Like many others, I have my own pros and cons about MR, and as a long-time reader (since the mid-1960s), I have seen many changes in it’s coverage and format- some beneficial to me, others of no import. However, for a number of years I was an annual subscriber and then, for the last two years, I was not. Then…I found myself strangely drawn to Barnes and Noble or Hobbytown, where I instinctively reached for each month’s edition and bought it without thinking- perhaps a reflex response? Who can say? Recently, I re-subscribed for the next year, and in all likelihood, will stay on the track again and again. Why? Because there is always SOMETHING in each issue I enjoy and one cannot part with an old friend “just because”! Probably the best reason I started my subscription again, is- like the “little boy” in all of us- I truly enjoy looking forward to getting MR in my mailbox every month! And that’s reason (and logic) enough for me! Cedarwoodron
Although I’ve been a regular subscriber over the past few years, I’m probably not going to reup this next time around. Like this forum, I’m finding less and less that I enjoy about it.
I decided this past year to try the digital version for the extra $12/month. That was pretty much a waste of money. While the zoom feature was kinda handy, I much preferred the hard copy. Reading articles online is okay. Reading a periodical cover-to-cover, however, just isn’t practical for me.
Tom
Edit: I’ll probably do what Crandell does and pick up MR from my LHS if and when any of the contents piques my interest.
In spite of the dearth of subway related stories, I continue to subscribe. I am quite scandalized by the prices of locomotives. However, I enjoy reading it. Maybe I should write an article if I want to see subways (or LIONS) in the mag.
ROAR
Just wish the ole timers were still living and running Kalmbach.
Why I didn’t is twofold, one is that reading paper has become hard for me and even though I could go digital for an extra fee, it kinda goes against the grain as a lot of the extra videos are not of interest to me and I can find lots on youtube anyway, two, a majority of articles just don’t fit into my intrest (anything beyond 1940).
I been reading MR since I learned how to read in grade school way back in the early 50s.and I will continue to read MR but,with a twist…I now read MR on my Kindle Fire.
Tom is it because you seen that, read that already? The articles? Same ole same ole on this forum? I’m very interested. I want to know this so I can anticipate the wall before it happens.
Joe C
I have never subscribed, but I purchase five or six issues each year at the news stand if the contents look interesting. I had thought that the staff had made a concerted effort to improve the appeal to people other than newcomers to the hobby or to the armchair modellers. The past 18 months or so have been pretty good, or at least improved.
I slouch too much and too long at a computer most days, and the thoughts of extending that bad condition to read a magazine isn’t very appealing to me. The only ezine I read is Model Railroad Hobbyist 'cuz that’s how it comes to me. I prefer to sit back on a comfy chair and read MR holding it in my hands.
-Crandell
I’ve been renewing year-to-year because it’s only a matter of time before they announce that they’re going digital and stopping the printed version.
As for the content I’ve enjoyed the last couple of years and I still think Neil is doing an awesome job.
I renewed when offered a reduced rate, overseas, 3 year rate.
Some editions are better than others, but on the whole there is usually a good balance to keep me interested. And, in any case I also take RMC along with 2 European magazines…
Whilst I read some magazines on-line, I do try to limit how many, as I sit in front of computers during my working day / nights!
Brian
I agree that the present editor is doing a great job. I am also, though, not extremely experienced, finding the majority of beginner’s how to articles something I’m getting beyond now.
Model Railroader was like a best friend when I was a kid in the '60s. I felt like I knew the staff-kinda and Lynn Wescott was my “hero”. I took it with me to every appointment in case the waiting rooms only had “normal” magazines[:D] (Except for the dentist who had “Golden Age”/ 1940s superhero comics.) I’ll bet he wished he hadn’t let our grubby little paws get ahold of them once he realized what they were worth later!
I also subscribe to Railroad Model Craftsman. This magazine is on the other end of the extreme for my present skills but I enjoy the depth of craftsmanship, historical articles, etc. MRH’s online magazine falls between those two camps and fills the void. Even though I can only read that online, I tend to avoid other reads on the computer screen.
From time to time, I consider not continuing my subscription with Model Railroader, but there is always the call of layout photos/articles and the occasional innovative ideas/workarounds. (under the table tortoise extension brackets, etc.) I’ll make the decision to renew when my 3 yr. subscription is up.
I DO like that this present staff is similar to the '60s in that it seems very buddy buddy/personable and this comes across the the subscriber/buyer.
I’ve tried digital subscriptions (OPSig) and really don’t think I’ll back “there” until we’re all forced to by the times. I enjoy the flexibility of hard copies and less eye strain and stuck in one posture if not on a laptop.
I wish that MR would have more advanced projects than they do but beginners need a magazine too.
Jim
Having had both a paper and digital subscription for a while now, I think when the paper one expires I will only be renwing the digital. Just picked up Classic Trains, too, though why I picked a paper copy and not digital I’m not sure. I’ve hardly cracked the cover on the last 3 or 4 paper MRs I got, the digital is available up to a week before the paper copy comes in the mail, and I’ve usually already read itby the time the paper one arrives.
I don’t like to sit at my computer to read, either - which is why my MR adn MRH go on my iPad so I can sit in my comfy chair and read. Along with most of the rest of my library. The only physical books I seem to buy any more are railroad ones, since they are either older books, or often produced my smaller publishers who don’t yet offer ebook versions. Fiction books? Been years. Which drives the family crazy as I used to be counted on to provide a list of 15-20 books as options on the Christmas list.
As for content, I think there’s been a big improvement in MR over the past year. Lots of interesting construction articles with scratchbuilding and kitbashing.
–Randy
I will probably renew my subscription that ran out a few months ago. I also thank that Neil is doing a good job, but his editorial a few months back irked me. Why would he be OK with buying 3 bottles of paint just to come up with a color that Floquil had? Makes no since to me. But, the magazine has also been a part of my family for over 40 , and since it expired, it feels like something is missing.
Well, I go back into the hobby about 2 years ago, and I found the magazine and, particularly, this forum very helpful. For me, the magazine is in the ballpark of usefulness it was to me many years ago, and this forum most valuable. Some of the Kalmbach publications have also been a good resource. I’ve recently added the video plus, a bit pricey, very useful in some videos such as track ballasting, but as I progress, I’m not so sure I will continue this as it approximately doubles my annual expense. Overall, I think MR has done a reasonable job in a changing environment.
Like others, I still enjoy sitting down and opening a paper copy each month. I think it reminds me of when I was younger and couldn’t wait to get home from the hobby shop each month when the new issue of MR came out. It was never a question of only buying it if I saw something I liked. I could always find something interesting even if it was just the ads for new products. I might not get quite as excited as I did about 35 years ago, but I still look forward to each issue with anticipation. It’s a small price for the enjoyment it brings each month.
I’ve also found that while some articles don’t appeal to me at first glance, if I force myself to read them, I often end up learning about something or a new technique that proves helpful down the road. That sort of reminds me of older radio stations that played a variety of music compared to today where everything is neatly divided into specific formats. I used to hate listening to certain songs or artists I didn’t like, but in the end, it gave me a much wider exposure to music I would have never listened to on my own. And you know what? Sometimes I would hear something different that I really liked!
Maybe not the greatest analogy ever, but that’s why I still buy MR each month,
Jim
Getting the new issue of MR is the one thing I look forward to at the beginning of the month. My onthly ritual is to take the new issue out to screened-in porch, light up a cigar, crack open beer and read the magazine cover-to-cover. I subscribe because it’s quite a bit cheaper than buying it newsstand.
I have been reading MR since the Fall of 1961. Initially, from the LHS, then the news stand. Over a period of time I became a subscriber, and remained one off an on until a couple of years ago, when I let it lapse while pinching pennies.
I continued to buy the magazine at Barnes and Noble, and ultimately decided I could save money by subscribing again.
Most months, I get my money’s worth, as there is always an interesting article. Although, I’ve been around for a good while, someone almost always comes up with a better idea or better method. I have not tried the electronic version yet, but do read MRH and some of the various society modeling publications on line.
The staff at MR today, is no different than back in 1961. Big difference back then they were all older than I, while today, I’ve got years on them.
I do enjoy MR .
Joe
I let the subscription go a few years ago to try to save a few pennies - In the end I bought enough of the issues off the shelf to be very close to the subscription price, so there was no real savings.
Fact is, every issue has at least one item of interest to me, and usually more, that are worth the price. If I get to the point where I actually can’t afford $3.25 a month I’ll have to re-evaluate my use of money for any hobby.
And oddly, though I read 7-10 magazines a month on the iPad, I have no desire to have MR in 1s and 0s. It and Trains are the only 2 I get in print, but it just seems right to me.
I have been reading MR since December 1971, and been a subscriber since shortly after that - over 40 years now. It has been and is my favorite magazine.
Even though a lot of the articles are doing things that were done before, they frequently use new materials and / or techniques. So really there’s always new stuff to learn.
MR along with RMC and the NMRA Bulletin (or whatever the name is this month) are the big 3 for me and I have all the issues back 40 years plus earlier back issues.
Enjoy
Paul
Never have subscribed & don’t want to. If I had no local hobby shop, I might. But the L.H.S. is a place for social interaction, & I like going up there & shooting the bull with the other guys (and a few gals too). Even if I don’t buy anything else, I have the excuse of buying the mag. to justify the trip to the shop. I like the dealer & I like patronizing the shop. I’m sure I end up spending more $ this way & I don’t get some of the on-line perks, but I’m OK with that. IMHO, the intangibles make it worthwhile to swim against the current.