I don’t know the reason but MR (cfr Bergie, trains.com adviser???) had locked my topic about the subject
Is MR becoming too basic?
More than 1600 readers and 86 answers or opinion on 5 pages, lot speaking that MR is still the best Model Railroad magazines on the market but in effectiveness begining maybe to be a little be basic.
Did you have still opinion about it?
Thanks for all your answers anyway.
Marc
Well it is well known that MR is not the magazine it once was and rather basic and aim more for the beginer…This of course is sad and the problem needs to be dealt with.As far s locking a topic that talks about this problem is not Wise.and just shows that the management
A.Doesn’t want to fix the problem
or
B.Its unfix-able at this late date.
Time was I could not wait for the next issue of MR…Sadly those days are over as I now look through each issue to insure its woth the price.[8][B)][:(][V]
It’s true, Brakie, that the magazine is not what it used to be, but the hobby of model railroading is not what it used to be, either. They have evolved with the changes in the hobby. Back in the '50’s and '60’s there were a lot more scratchbuilding and rebuilding articles, but the majority of the people in the hobby today have moved away from this, and so have the articles in the magazines. There’s still kitbashing and “make it better” type articles because the majority of the readers want this and do it. And this is just one example. The “what’s new” section in today’s issues is much larger than it was years ago, showing that manufacturers are bringing out more new products for us.
And to the question of “too basic?” Even the most experienced of model railroaders will benefit from an occasional review of the basics. Forgetting things as simple as checking wheel gauge or coupler height on a newly purchased loco or car can lead to some very basic operating problems, to cite one example.
I read that topic shortly after it was locked, and didn’t really see anything that was so bad. Prehaps the problem was that the person who started it kept pushing it back to the top, in the hopes of getting more responses. This makes it look as if the person has an agenda, or a score to settle. Locking a topic is one way to make sure that it doesn’t come back. I’m not in favor of censorship, but I can see where the management might not find that topic constructive after a certain amount of time on the front page.
No Tom,that is called I knew better but was in a hurry…[}:)][;)][;)][:D][:D]
Or has we get use to high dollar RTR engines and cars its simply called well to be blunt-pure laziness and I speak from experience because 90% of the wheels I checked on my cars over the years has been in gauge according to my NMRA gauge so,I get lazy and don’t bother to check them sometimes…
Everybody thinks that it was better in the old days
We young people are going to say the same thing in 40 years
Remember when you were kids
I never question Bergie’s judgement when it comes to locking posts.
I agree with Tom. I love the old MRR mags because of all the great projects. They are filled with drawings for everything from stations and structures to locomotives and cars. I have even built some of the structures and things because it is fun and you get more satisfaction out of building some thing out of a few pieces of scale lumber or a sheet of styrene rather than a kit where all you have to do is put it to gether. There isn’t much creativity involved with kits, you dont have to make parts to go with them it comes already made for you. I also enjoyed the student affair section where school aged kids could write in with ideas or questions. It was great! What happened MRR?
I think MR is an awesome mag and look forward to every issue.
It’s absolutely necessary for MR to have some basic material to accomodate those just entering the hobby. I entered in the late 40’s so there’s hardly anything in the “basics” articles that interest me& I generally just give them a quick scan, if that. Whether or not there’s been too much dimunition of “project” articles is probably a matter of personal interest and, I suspect, the ratio the editors put in probably reflects the feedback they get from readers. “Suffer in silence no more!” Now where have I seen that phrase?
That’s very true. The basics are needed for the hobby to thrive. We wouldn’t be into the hobby much if it hadn’t been for MR magazine.
That said though, I love the photography, layout articles, advertising, etc. It truely is a first class publication.
Kalmbach Publishing offers an entire library of books describing in intricate detail how to go about ever facet of the hobby. Those books are what beginners should be purchasing if they want to get it right…not just MR. The magazine’s basics articles rarely cover a subject in enough detail to prove an accurate reference.
MR really needs to think more of its meat and potatoes readership, who are looking for more advanced fare and not a rehash of how to lay ballast for the umpteenth time.
CNJ831
True, but they aren’t as available unless mail ordered or at a hobby shop. MR is everywhere, even in the grocery store. That said, I understand what you’re saying.
I let my MRR subscription run out last year and am now getting RMC.
Though RMC, IMHO, is a great magazine I must admit that I miss MRR very much. So next year when the kids come around hawking their school’s “Magazine Drive” again, I’ll likely subscribe to MRR.
There will always be criticism! I remember 20 years ago modelers writing letters to MRR complaining about content, articles, etc. Looks like history still repeats itself.
Roger that.
I still look forward to each MR even after 33 years. I think it is the best one out there. As for locking the topic - there wasn’t anything new there and it seemed to be degenerating. We seem to be repeating ourselves again here.
Enjoy
Paul
like my firsty topic it seems that a lot of us feel MR the best magazines avaible but a little to basic.
.
I like the remarks about the “X” times articles about ballasting track an d I agrre the same feeling.