I still, and always will, subscribe to the paper edition. The digital edition is fine, but the paper copies will last close enough to forever for all practical purposes, and I actually OWN them! The content will never disappear due to reading device obsolescence, the provider taking the content offline because it didn't pay, or any other reason that streaming content may disappear. My collection of paper issues takes up about 30 linear feet on top of my bookcases, and I can read them anytime I'd like, without regard for internet connection outages, device battery condition, etc. All I really need is sunlight and I'm good to go!
I grew up with paper, so until I'm forced to, I'll stick with that.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Brunton I still, and always will, subscribe to the paper edition. The digital edition is fine, but the paper copies will last close enough to forever for all practical purposes, and I actually OWN them! The content will never disappear due to reading device obsolescence, the provider taking the content offline because it didn't pay, or any other reason that streaming content may disappear. My collection of paper issues takes up about 30 linear feet on top of my bookcases, and I can read them anytime I'd like, without regard for internet connection outages, device battery condition, etc. All I really need is sunlight and I'm good to go! I grew up with paper, so until I'm forced to, I'll stick with that.
Amen, My friend.
Cheers,
Frank
I'll stick with paper too. I am into HOn3 narrow gauge and my main mag is the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazzette which has been a real full sized magazine since 1978. Prior to that it was "Fine Lines".
MR is still taken here as well. Just spent too many years buying MR on the newstand. So I subscribe now.
Interestingly, I see back issues of MR mags at the train shows for free or selling for 25 cents each to a very high price of $1.00 each. Even back into the 50's and 60's they can be found for 50 cents each!
I have been trying to get all my back issues of the Narrow Gauge Gazette back to 1978, but they are $5.00 each for all back issues from 2012 until the mid-80's and then the price jumps to $10.00+, each! The first year (1978) was offered complete by one dealer for $250.00! Yes, occasionally you will find a full, single, modern year bundled by an ex-narrow gauger who didn't renew for $10 or $20, but that is very rare. One of the mag dealers I saw recently said he can't keep the older 80's and 70's Gazette back issues in stock. Fortunately, it has always been a bi-monthly so there are only 6 issues/year.
I assume MR has seen so many copys in each printing that the death rate of old MRs keeps back issues well stocked and, often, as a drug on the market.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
So did I. I also grew up with atmospheric nuclear tests, leaded gas, and leaded paint, to name a few examples, so I'm not at all enamored of the idea that just because I grew up with it that it's worth keeping around.
I dropped my paper subscription for an electronic subscription because paper just takes up too much space ( old MR's, RMC's, Trains, Classic Trains, Railfans.... need I go on?). I have several plastic carrying containers, that, when full of magazines, weigh something on the order of 50 lbs each and occupy several cubic feet. Compare that to the complete set of MR's (1934-2009) on DVD that occupies a few cubic inches for the media. Near as I can figure, a complete paper collection of MR and Trains dating from initial publlication would weigh upwards of a ton and earn me a spot on A&E's "Hoarding: Buried Alive".
EDIT: Whoops, it's TLC that does that program. A&E does "Hoarders".
Andre
narrow gauge nuclear ... I assume MR has seen so many copys in each printing that the death rate of old MRs keeps back issues well stocked and, often, as a drug on the market. Richard
...
The release of the DVD with the first 75 years of MR drove the back issue prices down. I noticed a drop at the train shows where back issues were commonly $2 and occaisionally $1 each. Now they are $5 for a year and $.50 each - sometimes less or free.
Once I bought my DVD copy I stopped acquiring back issues (I already have them back through 1947, plus a few earlier ones) While I haven't gotten rid of my paper issues since I have currently have space for them, I won't take them with me if I move again.
Enjoy
Paul
Hi,
My first issue of MR was Dec. 1955, and I've been a subscriber for over 4 decades. Like all mass media communications, some issues are better - to me - than others. But, MR is THE magazine of the hobby here in the USofA. And, while I used to get other train mags as well, it has come down to MR and CT exclusively these days.
I'm pretty established in the hobby, having already built my "final" layout - and picked an era, location, road, scene, and of course - the operating system. So many of the articles in MR aren't really needed by me, but I really do enjoy looking at the work of others, especially the layouts. And unlike most magazines, I especially like to see the ads - for I'm always looking for that new and different car/loco/structure.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
BruntonI grew up with paper, so until I'm forced to, I'll stick with that.
I did too but, maybe I'm a techie junkie because I prefer my magazines and western novels on my Kindle Fire. There is a annoying drawback. If you do a lot of reading you need to recharge the battery every other day.
My coffee table does seem to be missing something though.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"