As the title says, What Train magazine should I order out of the following list: Model Railroader Railfan and Railroad Railroad Model Craftsman Ideally I want to get N-Scale related magazine but the above are what my daughter is selling for Girl Scouts. So the Accounting Dept has authorize a Train magazine under these guidelines. And if anyone happens to want to renew or pick up a subscription, I have a Girl Scout Link =P Thanks! Mods, Hope this was the right forum if not please move.
Well, MR is MR. Railfan and Railroad is prototype focused. Both Railfan and Railroad and RMC both were recently sold to White River Productions. I've heard Good things, but I don't get how R&R fits in with their existing Railroads Illustrated magazine.
Mentioning wanting an N scale oriented magazine, I take it you lean toward modeling. That would seem to eliminate Railfan & railroad from the mix, being non-model railroad. For the remaining pair, seems like somewhat of a toss up for me. If there is a shop near you, perhaps look at a recent copy of each, and see which might have the greatest appeal?
RMC has a lot more scratchbuilding and prototype modeling articles. MR will have a few beginner articles. MR also has more "layout visit" type articles. I'd just go buy a copy of each, or just thumb through them. My public library gets MR.
That would definitely seem to be the best option. Taking a peek at both allows you to pick the one you think is better.
I don't want to hijack your thread but what in the opinion of the members here is the best n scale oriented magazine out there? I was looking around for one to give someone as a christmas gift idea but not sure which is best.
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/ MRH is my favorite for the content and price. Consider for a moment that many techniques in scenery, paint, detail, etc are very similar if not identical in any scale. So even Model Railroader can offer beneficial content.
MRH is by far the best out there. Love the quality of topic and depth. Article quality is hit or miss not surprisingly. They're going epub format in the new year which will be awesome.
I've tried to read MRH but I get errors every time I try to download it and reading it online I find most impossible because the pages are so small. Zooming in then gets it bigger but cuts the page size down. I just find the format very hard to read like that.
That is a very difficult question to answer as I tend to get both N-Scale and N scale Railroading. Both magazines tend to be about the same size and both are on the same publishing schedule. N-Scale is 30 cents an issue more expensive than NSR, but I consider both high quality magazines. Does this person have an interest in Narrow gauge railroads? If yes, N-Scale might be the better choice as they have a Narrow gauge column called "The Short & Narrow". The bottom line, trying to recommend a magazine is like trying to recommend a new car, you might be better off heading to the local hobby shop and previewing each magazine yourself.
Starting next year, MRH will be offering a print edition...for a fee. Not sure if they will offer subscriptions or if you have to order individual. And of course you can always print off the PDF's yourself.
