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What is your favorite type of MR article?

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  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: US
  • 17 posts
Posted by ChrisB1962 on Sunday, September 21, 2003 12:41 PM
1) layout articles - visit/operating on as well as project layouts
2) prototype information - railroads, industries, operations
3) how-to's applicable to all scales
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: US
  • 17 posts
Posted by ChrisB1962 on Sunday, September 21, 2003 12:41 PM
1) layout articles - visit/operating on as well as project layouts
2) prototype information - railroads, industries, operations
3) how-to's applicable to all scales
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: City of Québec,Canada
  • 1,258 posts
Posted by Jacktal on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 12:16 AM
Speaking of favorite type of MR articles,we have a fantastic example in both October and November issues with Jim Hediger's Track buyer's guide part 1 and 2.Thanks MR.
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: City of Québec,Canada
  • 1,258 posts
Posted by Jacktal on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 12:16 AM
Speaking of favorite type of MR articles,we have a fantastic example in both October and November issues with Jim Hediger's Track buyer's guide part 1 and 2.Thanks MR.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 3:59 PM
I used to really like the monthly "Paint Shop" articles. But those have now gone away. I also enjoyed the "One Reader's Opinion" series. Maybe they will bring that back?
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 3:59 PM
I used to really like the monthly "Paint Shop" articles. But those have now gone away. I also enjoyed the "One Reader's Opinion" series. Maybe they will bring that back?
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 7:26 PM
I like reading about other peoples layouts. Especially ones that have long mainlines were they can make up long trains!
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 7:26 PM
I like reading about other peoples layouts. Especially ones that have long mainlines were they can make up long trains!
  • Member since
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  • From: US
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Posted by steamage on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 9:04 PM
My favorite type of article is like the "Railroadn' in Georgia," by Steve Flanigan. A small layout built with special attention to the smallest details. It had the look of the Southern States! And also anything Andy Sperandeo does on passenger trains and stations. [:)]

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  • From: US
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Posted by steamage on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 9:04 PM
My favorite type of article is like the "Railroadn' in Georgia," by Steve Flanigan. A small layout built with special attention to the smallest details. It had the look of the Southern States! And also anything Andy Sperandeo does on passenger trains and stations. [:)]

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Southern Minnesota now
  • 956 posts
Posted by Hawks05 on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 9:48 PM
only have one issue. i haven't had the chance to really read all the way through it. i like looking at pictures as of now as i have no clue what any of the lingo means or anything. i think i'll like the pictures, of course, articles on small layouts, 4x8 foot, and probably on new cars and stuff or the how to stuff since i'm just learning.
  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Minnesota now
  • 956 posts
Posted by Hawks05 on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 9:48 PM
only have one issue. i haven't had the chance to really read all the way through it. i like looking at pictures as of now as i have no clue what any of the lingo means or anything. i think i'll like the pictures, of course, articles on small layouts, 4x8 foot, and probably on new cars and stuff or the how to stuff since i'm just learning.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: US
  • 60 posts
Posted by vw-bug on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 10:05 PM
Layout planning. Looking at industries to model, how other models have tacked the problems, that kind of stuff.

As and aspiring architect, I'm interested on how people plan out their designs. My Favorite article series isn't in MR, but MR had a look at his layout. The Narrow Gauge Gazette's Boone Morrison's "Route to the Red woods" is an excellent series and is really interesting just to read.

With DCC becoming semi popular, I have made it a point to read the quarterly DCC corner arctilces in MR.

So really any "how to" articles really get me going.
Horly! Jason
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: US
  • 60 posts
Posted by vw-bug on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 10:05 PM
Layout planning. Looking at industries to model, how other models have tacked the problems, that kind of stuff.

As and aspiring architect, I'm interested on how people plan out their designs. My Favorite article series isn't in MR, but MR had a look at his layout. The Narrow Gauge Gazette's Boone Morrison's "Route to the Red woods" is an excellent series and is really interesting just to read.

With DCC becoming semi popular, I have made it a point to read the quarterly DCC corner arctilces in MR.

So really any "how to" articles really get me going.
Horly! Jason
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 10:41 PM
Articles on scratchbuilding and kitbashing structures, compact layouts, "industries you can model", and anything at all about traction!
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 10:41 PM
Articles on scratchbuilding and kitbashing structures, compact layouts, "industries you can model", and anything at all about traction!
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    October 2012
  • 527 posts
Posted by eastcoast on Thursday, November 6, 2003 12:22 AM
Any article that inspires me to do better and try things is good.
I dip into things that others have tried and experiment with them
until I am confident to do so well. I remember the first time I read about
kitbashing. At first I thoght it was about tearing things apart, then
discovered that I can take parts from other models and make my own
unique pieces of "art" and now I do it regularly.
  • Member since
    October 2012
  • 527 posts
Posted by eastcoast on Thursday, November 6, 2003 12:22 AM
Any article that inspires me to do better and try things is good.
I dip into things that others have tried and experiment with them
until I am confident to do so well. I remember the first time I read about
kitbashing. At first I thoght it was about tearing things apart, then
discovered that I can take parts from other models and make my own
unique pieces of "art" and now I do it regularly.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 6, 2003 6:46 AM
As Rick Nicholson mentioned earlier, there's a treasure trove of articles of interest in old issues...thing was, these may not have been of interest at the particular time one read the issue initially.
I'm fortunate in having over 56 years' worth of uninterrupted MR issues.
I still find articles of interest, and surprisingly, many of the construction and operation articles hold up very well.
Just some of those late great modellers who contributed articles, had excellent skills, and very worthwhile techniques. ie:

E.L.Moore's balsa stuctures can be built quite readily with today's, [ or yesterday's] alternative materials....or balsa itself !
Art Curren's kitbashing ideas are readily adaptable to other projects.
Jack Work's wood craftsmanship is timeless.
Eric Stevens' wood structures and "dollar cars", great stuff.
Frank Ellison's, Doug Smith's, Francis Adams' operation articles....great.
John Allen's mastery of overall dramatic impact.

I enjoyed an article a couple of decades ago, on completely fixing up 'el-cheapo' Life-Like hopper car kits, with couplers, new wheels, weighting, weathering, etc....and I thought : "What a great article for beginners on a limited budget...or anyone else for that matter."...I even bought a few of those car kits, marked the boxes with the month/year of the article, and went back about 5 years later and fixed them up. I wish more articles like that were contributed to MR...fixing up lower cost items to be good performers.
NOT articles like L.Strang's, which I find to be my least favorite, along with most of T.Koester's.
regards
Mike
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 6, 2003 6:46 AM
As Rick Nicholson mentioned earlier, there's a treasure trove of articles of interest in old issues...thing was, these may not have been of interest at the particular time one read the issue initially.
I'm fortunate in having over 56 years' worth of uninterrupted MR issues.
I still find articles of interest, and surprisingly, many of the construction and operation articles hold up very well.
Just some of those late great modellers who contributed articles, had excellent skills, and very worthwhile techniques. ie:

E.L.Moore's balsa stuctures can be built quite readily with today's, [ or yesterday's] alternative materials....or balsa itself !
Art Curren's kitbashing ideas are readily adaptable to other projects.
Jack Work's wood craftsmanship is timeless.
Eric Stevens' wood structures and "dollar cars", great stuff.
Frank Ellison's, Doug Smith's, Francis Adams' operation articles....great.
John Allen's mastery of overall dramatic impact.

I enjoyed an article a couple of decades ago, on completely fixing up 'el-cheapo' Life-Like hopper car kits, with couplers, new wheels, weighting, weathering, etc....and I thought : "What a great article for beginners on a limited budget...or anyone else for that matter."...I even bought a few of those car kits, marked the boxes with the month/year of the article, and went back about 5 years later and fixed them up. I wish more articles like that were contributed to MR...fixing up lower cost items to be good performers.
NOT articles like L.Strang's, which I find to be my least favorite, along with most of T.Koester's.
regards
Mike
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 20, 2003 7:40 PM
i really like articles that deal with fairly simple electroncs projects. i always enjoyed those by don hansen and peter thorne and have built a couple of throttles with good results. things that i don't like are those that i am not interested in at the time. however, i will add i usually find them invaluable later and therefore, i end up liking them. as i have issues that go back into the 50s i have what i feel is an excellent resource.

jon in tennessee
  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 20, 2003 7:40 PM
i really like articles that deal with fairly simple electroncs projects. i always enjoyed those by don hansen and peter thorne and have built a couple of throttles with good results. things that i don't like are those that i am not interested in at the time. however, i will add i usually find them invaluable later and therefore, i end up liking them. as i have issues that go back into the 50s i have what i feel is an excellent resource.

jon in tennessee
  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: CA
  • 37 posts
Posted by electromotive on Saturday, December 20, 2003 10:05 PM
Lots of rail layouts photos......... Underdeck photos of how different switch machines etc. are hooked up..
More photos, close up photos of track and of rolling equipment, less talk, to many articles go on and on.....
My humble opinion.......... I like PHOTOS

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: CA
  • 37 posts
Posted by electromotive on Saturday, December 20, 2003 10:05 PM
Lots of rail layouts photos......... Underdeck photos of how different switch machines etc. are hooked up..
More photos, close up photos of track and of rolling equipment, less talk, to many articles go on and on.....
My humble opinion.......... I like PHOTOS

  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: California
  • 3,722 posts
Posted by AggroJones on Saturday, December 20, 2003 11:02 PM
1. Layout visits of "smaller" layouts. Not everyone has an enormous basement to work with. [:(]

2. Model steam locomotive articles. Kitbashing, detailing, weathering, whatever. Anything to do with steamers. Preferably HO. [8D]

"Being misunderstood is the fate of all true geniuses"

EXPERIMENTATION TO BRING INNOVATION

http://community.webshots.com/album/288541251nntnEK?start=588

  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: California
  • 3,722 posts
Posted by AggroJones on Saturday, December 20, 2003 11:02 PM
1. Layout visits of "smaller" layouts. Not everyone has an enormous basement to work with. [:(]

2. Model steam locomotive articles. Kitbashing, detailing, weathering, whatever. Anything to do with steamers. Preferably HO. [8D]

"Being misunderstood is the fate of all true geniuses"

EXPERIMENTATION TO BRING INNOVATION

http://community.webshots.com/album/288541251nntnEK?start=588

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 20, 2003 11:56 PM
"Railroads You Can Model". Even if it is not my era, the mix between prototype and model captures my interest. The prototype pictures and suggested track plans have always been my favorite type of article.
  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 20, 2003 11:56 PM
"Railroads You Can Model". Even if it is not my era, the mix between prototype and model captures my interest. The prototype pictures and suggested track plans have always been my favorite type of article.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 21, 2003 12:58 AM

The 'How To' articles are the most useful to me. Show me how to build or super-detail something and I'm all yours. I could care less about touring some 20x60 basement layout larded with 10 color pictures. I think MR would be vastly improved with twice the number of articles and half the number of macro-lens photographs.

Randy
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 21, 2003 12:58 AM

The 'How To' articles are the most useful to me. Show me how to build or super-detail something and I'm all yours. I could care less about touring some 20x60 basement layout larded with 10 color pictures. I think MR would be vastly improved with twice the number of articles and half the number of macro-lens photographs.

Randy

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