Should Kalmbach bring back "Model Trains"?

[exPalaceDog]

The Old Dog was looking through some his old Model Trains magazines today. They were pretty good reading!

When the Old Dog first got into the hobby, Model Railroad concentrated on more advanced material and Model Trains concentrated on material for beginners. Maybe Kalmbach should retrun to this approach?

Have fjun

[IRONROOSTER]

They did a special edition magazine last fall called Model Trains Step by Step. Don't know how well it sold.
Enjoy
Paul

[CNJ831]

From a theoretical point of view I'd say this would prove a fine way to return MR to a magazine aimed at the serious modeler, while providing newcomers with a monthly of their own filled with the basics. But the reality I think is that introducing such a new publication potentially could result in some real problems for Kalmbach.

While I'm sure Model Trains, at least for a time, did quite well for itself back in the 1950's, I really wonder if there is currently enough market to support such a magazine. Back in 1954 MR reported that the average age of a hobbyist was 31, 1 in 5 was a teenager, and it was the peak of Lionel's popularity with kids (many of whom transitioned to HO in the years following). Would anyone dare to guess the situation today?

Likewise, back in the 1950's Kalmbach was publishing only a few magazines (3?) and as I recall, each had a fairly experienced staff working them. Nowadays Kalmbach produces more magazines than I can count and, in the model railroading area, has been regularly stealing staff from one in an attempt to bolster another. The ranks of editorial personnel are starting to look a little thin and inexperienced. I'd venture that, where quality is concerned, to spin off yet another publication, without adding significant new experienced staff, could bring about the downfall of all.

CNJ831

[cmrproducts]

I too think that having a magazine geared more to the beginning modeler and then having Model Railroader more for the advanced modeler would be great.

But as others have said are there enough support for the 2 separate magazines?

I learned a lot of things from the old Model Trains way back when I was younger.

BOB H - Clarion, PA

[Anonymous]

Would you really need a "beginners" type magazine, with all of the other book material out there for beginners to read up on and internet information (such as this forum) ?

[dknelson]

Heh heh -- some of the "simple" projects in Model Trains would be regarded as high level craftsman scratchbuilding today! Model Trains still expected you to solder and cut stripwood and create doors and windows, build your own freight car frame, etc.
Actually some of the most interesting "a railroad you can model" articles were in Model Trains, not Model Railroader.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

This is an interesting debate. But why return to adding a second magazine for beginners. I have an idea which might be more viable: divide the existing magazine into two sections, one for beginners-intermediate, one for advanced-expert. Perhaps put colour coded tabs on the corner like in the Walthers catalog to differentiate between the two (I'm blue skying here...). From a publishers standpoint, they could add some pages for extra content, and at the sametime increase advertising revenue. From a model railroader point-of-view there would be articles to satisfy all levels of skill. Some of the things we've been bemoaning the departure of could come back, and find new homes in the appropriate section.

Just my [2c] worth
Trevor[:)]

[jfugate]

One of the truths of publishing is that economies of scale help bring down the per unit cost.

This is slightly less so now than before the days of desktop publishing because the prepublication prep is now far less costly and more efficient with what-you-see-is-what-you-get publishing software.

But economies of scale still apply on the printing side. Having a new beginner's magazine in addition to MR means you can count on lowering MR's circulation still more, and I'm sure that will fly well in the editorial meetings at Kalmbach!

And what are advertisers to do? Advertise in both magazines? I'm sure they would love to double their ad budget --or MR would have to sla***heir ad rates ... again a move that's sure to get great support in the staff meetings at Kalmbach -- NOT!

And by splitting MR in two (which is in effect what you would be doing) now experienced beginners who want to learn more advanced techniques need to pay two annual subscription fees ... or would Kalmbach sla***heir subscription prices because they feel sorry for these newbies? Not going to happen!

If having to flip through yet another beginner article is troubling you, then you're saying you'd rather get a far thinner magazine with only the advanced articles you want?

This is another reason why on-demand via the internet will be the coming thing in years ahead. You can subscribe to just the content that you want, and that's what you'll get -- and nothing more. You want passenger car info from the 50s? Anytime they produce something in that topic area, you'll get it, and that's all. You don't have to endure yet another how to lay flex track article.