Why would an N scale modeler subscribe to Model Railroader Magazine?

I don't subscribe and I don't buy MR. I get it from the library! My equal half (aka SWMBO) picks up the stuff at the library, it is a rare issue that I spend more than 3 hours on.

Since I'm "in the business" I am interested in what is happening in the industry, which way the trends are going or rather which way some mags are trying to tell us they are going.

MR is, at best, a mouthpiece for their advertisers! Their inhouse "experts" are very selective in what they cover and/or use, consequently one still has to dig for the good or above average stuff.

As always strictly my opinion!

PS of the mags in the Kalmbach group that I've read there are two that pass muster a) TRAINS b) Classic Trains. Yes, those I buy!

 

I used to subscribe to TRAINS too back in the '90s along with MR...I picked up the Intermodal issue since I'm such a hardcore Intermodal modeler. I find it interesting how TRAINS has evolved from a foamer 'zine to a serious railroad industry publication.

 

I used to only by Trains if there was some article of interest, but at least the last 3 months, the articles have been so spectacular I'm seriously thinking of subscribing. I love railroad engineering and the articles about the Pokey District clearance raising and the article about the new Abo Canyon line makes me almost want to switch eras to modern railroading. There are now some seriously interesting articles and great commentary about the state of the business. With the railroads' new era of new found competitiveness thanks to high gas prices, Trains paralleling with a new era in its own right.

While I do feel like sometimes MR does cater to the manufacturers as well as the ready-to-run modeller, the last year has been much much much better than the Terry Thompson era. N scale gets some major features (Mike Danneman spectacular Moffat Road, Salt Lake Route project layout) and they have improved on the quantity of advanced modeling articles. There have been several scratchbuilding articles and even a n scale handlaid turnout article.

 

I just subscribed to MR after a long period of just icking it up in the newstand/hobby shop. I've been reading MR since I was a kid and with the extra content on their website, I figured it'd be worth subscribing again. It may be short on N scale content, but I do love what others are doing in other scales (the Utah Belt comes to mind).
I have no interest in a Kindle/Nook and whatnot. I read a LOT (novels and Japanese manga) and I want a BOOK, something in my hand, pages to turn. And, like I told my son, if I leave a book or magazine in my car, no one will care. An e reader would get me a smashed window.

 

I am an M R modeler.

I found my Trakplan and photos in the M R to build my N-scale layout.

O K I had to reduce it from Horrible Oversized to Normal-scale!

 

1. I have not had a subscription to Model Railroader since some time in the mid 90's, and I never got far into N, but I have to agree, it is an HO oriented deal. I have bought it a few times over the years when I get magazines on G Scale, but its value to me is just to see what some modeler has done next... which in my case is not scale dependent.

2. Paperless world is not of interest to me. I like paper... I am a computer network engineer and a lot of other things (or was) and I still find it easier to use a catalog than most search products... paging through a document is just not the same on a computer.

3. I can't comment much on e-readers... I don't own a dedicated device yet, though I do have a couple of Video Wristwatches that do it, but with tiny screens that is not their best function to say the least.

I have to agree with points in posts by several members... the decision to subscribe or not is going to be more dependent on what you read the magazines for... for me, it is mostly for layout and scenery ideas, so scale really doesn't matter.
Currently I have no subscriptions to any train magazines, but when a Z-scale magazine comes out, I might be swayed.

MrBlackCat

 

Nice choice... I remember that one... That's a nice layout.

 

I subscribe to MR so I can feed it to my NSR issues. Good nutrition is very important, and it satisfies the monthly fiber intake recommended by doctors....

HuskerN
www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com

 

Jim,
I know there are great modelers in N scale (that wasn't the point of my post) but if we only took inspiration from 25% of the great modelers out there, we really would be keeping the blinders on... and I pity the layout of someone who only looks to one scale for ideas.

I also subscribe to Trains because I want to operate my trains like the real things. Do you just ignore the 1:1 scale as well because it has to be N to be right?

 

I've always loved MR regardless of what scale I was into at the time. I find the new N scale magazines absolutely useless and nowhere near as interesting as the articles I've seen over the years in MR.

 

I've read MR on and off for the past 20 years. N scale is being featured more and more but it really has been the last two or three years. My local libray has a subscription so I peruse the pages that way. I still like looking at it the HO layouts they give me ideas to do in N so there is some worth to me, but not enough to subscribe. It is like most LHS in my area: Aisles and aisles of HO scale products and couple of small shelfs of N so they can say they do recognize it.

 

I subscribe to MR and RMC and probably will continue to do so. I model in N scale and pick up N scale railroading at the hobby shop. What's being done in HO can easily be done in N scale. I have tried many techniques in N scale that were written in an HO, O or Z article. I think that MR has more advertising now than it has in the past.

 

I love MR. I don't currently subscribe...to anything. I generally pick up NSR, MR, and/or N-Scale at the LHS, Walmart, or at a show. On occasion I'll subscribe to a mag for a year, usually MR but most recently Trains which just ran out. It was a good call....Trains has had some REALLY nice issues in the past year. I always want to subscribe to the N-zines but it always seems to be a hassle.

I will subscribe to MR once they go digital. If they N-scale mags go digital I'll definitely be there as well. If you haven't experienced an eReader....well it's worth the purchase. They are lightweight, and fast, and no reason you can't bring them with you to the workbench....battery life is very good. (well, other than errant chemicals/paint flying everywhere I guess) The monochrome versions are great for novels, but for MR related you have to do color.

In case you haven't noticed, digital is really transforming what used to be printed media right now. (see Borders book store) Another interest of mine is garage sales and lemme tell ya the number of books has skyrocketed almost overnight. People are reclaiming space in their homes. Between ridding of books, VHS/CD/DVD media, and bulky TV/AV/computer equipment, and purchasing flat panel TV's and monitors, and small form factor computers, laptops, and tablets.....well small houses are now much roomier! Soon I expect to have all older magazines archived electronically and all of my clipped model railroading articles will be old news, heading to the shredder. As an apartment dweller right now....this is major.

 

In an addition to my earlier post I subscribe to no magazines. My current Model Railroader is a gift subscription. I purchase an occasional mag based on whether the content is of interest and usable to me. Then I usually clip out the usable content and place it in a three ring notebook and trash the rest. The collectors have probably already formed up into pitchfork and burning torch weilding mobs and heading my way after this last statement. Recently I decided to scan those articles onto CD and in the process cleared out another shelf for my hardback books. Now I do have a nice collection of hardcover books that cover my Hill Lines Roads to use as reference and a big set of Train Shed Cyclopedias. Big problem with electronic media storage is deterioration over time and that includes CDs and DVDs losing quality also over time. And as for the electronic books, well when the power goes, and the batteries go, you are looking at a useless piece of plastic and electronics, unless you have a vehicle adapter and a full tank of gas, or a generator. And here on the East coast we have more than had our share of long term power outages with some folks just getting power back after the last go round. During the day I have ample light to read and model, and come sunset a kerosene lantern or candle lets me read and research in those paper based volumes. And as far as the puter goes the best back-up system I've seen only gives about 8-10 hours of power which I may invest in some day. So I will continue to buy the ocassional mag based on content, regardless of scale, or maybe for some decent reading like Trains Magazine, only to trash it later after extracting whatever I find of use. And as decent hardcover books on railroads or railroad subjects become available I will continue to add them to my library.

As far as Borders and the death of printed material I don't think so. Borders went because of incompetent management and corporate greed. The local Borders always had a crowd both in the store and inline to purchase. And Barnes and Noble always has a crowd and line at the register. So no electronic books for me thankyou.

 

Of course, I never said anything about the death of printed material. My point is, it allows you to be much more selective about what is on your bookshelf. (just as you have with scanning your clipped articles) So yes, I still have my BN/BNSF annuals, my beloved Fort Worth & Denver "Bible", and a few other keepers. But stuff like "N-Scale Primer" and even stuff like the bridge book that I just returned to a friend after borrowing it....after I've built the bridges for my layout there's not an intense need to have the ad hoc nature of a book sitting on a shelf. That would be a prime candidate for an eBook, as would many "how-to's".

And stuff like novels, DEFINITELY will be eBooks. There is still a place for bookstores but I think Barnes & Noble is bolstered by its online presence, and even at that I expect their retail locations will change significantly over the next year or two.

When I eventually move, it will be tools, and model trains, and a small bit of model railroading supplies like paint and glue. (oh yeah and all that "other" stuff like furniture...hehe) But NOT a ton of books/paper, anymore.

I will concede that we don't commonly have long-term power outages in north Texas. But if that happens I guess I'll have my tools...I'll just have to build something!

 

Because I purchased every issue of MR this year at either my LHS or at the one big box (Meijer) that carries it, I decided to save myself some cash and get a subscription. And here's why: I'm always disappointed with the N scale magazines that are out there. Although, more often than not, I DO buy N Scale Railroading, but with their bi-monthly release schedule it's not enough to fill the void. And N Scale Magazine? No thanks! Every time I purchase that rag I regret it, just like Railroad Model Craftsman. Why? The layouts featured always seem to be some crusty old steam layout, or something toy-like and amateur looking. The bottom line is they can't compare to the amount of content and quality found between the pages of Model Railroader. And no, I do not work for, or in any way represent, Kalmbach Publishing. Although, I will say this: MR can be a bit generic at times, like, how many articles do we need on ballasting track and building mountains!? (The answer is at least 1 per year BTW). But that's why I like it, it inspires me, keeps me informed on new techniques, and keeps the dream alive.

 

The question can be taken in several ways..... why purchase the magazine through a subscription, why buy it every month, and what worth does it bring to an N Scaler in particular.....
While MR does tend to be somewhat sanitized through over editing and corporate review of everything that goes into it, there are still things of value in it every month for me. You can't approach it with N Scale googles on...... if you approach any research source in that manner you're going to miss out on a great deal of good information.
I do caution putting too much faith in MR when it comes to N Scale-specific information or opinions.... the recent review of the Bachmann N Scale USRA Light 2-10-2, for example. There was information in that review that was just plain wrong....perhaps pieces of files left over from an equally flawed review of the HO version??? This Bachmann loco is a new high for N Scale steam.... the two that I have ran flawlessly out of the box, took reprogramming of the numbers without a problem, and had decent speed and pulling ability. Bachmann is to be commended for the road-specific details....four different tenders and variations on the piping on some of the locomotives!!! The MR review on the mechanical features of the locomotive are in conflict with the pieces in front of the reviewer.... pickup on the locomotive is through the axle bearings and on the tender by all eight low-friction wheel point pickups.
But examples of other people's modeling and techniques still make the magazine worthwhile..... and for the cost of a fancy barista-prepared coffee once a month anybody should, with a little effort, get one or two worthwhile new ideas out of it with a little effort.
As to digital vs. paper...... I welcome the advent of historical DVDs, and while I also have concerns about the long-term viability of electronic copies, I rather buy the complete collection than try to fill in my collection (currently complete for MR back to 1945). I hope RMC does the same as they are even harder to find than MR. When I have the DVDs in hand I will get rid of the many pounds of magazines (alas, not soon enough to avoid moving them as they are already packed). I already have done so with the TRAINS magazine even though the search engine is a little clunky.
Charlie Vlk

 

I have been off and on with MR in the past several years. I have had a subscription and then let it expire since I didn't feel like there was much value, but then I would see an issue that sparked my interest so would by it at the hobby shop. And then there is the cost, but when you have been a past subscriber they generally send offers that are pretty darn good. About a year ago I finally decided to buy a subscripton again. I signed up for 3 years for just over $100. It was about $3 bucks per issue, and I felt for that price I didn't have much to lose. There are certainly issues that I scan through and throw into the recycle bin, but others do provide some reading enjoyment.

I guess the bottom line is that I chose to make the investment, which spread over 36 issues is far less than a lot of the other silly stuff I buy. Would I recommend MR to other N scalers? not sure, but I will say that it's nice having it show up in the mailbox every month, and I don't get too worked up if there isn't anything that trips my trigger.

HuskerN
nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com

 

I've also read MR and MRC although I've never been a subscriber. I can understand the frustration with less N scale material. However, I've always enjoyed having the ideas presented in the model mags, with the remainder being left to me to adapt to something I can use. Being a railfan of both live and model trains, the remainder is pure entertainment value.

Although, the material available online is much more of a resource without paying the $6.99 newstand price. Unless there is a particular article I want to read, I usually pass.

I'll tell you how if the Kindle Fire will receive and hobby mags. Santa is bringing one to my wife.

All the best,

Red.

SAL/ACL