I understand it is sometimes difficult.

[METRO]

Whatever happened to the great how-to articles like the dear departed Paintshop section and Student Fare? And why why why was Workshop only less than a page? The models ARE the hobby you know! I'll tell you I'm starting to move away from the magazine and more onto my fellow modelers and my own troubleshooting skills when it comes to the hobby.

I really wonder where the great and inspirational articles went? I remember an article from a couple years ago that showed me how to paint the screen details onto my Walthers FAs and I still think that was a bit of modeling genius. There was also a layout a few years ago (it was an O-scale Canadian National pike) that inspired the lighting in some of my urban areas.

I really really want genius and inspiration back, especially since I'm starting a seccond layout and could use good ideas!

[sparkingbolt]

I lost interest in MR some years ago, in the '80's when it appeared (to me) that they thought their readers were all so affluent that cost was no object. One product reveiw casually recomended that modelers would want a large variety of $80 Brooklyn Mint vehicles for their O scale layouts. As if to just shell out 8 or 12 hundred bucks and plunk 'em down. They featured a breif survey once pointing out the model rail roaders were generally well to do.... I know this isn't a cheap hobby, but this rather lost me. I didn't go away mad, I just lost interest.

When I came back some years later I found articles aimed at beginners, things like the Alkali Central (I think it was called) , A layout everyone could learn something from,and you didn't need to be a doctor to build it. Features like "Workin on the Railroad" gave us hands on ideas. A number of smaller layouts were featured.

I agree every now and then a comparatively dry issue comes along, but I wonder what I would try to do to appeal to an audience who's fields of interests are ever broadening. DC, DCC. Sound ...Expensive. cheap. RTR. Kits. Deisel.Steam. Freight . Z-G Passenger.Scenery. No scenery. Operation. Scratchbuild. Styrene. Real wood. Hand tools. Power tools Proto87 0r 48...about the only thing we ALL have in common is flanged wheels on rails.
Seems in the really early days stuff was so limited that everything printed appealed to a great percentage of the readers. Most stuff was O scale, steam was the rule. Scratchbuilding was the only way to get so many things. Yeah, we're spoiled these days. And face it, we are getting used to the fact that we can get so much info these days on this and other forums that the Magazine couldn't keep up if it wanted to, which I think it does want to. I have benefitted greatly from this aspect of the forums. My layout very directly reflects that. But I would not have a layout if not for the education I got from MR.

I always look forward to the next MR these days. Some articles have info that I'll never apply but it's great to see the scope of what's available, and the scope of interests and skills out there. I too understand it is sometimes difficult. Dan

[Anonymous]

I personally dont care for the hit and miss issues that arrive in my mailbox, therefore I have made the desicion to allow my subscription to expire and buy off the bookstore shelf when the issues are good and save my money when they arent

[on30francisco]

I used to subscribe to Model Railroader several years ago. Depending on its contents, I now buy it occasionally at the newsstand. There are still some good articles in there, but for myself, the magazine isn't what it used to be in the 60s, 70s, or 80s. I've found other model railroad magazines that better cater to my interests; and there's always the internet.

[twhite]

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. If EVERY issue of MR was solid gold, I'd have the most incredible model railroad in the universe, and so would you guys, right? The Ads tell me what's available now or soon, the Product Reviews let me know if I should salivate or not and start saving my Cesterces (Roman coins, to you uninitiated), the articles may or may not be pertinent to what I am currently projecting, but sooner or later, fellows, you're going to do the same thing I do, and that's scurrying thorugh your old pile of MR, because you SUDDENLY REMEMBER someone's article that explained what right now, you're all at sea about. In other words,

[twhite]

Hit the wrong darned button on the computer again--as I was saying, in other words, QUITYERBITCHIN' and just be glad that we have a hobby magazine that addresses ALL of us, not just the Happy Few, as Henry V was so prone to say. I've not read an issue that didn't give me something to think about, even if it didn't seem relevant at the time.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

Hit the wrong darned button on the computer again--as I was saying, in other words, QUITYERBITCHIN' and just be glad that we have a hobby magazine that addresses ALL of us, not just the Happy Few, as Henry V was so prone to say. I've not read an issue that didn't give me something to think about, even if it didn't seem relevant at the time.

Amen, brother. I don't know what everyone's complaining about. Just looking at a few recent issues reveals a wide range of interesting articles. In the October, 2004 issue alone, there are articles on installing DCC in Athearn diesels, backdrop painting, a room size midwestern track plan (1990's perhaps, but do the words back dating mean anything) and detailing plastic steam locomotives. The previous issue has articles on a C&NW layout (so much for the complaints about Eastern roads getting it all), rock formations, plastic structure kitbashing basics, operational paperwork and kitbashing an ex- Milwaukee SDL-39. The issue before that had a track plan for the SF Surf Line, backdating a P2K BL-2, an HOn 2 1/2 layout, making better looking brick buildings and 10 things you can do to improve your layout.

I've been reading MR since 1957. Trust me on this, it's better than it ever has been and it's been good throughout the years. Whaddya want, an MR staffer to hold your hand? Do something neat and submit an article about it.

Now if MR would only reprint that 1967 article by Jim Boyd on rolling your own boiler.

Andre

[jacon12]

It has to be a daunting task for a magazine to appeal to the rank beginner and the 40 year veteran at the same time. If they run articles only on complicated tasks or layouts it goes completely over the head of the neophyte and that person quietly exits the hobby never to be seen again. If they run articles on how to make a good solder connection or successful wire stripping, the advanced hobbiest is up in arms. As a member of the first group I appreciate both types of articles. I read and try to understand the advanced articles and I appreciate the basic ones that tell the how to lay track.

[Anonymous]

Hey, I have read model railroader for about 40 years, with a few breaks.....Naturally, I find some issues of more interest than others, but it is always high quality.

I, for one, think their new "USA Today" brevity is great. It fits the times! And, long articles aren't necessarily better articles, they are just longer. Another mag recently had an article on electrical reliability of Peco switches, which interested me. However, despite reading four or more pages, it was so poorly written that I did't understand it at all. That would never make it into MR. They would put it in "Workin on the RR" and have five bullet points referenced to photos showing how to do it.

Secondly, for the other old timers who think it should be a little more in depth, I disagree, only from the standpoints that, 1) the long term trend is to make the hobby easier, so it consumes less time. Since MR is promoting WGH, this makes sense, and 2) I think they have made the conscious decision to cater to beginners and intermediate modelers for a few reasons. First is WGH. Second is that their are numerous specialty mags that can fill the role of "scratchbuilders monthly" and third, the sad fact is, even many of us long time modelers never get out of trhe "intermediate stage."

So, I think they know their audience well. If you don't happen to be in their demographic, subscribe to other mags, and be grateful they are trying to grow the hobby.