MRJ - Looking back at the early ones (for the first time)

[justin1985]

I've been buying MRJ regularly (and more recently subscribing) since about 2004, but had been thinking about trying to get hold of more back issues for a while. Then I saw an almost complete set being offered quite cheaply at a preserved railway - I bought an arm full, then regretted not having got the whole lot. I ended up paying a fortune in postage to get the rest sent to me!

 

So, I've been enjoying flicking through issues 10 to 140 in odd moments. It's been absolutely fascinating looking at the evolution of finescale modelling, but even more striking is just how fresh many of the early ones still seem today. The vast majority of content seems just as relevant today.

 

One thing that really jumps out at me are how chatty and readable the ones edited by Bob Barlow were. In some respects, it seemed to have a different character in those years - perhaps reflecting Bob and Iain Rice's philosophy of equal attention to all aspects of the railway. I particularly enjoy the fact that these ones seem to have many more prototype articles, including on things like agriculture (very good article by Tim Watson!). There also seemed to be more layout profiles I also really enjoyed the "Modeller's Armchair" series, and especially the series of interviews with prominent finescale personalities. Basically, they seemed to have a lot more to say about the human side of modelling in that era - they give the air of a real community, to me at least.

 

It kind of seems that in the later 90s and early 2000s there were proportionately more "blow by blow" accounts of loco builds. The character seems to have been more technical and focused on the mechanical side of the railway. Or perhaps technical in a different sense - the earlier ones had a very useful series on workshop techniques in a more general sense.

 

In the last year or two it seems like perhaps a bit more of that earlier character is coming back, under the new regime of rotating editors (including Jerry Clifford). Tim Watson's article on filing seemed to be a welcome return to more general skills articles. The balance seems to be getting better again - long may it continue!

 

I wonder if more of the "short" and prototype type articles are, or were, being syphoned off towards gauge or line society journals, rather than being submitted to MRJ?

 

Justin

[Poggy1165]

I absolutely adored the early editions of MRJ. I (generally) find it a less gripping read these days, though some editions certainly hit the spot, and there's usually at least one article of interest. I think this reflects the way the magazine has developed, and personally I don't think the regular rotation of "guest" editors helps much as it means that there is no development of any consistent way of doing things but instead a sort of "continuous revolution". 

 

The articles I like least in MRJ are those which are headed with something like "how to build a locking frame for Euston" but turn out to be about 200 words and two photos. This is a bit like a recipe for a complex curry that merely tells you to peel some onions.

[kandc_au]

While not a really finescale modeller I have to agree.

It seemed that the Journal may have lost it's way  changed it's direction....depending of course on who you talk to.
Each to our own of course.

I will have to start to look for it more regularly, as I stopped having it put aside by my Newsagents who don't get it in anymore once I stopped.

 

Khris

[pete_mcfarlane]

This is a bit like a recipe for a complex curry that merely tells you to peel some onions.

I am definitely going to steal that phrase and use it myself. Probably at work when refering to the documentation from certain software vendors....

 

As for MRJ, it has fared better than the other mags. In the last 20 years these have gone from detailed articles to basically being reviews and lightweight photo features. MRJ, on the other hand, still has much worth reading.

 

As an aside, I was in Bill Hudson's in Matlock tbe other day and bought the latest Narrow gaugw and induatrial review issue, which is devoted to loco scrat h building. I'm not a NG modeller, but there was plenty of interesting stuff in there.

[brossard]

I am a great fan of MRJ.  Over the years I managed to collect a nearly full set and continue to buy it.  The early issues are interesting indeed and one can see how the hobby has evolved.  The trade support we enjoy today means that modellers can spend more time building instead of fettling parts.  There is nothing to compare to MRJ and even if you are not into the standards of modelling found in its' pages, the work is inspiring.  It allows me to see where the bar is so I can strive to reach it.

 

I get the old issues out from time to time and usually find something of interest.  The online index is also incredibly useful.

 

John

[Phil Parker]

I've got a complete set, some in the rare official binders, and if I'm honest, I prefer the earlier editions.

 

Rice & Co did a lot of hands on modelling that a bodger like me could aspire to. The 02 diesel for example and even the first scratchbuild project (still have the bits in the "one day" drawer). I'm not sure that very much of this would now appear in the magazine as the quality bar has been raised. There's a lot from professional modelmakers that looks nice but doesn't relate to the stuff I can actually do. At least we haven't had an article that basically lists all the Wild Swan books the builder has read for a while. 

 

Despite this, I alway buy the mag as it is so different (not better, just different) from everything else including the stuff I write. Sometimes the germ of an idea is planted which I'll come back to later and that makes it worthwhile for me.

[BR60103]

I had a full set to one point, but distribution glithchs have put gaps in since.

Does anyone have the parts for the scratchbuilt loco that they may never finish?

[davknigh]

There are many back issues available from The Titfield Thunderbolt Bookshop; http://titfield.co.uk/Wild-Swan/MRJ-Journal.htm , not all mind you, but a goodly selection.

 

Cheers,

 

David

 

Usual disclaimer, etc....

[corneliuslundie]

I really liked No 1 shop. And I still go back to early issues for inspiration. But I wonder how much our change in our perception of the magazine reflects our own development as modellers (assuming that we have). That is why I found it very interesting to read the first post. Someone who has not been influenced by a quarter of a century of reading a fine (and fine scale whatever that is) modelling magazine. Yes, despite our gripes there is not another magazine which even comes near it, for me (but I appreciate that it is not for everyone - only one other member of the local club takes much interest when I take my copy in - is it surprising that he is one of the authors in the current issue of NG etc mentioned above?).

Jonathan).

[laurenceb]

The Bob Barlow era was for me the best. I still buy it but I dont look at the more recent issues as often. Having said that the latest is a goodun.

[Zero Gravitas]

The Bob Barlow era was for me the best. I still buy it but I dont look at the more recent issues as often. Having said that the latest is a goodun.

I tend to agree - and when the "Finescale Review" started it was such a breath of fresh air, it was like discovering MRJ back in the mid-eighties. It would have been interesting to see what MRJ would have done if Bob Barlow had not been taken from us too soon.

[sulzer27jd]

I would like to buy MRJ, but the publisher seems to have gone out of their way to make it almost impossible to do so.

[Craigw]

I would like to buy MRJ, but the publisher seems to have gone out of their way to make it almost impossible to do so.

 

Almost impossible? 

 

I live in Australia and have managed to obtain every issue. 

 

If I can manage then I reckon you perhaps need to try a little harder and redefine impossible.

 

Nigel Bird will do subscriptions and there are many bookshops that stock it.

 

As has been noted, the early issues had a different feel to them but the hobby has changed a great deal in thirty something years. MRJ is still a good read. MRJ, Narrow Gauge and Industrial modelling review and the Scalefour News top my model magazine list.

 

Craig W. 

[Phil Parker]

My local newsagent gets a couple of copies and every branch of WH Smith seems to have some. For a limited appeal magazine, it's pretty easy to get.

 

If there is a problem, why not subscribe? The only reason I don't is that I suspect if I didn't buy my copy, the newsagent would stop getting it in and I always hope that a copy on the shelf might be discovered by someone else.

[decauville1126]

My local newsagent gets a couple of copies and every branch of WH Smith seems to have some. For a limited appeal magazine, it's pretty easy to get.

 

If there is a problem, why not subscribe? The only reason I don't is that I suspect if I didn't buy my copy, the newsagent would stop getting it in and I always hope that a copy on the shelf might be discovered by someone else.

 

MRJ is delightfully traditional in that to subscribe direct you need to send a cheque! None of this online malarky. 

 

I find it inspirational in so many aspects. Spend (more) time on research, spend (more) time on construction of everything, spend (more) time cleaning of solder and glue snots off locos and rolling stock before painting, spend (more) time modelling.

 

Mentally it makes me focus on striving to improve. I always like to think that one day I might produce something that would be good enough to get in it's pages. 

 

Subscribe to MRJ and join the Scalefour Society if only for their magazine and you will have a wealth of best practice to refer to.

Edited August 30, 2017 by decauville1126

[brossard]

MRJ is delightfully traditional in that to subscribe direct you need to send a cheque! None of this online malarky. 

 

Subscribe to MRJ and join the Scalefour Society if only for their magazine and you will have a wealth of best practice to refer to.

 

Those of us overseas, like myself and possibly Craig have trouble writing cheques in foreign currency.  Online subscription is a real convenience for us.  That said, I approached my local magazine shop many years ago about getting MRJ in stock.  This he did and after two changes (or is it three?) of ownership, I'm still getting MRJ, albeit a month late.

 

I do agree with the second point, although in my case it's the G0G Gazette, a really super magazine.  It has me thinking about why I still buy the other mainstream magazines, which I also get at the same shop.

 

John

[Craigw]

Those of us overseas, like myself and possibly Craig have trouble writing cheques in foreign currency.  Online subscription is a real convenience for us.  That said, I approached my local magazine shop many years ago about getting MRJ in stock.  This he did and after two changes (or is it three?) of ownership, I'm still getting MRJ, albeit a month late.

 

I do agree with the second point, although in my case it's the G0G Gazette, a really super magazine.  It has me thinking about why I still buy the other mainstream magazines, which I also get at the same shop.

 

John

John,

 

Quite a few years ago I found that Nigel Bird would do a running subscription service and this is how I obtain MRJ and GWRJ. an excellent service for us overseas types.

 

It also has the advantage that I get the magazine fairly quickly so I can understand what the arguments are about before the threads on here get locked.

 

Regards,

 

Craigw

[Ian Smeeton]

Any newsagent should be able to order MRJ in for you.

 

Even my local independent village shop managed it. No need to rely on Smiffs or catching it at one of the other multiples before it sold out!

 

Regards

 

Ian

[John B]

I subscribe to MRJ (I live in California) through Newsstand, online at the link below. I have no Sterling bank account any more. Their service is excellent, and I usually receive my subscription copy long before they are sighted at WH Smith in Ealing...

 

http://www.newsstand.co.uk/

 

No connection other than as a satisfied subscriber. And thanks due to Beast66606 of this parish who put me on to this means of subscription many, many years ago..

[BR60103]

There has been much turmoil in the magazine distribution business in Canada of late.  The big chain bookstore says that they passed their magazine business to some other firm. After a few months with no magazines at all, they now seem to be getting MRJ -- down to 3 an issue from 4. One of our club found a UK shop to mail it to him; they didn't answer my eMail. I don't know who in the storeto ask about other magazines.

[brossard]

David, the store I use is a mom and pop outfit located in a mall nearby.  If there's something like that near you maybe worth a try to see if they'll get MRJ for you.

 

John

[BR60103]

The local independent bookstore carried it for a few months, but between them and Chaptigo, there were 8 copies a month coming into town, and I know all 5 people who might buy it. I don't think I could ask them again.  

Interesting bookstore economics: At 4 copies/issue, MRJ has the most copies on the shelf of any of the British MR magazines. There are usually more copies of Model Railroader and Trains, though.

[brossard]

I wish I knew who was buying the British Railway magazines.  Between the stores I know of in my area (not counting those in Montreal) there must be a fair few copies of the mainstream mags coming in.  Yet, there's only a couple of people that I know who do UK railway modelling.  I suppose there are a lot of armchair modellers.

 

John

[modfather]

Good tip John B. I've found two stockists in Auckland but they're a few behind.

[John_Hughes]

He's already had a couple of plugs here, but I'll add another for Nigel Bird - he's friendly, informative and efficient and is a railway enthusiast himself; he's also prominent in the campaign to reopen the Aber-Carmarthen line. If anyone has problems getting a copy overseas then he's your man - just drop him an email and I'm sure he'll get everything sorted. He also often has a good range of back copies of MRJ in stock!

 

http://www.nigelbirdbooks.co.uk/