I'm trying To understand the relation between MRVP and Trains.com. When they first started talking about Trains.com I understood it to be compilation web site of their individual web sites, Trains, Classic Toy Trains, Mosel Railroader, etc. but now I see you need to sign up. So my question is does having a current subscription to MRVP become a de facto subscription to Trains.com? Do I need a Trains.com subscription to continue to have a MRVP subscription? Please explain just what each is now. Thnx all.
I too am confused. I think it is fair to say that Kalmbach has been incoherent in their roll-out of trains.com.
Dave Nelson
I've been wondering about this Trains.com thing, as my subscription to the hard copy magazine and the digital archives just renewed.
To sign up for everything Trains.com I think is about $80.
The mag and the archives is about $70. Do I need both???
Confused, and no answers as to what is happening, to description of services, just questions.
Mike.
My You Tube
The trains.com subscription is what I think Kalmbach is transitioning its 'core' pay services to. It is NOT something grandfathered from any current subscription; in fact a couple of current things are available at a lower monthly charge, as has already been mentioned in a couple of other posts.
What they appear to be 'banking on' is that the monthly-$6.99-fee-billed-yearly-in-advance will appear to offer so much for only 'a couple of dollars more a month' that everyone who wants paid access will choose to get it that way. I'm tempted to note that global magazine-archive access alone is a significant perk (compare it to the cost of the Trains Complete Collection alone that became obsolete for early-adopting Mac marks -- $149 down the memory hole) and it will be interesting to see how this situation evolves as we go into stage 3 of the "improved Internet experience" in the next few months.
As I recall there is a reasonable FAQ somewhere on the trains.com splash page, together with 'new' links to customer service. Until proven otherwise I'd say to call or e-mail there with any detail questions...
Just gotta run a VM with Windows on your Mac and the old DVD collection will work fine - still works even on Windows 10 which is several versions newer than current when that all came out.
But it does seem the trains.com is al all-inclusive thing. Maybe next year when my magazine subscription runs out, because I still have a year left, don;t want to double down there, and then I would also need to cancel my MRVP subscription since that is included int he "all-in": trains.com one.
But I don't see what it buys me, really. Archives of the other magazines? I already own the Classic Trains DVD collection, which is the main point of coverage for the era I model. And since I have the MR 75 year DVD plus the next 10 year update they released, the archive is of no value to me. Right now I pay for a digital MR subscription plus another $2.25 for MRVP. trains.com all-in would cost me more for what exactly?
The trend everywhere is clearly to 'renting' software and services. I try to avoid it - I will not use Adobe stuff any more, there are alternatives to Photoshop. A very good electronics EDA package went all subscription only recently - well, if I have to go subscription model, I found one that not only is free, it offers far less restriction on the size of board I can design than the affordable version of the other.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I agree - it is confusing. And logging into the new MR splash page still accesses the exact same un-updated forum and customer service webpages.
It would be nice to at least get some additional updated details from Kalmbach about the MR forum upgrade - even if the exact date for that is still unknown at this point. And, if I need to have a subcription in order to utilize the "new" forum...I'll be moseying on.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I'm a little confused too. My magazine subscription is up in two months and I'd like to switch to new trains.com, but not sure what comes along with the higher price. Especially when it comes to the future of MRVP.
I have been watching my email inbox for an explanation from Kalmbach Media.
Hoping for a good explanation because I am a bit confused too.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I just renewed the MR magazine for three years at the "best rate you can get from us." The videos don't interest me much and I prefer ordering a la carte. The fate of the multi-magazine index seems to be sealed, but it has come back from the dead in the past.
It's certainly disappointing that Kalmbach's rollout of this Trains.com concept has so many forum members (like me) pretty clueless what it's all about, and more importantly, how it affects our print mag and MRVP subscriptions. You would think after all this time promoting it and talking about it that maybe someone could have thought about issuing an email, forum posting, video, print mag article, et al explaining the product. Yikes!!
Yea, you would think - even if all the details haven't been finalized yet. I'm as dumbfounded as all of you.
Earlier this morning, I clicked on my usual book mark to get here, no problems.
Just now, when I clicked on the same book mark, it took awahile, but the MR splash page ( as Tom called it) opened up.
When you go to Community, and click on forums, a seperate page opens, but the top of the page is a mess.
This must be the "new" home page.
I just noticed the logo/avatar of the bookmark has now changed.
Software upgrades never go smoothly. Murphy never sleeps
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddySoftware upgrades never go smoothly. Murphy never sleeps
My wife has told me horror stories of how EPIC would do upgrades in the middle of the work day.
It would drive the Dr.'s office girls crazy.
Yea, I'm seeing all the site links listed but squished into the upper left portion of the webpage along with "Welcome back, Logout!" I guess the roll-out will be a work-in-progress.
No change yet to my PM page...blank as can be. And I don't have a very high expectation that it will be rectified with the upgrade.
Got the new site, getting the same thing - same forums, just an entiirely blank top section. My PM page still works.
Trains.com has videos MRVP members can't access...
just letting you know. That's probably why MRVP content has gotten so thin recently - it's being diverted to Trains.com.
Anyone think Kalmbach will make this right?
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
MRVP charged my card on 3/11/21, went to watch the final video of The Hills Line and received following message
We'll see what customer service has to say, also noticed you can no longer call customer service, has to be email?
Pruitt Trains.com has videos MRVP members can't access... just letting you know. That's probably why MRVP content has gotten so thin recently - it's being diverted to Trains.com. Anyone think Kalmbach will make this right?
It seems the new "Back on Track" series with Leone is one of the things MRVP subscribers can no longer access? I see episodes 1, 2 and 3 locked behind the unlimited pay way? On MRVP episode 1 is available as a "free" video....
This was a series I was looking forward to... so MRVP subscribers are locked from seeing this content?
Edit- Sent an email through MRVP customer service portal asking about this.
pwaka88 Pruitt Trains.com has videos MRVP members can't access... just letting you know. That's probably why MRVP content has gotten so thin recently - it's being diverted to Trains.com. Anyone think Kalmbach will make this right? It seems the new "Back on Track" series with Leone is one of the things MRVP subscribers can no longer access? I see episodes 1, 2 and 3 locked behind the unlimited pay way? On MRVP episode 1 is available as a "free" video.... This was a series I was looking forward to... so MRVP subscribers are locked from seeing this content? Edit- Sent an email through MRVP customer service portal asking about this.
Please let us know if you get an answer. I'm a big fan of Gerry's work, and will be extremely disappointed if I'm locked out of his new series because I subscribe to MRVP and not Trains.com (and I'm darn sure not going to subscribe to both).
Thing is, I went to MRVP and I am locked out of not only EPsidoe 1 of Back on Track, which I watched a week ago, but also the last Off the Rails episode, which I ALSO watched a week ago. Also locked out of things like the Garden Railroad Variety SHow which I had previously watched on MRVP. Other older content still plays.
rrinkerI am locked out of not only EPsidoe 1 of Back on Track, which I watched a week ago, but also the last Off the Rails episode, which I ALSO watched a week ago. Also locked out of things like the Garden Railroad Variety SHow
I can watch all those. Don't know why I'm special and you are not, but everything I try that was MRVP still works. In the past I have had trouble playing some of the layout series.
There is also a trailer for Trackside Adventures, which plays, but the text says the series is exclusive to Trains.com
If I go to the OLD MRVP page - I can watch those videos. But from the new MRVP home page? They show the lock icon for subscribers only.
rrinker If I go to the OLD MRVP page - I can watch those videos. But from the new MRVP home page? They show the lock icon for subscribers only.
That makes sense. They are trying to sell a new product, don't show people the older, less expensive product. But they ought to grandfather MRVP subscribers and say you won't be able to renew MRVP, but we are going to show you why you need to join Trains.com
Little late now with all these threads and comments but I did receive a reply to my email.
The "Back on Track" series is exclusively for Trains.com unlimited members. Other than an apology for the confusion, no comment on the MRVP content cutback. No indication on which new series will be exclusive or not.
MRVP subscribers can still view all the MRVP content on the new Trains.com. Simply use your previous login information to sign into the new site. To find just the MRVP content, start here: https://www.trains.com/mrr/video-member/
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
This should be pinned to the top of every MR forum to avoid confusion. Similar posts from editors/Kalmbach management (a basic FAQ) should be prominent on all of the forums. As a MR subscriber since 1981, I'm more concerned with things being clarified than knowing I get a free t-shirt for signing up.
Thing is, I'm still locked out of videos I previously watched - many episodes or MRVP Underground for one, also Off the Rails - not just new ones, but ones from months ago, like the 50th episode Birthday Bash.. And SOME of the rhab my railroad Jones Island series - some I can see but the sidetrack ones on building the tugboat are locked.