

QUOTE: There's one more disclaimer. Most of these models are from the postwar and late prewar years. For many contemporary items, it's too soon yet to say whether they have stood the test of time. Rest assured, though, that before long a new crop of sleepers and duds will surface.

Since MTH is a contemporary company... but I digress.

Now if I was to choose an MTH "dud," it would be their Proto1 system. I don't have any Proto1 stuff, but I don't think that scrambled chips would be very much fun!

So there ya go, Big Jim. I made up for Mr. Grams' lack of inclusion.

[palallin]

I suppose slick attracts a certain segment of the public, but these photos are NOT ads: they're supposed to provide information to the reader. One of the pieces of info often missing is how these separate, "slick" scenes are integrated into the whole. ONLY a wide-angle shot, however un-slick, can provide that info. CTT isn't (or at least isn't supposed to be) Playboy or People: "slick" shouldn't be the over-riding concern.

[msacco]

I had to defend CTT here. Although Sleeper and Duds is maybe not my f avorite article they've run, it certainly is entertaining. Also, I think I read somewhere here about photography in CTT.
I recently picked up a copy of the other magazine after not seeing it for several years.
As I thumbed through it, I immediately noticed the poor quality of photography and/or printing. The photos were too contrasty and just not that clear. CTT is wise not to include too many wide-angle photos and the quality of the photos is first rate.
Also layout-wise, CTT is just visually organized better. It's, to borrow an advertising term from my old profession, just "slicker" looking.
Though this is my opinion I should mention that I was an Advertising ARt Director for 15 years before becoming a teacher and designed a ton of magazine ads and also hired many quality photographers, so theoritically I should know what I'm talking about.
Theoritically, anyway.

Mike Sacco

[Roger Bielen]

It is a pleasure to see the editor of a magizine with such a sense of humor and willing to take critisim with a smile.

[Bob Keller]

If you knew that, life would have no spice.

[Frank53]

no harm intended Bob, I'm just trying to figure out which side of the coin we're flipping today.

[Bob Keller]

Frank,
The pot is already swirling sufficiently, no addition churning is needed.

Thanks.

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller

Some, I think, just post some off-the-wall thing to create a fuss; find a few stones cast their way; and then run over to another forum to relate how badly they were treated and to seek sympathy.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller

You'll find all that you need here, and conducted in a civil manner without all the badmouthing of individuals and other forums (which seems to dominate the content on the referenced site).

[#oops] [#oops] [#oops]

[Anonymous]

Bob,

I beg to differ with you. It's not the popular opinion. It's only touted by a few gasbags.

Dennis

[Anonymous]

This sort of phenomenon is by no means unique to CTT. It happens with virtually all the publications by all the publishers, regardless of scale. I see the same sort of thing occur with "Garden Railways," "Model Railroader," "O Gauge Railroading," and nearly all the others, regardless of publisher, issue after issue and on forum after forum. Even publishers who do not operate a forum are not immune.

Some, I think, just post some off-the-wall thing to create a fuss; find a few stones cast their way; and then run over to another forum to relate how badly they were treated and to seek sympathy.

This is, indeed, a diverse and interesting hobby, made up of an equally diverse and interesting cast of characters!

[Bob Keller]

Yeah.

A few years back there was a guy who would say some pretty negative stuff about us on the OGR forum (I've got'em printed out in a file in my desk), and said that he'd cancelled his subscription because we were such a rotten magazine.

When we checked, turns out he had actually renewed for three years. I guess that was what he meant to write.

We've got a pretty thick skin, and contrary to popular opinion, you don't get blocked from posting negative things about CTT - or the manufacturers - rather the "plays well with others" element is far more important.

[Anonymous]

BigJim has had a problem with several things about CTT. Ogaugeoverlord, it's great to see your responses. That's funny. My own take on BigJim's excess...

I think I'll use BigJim's own words that he posted so graciously over on MTJ:

"Forgive me for not suffering fools kindly."

[Bob Keller]

Alas, Trevor, quite a few of our writers and many of our readers don't use the internet.

In our last survey we asked "do you use the internet at least once a week?" and 27% said no. But the number has been getting smaller over the past 10 years!

[Anonymous]

There's a great saying on the wall of a bar (Rohman's Inn) in Shohola, PA:
"Everyone brings happiness to this bar. Some by coming in, others by going out."

I think the same applies to some of the train forums. There are some ying-yangs on each of the forums. But in general, CTT and MTJ provide lots of great info for the hobbyist. Both are fairly welcoming to those who post questions and opinions there. All forum members and moderators could stand to remember that people's opinions are just that -- opinions, and they do not reveal attributes or flaws in anyone's character. Nor do they represent an insult to anyone's mother. So if someone wants to say something ridiculous, it is probably best to let the thread just fade off the first page. If someone wants to complain about how he was treated, it will only survive as a thread if the point resonates with aenough other members on that board. This is a great forum, and so is the MTJ forum. The moderator here has a great sense of humor but also understands that we are not talking about war and peace, we're talking about "post war" and Greendale...etc. So, a little light hearted humor is a nice thing now and then.

I liked the article about the sleepers and duds, butn I thought the writer was off base on the fire fighter car. At least he wrote an article, which is more than many of us have done.

I'll tell you what is freightening to me: In a post on here somewhere, the CTT overlord guy says that the writer of that article does not use the Internet. THAT is freightening.

[ChiefEagles]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles

Good folks and bad folks in every group.

[Frank53]

To each their own.

I've found you can get good info at MTJ if you ask a question without having to have a secret decoder ring, or a board meeting to determine whether or not you or your question is worthy.

[ChiefEagles]

Truth is the truth. I think you will find several folks are fed up. Good folks and bad folks in every group.

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles

Now Big Jim will run over to MTJ and tell how badly he was treated by CTT.

Chief, Chief, Chief, I'm disheartened. [:(]

[ChiefEagles]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ogaugeoverlord

Jim,
If our magazine Really, Really, Really bugs you that much, I just suggest not reading it at all.

I'd hate to think you'd have a stroke over some cover blurbs. We're not curing war or world hunger here, we're writing about toy trains.

Have a low-blood pressure 2006! [:D]

Amen
Now Big Jim will run over to MTJ and tell how badly he was treated by CTT.

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ogaugeoverlord

No, not just fiber, Metamucil!
Orange flavor, not original flavor.
Either texture.

only if you can get it in a 55 gallon drum with an IV kit included.

[Bob Keller]

No, not just fiber, Metamucil!
Orange flavor, not original flavor.
Either texture.

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BigJim



The part that is really frightening is that MTH is totally left out of this waste of a good tree. How do I not read "Discrimination"?

There really aren't a lot of things that frighten me. Putting my kids on an airplane is high anxiety, North Korea and Iran with nuclear capability gets my attention, waiting for the results of my wife's CT scan, but other than that, I don't freighten easily.

With that said, perhgaps less caffine and more fiber in the old diet would help.

[Bob Keller]

Nope, the system just kept telling me it was unable to complete the posting transaction ...

[Anonymous]

Sound advice is worth repeating! :-)

[Frank53]

is there an echo in here?

[Bob Keller]

Jim,
If our magazine Really, Really, Really bugs you that much, I just suggest not reading it at all.

I'd hate to think you'd have a stroke over some cover blurbs. We're not curing war or world hunger here, we're writing about toy trains.

Have a low-blood pressure 2006! [:D]

[MartyE]

Big Jim...

Maybe they don't consider MTH Classic enough?[:D]

All honesty...I don't think a conspiracy is a foot. But I'll ask the guy on the grassy knool to be sure.[:D]

[dougdagrump]

Oh My ! Is there a conspiracy afoot?

[:O]
For some reason I don't think so, but then again I don't believe in any of the other conspiracy theories floating arond either. Except maybe the alien flatcars you just know they are prototypical of the area 51 inhabitants. [swg]

[BigJim]

Actually Allan, the fact that MTH is conspicuously absent wasn't mentioned before.

[Anonymous]

The topic was already covered, in depth, in another thread here, including a response from the editor. Here's the link:http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=53566