Now that I have the MR archive, I don't need to keep old physical copies of the magazine around.The local library already has a subscription, so no need to donate my old ones there.What's the best way to pass them on to someone who can make use of them? Maybe find a person who already sells old copies at local train shows and work out a deal with them?
Not quite what you're looking for, but one thing I've done with my old RMC's is cut out the articles that pertain to my interests, and sort them into binders by subject. This is a huge help in getting to an article for a specific project, or ones I check frequently. I recycle what I don't keep.
You may want to check with any LHS you may have as they do sell them. Perhaps a local school, or an indoor flea market would take them too.
(Haven't gotten up the courage to cut up my larger MR collection yet :))
Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.
Bundy74 Not quite what you're looking for, but one thing I've done with my old RMC's is cut out the articles that pertain to my interests, and sort them into binders by subject. This is a huge help in getting to an article for a specific project, or ones I check frequently. I recycle what I don't keep.
I do the same, but instead of a physical binders, I use Microsoft OneNote (to take screen clippings of either Zinio or MR Archive articles that apply to my projects). Since the OneNote software is available free of charge on all devices, not only do I have my my research available everywhere I go, but the text in all of the images is searchable making it easy to find JUST what I'm looknig for in an instant. I can also add info using the free Office Lens app to, for example, take a photo of a plaque at a museum and add it to my research. This is also a good way to collaborate with other modelers since it makes it easy to share info with friends and see who contributed what info.[quote user="Bundy74"
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Yeah, I do have a LHS that sells old copies. Beats recycling them outright. A lot of my old copies are in MR binders too. :)
After many years I recycled just about all my model railroad magazines. I was afraid of being buried under a huge pile.
Trash companies now recycle in my area.
I tried to give them to a friend some years ago who buys and sells at shows but he did not want them. A few boxes of magazines are quite heavy to haul around to shows and back home.
I had some dating back to around 1950.
Local library did not want them. Another local library does the same. In fact, many I bought from the local library that would sell off periodicals after a few years for ten cents each. Mostly MRR. Magazine. Some RMC also.
A sign of the times.
Tried Facebook in my area and no one wanted them.
This question does pop up here every so often.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Local school, votech, etc.. might be interested in them.
Community centers, doctors and dentists offices, and youth club groups, are a couple other ideas.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I take a few with me and leave them in doctors offices. Never know it might peak someones interest.
Joe Staten Island West
Why, I've been using paper rather than lighter fluid to fire up the Weber for Years!
(Newspaper so far, but....)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Rapidfire-Chimney-Charcoal-Starter-7416/100657893
Donate them to nursing homes. Residents are always looking for something new to read.
Steve S
Joe's idea works great. My wife is a podiatrist MA, and she takes them into the office with her. They seem to vanish quite quickly. The senior doctor in the practice also likes trains, and takes his pick first.
Mike.
My You Tube
joe323 I take a few with me and leave them in doctors offices. Never know it might peak someones interest.
Sure beats the usual reading matter found in medical/dental venues. One reason I always carry my own.
Want to see some strange expressions? Check the lady sitting opposite you as she realizes that the magazine with pretty pictures is printed in Japanese...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - between medical appointments)
I keep all my paper issues* even with the digital archives. Some of the scans in the DVD and/or archive were not in my opinion done particularly well - some of the scale drawings in particular those that cover more than one page or were a fold out are difficult to use in the on-screen format.
Plus sometimes on a pleasant day I just like to take a volume of MR outside and read for a few hours. My eyes find it easier to read for long time periods off of paper than off of a screen anyway. Or if I am working on a project that is covered by multiple issues -- say for example diode matrix control of switch motors/ machines on a yard ladder. Ditto for articles that are multi-part over several issues or even volumes. I'd go nuts trying to toggle between the archived various issues of MR that have addressed this issue, and by contrast it is easy to just lay all the relevant issues side by side on the work surface and check and double check them.
And you just never know what might happen. Websites change or go away or become frustrating to use.
Dave Nelson
*Edited post: I have MR in paper solid from the present day back to 1948, and sporadic issues back to 1934. 1934 is a bound volume reprint that MR sold for many years. This is in addition to Trains magazine in paper from the present back to around 1980, with sporadic issues (some years complete) back to 1948, all issues ever published of the North Western Lines quarterly magazine of the C&NW Historical Society, and an ample selection of Railroad/Railfan, RMC, and various other modeling and historical society magazines. I won't deny it is getting to be a rather daunting storage issue.
dknelson I keep all my paper issues even with the digital archives. Some of the scans in the DVD and/or archive were not in my opinion done particularly well - some of the scale drawings in particular those that cover more than one page or were a fold out are difficult to use in the on-screen format. Plus sometimes on a pleasant day I just like to take a volume of MR outside and read for a few hours. My eyes find it easier to read for long time periods off of paper than off of a screen anyway. Or if I am working on a project that is covered by multiple issues -- say for example diode matrix control of switch motors or machines on a yard ladder. Ditto for articles that are multi-part over several issues or even volumes. I'd go nuts trying to toggle between the archived various issues of MR that have addressed this issue, and by contract it is easy to just lay all the relevant issues side by side on the work surface and check and double check them. And you just never know what might happen. Websites change or go away or become frustrating to use. Dave Nelson
I keep all my paper issues even with the digital archives. Some of the scans in the DVD and/or archive were not in my opinion done particularly well - some of the scale drawings in particular those that cover more than one page or were a fold out are difficult to use in the on-screen format.
Plus sometimes on a pleasant day I just like to take a volume of MR outside and read for a few hours. My eyes find it easier to read for long time periods off of paper than off of a screen anyway. Or if I am working on a project that is covered by multiple issues -- say for example diode matrix control of switch motors or machines on a yard ladder. Ditto for articles that are multi-part over several issues or even volumes. I'd go nuts trying to toggle between the archived various issues of MR that have addressed this issue, and by contract it is easy to just lay all the relevant issues side by side on the work surface and check and double check them.
I recycled all of my older issues because I was running out of space. I had been in the habit of putting Post-It notes on the edges of the pages with articles that I intended to refer back to, but I rarely went back to them so I figured the hard copies were a waste of space.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Wow, sounds like there are a lot of people trying to get rid of em....
I'll take donations
(Im interested in the Nov 2011, and all 2012 issues....)
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
Trainman440Wow, sounds like there are a lot of people trying to get rid of em.... I'll take donations
That's a great idea. Those who want to dispose of old copies could give them to those who want old copies. Maybe we could start a thread (I don't believe that there any restrictions on giving things away on the forums but, Steven, please correct me if I am wrong.) The biggest problem would be shipping costs. Shipping a few issues wouldn't be too bad, but shipping a huge stack of magazines would be expensive.
I kept all the articles I could find on John Allen and took everything else to the large recycling dumpsters in the next town and county over. Our city and the county is to cheap to have a place to take you recyclables to!!!!! Well for all my efforts and trouble, the dogs ruined the magazines for me.... Gusee I really didn`t need them.
hon30critter Maybe we could start a thread (I don't believe that there any restrictions on giving things away on the forums but, Steven, please correct me if I am wrong.)
Maybe we could start a thread (I don't believe that there any restrictions on giving things away on the forums but, Steven, please correct me if I am wrong.)
Just as long as the actual transactions are handled via PM. No need to clutter up the Forums with posts of private interest.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
I've been looking for some of the beer line issues or virginian project year if anyone has those to give away, I would sign up for the online archive or buy the back issues but being 14 have a limited budget. The whole thread idea seems liek a good idea to though even if no one has the ones I am looking for.
You might consider contacting a local club that has a layout that is open to the public. Our club/historical society has a museum and layout which is open to the public every weekend. We give kids copies of magazines to take home with them after their visit with hopes of attracting their interest in the hobby.
Left Coast RailYou might consider contacting a local club that has a layout that is open to the public. Our club/historical society has a museum and layout which is open to the public every weekend. We give kids copies of magazines to take home with them after their visit with hopes of attracting their interest in the hobby.
That's exactly what we do at our Club. It's a win-win. We introduce them to the hobby, the parents appreciate our kindness and the kids are elated with the new 'treasure'. The Members also free up space in our train rooms and dens. The kids almost certainly return for more.
Len S
Our club has copies of old model railroad magazines on a table at our monthly open house events. At our annual show in November an 8 foot table was full of old mags, free to the attendees. They disappeared pretty quickly!
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
Left Coast RailWe give kids copies of magazines to take home with them after their visit with hopes of attracting their interest in the hobby.
Yes, we do the same thing.
I had a thread a while back wondering where I could donate 12-15 years worth of the MR. The suggestion of leaving them in doctor offices and stuff I liked, but I was surprised to get scolded by some for having the problem. I had contacted the local clubs who didn;t want them, they already had them.
Growing up I would have LOVED someone to give me stacks of old copies. I have saved them all my life. I put a notice on Craig's List and like a day after the listing expired I finally got a response wondering if I still had them. A recent convert to the hobby was excited to get a big stack to help him learn.
Digital archives are great for specifics, but there is nothing like the magazine in your hand. I read mine in the diner while I have breakfast - it is more fun than the newspaper these days. I read it while a pasenger in a car or train. Even around the house. I spend enough time already staring at a computer screen.
So if you have not tried Craigs list, hey it is free.
LION has boxes and boxes many years wqorth of MRzines...
Problem is: if I gave them away shipping would stll be close to $500.00.
No Sale
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
RR_Mel dknelson I keep all my paper issues even with the digital archives. Some of the scans in the DVD and/or archive were not in my opinion done particularly well - some of the scale drawings in particular those that cover more than one page or were a fold out are difficult to use in the on-screen format. Plus sometimes on a pleasant day I just like to take a volume of MR outside and read for a few hours. My eyes find it easier to read for long time periods off of paper than off of a screen anyway. Or if I am working on a project that is covered by multiple issues -- say for example diode matrix control of switch motors or machines on a yard ladder. Ditto for articles that are multi-part over several issues or even volumes. I'd go nuts trying to toggle between the archived various issues of MR that have addressed this issue, and by contract it is easy to just lay all the relevant issues side by side on the work surface and check and double check them. And you just never know what might happen. Websites change or go away or become frustrating to use. Dave Nelson I agree with Dave, they can use them to cover my casket . . . I’m taking them with me, binders and all. Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951 My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Me too, MR and RMC well back into the 40's. I use the achives as an index, then go pull the mag for any serious use of the information.
I've actually been a continious MR subcriber since about 1971. They are amazing, they work without electricity.......
Sheldon
I usually just trash them, nobody ever wants them so why keep them. Heck they don't want them when I try to recycle them.
I usually go through my stack of old MRR's and remove a couple of years worth of the oldest. I used to recycle them, but since I have to visit a doctor now and then I just take some with me and leave them in the Dr's office. I can get rid of a couple of years worth in just a couple of visits. I also do the same with my Trains subscription too.
My LHS takes them & gives them free to children.
A local children's hospital might want them.
Advertise them on craigslist. "Free train/railroad magazines".
One man with courage is a majority!
NSColsMP6The local library already has a subscription, so no need to donate my old ones there.
What do they do with their back issues? My local library gives their back issues
away and aslo gives away donated magazines. I suggest you ask before jumping
to the conclusion that they don't want them.
BTW: 487 listings of back issues of Model Railroader have sold on eBay since October 5th. Each listing has had multiple issues included.
So it's safe to say people who want them are out there.