Model Railroader

[Anonymous]

I think that the magazine is really good. Voted an "8." i've been reading it since i was 10 or so. I think that the ads are a huge part people read the magazine for. I don't think there is any type ov overkill or underkill in this area. I would like to see a few more prototype drawings or kitbashing articles though. There is always a piece of rollingstock, scene, or structure that someone somewhere is trying to build, and if someone wasn't looking to build that, they can get a very good idea from that to build something that they want. Im my opinion, the editions with "how to's" are the most exciting to read.

[Anonymous]

I've looked forward to getting mine as long as I can remember. I give it a 9.

WB

[douginut]

My vote was a "10". each year it improves to appeal to our changing culture and likes. My first issue of MR was in 1957 at 10 years old.
Graphically it maintains interest and feels up to date.
Most of the larger ads still have the same feel and style as they did in thesixties.
The only improvement I would love to see is "perfect" binding like the annuals you produce.
I dont subscribe because I want to see your magazine on the shelves of my local Wal-Mart and Smith's grocerys. That way others will see it too and as I was be lured to the lifelong pleasure and passtime of model railroading.

Doug, in Utah

[Anonymous]

I have been a reader since the 1950's, and a subscriber for over 30 years. I still look forward to each month's issue. Infrequently, I purchase other competitor publications, but they just don't measure up. I look to your new product evaluations as a major aid in my decision making on purchases.

Keep up the great work !!!!

[Anonymous]

So far Model railroader gets a...

B
81%

I will sign up for it when my band pays me my fundraising money!
[:)][:D][8D][:D][:)][:D][8D][:D][:)][:D][8D][:D][:)][:D][8D][:D][:)][:D][8D][:D][:)]

[simon1966]

I have subscribed since I got into the hobby 4 years ago. Most often every issue contains at least one article I find really interesting. I like the advertising as this is a good source of product information. My only real peeve, is that they never miss an opportunity to answer a question or reference an article that can be purchased as a back order! I can't blame them really, but it gets under my skin and I have become sensitive to it!!

[Anonymous]

I think that MR is about an 8. I have every issue since 1954 and have built three of their Christmas layouts. Tony Koster comes and goes, as some times he's a little off base for me with his hair splitting. IE: don't run tracks parallel to the edge of the layout (several issues), but his new layout is done that way.

I enjoyed the mag better when Lynn was the editor. I much prefer smaller layout articles but that's just my [2c]

Bob

[Anonymous]

mecovey,

I also read Tony's colum first - whether or not I agree with his view is irrelevant, he always writes a very insightful column, one that makes me stop and think abit. I then read the product reviews, the letters to the editor, do a quick thumb through of the pics and then read the articles.

[Anonymous]

I give it a 9. This gives room for improvement but indicates that I am very happy with the contents. It covers everything I'm interested in. [8D]

[AggroJones]

I wi***he product reviews were more through. And I'd like to see more articles featuring bed room sized layouts. Not so many "basement empires". I give it 8.5

[Anonymous]

10 for me. MR is my bible [:D]

[mecovey]

In addition to MR, I read RMC, Mainline Modeler, Railmodel Journal and Model Railroading on a monthly basis. I subscribe only to MR, Classic Trains and MRC. I voted 9. The hobby is so diverse that one man's agony is another's joy and both of them are correct.

I model B&O in approximately 1700 square feet so Western railroads and 4x8s are not my cup of tea but it's great if somebody else likes it. MR does a great job of balancing the many facets of this hobby.

Does anybody else have a specific process for reading a new MR? I page through the entire magazine but won't allow myself to read anything until I get to Tony Koester's column. Then I go back and read articles that are of particular interest especially if there is a large eastern theme railroad featured. Then I read articles that are of lesser interest, then the letters to the editor and then the ads. This makes the enjoyment of the new magasize last a little longer

I particularly like the rendering of the various track plans and the side bar info containing the stats. The other magazines have plans that are little more than crude sketches ar none at all.
I would like to see more operation oriented articles and really appreciate the DCC columns.

[randybc2003]

I have been purchasing MR since about '68. I have been adding to my collections for older issues at swap meets, etc. I have purchased almost every issue since '94. I remember articles by P. Larson and L. Westcott, Scenery by W. McClanahan, & etc..

I know it tracks all scales in the hoby, and most articles, except product reviews for specific scales, can be applied to all scales. I really appreciate the coverage of new techniques and trends. I try to keep all my issues, as articles that don't interest me now may interest me later. I still go back and do a "dollar model" now and then.

My big gripe is they seem to be "dumbing down" some of the sophisticated concepts. Compair Tony K's articles on track planning and operaton with John Armstrong's articles on layout design and operation. Check out the old article on the MONTANA & PUGET SOUND RR with some of their current operations stuff. Check out Tony K's Newstand Special on OPERATION with Bruce Chubb's old book by the same name.

I do like their simplistic" introduction" articles, as that gives newcomers a hand up.

Oh well - maybe i'm just an old grouch who expects too much.
[C):-)]

[cwclark]

I rate it an 8...it's a good mag that i've bought since the early 70's...it's great for looking over new stuff on the market ..but there are a lot of things i've missed that they used to do ...one was the scale blue prints of locomotives that used to be a centerfold....another thing i miss is the MRR clinic..there were many great ideas in the clinic and it also taught basic modeling skills for those just starting out in the hobby...another thing they need are more pictures of the layouts they feature...just like this month's issue titled "Right from the start"...it only has 5 pictures of the guys layout...but in general , it's been a good magazine even though I miss Model Railroad Craftsman....Chuck[:D]

[areibel]

I think it rates at least an 8. I've been reading it since the mid-70's, the only thing I really miss are the drawings that used to be in almost every issue. Be it a car, a locomotive, a trackside building, etc.. it was a great resource for info. That's why I've been building an archive- use the index of magazines here, then look it up.
In the January issue, there actually is a drawing- not one I'll use, but there is one! I really enjoyed Bergies article on building the diesel, and the one on modeling the early 1900's. THAT's model railroading to me, building something, not melting the plastic to buy something then just setting it on the track. But MR goes as the hobby goes, everything should be RTR. Guess I'm just a dinosaur.
And personally, I love the ads! For me, that's how I have to buy almost everything. There actually is one model RR shop within a 80mile radius of me, but try getting there when they're open. I buy there when I can, but have to resort to the ads most of the time.

[jfugate]

Model Railroader is the only hobby magazine I have a complete collection of since the late 50s.

The magazine has gone through periods where it has been somewhat mediocre, but that never lasts for more than a year or two ... and then it usually stages a comeback.

MR is currently in an upswing. I've been in the hobby for almost 40 years now and I find each issue of the magazine to be still an interesting read, especially these days. Keep it up MR!

[Anonymous]

I gave it an 8. I've been a regular reader since Jr. High back in the seventies (have my dad's issues back to the early 60's) and have seen many changes - some good, some bad, well, not bad - I just disagree with them. I would like to see more articles concerning kitbashing structures. Art Curren rocked and is solely missed by me. I do feel, however, as a general purpose model railroading magazine, MR is tops. There isn't a single issue that doesn't have at least one article that I find interesting - even if it is in a different scale, different era or different geographical location - there is something to learn.

One thing that I like is the beginner articles. Even if I feel that I know how to do something, there seems to always be a new twist that makes the job easier, or a new tool. I especially enjoy Tony Koester's column. I'm not big into operations (at least not yet) but enjoy reading his take on it. I also find his column very amusing at times - it's gratifying to know that this builder of an awesome layout and man of infinite skills makes some of the same mistakes as me! (his wiring column had me written all over it!).

While I rated MR an 8, they've had some issues that were pretty close to 10's in my book, and only a few that fell as low as 6.

Bottom line - if I could only subscribe to one - it would be MR.

[Roadtrp]

I've only been a subscriber for one year, but have been very happy with the magazine (I rated it an 8).

I would never rate anything a 10 feeling there is always room for improvement. The reason I did not rate it a 9 is because of the one pet-peeve I have about the magazine. Many times the text of an article will go in to considerable detail about a specific portion of a featured layout. Then I look for a photo to match the text and there is none. If considerable attention is paid to something in the text, I think they should make sure to have a photo showing what they are talking about.

Other than that one gripe, I think the magazine is first rate. I really enjoy the ads, so I certainly would not complain about there being too many of them.

[:)]

[Anonymous]

I've been reading MR since the mid sixties and although I certainly find some issue not to my liking they play to a broad audience and do a good job of it. I also subscribe to Timber Times and Narrow Guage and Shortline Gazette, which fill in the my main interests. If you have to chose only one RR specific publication then Mr would be my recomendation. I gave it an 8.

[johncolley]

For all of the above reasons I give it a good solid "9". While it is almost great, there can always be some improvement. The neat thing about subscribing is that if you have questions or need to know some technique, sooner or later there will be an article on it. I have full years going back to '95 when I got back into the hobby and I often refer back to articles, how-to's, etc. I only wish now I had kept all the '60's issues I used to have but donated to the library during one of my many hiatuses (hiati?) At 67 I'm in it for the long haul now, so keep 'em coming. Also in response to one of the statements above, isn't operations a part of railroad modelling? Or are they just supposed to be dust collectors?

[n2mopac]

Well, we get these threads rather often on here, and as usual I must defend MR. Is it perfect? No. Is it the best general model railroading mag on the market? In my opinion, yes. And I have read most of them, even subscribed to a couple of other for a time. But MR is the only one I still get today. It covers all scales and all aspects of the hobby for modelers at every level. That is a tall order to fill, but MR does it pretty well. There are many here who would like to see MR cater more to their specific needs and desires. Whil that would make MR great for them, it would make it less inclusive as a general model railraoding periodical. In short, keep up the good work, MR.

Ron

[BRAKIE]

Well MR needs to improve..The magazine been in a down hill side for quite some time and doesn't seem to be to be getting any better.[:(]

[Anonymous]

I buy mine at a supper market. The magazine has way too many ads. I give it a 5=ok!

[RMax1]

Slapping the face of the host I think may not be the point here. How else would the publication know whether they need to improve or not. I'm in the manufacturing business and feedback from my customers is very important. The last few issues have been very good. Every once in a while MR rolls out a lemon or two. I'll agree that there is too much advertising and not enough meat but they have to pay the bills. Also ads are part of the content and are the cheapest way to show new product. I'm not real fond of the Mega layouts that are works of art. I'm more geared to the smaller/midsized layouts. All the giant layouts seem to run together after a few issues. As long as they provide quality content and stay off the filler I will stay a subscriber.

RMax

[ClinchValleySD40]

Still the best.

[rogerhensley]

Other than the NMRA Scale Rails, MR is now the only mag that I take. IMHO it is not the magazine that it once was as it is too glitzy with too little solid modeling features. However, it is the one magazine that can be used to keep up with the hobby overall. That's why I still subscribe.

The reason for the decline?
1) Spining off too many other products that carry the content that MR used to carry.
2) The modeling community is changing toward less modeling and more running.

BTW - I don't consider asking for comments to be biting the hand of the forum supplier. If we can't get honest opinions here, then where? Oh, well... I voted for 6 out of the scale of 10.

[IRONROOSTER]

It is and has been my favorite magazine for over 30 years. My only wish is that it would carry more articles on the minority scales such as S and O.
Enjoy
Paul

[jwar]

Look forward each month and read it cover to cover. I wish some advertisers would get more creative, some are the same old page, I want new and different info.

MR is a class act, hosting this forum for us, in my personal openion is priceless.

[EL PARRo]

I've had a subscription for about a year and a half, although I have been reading Model Railroader for at least four or five years, and I have only a couple minor gripes about it. First, I'd like to see MR feature more about western model railroading. It seems that at least 3/4 of the model railroads and other articles they feature are eastern (such as B & O or Pennsy), and only every few months they feature a western railroad (such as Union Pacific or Santa Fe). I'm not saying that they should feature all western railroads, but I would like to see a little more balance, especially since I model western railroads. Second, I'd like to see a few more articles about scenery. Other than these two things, I like Model Railroader, and I give them an 8/10.