This all makes me wonder how N scale survives with an absence of variety of models, the model press wilfully suppressing coverage, disdain and ridicule from modelers in larger scales, and most of all, the Creator’s design of the human body where manual dexterity and sight acuity decline with age. Heaven and earth both seem to be against N-scalers. They must be a proud and hardy bunch.
Mark
Well, I guess that depends on whether we are speaking from the heart or the calculator. All of the surveys I’ve seen from the industry (even N-scale-centric sources) show that the number of N scalers is smaller than HO … a strong second, but a smaller number.
N scale has a lot going for it and I’m sure it will conitnue to grow over time as it has the last decade or so. But I don’t think it will become the statistical majority scale in the US.
I’m pretty sure Kalmbach is planning to print at least soem N scale in the future because they’ve bought the articles from me (and others). Hopefully that trend continues.
Most of us aren’t as fat-fingered as you, Mark! [:)]
So N scale fits us perfectly …
Are there any dedicated HO scale publications? I don’t think so? N scale has, what two, dedicated publications? What have N scalers got to complain about?
You called that right, Byron (and having met me face-to-face in a model-railroad setting, you should know!)
Mark [:D]
But dextrous, very dextrous [:)]
I hope this is a sarcastic remark! Jamie
Makes me wonder why MR has as much N-scale coverage as it does with at least two other magazines competing for N-scale articles exclusively. Seems to me N-scalers are being selfish to want more when us HO modelers already share MR with all scales. I suspect N-scale coverage is greater than for HO scale if one compiles the articles of the three magazines. As far as I know, HO-scalers still outnumber all other-scale modelers combined. HO-scalers need to be served too.
Mark
After going to the FVM web site I know that I will most likely get at least 2 of these locomotives. Will wait until I see some some reviews on them to finalize the decision though. The preproduction models do look good, and I like the grab irons being included and the easy install method.
Ken Price
MR presents itself as the standard bearer for the hobby, and I dare say overall does a good job of that. Obviously there’s a flood tide more of products that are released in HO than in N, so there’s going to be a pretty established ratio of news items. I can accept that. But on a web announcement, where there really isn’t any space limitation, it seems absurd to come back from the National Train Show and publish only one new locomotive announcement for N scale, then replace it with another… There’s also no mention of the demonstration model of Intermountain’s SP Cab Forward steamer that was displayed and operated, another breakthrough for plastic steam in N scale.
As for article submissions, there’s clearly a backlog of material piled up at MR from contributors… I believe in the last year alone there’s been 2 or 3 articles published posthumously… I’m not submitting articles to MR, because I fear for my life if they put me in the queue!
Meanwhile, I can submit a piece to N Scale or N Scale Railroading, and know that it’ll see the light of day within a few months.
Anyway, I’m glad to see that they’ve at least given a nod to the work that Matt has put into this model.
Lee
definately excited to hear this, especially since they remembered an east coast line! so happy to hear that an NS model will be produced!