Greetings,
In your opinion which is the best magazine for you and why?
Railroad Model Craftsman or Model Railroader.
How is one better than the other?
Mark in Texas
I buy both and have for 30 years. I like MR’s focus on layouts and I feel RMC focuses more on the trains. All in all both very fine magazines - the two best general model railroading magazines on the market IMHO.
Enjoy
Paul
MR MR MR MR MR MR MR MR MR MR MR MR MR MR
I like both and get both, I also subscribe to Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. As far as MR and RMC are concerned, I have to say I feel both are excellent publications. They have slightly different focuses and methods and in the end I feel sort of augment each other. If your asking if I had to chose, I would go MR, hands down.
The one place RMC outshines MR is in prototype plans and information. RMC has way more quantity and depth on the prototype than MR. Always has. MR would publish a plan on a car or locomotive and a 3 paragraph explanation. RMC would publish a 2 part article, cover the variations and have 6 pages of documentation and detail. For example MR published a one or two page plan of a CNJ Northeastern caboose. RMC published a three part article covering every road that had NE cabooses, the variations between them , with pictures, rosters and plans for the various styles.
Dave H.
I buy MR every month. It is like the standard. RMC, I scan through to see if each issue is worth buying.
MR is more readily available in this community (several locations) so I continue to buy it. RMC is a treat for me. I enjoy both as quality mags… Not too familiar with any other model rr mags
I read both MR & RMC. They are both complimentory to each other. Years ago, I dropped my subscription to Rail Model Journal because they devoted, on an average, of 8 plus pages to a particular model which I had absolutle no interst what so ever. It got boring and mundane. They continue to this day with the same format. I like Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette, because of the great variety offered to the narrow gauge modeler.
Variety, like MR & RMC and the Gazzette is the key to reader interest. One thing RMC should do is get off the nastelgia soapbox [are you listening, Hal?] and get on with model railroading that is happening today. Remenising about the so called "good ol’ days’ is fine for old time readers, but most of the 21st century readers get a little tired of reading about things that is now antique history.
However, both of these magazines should continue to keep pace with the modelers of this generation. I like the new look of MR and the editors and art directors should be given a round of applause for their creativity and forsight.
Don Wick - The Yard Master
West Bend, WI
First off my fav is tha Gazette, its best for what I like to do. But to address th question?
MR is much better than RMC, with the exception of using color photos RMC hasnt changed in at least 30 years, I have older issues that could be the current issue. At least MR trys to address the evolving nature of the hobby, Also I’ve also felt that RMC has always been aimed at a the rivet counter crowd. A recent issue had 7 pages devoted to the history of a grain car, ya’know I really dont need to know 7 pages of history for a frieght car, show me some more layouts or cars or loco models.
I always read “Collectors Consist” in RMC, but I’m an “old timer” now [:(][;)]. Bought may first RMC at a news stand in 1963. Started getting MR shortly thereafter.
I also buy RMJ, Model Railroading, Mainline Modeler N Scale, N Scale Railroading, O Scale News, and O Scale Trains regulary, and some other magazines (including prototype mags) occasionally. They all have something to offer. An article that doesn’t interest me today may have exactly what I need in the future. You can see I like variety.
Lately I’ve found more of interest to me in RMC than in MR ,but that may change…
I like the prototype articles and plans in RMC. I like the layout feature and planning articles and layout how to articles in MR.
Definitely RMC. I enjoy the depth of the articles that RMC offers. The “this is it” mini paragraphs given by MR along with the plans and prototype info just does not give me what I want.
I enjoy a thorough look at the history, development and changes made to a particular item that interests me and at times have read 5-7 pages of interesting information on AAR box cars! However, I didn’t know I was a “Rivit Counter”! Do I need to seek a mental health professional for this. Is this considered a malady? Are there groups I can join to help me overcome this terrible disorder? My god, I just realised the fact that I read books! Certainly there must be no help for me!
Well, this may be fair if we come up with a somewhat disdainful name for you guys whom arn’t “Rivit Counters”!
Well they keep each other honest and are different enough in tone and content (and advertising) to each have a role to play. Sometimes RMC publishes an article that looks to me like it was rejected elsewhere for poor photography and inept writing.
I am not totally pleased with the new MR regime’s emphasis on ready to run, “cool” locomotives, and other indicia of a teenager/tinplate mentality. I would challenge anyone to truly build a passenger car based only on their two latest “construction” articles, the streamlined fluted side and the narrow gauge combine. The info you need must have ended up on the floor during editing.
Dave Nelson
I like them both. Each has something to offer. They are the only two I subscribe to (and have for almost 30 years)
Skip it!
I dropped both. There comes a time when the bar needs to be raised to keep improving and neither one offers me that. So I subscribe to the PRRT&HS society and get their publications and books. No one has mentioned Mainline Modeler which does an excellent job of inproving ones abilities regardless of the project.
Hey Deshane
If you were refering to my refernce to RMC being aimed more at rivet counters , let me clarify, by rivet counter I meant extremely-accurate-just-like-the-prototype modeler, thats all. RMC contains stuff that I just dont get into that level of accuracy, but many modelers who meet that defintition of “rivet counter” (which is what to me, the term means) do study, so thats why I refer to RMC being more aimed at those modelers.
I love the collectors consist in RMC. As a new train buff this is great fun to wander back thru the years to see what was aviable and how much it cost. Kind of makes you appreciate todays psoducts more. MR gives me great inspriation, RMC gives me the nuts and bolts. Bill
I subscribe to Mainline Modeler (MM) and Model Railroading (MRG) for modeling.
I subscribe to Model Railroader (MR) mostly for ads.
I pick up RMC and RMJ occassionally.
Vsmith, You were one of many folks who has spoken about “Rivit Counters”. I don’t really consider myself to be one, however I do enjoy Arm-Chair-Railroadin’ almost as much as modeling down in my lay-out room!
I just thought I’d have a little fun with the word!
However, I think it would be better if we quit with the generalizations and name calling. A real “Rivit Counter” to me is someone who is annoying as hell about their knowledge and pick apart the good efforts of others.