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My first suggestion would be: How about two versions of the magazine? One for HO scale and one for all the other scales. (Of course, some content such as scenery, electronics, etc. could still be duplicated). While I understand their reasoning behind covering all scales, I think the economics on my suggestion could be positive, and I constantly note the percentage of each issue that is completely irrelevant to me (I happen to be in HO). Second: more "overview" pictures is a suggestion that comes up again and again. If you look back over the last couple of years I think MR has responded to this. I suspect, based on the layouts that I've visited (inluding several that have been featured in MR), that two issues are (a) the portion of the layout that is unfinished, and (b) the amount of junk / clutter that would be in the picture. So I don't go as far as wanting "warts-and-all" overview photos. Plenty of those are available on personal web sites, and I enjoy them and sometimes find them instructive (especially good reminders to keep my own layout area tidy), but I want the photos in MR to remain high-quality. Third: I am of two minds about the electronics articles that used to appear fairly regularly (for a couple of years they even had a column). On the one hand, these were potentially among the most useful articles that I read. On the other hand, I say "potentially" because - for some completely inexplicable reason - they could NEVER get the circuit diagrams correct - and I truly mean NEVER. And often made mistakes in the component lists too. So I'd like them to return but only if these problems can be fixed. Finally - and perhaps most controversially - do away with the photo contest, which as far as I'm concerned pretty much wastes one full issue each year. Reviews: I concur with Joe's points. I think they do a pretty good job on reviews; you just have to do some "reading between the lines". In particular, if ANY negative is mentioned, however fleetingly or lightly, I consider it to be a big yellow caution sign. (For example, the review of the Walthers bascule bridge acknowledged some problems with fit of parts, and difficulties in getting the bridge to operate; other sources indicated that these were very serious and frustrating problems). Just obtain views at your LHS or on the forum before making any signficiant purchases. Bear in mind also that one of the ways they combine efforts at objectivity with maintaining good relations with advertisers, is by generally choosing to review only those products about which they can honestly be positive. A signficiant release that is not reviewed should also be viewed with caution.
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