Come on CTT, can we get MORE CLASSIC TOY TRAINS (LIONEL, AMERICAN FLYER) Layouts in the magazine and not emphasize on true to scale? Scale is ok, but isnt this magazine called “Classic” Toy Trains? I dont mind the scale stuff here and there, but more CLASSIC COLORFUL LIONEL AND AMERICAN FLYER LAYOUTS WOULD BE NICE!!! I think with the recent economy, we are going to see alot less scale stuff! I have some myself, but love the TOY TRAIN LAYOUTS!
Just my 2 cents.
Mark
Based on the name of Classic Toy Trains, I’d say you are right.
I’m more of a scale guy and have been a subscriber to OGRR for a while which targets more of the scale modelers. That said, I ended up subscribing to this one as well simply because they started to cover more scale layouts.
I gotta go with Mark, It says “classic” toy trains and thats what I expect to see. They were slipping away for awhile but the last three issues were four star and AAA.
You will probably see a bit more than in past years.
Bob, for what it is worth, I think you guys are doing a bang up job! Keep it up. I like a good mix and I think you give us that. I also know that you do market surveys and know what a majority think as well.
Dennis
You’re not alone on this, Mark, believe me. There are many of us that have been complaining about this for quite a few years. I have been a subscriber for 12 years and have finally decided to let my subscription run out. There just aren’t enough “Classic” toy trains left in the magazine for me anymore. I will, however, be keeping an eye on the CTT website. If I see the magazine going back in the direction it was in the mid-'90s, I will re-subscribe.
P.S. Mark, you may want to change the title of this thread to better reflect the subject matter. You might get more feedback that way. [2c]
I recently renewed my subscription after letting it expire. I go back and forth. I will subscribe to CTT, and then subscribe to the other mag. I have enjoyed the past few issues and the latest concerning hi rail layouts was enjoyable. Myself I like to see maybe a few layouts like mine, on a table top with just indoor/outdoor carpet with track and buildings. I have subscribed to the other mag also but we not be renewing that subscription because it does seem to be more orientated to scale and I have no interest in a lot of there articles. I know during the course of the year you can not make everyone happy every issue, some are more enjoyable to me then others but in the long run I think CCT has more interesting features for myself in a one year period.
Maybe when I retire in a few years, and have more time on my hands, I will do a hi rail layout. I have gotten some inspiration from the latest issue of CTT.
I thought and still think that the primary FOCUS of this particular issue was/is Hi-Rail. I think it was a “Special Feature” edition only just to focus on Hi-Rail because it’s very popular. I like it because I like the Hi-Rail approach. I don’t see this as a trend for CTT at all, just a “specialized” issue. You gotta admit that there is some nice work out there and it’s great to see. Now affording all that is another thing…!
I the past i was buying either OGR or CTT from my local hobby shop but scince I moved from VA I didn’t have on in TN so I subscribed to CTT and figured the next year I would do OOGR well I did and wish I didn’t I wish I stayed with CTT as now it seems OGR is getting heavy into On30 which yes its O scale (not gauge) but its not for me as its not what I’m use to in size as O as to me its smaller. I’ve seen some nice stuff in On30 but Istill prefer my O and O-27 and prefer the clasics but that even gets touchy as to what is a classic toy train is 20 years enough or how about just 15 or does it need to be 40 so we go befor MPC era but watch it if you say 40 in a year your in MPC again so maybe we need to go 45 or 50. Reason I bring this up basicly if you just go 15 years your knocking on the beginning of TMCC I believe as I know I have one engine from 1996 that has TMCC in it.
What I’m getting at clasic toy trains aren’t from an era per say its needs to be defind in years as my trains from the 80 and 90 accually are clasics as yo look an 88 is 20 years old and a 93 is 15 so where do we draw the line??
just some food for thought here.
So…presumably, these are grits[}:)]. What say Chief?
I have to say that I agree with Mark. Although I am not a subscriber (my cousin passes the magazines on to me) I am an avid reader. And, since I am a “player” rather than a “modeler”, the toy aspect is really what I focus on. Thanks.
RT,
Sent you a private message.
runtime
Not !!
Count my vote for ‘Toy Trains’. The ‘O’ gauge popularity is built upon the success of Lionel and American Flyer from the pre/postwar days. Lionel ‘O’ Gauge and American Flyer ‘S’ Gauge are the only trains that have charm and nostalgia. None of the other gauges have charm and nostalgia nor to the scale models.
I have prewar, postwar, near-scale and scale all running on my toy train layout. It is an amazing source of enjoyment for me. No other hobby comes close.
I think CTT is an excellant magazine. I subscribe to both CTT and OGR and I like the fact that the magazines are targeted to different markets. Keep up the good work.
Earl
I just subscribed to CTT about 2 months ago. I don’t see a problem for me in what I have seen in the past 2 magazines.
I was post war Lionel in the 50’s. I traded that off for HO in1960. In 1991 I started tinkering with large scale and in 1998 I sold my HO. I just got rid of my large scale and switched in August to O gauge 3 rail. I will be running some Lionel, but mostly Atlas. I think I am referred to as scale 3 rail.
I learned while in large scale to look at the pictures of the layouts and what they represent. I have taken buildings from N gauge and built large scale buildings from them. There can be something learned from any magazine of any layout than you can put to use.
It’s funny.
There was a topic on the OGR forum complaining about their On30 issue, and how much they really liked the recent CTT issue with all the scale articles. [:)]
I like both magazines. It is good to see them mix things up now and then.
On thing does concern me. I received the email with the preview of the next issue of CTT. If that is supposed to be the Christmas issue, it didn’t seem to have much of anything Christmas related.
I like to see the issue that comes out around the holidays show some Christmas layouts. Toy trains go well with Christmas.
normally the January issue does as it comes late nov early dec so its more in key with christmas time as the dec issue will be coming soon I believe. Like in a week or 2 for those who are current subscribers.
Glad to hear it. Sounds like I’m looking for the Christmas issue too early. Oh well, patience is a virtue I’m still working on.
Remember that the date on a magazine is when it comes off the magazine rack, not when it goes on.
I like the scale stuff, and I think everyone in charge is doing a great job, and I always look forward to every issue, but I would like to see some more of the old classic toy trains. Such as an article on how to “resurect” a postwar steam locomotive from the dead. I just go crazy over those.