MR to feature N scale column!

I still prefer the "dynamic magazine" to a print one. There is one excellent source of information that covers all scales exceptionally well. Perhaps you've heard of it...

TrainBoard.com




But yes, we all know that there are those who don't visit web forums and who still subscribe to magazines. For those folks, I think this N scale column will help them realize the growing variety of model railroading techniques and scales.

Heck.. I'm an N scaler, but I must give credit to the Z scale forum here. I have learned more techniques to improve my modeling from Z scalers than from anyone else! Unless the upcoming column is to review products, perhaps a Z scale column would better serve the purpose of improving ones talents. :zip:

 

I have to agree with this. I learn more techniques in the Z scale forum. I learn N scale specific thing in N, such as what coupler conversion kit for X loco, or what decoder fits in Y loco.

I learn all sorts of things from rails of all scales. I pick up nearly every issue of N Scale and NSR at the hobby shop, but I probably learn more techniques out of the average Rail Model Craftsman simply since that publication is concerned more with modeling tips and tricks than either N scale focused publication.

An N scale column in MR can only be, in my mind, a positive thing, unless it is perpetual whining about how N scalers don't get any "respect."

 

I just started back with MR last August. I think the 'Subscribers' extra is worth the price,
especially "History According to Hediger". I get tired of the two N-Scale specific magazines featuring layout photos after layout photos,not that MR doesn't do it too. Heck I can see the same here on the internet for free.

Al

 

Conspiracy theory at work.

MR is driven by contributions from modelers. Got an issue with there not being enough N scale coverage? Complain to your fellow N scaler modelers for not submitting material.

Or just keep buying the N Scale publications which is where most guys are submitting items for anyway.

There is no catering.

 

Not so! Don't forget, the MR staff built and featured the Clinchfield layout, which probably did more to promote N scale than any other single layout. Of course, the majority of content over the years has been HO, but they have always balanced all scales in the magazine. MR is still a good read, especially for beginners and the "ready to run" end of the hobby. In contrast, RMC continues to cover prototype plans, scratchbuilding and advanced kitbashing.

 

I say it's good news. Give them a chance and if we N Scalers contribute perhaps the N Scale content will expand even further.

Charlie

 

I subscribe to MR so I'll get the column of course. It will be interesting to see what is actually going to be put in the column... for instance I'd prefer to not see shameless plugs for other Kalmbach publications "where you can learn more."

I tend to agree with those who see this as a minimizer of coverage of N Scale versus an expansion. Surely there is enough going on in 1:160 to warrant a monthly column; though we don't know what else Jim Kelly is up to and maybe it's he who can't commit to more than six pieces per year.

 

MR has been in business way too long and N scale has been there for them to grasp ahold of way too long too. They failed to do so.

I’d call this SD40-TOO LATE!

 

So much speculation and opinions, so little memory or appreciation.

Gordon Odegard was MR's N scale champion until his way-too-early passing; Jim Kelly took up the flame until he retired a year or two ago.

I have corresponded with MR editors since the 1970s. That includes Linn Westcott, Russ Larson, Andy Sperandeo and Tom Thompson. My submissions been rejected by them, but that was because my modeling stunk, and it showed in my images submitted that included 1980 high cubes on a 1950s PRR railroad. As Thompson remarked, I had everything down pat, but I would have been killed for my stupid mistakes in the images. Prior to about 2005, when George Canham started to tutor me, my modeling skills were OK, but my railroad knowledge of what I was portraying was--well--extremely bad.

I was never afraid to talk with these editors by phone or, later, email. They told me that they didn't publish N scale articles because there were very few that met their standards for photography and verisimilitude--i.e., images that portray believable scenes.

I'm no apologist for MR, but I do believe from talking to the editors that MR did not receive, until about 2003, many N-scale submissions that met their standards, admittedly high, for:

Image quality
Image verisimilitude
Story interest

By 2005 or so, N-scale authors migrated to the N-scale magazines. And why not? The pay was nearly as good, and the editors were easier to work with.

And there was a second important development: digital photography and, here in S scale, the competitions it inspired on the forums during weekly photo funs. I was there at the beginning and, I'm sorry, the photos were generally awful. Today they are majestic, over and over again.

I think MR is a bit late to the game in N scale. I think they are suffering, as all magazines are suffering, from an onslaught from the Internet, blogs, and now social media. The printed magazine is on the slippery slope to bankruptcy and oblivion.

But let's recognize that Jim Kelly isn't exactly a lightweight in N scale. MR has a new editor, who will make changes. Let's realize things are changing before relying on stale stereotypes that MR is stagnant.

 

Many probably weren't around, but don't forget their Enfield & Ohio N scale project layout from the mid sixties.

I had to look up verisimilitude to see you weren't just making up a word, but MR seem to be losing sight of their masthead slogan "Model Railroading is Fun", although I think it's now relegated to only the December issue to attract new readers. So what if you run hi-cubes on a 50's layout, some of the things in photos in MR's I have from the 40's 50's and 60's would be rejected outright by them today. Maybe some of the old hands like Jim Kelly still know how to have fun.

 

I believe there are a number of factors in MR's decision, some of which have already been discussed. Here's my take:

1. David Popp is an N-scaler (NH layout). I spoke with him at the 2009 Trainfest in Milwaukee about an article/series on building a small N-scale layout on a HCD using Unitrack. He told me there was already something in the works and to wait and see. I waited and "The Salt Lake Route" series was published two months later. (I think Kato ponied up some resources or exercised muscle as a cover advertiser to get their new Unitrack product featured but that's a good segue for my next point.)
2. Advertisers. A look at the January 2011 MR showed that all three of the inner cover advertisers (Atlas, Kato, and ExactRail) have a significant N-scale presence. The outer cover advertiser was MRC and I consider them scale neutral.
3. Looking for potential new subscribers. The hobby isn't growing much and not everyone has the space for a "Big" layout. I can get more railroading on a 30" HCD than I can on a 4x8 in HO and that is an attraction to people with less space.
4. The quality of the models is up. I love my Kato, Atlas, and IM locomotives, but to hear people praise BMann? There has been a definite change for the better.

I've been reading MR for 31 years and I've learned so much - good modeling is good modeling in any scale - and it has exposed me to other aspects of the hobby (like N-scale ). I also look at all the columns they have killed (Student Fare comes immediately to mind - I loved that) and think they recognized the potential for growth N provides and are going to test the waters. Lets show some support. Now to get their Milwaukee counterpart - Walthers - onboard.

Andy
Tetsu Uma

 

I'm still not convinced the hobby is in dire straits, and dying. I think attendance figures at shows like Trainfest show there's a lot of interest. And much of it from a younger crowd.

At the local HO club, we just had our first kid join in over ten years. It's a breath of fresh air.

 

The closest LHS is a 3 1/2 hour drive...with the price of gas these days that covers a lot of shipping charges. I buy a lot on line, but visit the "LHS" every time I am in the vicinity just to actually the products in 3D.

Jim

 

I also agree that the hobby is not dying. The last N-Trak newsletter featured a piece by a new contributor, a young man by the name of Tom who is into the SD&AE. I think we on TrainBoard know who that is.

 

Who said the hobby is dying?

 

I don't think Model Railroader is biased at all towards N-scalers. Remember the Salt Lake Layout just last year, that was N-scale with unitrack. That layout really showed the potential of n-scale even in a small space (modern locos with full autoracks and superliners on a 4X10 layout!) Also David Popp's layout and writing is not only promotes N-scale but is excellent modelling to boot. While NSR and N-scale magazine has a ton of support from us n-scales, MR helps the hobby in general. While I have read the MR editors are quite selective and there is a long lead time before an article is published, I think they are that way to ALL scale contributors and not just n-scalers.

 

That's good news!

 

Just wondering: how many here have actually submitted an article to MR?

 

Pete, I have, and they have published them very quickly. I think MR is hungry for good N scale material and all this talk about a bias is undeserved. Having said that, I still like and support both of our N magazines...
Regards, Otto