It would be nice if they offered a PDF version of the magazine. Takes up a lot less space.
I can understand that "rights" can be a tricky issue. Plus the work required to do the conversion for older issues too.
But it shouldn't be too hard to offer a disc of PDFs for the more recent issues. Again it's a matter of cost, and demand for the product.
I think that having an online, digitized record of ever MR (and just about every other model RR mag) would be a GREAT idea, especially for the older mags (30+ years, say). The older mags are chock full of good prototype data that's unavailable anywhere else (plans, histories, etc), and having the issues in digiatl form will make them more easily accessable to a lot more people.
Scanning and indexing the issues isn't a big deal. Most are already indexed, and PDFs are VERY easy to word search. It would probably take less than a year for one person to scan and catalog EVERY magazing Kalmbach's ever published (heck, I can digitize 100 prints at 4 meg apiece in about two hours).
Several RR historical societies are starting to digitize everything they've ever published, and it's a boon to people researcing the line. If people and organizations DON'T step up to the plate and start digitizing their material NOW, it'll soon be lost forever.
Want to generate more interest in any given subject? Make the data available online...
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
To have quick access to PDFs like this is a valid suggestion.
My first thought was who would be the lucky individual to have the job title: Page Scanner (for life). This would be a labor-intensive task.
I know what it takes just to scan and covert my own personal projects into PDFs, even when using a great tools like Irfanview & OmniPage for scanning, Serif PagePlus & DrawPlus for publishing, and Adobe Acrobat Professional for PDF fine-tuning.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
I've spoken with Kalmbach about this when I've met with them about my articles and video PDF project that I'm doing for them and they tell me it isn't likely to happen.
The market for MR on PDF (several thousand copies) is just not very large compared to the cost and labor issues. Plus just a scan of the pages would not be enough, you would need someone to go through all the pages and mark words to index ... the manual labor would be extensive.
Then there's the issue of payment ... years ago it was not unusual for magazines to buy an original article with "first time North American publication" rights, so now producing the material in PDF form could be considered a second time global publication, which is in violation of the original contract. Just tracking down all the contractual agreements and sorting out the legal issues, determining if the author should be paid more for the second publication, yada, yada ... it could be huge.
Unfortunately, much of that material was originally produced with no idea that digitial redistribution might be a future option so the original contract when the work was purchased doesn't allow for that.
Long story short -- no market and the production is fraught with technical and legal issues.
You can get back issues for a song on eBay and Kalmbach provides an excellent online index ... which is almost as good.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
Not to put a damper on it, but Kalmbach impresses me as operating pretty close to the bone. I'd be REAL surprised if the publishers are getting rich off of it. Therefore, it's doubtful they have staff or equipment for such an undertaking.
However, your idea has much merit, and I'd be among the first to sign up for a pdf subscription at, as you said, the right price. I'd imagine Kalmbach would be tickled for the revenue opportunity if enough readers were willing to presubscribe, thus defraying Kalmbach's investment. There are numerous archival companies with whom Kalmbach might contract for the effort. If they take bids on the work, they can easily calculate number of subscriptions necessary to break even on the project.
Lynda
In this day and age, I feel that Kalmbach should produce their Model Railroader back issues starting the the orginal issue as a PDF file. Say one year at a time. I know I'd buy every year if the cost was right. Keep the PDF a few years behind the current year so that they can still sell the magazine. It sure would save space in my home, make searching easier, plus the magazines would not wear or be destroyed. Now if you want a back issue and it's out of stock you are out of luck. I know someone will mention the pirating issue and that's a drawback I understand. Plus some people would rather wait to buy the PDF entire year instead of subscribing to the magazine. I feel Kambach could have a market offering this service. They are already doing certain articles and other items in PDF. I currently have every Model Railroader issue from 1979 and it takes up so much room. Just and idea. What do you all think?
Nate