I just received my Nov/Dec 2006 issue of the 'new' N-Scale Magazine. Enclosed with the issue was the following note to all subscribers, which should also be of interest to all n-scale modelers. It looks like we will still have two (2) n-scale specific modeling magazines after all ... for which I, at least, am very thankful. :shade: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PLATINUM RAIL PUBLICATIONS N-SCALE MAGAZINE Dear Subscribers, I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Pamela Clapp and I am the new Owner/Publisher of N-Scale Magazine. I have been with Hundman Publishing for over 21 years. I was involved in the inception and design of N-Scale Magazine when it started in 1989. I have always enjoyed N-Scale Magazine, so when Robert Hundman decided that he would no longer be publishing magazines, it was a perfect fit for me to step in. Andy Schlotfeldt, who is currently the graphic artist, will also be joining me. I will be taking over starting with this issue, the November/December. The transition just did not allow enough time to produce a September/October issue. Therefore, first and foremost, I would like to let you know that I will be extending your subscription by (1) one issue so you will be sure to receive six (6) issues. I will keep the rates the same which is $28.00 per year -$53.50 two years -$79.00 3 years. For & Can: $32.00 per year -$61.50 two years -$91.00 three years. First Class: US & Can: $42.00 per year / For: $64.00 per year. Hundman Publishing will be transferring all renewals and new subscriptions over, so if you have already renewed, I have your updated records. I hope you enjoy your first issue from PLATINUM RAIL PUBUCATIONS. You will notice a few changes. I have turned the magazine into an all-color publication. I have taken out all of the previous self-advertising and have dedicated more pages to articles. The quality of the magazine will be maintained with the same high gloss paper stock that you have become accustomed to. I am also looking at some new features that have been requested over the years and that is more club news, prototype news, coming events, a classified section, as well as hobby shop pages. I welcome your ideas and thoughts for any additional columns. I will work very hard at making this the finest quality N-Scale publication available. Thank you for your continued support. I couldn't do this without you. I would love to hear from you with any feedback you might have concerning this issue or future issues of N-Scale Magazine. I will list my contact information below for your records. Again, thank you very much. Sincerely, Pamela Clapp N-Scale Magazine PLATINUM RAIL PUBLICATIONS. 581175TH AVENUE NE. MARYSVILLE, WA 98270-8968 Phone: (360) 658-2485 .Email: nscalemag@comcast.net A Supplement to N-Scale Magazine
If its in the stores, I'll have to take a look next time I'm at Caboose. I hope it is good enough to compete. Competion is always good - keeps people on their toes. It certainly sound like the new owner will be responsive to new ideas and such. Eric
It is good to see that the publication will survive after the troubles it has had. The modelers who have contributed during those lean years should somehow be commended for their submissions to N Scale Magazine despite not being 'compensated'... they kept the magazine 'alive'. Having said that... here are some points to ponder. Is there enough N scale related material out there to really make "TWO" magazines thrive? Are there enough advertising dollars and subscribers to pay the bills for "TWO" magazines to co-exist? At what point may the articles become too similar or repetative before we begin to see complaints about the quality of 'both' publications? How much of an impact has internet based communication... which often has similar content... affect the modelers desire to 'pay' for a copy of one of these publications? Will the survival of N Scale Magazine lead to having two mediocre publications that will be hanging on by a thread in the comming years? I like competition... if it doesn't do more harm than good. One has to determine whether competiton in this field... which is a niche within model railroading... can really support two publications. Personally... I will continue to buy both and hope that they both thrive; but I think that both publications will be clawing at each other... and still only one will survive.
Pam has been very active tracking down past contributors and trying to prod them off their duff to produce new fresh material. I don't know how long that can be sustained but hopefully new folks can be inspired to give it a shot also. Every now and then it pays to shake things up a bit. And if the enthusiasm spills over to Kirk’s magazine, so much the better.
WOW!! mg: Joe, are you really this pessimistic? :sad: I'm not about to tackle all your points, but I will say "I believe!!" :shade: - there is more than enough n-scale material, products, and advertising available to more than adequately support both N-Scale Railroading and N-Scale Magazine. And "Yes", modelers do need to contribute articles, model photos, and anything else to help support both publications. After going through my copy of the Nov/Dec 2006 issue of the 'new' N-Scale magazine, I can honestly say I take Pam at her word and that the future of N-Scale Magazine is very, very bright indeed. :sun:
Sure there is. The demise of the first publisher was self inflicted. Before that, everything was just hunky dory!
I expect the two magazines will go in different directions editorially. Nov-Dec marks my debut in the model railroad magazines. I'm a writer by profession, and found Andrew and Pam very professional to work with. Andrew solicited the article. As a designer he also understood how I had prepared the images for print. I certainly plan on submitting more articles in the future.
You bring up some very interesting points Calzephyr. I was concerned about most of those issues when NSR first came out. Is there enough critical mass to support two mags in terms of advertising, circulation and content? Jury still out, however we did see a dramatic shift from NS to NSR over the last couple years in terms of momentum and advertising.
I read the first four or so postings above when I got to work, this morning. I clicked on the link and e-mailed Pamela with one question- When does/did my subscription expire? I received an answer within 3 hours. I was quite impressed. I hope that the quality of the articles goes up from where it was. Nolan publishing should help that soft spot.
Me too... LOL - That is where all my current copies of RR Magazines are at too plus all the rest are downstairs organizied for future reference. You can't do that on the interenet becuase the full content is never kept online let alone kept on line forever. EEK!, I'm an IT person and just made a negative comment about the NET which pays my bills... :teeth: :teeth: :teeth: :teeth:
Back to the point, bathroom habits aside, I also told her to please stop publication of articles relating to scratchbuilding your own voltmeter and the like as well as endless articles on trees. She agreed by return e-mail. So far, she has a fan here. As to room for two magazines in our scale, I believe there is more than enough room for quality articles for each. Hopefully, advertisers will continue or return to purchasing space in N Scale Magazine.
I see nothing wrong with two N Scale Magazines. It all hinges on the number of subscribers. We, may need to respond and contribute to both magazines, in order to keep them alive. I gave up on Model Railroader as they seemed to be snubbing their nose at N Scale. There is more then enough N Scale subjects to talk about for both magazines. Let the presses roll. Wishing them both well.
"I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Pamela Clapp and I am the new Owner/Publisher of N-Scale Magazine. I have been with Hundman Publishing for over 21 years. I was involved in the inception and design of N-Scale Magazine when it started in 1989". When you work with the same people for 21 years as Pamela has stated sometimes it is hard to break the mold and old habits show through. Hopefully she can break away from the Hundman mold and make some fresh changes in the publication. I will pick my copy up this weekend and enter my subscription,I'm glad the mag is still with us and I will support the new era of N scale Mag.
Hey, I've re-upped my subscription after almost a year lapse.Between Ron Beardon asking for ideas for her,(showing she cares what we want),& her sending me a card with all the improvements,I'll give her a shot.
Not sure if it was mentioned before or not, but it would be nice if the two Nscale mags came out in alternating months, then at the sametime as they do now.
That has been mentioned before why they haven't done that I don't know? It would be a benifit all the way around you would not be without a N scale publication but would get one each month, also when both are on the rack at the LHS the same month I look at both and decide which one to buy since I don't need both and save $5.00 for a hambuger on the way home. They state both NS and NSR although they welcome subscriptions they would like you to purchase at your LHS so that would mean 12 trips to the LHS instead of 6 times a year. Just seems like it would set both Mags apart and boost mag sales.
