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Post by oldmuley on Mar 5, 2023 17:50:21 GMT -8
So as we all know, every April, Model Railroader does an "April fools" article somewhere in the magazine. I've read it cover to cover, and I have yet to find the funny, although I did wonder if the article on using pliers to bend track might have been it.
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Post by Baikal on Mar 5, 2023 18:32:22 GMT -8
So as we all know, every April, Model Railroader does an "April fools" article somewhere in the magazine. I've read it cover to cover, and I have yet to find the funny, although I did wonder if the article on using pliers to bend track might have been it.
I remember the one about sealing and pressurizing your basement so that support columns could be removed. I was a kid and didn't know it was farce, tho the bit about having to wear a diving suit via a decompression chamber got me wondering if model railroading would be a little less fun.
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Post by hudsonyard on Mar 5, 2023 21:54:50 GMT -8
I was always partial for the one about a modular group that only models abandoned right of ways converted to bike trails.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Mar 6, 2023 8:51:50 GMT -8
I was always partial for the one about a modular group that only models abandoned right of ways converted to bike trails. I'm a member of that group! It's called Free-of-trak. When we do operating sessions, we move people and bicycyles along the trails. It can get quite interesting. One of our members has some cops and a murder victim--THAT can really tie things up. I'm considering getting a guy on a dirt bike. That will provide my friend's cops with another task. It's really freeing to do Free-of-trak. No wiring, no signals, no bridge rails, no maintenance hogging locomotives, no DCC dead spots...... About the only thing is that it's important to build yourself a carrying case for your people, as the paint rubs off when they're all in a box together. Ask me how I know. Ed |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Mar 6, 2023 9:24:19 GMT -8
Trains of Thought this month was a good read.
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Post by wagnersteve on Mar 6, 2023 14:23:57 GMT -8
March 6, 2023, starting about 5:21 p.m., ESTe
I think old muley is correct about the April Fool's item in the April Model Railroader, which reached me only a short time ago. Micro-Tools is a real supplier, but after looking over 37 screens of products I couldn't find any such pliers for bending either eyeglass frames or model railroad rails.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Mar 6, 2023 15:45:05 GMT -8
March 6, 2023, starting about 5:21 p.m., ESTe I think old muley is correct about the April Fool's item in the April Model Railroader, which reached me only a short time ago. Micro-Tools is a real supplier, but after looking over 37 screens of products I couldn't find any such pliers for bending either eyeglass frames or model railroad rails. Just put in the part number that is in the article into the search engine and it shows up immediately. www.micro-tools.com/products/pln6bj-nsbf |
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Post by hudsonyard on Mar 6, 2023 15:52:31 GMT -8
Trains of Thought this month was a good read. Tony rarely has a stinker. I'd love it if they began releasing a compendium of ToT articles from the beginning. |
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Post by grahamline on Mar 6, 2023 16:30:13 GMT -8
Maybe it was the number "66" on the final page of the magazine.
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Post by richardthomasatal on Mar 23, 2023 2:09:31 GMT -8
Just like everything with that magazine, they probably downsized/removed it. It's thinned out so dramatically in the past several years there's only a few advertisers, staff writers and contributers left who are silly enough to still think it's an important staple of the hobby.
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Post by wagnersteve on Mar 23, 2023 2:53:43 GMT -8
March 23, 2023, about 6:44 a.m.
Colin, I just now saw your post. You may be correct, but I'm not sure. I had seen the pliers you think are the same at the Micro-Tools website. However, three things in the entry for it don't match what is said or shown in the article: 1) The colors of some parts of the pliers that aren't stainless steel don't match. 2) The outside contours of the stainless steel parts shown in the end views showing the end used to grip the rail don't match. 3) The description on then Micro-Trains website doesn't mention using t hem on eyeglasses.
I also agree with what richardthomasatal posted this morning.
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Post by 12bridge on Mar 23, 2023 7:38:25 GMT -8
Maybe they replaced it with...gasp...fresh content, from somebody not in the "club"..
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Post by peoriaman on Mar 23, 2023 16:09:58 GMT -8
It would be tough to top the "Undecorated RR" article from some years ago...
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Post by richardthomasatal on Mar 24, 2023 4:40:19 GMT -8
I don't know how the few people left can bear to subscribe anymore. It's Pelle Soeberg, Utah Belt over and over again. The layouts featured are never realistic accomplished layouts they are all from retired graphic artists and the like. Then Kalmbach turns their nose up at anything that doesn't fit their category of perfection all while still producing boring articles of more of the same stuff. It will be interesting to see where they sit in 5-15 years if it's not in a bankruptcy court.
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Post by gevohogger on Mar 24, 2023 5:11:47 GMT -8
I hadn't picked up MR in years..... So I decided to check out their website just now to see what I've been missing.
I see Malcolm Furlow died this week. And no, I don't think they meant that as an April Fool's prank.
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Post by Baikal on Mar 24, 2023 5:25:23 GMT -8
I don't know how the few people left can bear to subscribe anymore. It's Pelle Soeberg, Utah Belt over and over again. The layouts featured are never realistic accomplished layouts they are all from retired graphic artists and the like. Then Kalmbach turns their nose up at anything that doesn't fit their category of perfection all while still producing boring articles of more of the same stuff. It will be interesting to see where they sit in 5-15 years if it's not in a bankruptcy court.
I still subscribe but it's feeling more & more like a mercy subscription.
RMC is so much better. Maybe MR needs to be taken-over by a different publisher.
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Post by hudsonyard on Mar 24, 2023 13:39:00 GMT -8
Model Railroad Planning is really the only thing I am interested in anymore, this years had a few really nice layouts. GMR on the other hand has gotten worse and worse I feel, usually one nice prototype layout then an overbuilt club layout or two, and guys who got lost on the way to lioneltown
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Post by riogrande on Mar 24, 2023 13:50:22 GMT -8
After White River took over RMC, it's become a great magazine from the issues I've seen.
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Post by grahamline on Mar 24, 2023 20:56:29 GMT -8
Has anyone seen a copy of their -- Kalmbach's -- Allen McClelland book? My dealer says publicity etc. has been scarce. I've liked a few of their recent books, but not all, by any means.
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Post by csx3305 on Mar 25, 2023 18:25:37 GMT -8
I was always partial for the one about a modular group that only models abandoned right of ways converted to bike trails. That was a while back. Had to be about 2001 or so. I remember the author’s name was “Nomar Tyson Rales”. i let my sub lapse about 2003-ish and haven’t really looked back, although I try to get MRP when it comes out every year. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2023 11:55:02 GMT -8
I have not found recent Kalmbach publications to be worth purchasing. Not the magazines, and not the paperback book about E units (which I do have). Just disappointing.
White River Productions--yes much better.
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Post by GP40P-2 on Mar 27, 2023 17:17:48 GMT -8
Model Railroader is still around? Wow, who knew!
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Post by richardthomasatal on Mar 28, 2023 9:07:45 GMT -8
Model Railroader is still around? Wow, who knew! If it weren't for advertisers there would be maybe 18 pages. Speaking of advertisers, who in the world would think it's a good idea to still advertise in a magazine that has more circulation to dead people than to actual living breathing modelers?! Some of these company's need a smart marketing manager. |
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Post by Baikal on Mar 28, 2023 9:20:27 GMT -8
Model Railroader is still around? Wow, who knew! If it weren't for advertisers there would be maybe 18 pages. Speaking of advertisers, who in the world would think it's a good idea to still advertise in a magazine that has more circulation to dead people than to actual living breathing modelers?! Some of these company's need a smart marketing manager.
Those full-page Menard's ads are a negative. They seem to go out of their way to make their buildings look as toy-like as possible.
Still, as an on-again, off-again subscriber, I'd hate to lose MR. It could be fixed (see: RMC)
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Post by riogrande on Mar 28, 2023 9:41:03 GMT -8
Model Railroader is still around? Wow, who knew! Well, the website/forum is still around, so the mag must be. |
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Post by richardthomasatal on Mar 28, 2023 10:05:54 GMT -8
If it weren't for advertisers there would be maybe 18 pages. Speaking of advertisers, who in the world would think it's a good idea to still advertise in a magazine that has more circulation to dead people than to actual living breathing modelers?! Some of these company's need a smart marketing manager.
Those full-page Menard's ads are a negative. They seem to go out of their way to make their buildings look as toy-like as possible.
Still, as an on-again, off-again subscriber, I'd hate to lose MR. It could be fixed (see: RMC)
All of Menard's products are indeed terrible in terms of realism. That big plug on the side or back finishes off what is a poorly done model. They are used to O scalers that will accept anything so they were just trying to see if HO will also. In terms of advertising in MR, I bet you Kalmbach saw them coming from a mile away as big ol suckers because they have the capital to blow money on advertising where a lot of the train companies do not. But perhaps it's a write off for some companies so that keeps the magazine fed with revenue a little. |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Apr 7, 2023 9:48:38 GMT -8
Menards is another Wisconsin based outfit, maybe some relationship there. Their model stuff seems out of place in the big box lumber, home improvement type store.
I've not purchased a paper hobby publication in several years.
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Post by riogrande on Apr 7, 2023 10:12:53 GMT -8
Menards is another Wisconsin based outfit, maybe some relationship there. Their model stuff seems out of place in the big box lumber, home improvement type store. Longs Drugs at one location used to sell model trains too, which was out of place for the type of store. (years ago I worked at Longs Drugs in Arcata CA and Woodland CA. |
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Post by csx3305 on Apr 7, 2023 10:59:15 GMT -8
The owner of Menards is allegedly a Lionel enthusiast. i’ve heard talk that when he passes the train department could possibly be phased out.
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Post by richardthomasatal on Apr 7, 2023 14:56:25 GMT -8
The owner of Menards is allegedly a Lionel enthusiast. i’ve heard talk that when he passes the train department could possibly be phased out. Well Model Railroader magazine better hope he stays alive, Menards is their last cash cow. |
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