Join the discussion on the following article:
Classic Trains: The First 15 Years on DVD-ROM
I owned the original collection, which became obsolete on modern computers (thanks to Adobe abandoning the key system, not Kalmbach’s fault), so I bought the new DVD the moment it became available. Kalmbach was kind enough to discount the price for owners of the previous disk. I harbor no ill will about the old disk; these things happen in the computer world. Besides, this updated volume has so much more than the old one! It has been open on my computer ever since it arrived a couple weeks ago. I am thrilled to have all that’s in this collection, which includes the “In Search of Steam” series (three volumes), Steam Glory (3 vol.), Streamliner Pioneers, and many more special volumes, in addition to 15 years of quarterly magazines. This is one of the most wonderful print collections available, anywhere, and I simply cannot get enough of it. I also have the printed magazines and volumes for most of this collection, but I love being able to read this on my large monitor, with bright, colorful pictures and the ability to enlarge text or photos. Furthermore, having it all on desktop and laptop computers kind of obviates the need to keep the paper collection. I may donate that to a library or museum, if I can find a willing recipient who will make my old issues available to the public.
To be completely objective, I would have to admit that the app runs slowly, and that navigation and zooming can be tedious, which I feel is unnecessary in the age of such fast computers, but I am so happy to have this content on a laptop and a large-screen desktop, that I’m not complaining; just reporting the facts. It is MUCH faster than the old one, with many improvements in the user interface and library, so I do feel as if we’re getting our money’s worth.
But the interface is the least of concerns when compared to the immense content by the best railroading authors and photographers who ever lived. Classic Trains is different from Trains, not just in content but in focus. The magaz
Excellent! Easy installation; runs well. I would like to see some assurance of future updates and would also like a re-issue of Model Railroader as a digital archive which was pulled by Kalmbach in favor of monthly payments for all-media access. This is a good way to declutter from too many paper copies that I’m running out of room to store and can’t index as well anyway. Recommended.
Excellent resource! The reference to “running slowly” appears to be associated with loading an issue or conducting a search. Once the magazine edition or article has loaded, the page turns are rapid. I recommend installing the database to your hard drive (less than 5 megs) and running the app full-screen. What I like best is the searchable database. My main interest is passenger trains, so I can get everything I want to read at my fingertips. I can’t wait for the Classic Toy Trains app to be released in August. At last, I will be able to get my hands on the first issue! (I have every issue of CT and CTT except that one illusive copy.)
I had the original, plus all, the hard copies, this new one is just great. I like the new style of page and full screen it is so much better. I will donate the old hard copies to a Railway Museum, they will raise as bit of revenue for them. A bonus was gained!!! I earned a fair few “Brownie Points”, I made much more room on the shelf, for her junk.
This is an excellent update to the original 10 Year Classic Trains DVD. And the $25 discount for being an owner of the earlier DVD made this a no-brainer purchase. Thank you for thinking of the people who jumped on this item the first time it came around.
I love that you’ve released most of your railroad magazines as DVDs since I’m moving into a smaller home that doesn’t have the storage for all my hundreds of back issues. Plus I love the search capability.
Now, if you’d only release an archival DVD for Garden Railways…
awesome!! in the past I didn’t get all the issues and now I have them plus the special issues too. I love the birds eye view of the train yards. What a great way to keep all that information in one small space verses the magazines.