I think this issue is great ! while most of the articals are not useful to me right now, it is still very interesting.
That’s a good attitude Alex. That’s pretty much how I view most issues of MR these days, and I’ve been doing this stuff for more than 3 of your lifetimes. If you don’t have the resources to participate at the moment, dreaming can be a good substitute.[swg]
I feel that way too. Not every article is going to be of use to me, but I can still enjoy reading and learning from them.
I agree; I like to read just about all the articles, even if it’s something I’m probably never going to do (like handlaying track). You never know what little tip or trick you’ll pick up to make your own modeling easier.
I fourth the motion!! I liked that there is finally another Wisocnsin and Southern Article in MR. It’s a nice pic of 3501 too. By the way, the WSOR sold that unit a few years ago, it’s out in Nevada someplace, in WSOR paint just with the WSOR leters marked out. Almost all of the WSORs old power is gone, the GP9’s SD18’s GP7’s GP 20’s all of them are now gone. The last GP20’s are leaving very soon too. Now it’s completely SD40-2’s, GP38’s, SD20’s and one SW1200, there’s no variety anymore.
Noah
The article on backdrop painting was good…a bit overkill but worth reading…I would like to make a few comments about it…some don’t do every layout in a high sierra mountain range painting …(My layout has only rolling hills painted in the background replicating the texas hill country) and painting trees is a lot easier if you use a stiff fan brush instead of a worn out paintbrush…(watch a couple of episodes of Mr. “Habby brush” Bob Ross on the PBS channel and you’ll see what i mean)…chuck[:D]
I thought he was dead? or are they running old episodes again?
Jay
Jay…he is dead…but his show lives on from time to time…Chuck
I am extremely disappointed in the amount of information in some of the articles. I saw that modeling a diesel sand tower would be in the issue. I thought to myself how elaborate the article and details were when they did the operating coal chute a few months back, so now we get the same thing for a sanding tower. No deal. Just a little info about towers, 2 small photos, and a brief recommendation on what models to buy. That’s not modeling, that’s advertising. It appears I will be allowing my subscription to run out. Very little useful info for us beginners.
I thought the quality of the issue quiet poor, all my issues so far have been in plastic covers but this time it was without and the paper quality was not good and I agree there is too much advertising in these magazines, sure you need ads. to pay for the magazine but lately it’s been an overkill!
I would like to see more info for beginners and layouts of a more managable size not like these hugh ones we see all the time, the average modeler doesn’t have room for these.
I’m of the opposite opinions of Mr.Enduringexp and Philipkeeley. I feel there is much really good information in this as well as all the other issues I get. I think MR does a great job of catering to the beginner. However, if you want to drop your subscription, feel free! I’m sure nothing I can say will change your mind! I will look forward to every issue I get and love every advertizing page it comes with! How else am I going to ever know about the great products being offered.
It appears to be the new American way, to gripe about everything that isn’t exactly the way we (the individual) feel it should be!
I have to admit I wasn’t impressed at the sanding towers either…MR used to put in scale drawings in their articles for the scratch builder’s in the crowd and i haven’t seen one of those in a long time…I needed plan’s for one too, because that’s going to be my next big modeling project …building an engine service center…anyway…i’m not going to give up my subscription to MRR, but some of the articles could be a bit more detailed…a few more pictures in the articles couldn’t hurt either…Chuck[:D]
Heh, the articles were kinda eh…, actually I did get more info from the ads in this issue (like the McHenry Shelf couplers, the new Gold Ribbon city buildings, the new Walthers Pullman offerings, and a number of others) than the articles themselves - except the ‘distressing pen’ discussion (I could not find that tool on p-b-l.com - rather a whole bunch of Sn3 models - 'course, I’m kicking myself for not ordering a similiar pen from micromark when I sent in my bi-yearly order - now I need one to create wood grain).
Well, I enjoyed it very much! Sure a few things could have been done differently. BUT! Where do you draw the line. It just goes to show you that you just can’t please everyone. Keep up the good work MR, You’re doing just fine. PS; Hey enduringexp, If you want to let your subscription run out that’s ok with us. You’ll just probably start a subscription to Better Homes & Gardens any way & start complaining about the type of hose that they are using!
If every issue of MR had nothing in it except things that I need RIGHT NOW, I’d have the most incredible model railroad in the world, right? That’s why I like MR, there’s always something in there that I know I will probably use sometime in the future, or should have done right in the first place. As to all the advertising–well come on, folks, at least we’re INFORMED of what’s out there in the hobby, right? I’ve always liked MR, and I’ve been a subscriber since Guttenberg (I think that was his name) invented the printing press. And if you groan that a particular issue has nothing you need, well, just look at the pretty pictures, okay?
I agree 100%. I thought the October issued offered a great selection of articles. Being a passenger train fan I especially enjoyed the article about modeling N&W passenger trains. I also enjoyed the article about modeling a sand tower. I don’t want a danged blueprint… just tell me what to buy and how to modify it. It gave me exactly the information I needed.
[:)]
I liked the Janesvill, Wisconsin artical ( despite the fact I will never use it ) and I am tempted to model the N&W’s Powhatan Arrow after reading the excelent artical. as for the big layouts, well I do wi***here were more stuff on small model railroads, but they give somthing to dream about.
I totally enjoyed Pat Flynn’s article. It told the what why where when, PLUS it gave good details of operations and switcher assignments. I wish more of the MR layout features were this complete! I liked the reference to possibilities if one went back to the 60’s, too. Fine work DS Flynn, Do you have any recommended reading for operations oriented folks like me?
Also now there is a sand & gravel pit where they load out cars for the WSOR & also a recycling center where they load out paper, cardboard etc. in Janesville. Also on another note the WSOR hosted a daily AMTRAK commuter train to & from Chicago. But it was discontinued I believe for lack of ridership. “HAPPY RAILS” Janesville is about 15mi. away from where I live.
Replies like the one stokerk submitted are just the childish sort that keep people from the hobby. I have received a tremendous amount of help FROM THIS SITE and you fellow modelers. I don’t sit here and complain that most model the easy era (transition) where you are catered to by every manufacturer and the magazine as well. Plenty of articles covering passenger service an huge layouts as well. I can learn something from many articles of varying subjects. I do not expect every isue to cater to me, but just like the various hot rod magazines of the past, they all catered to Chevy. After a while, you get tired of the same old thing. Now, this issue? 31 of the first 43 pages are all ads.
Backdrops? Don’t use them. Never will.
Body mounting couplers on Marklin and Trix? Don’t use them. Never will.
Workin on the RR-scratching cars? More info on that than the sanding towers.
Rock casting? Well, usable, but a simple enough subject that I don’t think needed to be brought up. My opinion, though, OK!!
Modeling N&W passenger trains of the '50s and '60s? Again, catering to a narrow audience, with 6 PAGES.
3 RR’s, one layout. Now, here is soething I thought I would enjoy. Nope, sorry, no pics of the layout itself. Instead, it’s a fact finding article about the prototype. Shouldn’t this one be in Trains Mag?
Detailing a plastic steam loco? Decent article, but again, nothing I will ever use. Don’t do steam.
Preserving PA RR? Again, something I thought I would get some use out of, even though it is again catering to the geographic godsend of Railroading. Nope, too short.
Photo-etched brass buildings? Yeah, right. Great info for the particular subject, but maybe I am too new. Do you guys do this?
Decoders for Athearns. Now, this I will use.
Followed by 29 of the last 35 pages for more ads. The same ads form last issue, next issue. All exactly the same.
Now, please feel free to bash me for expressing my opinion in ANY childish manor you prefer, stokerk.