I would like to see some more articles on the produce/fruit industry. There was a two part article on the perishable fruit industry that was done in the Sept/Oct 2010 issues, which were pretty good, but not much has been done since.
Checking the MR digital archives I've seen less then a handfull of articles on building/kitbashing model packing houses/cold storage buildings, which are small industries that would fit on most model railroads. Making a realistic orchard, with details such as water pipes or a small irrigation channel, along with wind machines/smudge pots and other features would also be nice, as this could be modeled trackside almost anywhere (yes, they are even seen in the high desert of Southern California).
Myself, I've thought about possibly working up a article proposal to MR to fill this void, but at this time I am in between layouts, so anything I do model related would be a structure only, or a small display diorama.
Anyway, that would be my request.
Regards,
Jeff B
Posted by JoeinPA on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 9:19 PM
mvlandsw The trouble with "If you want to see an article write an article" is that if I know enough about something to write an article I don't need to read about it.
But others might be interested and benefit from you sharing your knowledge.
Joe
It's good to share information and knowledge. However the person asking for an article on a specific subject probably does not have the information to write it. If he did he would not ask for an article.
The motivation to write comes from different sources for different people. Perhaps helping others, seeing your name in print, promoting your favorite railroad, making some extra hobby money, or whatever.
Mark
I very much enjoyed and appreciated that article as well. I've found that the internet really is lacking when it comes to in-depth articles like the Pennsy cabooses.
The problem these days is that much of the infomation I need is on the internet already so itvis hard to justify the cost of having staff researching new ideas.
Having said that I would like to see more articles on urban layouts.
Joe Staten Island West
As many may know there are far more short lines then Class1s.
I would love to see "A Railroad You Can Model" return on a regular bases covering short lines and branch lines of the 1950-1990s.
With the growing popularity of switching layouts why not feature those type of layouts and articles on modeling industries by kitbashing and urban industrial leads? These industries could cover the 1950-1990s as well.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
mvlandswThe trouble with "If you want to see an article write an article" is that if I know enough about something to write an article I don't need to read about it.
True that mvlandsw. I'll put in another vote for more historical industrial modelling articles. Not just walls and roof but the purpose, design, and evolution of the various equipment.
Wow where do I start ?
Articles on super detailing landscaping. Like how to make items that look like trash, weeds, yard items etc anyything that makes a scene look real.
A running section on which pieces meet NMRA stds which do not and why
How to scratch build, cars locomatives, buildings, bridges
Different paint guns. pros and cons of each, Paint types manufactures etc...
Museum qaulity weathering
How to design a layout based on industry needs - for example which size switch needed , length of runs and size of rail for different industries
Train control systems through out the years and by different railroads
How to repair or update locomatives to be brought up to todays std.
Articles on how different RR built and ran there Roundhouses
I could go on an on etc....
Maybe a how to on building a room size layout? Especially if it can include how to accommodate other uses into the room. Storage, office, other crafts as more people may be able to have layouts in their homes if the space can still be shared by others.
Pet proofing one's layout room, or work bench, ala gentle, non-hurtful ways.
Cheers,
Alvie
Add me to the list that would like more Railroad You Can Model, and Industry You Can Model articles. A classic would be the Ashley Drew & Northern where you got both in one. Frankly the best RR You Can Model in a long time is the Southbound over on MRVP. They've spent over a year on it so imagine if you took each of the videos and made the equivalent of an article. There's probably two years worth of articles we'd be looking for the next installment of (anyone remember Up Clear Creek on the NG in NGSLG a few years back?).
I would really like to see a long series on building a great model where they cover everything from the room (or perhaps a converted yard building), through all the phases like the usual layout build, but spend a lot more time on the industries and how to model them as well. Not just as walls and a roof, but how the business works to ship and receive. Take Sperandeo's San Jacinto and do a full build out on it.
jim
I think too many of the old articles are too out of date for today's modelers.
Although I enjoyed many of those articles back in the 60's, 70's, etc. many are not worthwhile to be reprinted today.
I would like to see some of the old layout articles of the masters of the day.
I would like to see More articles on modern freight trains.
Hardcoalcase's post about a meat packer threw down the gauntlet. Esskay was a Baltimore meatpacker from the Civil War to 1990's. I suppose I could drive to the old neighborhood and hang out in a bar or two for several weeks and get the low down on meat packing. Unfortunately for him, I'm not that interested and for what little the article will bring me in fame and fortune doesn't quite cut it.
A picture and a guess will have to suffice. In the ice box days they couldn't have a run of pork one week, lamb the next and beef after that. It all had to happen at once. Don't you wish you had a truck like the one in the right foreground?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I haven't read all the replies, but I woud like to see some Loco kitbashing/superdetailing projects. I really enjoy reading those.
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
doctorwayne I think that part of the reason that one doesn't see the articles of yesteryear is because it's much easier to simply post such info on-line. Wayne
I think that part of the reason that one doesn't see the articles of yesteryear is because it's much easier to simply post such info on-line.
Wayne
I think you may be right.
It seems more likely that some of what they receive goes on line rather than them not getting any submissions.
Once the web site is up-and-running, there's very little cost in adding content to it as opposed to the costs of printing and mailing.
Again, the magazine can only contain the information that fits on the pages they can afford to print.
BroadwayLion...if you want to see a particular article, you will have to WRITE IT. Articles to not fall out of the trees. You want something, you write something.
Food for lions may sometimes fall from trees, but articles for MR not so likely.
Lion has it right: the staff at MR (and other similar magazines) do some writing and some of the feature articles, but most come from the readership.If you can put together a decent how-to, or interesting narrative for a layout show & tell, the staff can polish it, but you also need good photographs, and the requirement for those are more stringent than for the stuff which we post here.I was fortunate, many years ago, to have a short piece accepted for MR's Paint Shop. While writing it wasn't too much of an effort, getting useable photos, even with a reasonably good film camera, took a couple of tries. I'd guess that those making specific requests here have an interest in the subjects which they mention, but perhaps feel that their skills are not up to MR's standards. My suggestion is that they simply make an attempt. Today's version of a "Dollar Model" or scenery tips, short painting and decaling articles, or something on lineside details for your layout (all with good photos) could easily find acceptance if they're well-presented. MR's staff will fix the spelling and punctuation mistakes and perhaps make your submission easier to understand, too. Good pictures (you like seeing them in the magazine, right?) are important, and it's also important to caption each photo, including info on what's in the picture (manufacturer, details, modifications, etc.). Include lots of photos: it's not like the days of film, where each image cost you money, and they'll pick the ones which will look the best in the magazine.
I think that part of the reason that one doesn't see the articles of yesteryear is because it's much easier to simply post such info on-line. I have lots of such how-tos, layout views, etc. HERE, which probably makes them unacceptable for magazine use. Certainly the pictures wouldn't cut it, and most such work-in-progress photos can't be re-done.
MR (and other publications) have detailed information on what's required for magazine submissions - check them out.Here's a link to MR's.
mobilman44 May I add........ Perhaps a series on RR signage and signaling, and the modeling of same, and also maybe some reviews of the available signals and installations.
May I add........
Perhaps a series on RR signage and signaling, and the modeling of same, and also maybe some reviews of the available signals and installations.
You and a number of other posters have mentioned some good ideas for articles and features we'd all like to see in the magazine.This thread got me wondering whether my perception of MR years ago was accurate, or perhaps nostalgia.I don't have many back issues, but I checked a few and found some interesting numbers.I don't know if the following information is typical for an average issue or I just happen to have a few unusual examples.The April 1988 issue had 172 pages with 12 articles and 18 items under Departments and Miscellany.A highlight of the issue was the prototype data and drawings of the 1938 20th Century Limited which included beautiful full-color renderings.December issues were traditionally larger and the Decmeber 1991 issue had 236 pages with 14 articles and 19 items under Departments and Miscellany.This issue also had prototype drawings and renderings of the 1947 Empire Builder.January 2003 had 184 pages with 12 articles and 12 other items.It has been suggested that a lack of interest in bringing back some of these features may be the problem. I'm sure that's possible, but a glance through these issues makes something else very apparent.The list of advertisers has declined significantly. A quick count of advertisers in the January 2003 issue came up with 210 listings. A good number of those had ads on multiple pages.Even allowing for a few ads by Kalmbach themselves, that's an impressive list.It does make me wonder if the resources simply aren't there these days for the staff and time required to put that much into an issue.As advertising revenue drops, it would only make sense that the page count would follow.Perhaps all we can hope is that the editors will listen to the requests that have been made and find a way to bring some of these ideas into the magazine when space and resources permit.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Lion does some amazing things with inexpensive and surplus materials. Would like to see him publish an article in MR on his repurposing of materials.
I would also like to see an article on maintence of way versus different eras, types of equipment used. Most of us know a lot more about rolling stock versus eras and less about the other things required to keep railroads running.
LION wants to see an article about SUBWAY TRAINS, and while we are at it how about building on the cheap, with found materials, and methords that might be common, but are not up to skilled standards.
But if you want to see a particular article, you will have to WRITE IT. Articles to not fall out of the trees. You want something, you write something.
"If you see something, say something" is copyright NYCT.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I would like to see articles about layout rooms / buildings. For example if you plan to build a basement layout, how to prep it for moisture, heat, cooling etc. or if your doing a bedroom / spare room getting the right lighting system and right color of wall paint. Just a thought.
I'd like to see some articles that go into considerable depth about how to do really precise detailing - for example I see the installation of AB air brake piping on some guys' models and it is so very precise, it is a thing of beauty. My own efforts look less neat, more casual. Ditto for handrail and stirrup step installation - try as I might I do not get that clean uniformity that I admire. Or it looks OK to the eye, but less good in a photograph.
For "A Railroad You Can Model" articles, I liked the ones where they would create small segments (what Tony Koester calls Layout Design Elements) of accurate track arrangements and then show various combinations of those segments in suggested track plans.
Dave Nelson
Paint Shop and the "Railroad You Can Model" articles. Those are the two.
The second could easily be handled by an aspiring writer and trackplanner.
i learned a lot, as a kid, from Linn Westcott's articles on using transistors in throttle and detection circuits.
I wonder if there would be enough interest in articles on software for model railroad layouts using small pico processors or Arduino's.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
dstarr I still miss the Dollar Model articles, and I miss Paintshop. I read MR (and RMC) for stuff I can use on my layout. Prototype plans, photos, of rolling stock and structures. Electronic projects such as crossing flashers and bell ringers, signal curcuits, whistles, diesel horns and the like. Prototype info such as how to tell EMD from GE diesels, air brake mechanisms, things to add to your rolling stock. Now that FLoquil is gone, an article on finding or mixing railroad colors, (B&M blue, Passenger Maroon, New Haven green, Pullman green, and the like) from stuff you can still buy. With some "paint chips" printed in the article. Some discussion of changes to the paint mix according to layout lighting, incandescent vs fluorescent. Benchwork ideas, like " is 2" blue foam strong enough to hold up the layout?" and "how stout do legs and L-girders have to be?" Pictures and photos of rail served industry. If you just have to run more of the "Look at this groovy layout" spreads, how about more information about how the proud owner put his layout together, his bench work, scenery, wiring, and other stuff that I might use on my layout.
I still miss the Dollar Model articles, and I miss Paintshop.
I read MR (and RMC) for stuff I can use on my layout. Prototype plans, photos, of rolling stock and structures. Electronic projects such as crossing flashers and bell ringers, signal curcuits, whistles, diesel horns and the like. Prototype info such as how to tell EMD from GE diesels, air brake mechanisms, things to add to your rolling stock.
Now that FLoquil is gone, an article on finding or mixing railroad colors, (B&M blue, Passenger Maroon, New Haven green, Pullman green, and the like) from stuff you can still buy. With some "paint chips" printed in the article. Some discussion of changes to the paint mix according to layout lighting, incandescent vs fluorescent.
Benchwork ideas, like " is 2" blue foam strong enough to hold up the layout?" and "how stout do legs and L-girders have to be?" Pictures and photos of rail served industry.
If you just have to run more of the "Look at this groovy layout" spreads, how about more information about how the proud owner put his layout together, his bench work, scenery, wiring, and other stuff that I might use on my layout.
I posted a topic myself a while ago listing some of the features I'd like to see make a return. Based on the comments, it seems a lot of us miss some of the columns, particularly the prototype drawings and small layout designs.
It's difficult to say why these were dropped over the years.
l know I enjoyed the renderings of passenger trains and locomotives that ran for a while.
If anyone at the magazine is listening, it might be worthwhile bringing a few of these features back.
Excellent points. I too miss the dollar model series and Paintshop.
Regarding the "Look at this groovy layout" articles, I have always felt that MRR was missing the mark by not pointing out how things were done. Whenever a layout has a track that disappears by penetrating a wall, as just one example, I always want to know how the builder disguised it, but there is virtually never a photo showing how it was done, and I usually end up feeling let down. Please rethink MRR's approach to these articles.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
The recent article on Pennsy Cabooses was fantastic, I'd like to see more articles on prototype equipment. Back in the old days there was usually a set of plans in each issue, and I think there's enough new equipment out there that would be fodder for an article every so often. Especially the latest Tier 3/4 locomotives and rebuilds, information can be hard to find.
Articles detailing the basic production processes and rail-related operation of various industries at different time periods would likely be of interest to many modelers.
For example, meat packing - did houses need to specialize in one kind of meat (i.e. beef) or could they also do pork and lamb in separate batches? What were the time constraints of transporting and holding live aminals or finished product that would drive the rail service schedule? When and where were reefers iced? What inbound supplies and outbound by-products went by rail? How did these processes differ from the early 1900's to the transition period to modern day?
I recall that MRC ran a series of similar articles some years ago. MR has books dedicated to selected major industries but many could be covered in an article length piece.
Jim