Today I recieved the May issue of MRR in the mail, and found the cover photo quite interiesting. The article is called “Tune up your layout, Simple projects, great results”, with a sub title of “Paul Dolkos shares the techniques he uses to keep his layout operating well”.
Well, I don’t know if I would trust the article or not–The cover photo has a metal NMRA gauge laying right on the tracks, with the engine light lit up!
It’s one of the more interiesting things I have seen in MRR for a while, and might be a bit mis-leading to the article!
All I have to say is that it was one of their way OFF months. Besides all the patting on the back for the guys on the ladder climb to MR’s success, Terry Thompson’s fascination with cars and the Indy 500 (is that really train related?) and the indept look of the changing of the editorial guard, I’ve seen a lot better issues. I read most of the articles last night and found nothing much of interest. Think I’ll have to go with Trainworld’s ad as the most interesting section of this month’s mag.
He’s actually referring to the NASCAR Daytona 500 race.
But I agree–this month’s edition is a perfect example of why I’m leaning toward dumping my subscription and applying the money to another publication. No real substance.
By the way, a while back, I told MR’s editors that I felt there was a lack of useful how-to material in the magazine nowadays. The editor who responded took it upon himself to explain why I was wrong. I almost canceled on the spot–note to thestaff: you can’t argue your customers into believing your product is good.
I enjoyed this issue and found it laughable that a metal NMRA guage would be laying on hot DCC rail even though its not touching both rails…I like Jim Six’s article and several others as well…Overall I will give this issue a solid C.
I did purchase an informations station “Realistic Freight Operations” from Frank Ellison and found it to be a pretty good read. The little diagrams was very helpful. Something you dont see much these days.
This current issue of MR was not all that bad. Andy wrote a nice brief on yard. And I learned a little bit about the whisker couplers that are replacing the old #5’s I will want to try out a few to see if they are indeed the next generation of Kaydee.
I give the magazine 3 anvils out of 5. I like em all but there are occasionally those issues that may not be as “Filling” as others.
Gee, you guys really know how to build the anticipation and excitement for the rest of us that didn’t get it yet! I guess I won’t be hanging about by the mailbox tomorrow now.[sigh]
I liked the ‘tuning up’ article. Even though it may seem a little redundant to those of us who have been in the hobby for a long time, it probably may seem a boon to those who have just entered it. And that’s a GOOD thing.
One thing I thought a little strange–the author saying that nickel plating on older steam locomotives (I assume brass) wearing down to the brass and pitting, meant putting his older steamers on the shelves. You don’t need to, fellahs, just get some good bronze track-sliders to fit between the drivers and you’re right back in business. Tomar makes them, I use them, and I’ve got locos from 1964 gliding along the rails just as well as they did the day I bought them.
Other than that, the article was pretty spot-on, at least IMO. I would have liked to have seen a little more history on the Walther’s passenger cars, though, even if the article might seem like a ‘plug’ for the company (I’m still running a couple of those old wood/steel/cast cars on my layout, and they’re just fine, thank you).
I was WONDERING about that comment he made…seems you could fix that. Thanks for the info. I also REALLY liked this article, especially since I just bought a trackcleaner (almost have enought track to clean now!!!)
I’m thinking of stopping my subscription and just buying my issues at the store (after screening of course), since by the time I get my issue in the mail, a lot of info has already been discussed here on the forum.