I'm not connected with MODEL RAILROADER, RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN, TRAINS, RAILFAN & RAILROAD except that I have long term subscriptions to all of them. Each magazine has it's own merit and reader base. Some places they over lapped, and some places they didn't. I would always know that RMC could & would get much more TECHNICAL than MR. Never seen MR publish a series on rebuilt XYZ (enter prototype) Railroad boxcar , reefers, cabooses, or moveable bridges in Chicago. And go into GREAT detail. I hope you get the the point. I'm sorry to see the CARSTENS Publishing folks close up shop. I hope somebody will come along and purchase all the magazines, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I will keep subscribing to all of the above magazines as long as they are printed, because I like reading them. Give me hard copy any day. I don't need batteries to read MR, RMC, R&R or TRAINS!
That might explain why I haven't received the June issue of R&R. Sad to see them go, as R&R was one of the better publications that I receive.
Model Railroading is a sub culture all of it's own, with it's own verbiage and lingo. One of the things I appreciated about Carstens publications is they stayed closer to using the language of the Rails. Railroad Modeler, implying they model the prototype with more articles for us bolt, nut, sliding washer and rivet counters. Like I said earlier, I hate to see them go. I dropped my subscription to MR years ago when what appeared to be a take over by non-railroaders and in particular non-model railroaders. With some bad information coming out in print. Modeling experience for sure but knowing very little about model railroading. Newbies helping newbies make the same mistakes. In the long run things will be sorted out and everything will come full circle. I might add here there are those (more then you might think) who still only read the wig wags (tattle tale magazines) and wouldn't participate or even look into what's going on here on the internet. Some manly macho thing or stubbornness to learn something new. Don't ask me to explain it. If I was a betting man I'd be betting on someone coming along buying out what's left of Carsten's publications, with a whole new spin on modeling a railroad. DVD's, website, live shows on the internet, oop's best leave this alone. I don't want to leak out any corporate secrets. I will miss Carstens Publications.
No guarantees as to the "done deal" aspect of it all, but this came through today via Yahoo groups feed: Railfan & Railroad (and Railroad Model Craftsman) has been purchased by White River Productions. The announcement came out as a PDF (don't think I can attach it here) but the highlights include all subscriptions will be honored. Some cover dates may be combined to get back on schedule, but if you are owed six issues you will receive six issues. The Carstens book division was also part of the purchase.
http://www.modelrailroadnews.com/PDF/WRP-Press_Release_140829.pdf Holy Lazarus, Batman! As for R&R and CTC Board, IMO the latter has the better quality. Unless they honor R&R subscriptions with issues of CTC Board, I really don't see a reason to have two separate railfan-oriented publications covering essentially the same territory. That's a solution for Kevin EuDaly to figure out. At least these two fine publications will not go the way of so many others, good and not so much.
I just renewed my MR subscription for 3 years. RMC and I never clicked. I thought it would grow on me, but it didn't. I wish them well and will certainly take a look at them after the new owners have had a chance to sort out the future of RMC. Interesting thread.
If White river did buy RMC, I sure hope they honor the RMC subscriptions. I have 7 years left on my RMC subscription.
I'd be eating at my favorite restaurant, if I had made that bet. Good news for sure. Curious to see if the same theme and character of Carsten's publications will be continued?
Honestly, White River was who I thought might pick it up. Figured those were the best odds. Buying up distressed rail mags is their MO. See CTC board
just saw this... from EARLYRAIL yahoo groups Hi All, Some good news about Carstens and RMC: Carstens Publications has been sold to White River Publishing, and they will continue to publish "Railroad Model Craftsman". This is good news, especially for those that had just renewed their subscription. This pdf web page takes a few seconds to appear. www.modelrailroadnews.com/PDF/WRP-Press_Release_140829.pdf Tom
That was a guess shared by quite a few folks, most notably those at other publications, since before the shutdown. And a good move, too. White River seems to do a fine job, so hopefully after things get back on track (yep, remember CTCBoard- I was one of the columnists, and also remember Dale Sanders' predilection to playing rail tycoon at the expense of the magazine), we'll see an improved product. Kudos to Kevin EuDaly and the folks at White River.