I don’t feel strongly about this, so please weigh in with vigor, but…I notice that the more publications I purchase from Kalmbach, the more likely I am to see the same material in two places. It isn’t a lot, to be sure, and I can see why it would be good for the hobby to make sure that ideas are broadcast. Still, I paid once to read about Pelle’s sound-deadening efforts, and I feel a little deceived to have paid for it a second time (to give the most recent example). I suppose I could look on one instance as a “sneak preview,” but in practice I feel otherwise. I should perhaps specify that I’m not talking about concepts like Tony’s LDEs or multiple applications of, say, an Armstrong “reverted loop”; nor am I dismayed by slightly different photos of a familiar layout (on the contrary!). My gripe is about specific techniques or product applications. Am I expecting too much?
I’ve run into that myself. I have several books on different aspects of the hobby that seem to share information.
MR has for years reprinted material from the magazine in their special issues/books. Sometimes this is clearly identified, some times less so.
Except for regular issues of MR, Model Railroad Planning, and Great Model Railroads, I usually examine the issues in person. Sometimes I end up buying them anyway because it gathers material together in one place. While I keep all my back issues (back to 1948), not everyone does and so these can be handy for some folks. And of course newcomers won’t have the back issues unless they collect them - or buy the dvd.
Enjoy
Paul
This begs a question?
Is there really THAT MUCH NEW Stuff out there anymore?
With the Internet - we can get most ideas for FREE!
Few Modelers will go through the process for writing up an article when they can just BLOG about it on their own when ever they feel like it!
Even though MR and others will Pay for the articles - they demand a much higher standard to Pictures and writing.
Most just won’t or can’t do this.
So the info goes on the Internet.
Therefore MR and Others have little Information to Print - So we get to see the same stuff over and over!
Is it right - Only YOU can decide that!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Yes. Given the number of Kalmbach’s various publications, one should expect a bit of repeatability. You have to keep in mind that new folks - who have never seen that specific technique - are coming into the hobby on a daily basis. I’ve even discovered things that were written years ago, that didn’t pique my interest when I first glanced at them in MR, now hold my interest because they are applicable to where I’m at at this point in the hobby.
So, since it isn’t a lot (by your own words), I would just overlook it.
Tom
Some times I wonder…Some of the new and improved ideas been around since the 60s…
So the info goes on the Internet.
Indeed but,we are in the instant information era of the hobby.
One can even learn to weather,ballast track,spay paint or see the newest locomotive in action on you tube.
Doesn’t leave much desire to write a article when one can share his modeling ideas,methods or layout by video on you tube and then start a topic with a link to his/her video.
While experienced modelers may see this is as repetitive, it’s important to remember there’s an educational aspect of the hobby. It’s already been mentioned there are always new folks joining the hobby. Most of them benefit by seeing basic material for the first time – even if you’re old enough to remember the first three times back to 1940…[;)]
I teach college-level US history from time to time. Yep, the same material over and over. If for no other reason, the professor looks forward to telling things differently each time just to avoid boredom.[:)] More importantly, you rework the material based on what you’ve found works and doesn’t work with students. You incorporate new material and ideas in the field as they become important in the field of study.
If you took the class a year or two ago, you wouldn’t see a lot of difference. Take it 10 years from now and it will likely to be considerably different. But you’re covering a lot of the same ground, just because it is what it is when you’re talking about basic material a student needs to understand.
Now, you would only take the class once, so you never happen to notice this going on. In a general audience magazine, it’s inevitable that you’ll see the repetition if your memory is halfway decent. There’s a balancing act to doing this with the least amount of seeming repetition, but it’s worth skimming even if you’re on familiar ground just to see updates, new products, techniques, etc.