Mainline Modeler Model Railroading Rail Model Journal All ceased publication. If all the magazines go away, what will I read while on the john. I don't want a computer in there.
I have no experience with any of these periodicals...not enough history in the hobby. And I do agree that we are more apt to get MR's A Game when they know they have stiff competition. The good news is that a number of e-pubs are coming on line, and it is likely that MR will find itself having to scramble all over again when they find their paper subscriptions dwindling in the next three years or so. I think it's bad enough that I eat at the computer. The other thing is just something to give me the heebie jeebies. Do you wash your hands first....or later? How about the keyboard?
Fortunately or unfortunately it's a sign of the times that have been coming for awhile now. All epriodicals are suffering from the same fate if they haven't learned to change with the times. "E Commerce". They should have led the way on the net verses leaving it to someone else. It's a shame to see them go but; next best thing is to get one of those Ebook readers by Sony or another manufacturer, and download your eMags for the Throne. Just my two bits :tb-cool:
I poked my head inside the Whistlestop in Pasadena and bought that last copy of RMJ and though I knew it was the last issue, the man at the counter was sure to remind me. I've been reading MR for 50 years (35 cents per copy if my memory serves me) and I know that at some point, the "fan is going to start turning!" It's called computer. If you ain't on board, things will be tough.
All this talk about no competition, and we already have forgotten Railroad Model Craftsman? Or the two major mags geared toward N scalers?
If I recall correctly, "Tall Timber Short Lines" also published its last issue this year. For those of us interested in logging operations, there's basically just Timber Times now, and some material in periodicals like Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette.
I guess I've been out of it... I didn't know RMJ died too... I'm going to have to buy any issues I don't already have at the LHS. :-(
It's a shame about the 3 magazines that ceased publication. When I was at the Exporail model railroad day a few weeks ago, I picked up a bunch of back issues of MR and RMC. I have to admit that MR in the 80's and in the 60's were better written then today. It seems as nowadays all MR wants to do is sell stuff. Howto articles used to be just that, howto articles. Not anymore. They fly through the topic and for more information please go see such and such a book or such and such a magazine. Someone asks a question, well same thing little explanation, and for more info go see here available through our sales department. I find more specific information through this site and a few other sites and all the personal wesites online then in present day magazines go figure. Well I finished my rant lol I'll be quiet for now Cheers Adam
There is Model Railroad News. A very well done magazine. Lots of good stuff in there. Might pick one up and check it out.
There is little question about MR having a much higher level of useful content in the past and if one looks carefully, they'll note that the target audience of the magazine has steadily shifted over the last two decades from the serious modeler to the entry-level, RTR, buy-it-now, faction. In doing so, it has lost an enormous number of subscribers (65,000 or 30% over the past 14 years). RMC, on the other hand, has steadily increased its useful content aimed toward the serious hobbyist and is now decidedly superior to MR in ever respect, in my opinion. Likewise, as MR's monthly page count has steadily declined (today less than half of what is was a decade ago), RMC is progressively increasing in size and now exceeds MR every month. While it may taken another 8-10 years to do so, I think you will see RMC become clearly the hobby's premier magazine for the more serious hobbyist. I'd also say don't look for any new printed magazines to start up and succeed in the near future. The hobby is shrinking and niche magazines, or those with a very limited staff, simply aren't going to make it. Quite honestly, MLM, RMJ and MRing all had readerships numbering well under 15,000 and probably never were real healthy. Likewise, I wouldn't put any great faith in seeing successful e-magazines appearing either. Firstly, they must be decidedly different in format, creativity and content presentation than traditional ones like MR and RMC if they hope to make a go of it. Such can not really be done as a one-man-show and bringing together a competent staff will cost big bucks, something that most start-up companies in our hobby generally lack. NYW&B
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