Hawkeye251
Member
I've been a subscriber to Model Railroader since about 1995 and I have quite a few back issues dating to 1990. At the time I started subscribing, I really enjoyed the magazine. There were great fold out schematics of locomotives and famous passenger trains, a lot of articles on kitbashing and scratchbuilding, and a seemingly good variety of era's and scales.
Lately though I've found that the magazine seems to be lacking somewhat. Content is primarily focused on the transition era, there are very few articles on kitbashing or scratchbuilding locomotives or freight cars (they have had some pretty good structure builds though), and a lot of the content is beginner oriented. Furthermore, each issue feels a lot like its predecessor with some features being repeated yearly.
I don't really think this is Model Railroaders fault, I think they're simply doing a good job of following trends as well as trying to get more people interested in the hobby (definitely something I support). However, I'm beginning to think a subscription is no longer a valuable way for me to spend what hobby funds I have.
I do like getting stuff in the mail though So perhaps I just need a change of scenery. I'm using a back issue of Railroad Model Craftsman from 1990 for my GP40-2 project, and I really like it, lots of good projects and info. I've also got an ancient issue of Mainline Modeller but I never really cared much for it. Granted though, these are old issues, next time I'm in my LHS I'll have to pick up the current issue of each. In the meantime though, does anyone have any thoughts on the model railroad publication scene? I'm an HO scale modeler, I model anything from about 1980 to the present. I'm primarily interested in western lines, but I have nothing against the eastern roads, or even European prototypes. I'm mostly interested in kitbashing, scratchbuilding, or superdetailing rolling stock, locomotives and structures, rather than purchasing them RTR. Does RMC sound like a good magazine for me? Anyone have any others to suggest?
Thanks for your input, sorry if this post rambled a bit.
Chris
Lately though I've found that the magazine seems to be lacking somewhat. Content is primarily focused on the transition era, there are very few articles on kitbashing or scratchbuilding locomotives or freight cars (they have had some pretty good structure builds though), and a lot of the content is beginner oriented. Furthermore, each issue feels a lot like its predecessor with some features being repeated yearly.
I don't really think this is Model Railroaders fault, I think they're simply doing a good job of following trends as well as trying to get more people interested in the hobby (definitely something I support). However, I'm beginning to think a subscription is no longer a valuable way for me to spend what hobby funds I have.
I do like getting stuff in the mail though So perhaps I just need a change of scenery. I'm using a back issue of Railroad Model Craftsman from 1990 for my GP40-2 project, and I really like it, lots of good projects and info. I've also got an ancient issue of Mainline Modeller but I never really cared much for it. Granted though, these are old issues, next time I'm in my LHS I'll have to pick up the current issue of each. In the meantime though, does anyone have any thoughts on the model railroad publication scene? I'm an HO scale modeler, I model anything from about 1980 to the present. I'm primarily interested in western lines, but I have nothing against the eastern roads, or even European prototypes. I'm mostly interested in kitbashing, scratchbuilding, or superdetailing rolling stock, locomotives and structures, rather than purchasing them RTR. Does RMC sound like a good magazine for me? Anyone have any others to suggest?
Thanks for your input, sorry if this post rambled a bit.
Chris