RMweb Premium Tim Dubya Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) At risk of starting yet another MRJ bunfight... I understand from a post in the Scalefour Forum from Wednesday 29th, that MRJ 279 is with the printers. However, there will be a further delay as they are running on a skeleton staff. I shall now withdraw to my foxhole. Edited August 12, 2020 by Tim Dubya 3 2 6 1 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium RichardT Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 31, 2020 That’s excellent news Tim - many thanks. I can do without all the “humourous” waiting for MRJ posts, but this is a genuine public service announcement. i can’t help thinking that if If MRJ had a cheap, basic, one-page website then their skeleton staff would have an easier time of it as this kind of information could be posted there, to save them answering the phone/replying to individual emails. No need for a full online presence or e-commerce if they don’t want to - I quite understand that. Just an online “MRJ noticeboard”. Might even attract the attention of someone younger willing to take the magazine on if the current team wants to call it a day. After all, MRJ was started by people in their thirties and forties - it’s not automatically an oldsters publication. That turned out to be a longer post than I intended! Richard T 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Tim Dubya Posted July 31, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 31, 2020 MRJ is proper old school, fortunately the same sort of school I went to. Cow gum and non-repro blue pencils and if we was lucky a copyproof machine (for growing massive crystals in). I know what you mean but I think it works perfectly the way it is. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 31, 2020 17 minutes ago, Tim Dubya said: MRJ is proper old school, fortunately the same sort of school I went to. Cow gum and non-repro blue pencils and if we was lucky a copyproof machine (for growing massive crystals in). I know what you mean but I think it works perfectly the way it is. They're loading the Gestetner as we type.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Not Jeremy Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted July 31, 2020 MRJ 279 is indeed at the printers. I was holding off saying anything here as the actual date when it will become available is still not yet completely clear, owing to some ongoing restrictions on "normality" at the printers. It will definitely be with us shortly, I'm guessing two weeks time, but I do not know this for certain owing to the above mentioned issue. This issue should at least get properly distributed to the news trade, I believe that Smiths are once again fully functioning in this regard. All involved with the production of the magazine appreciate the patience shown by readers in this difficult situation. Simon 15 1 4 4 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kylestrome Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) So, MRJ is not dead but it is being printed by a skeleton staff ... Edited July 31, 2020 by Kylestrome 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Not Jeremy Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted July 31, 2020 I have just spoken to PK, he tells me that issue 279 of the magazine has now been printed and is being bound. He hopes that copies will be distributed from the middle of this coming week. Simon 12 7 3 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Zero Gravitas Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 31, 2020 As before, if any logistic help is needed in the Didcot area, I’m happy to help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Not Jeremy Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 31, 2020 That is very kind, thank you very much. In fact from this issue different arrangements have been put into place that should avoid the previous problems. Simon 2 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonafide Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 3 hours ago, RichardT said: i can’t help thinking that if MRJ had a cheap, basic, one-page website then their skeleton staff would have an easier time of it . . . It is the printing company that is operating with a skeleton staff, not MRJ. Your thinking is, therefore, incorrect. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium RichardT Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Bonafide said: It is the printing company that is operating with a skeleton staff, not MRJ. Your thinking is, therefore, incorrect. I stand corrected on the location of the skeleton staff. Thank you for pointing out my error in the style to which I’ve become accustomed through a career spent dealing with railway enthusiasts at all levels. However, you seem to have omitted the phrase “I think you’ll find...” Nonetheless, given that I don’t suppose that MRJ/Cygnet are exactly over staffed then I feel that the substantive point still stands. 4 hours ago, Tim Dubya said: MRJ is proper old school, fortunately the same sort of school I went to. Cow gum and non-repro blue pencils and if we was lucky a copyproof machine (for growing massive crystals in). I know what you mean but I think it works perfectly the way it is. I also know what *you* mean. I’ve been buying and enjoying MRJ since 1985, and the “old-school” aspect I enjoy is the primacy it gives to the stately progress of the long-form intelligent written word, and the level of detail covered, rather than the gnat’s crochet attention span assumed by some of the other newsstand glossies. And I suppose the sense of mystery as to when it will next appear is part of the charm. But this sense of conscious archaism about MRJ - the fantasy that it’s put together by otherworldly gentlemen of leisure from their leather armchairs - is both a tribute to the magazine‘s style, but also rather a recent invention. If you look at the Bob Barlow issues, MRJ was run by a young team & very focussed on examining and testing the latest innovations - from both the UK and overseas. I love MRJ & want it to be around for many years to come. That means a new team must gradually emerge. A small concession to the existence of the internet - just an online noticeboard - might just help the sustainability of the magazine, and I can’t see would diminish its appeal. That’s down to the writing style. Anyway, thank goodness it seems to have come through Covid! Richard Edited July 31, 2020 by RichardT Fat fingers - tiny phone keypad 5 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 2mmMark Posted July 31, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 31, 2020 2 hours ago, RichardT said: . If you look at the Bob Barlow issues, MRJ was run by a young team & very focussed on examining and testing the latest innovations - from both the UK and overseas. It was also bought by a young and focussed clientele... Like the Copenhagen Fields team, who were all in our twenties, maybe early thirties. Now we're pensioners. Scary! Sadly & most unfairly, Bob's no longer with us. 6 3 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 8 hours ago, Tim Dubya said: At risk of starting yet another MRJ bunfight... I understand from a post in the Scalefour Forum from Wednesday 29th, that MRJ 279 is with the printers. However, there will be a further delay as they are running on a skeleton staff. I shall now withdraw to my foxhole. Skeleton staff? Don't they feed the poor souls properly? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin.M Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Excellent news. It is still good to have an old school magazine in the days of everything on line.... Perhaps MRJ should be seen as the vinyl of the railway magazines? Now coming back into fashion...... Martin 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium BR60103 Posted August 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) My local chain book store has 2 copies of MRJ that say the next issue is expected on Feb. 20. Edited August 1, 2020 by BR60103 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWales Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 Spoke to the local branch of Smiffs, and they're telling me to expect it in on 8th August...... 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Young Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 On 31/07/2020 at 12:44, Not Jeremy said: MRJ 279 is indeed at the printers. I was holding off saying anything here as the actual date when it will become available is still not yet completely clear, owing to some ongoing restrictions on "normality" at the printers. It will definitely be with us shortly, I'm guessing two weeks time, but I do not know this for certain owing to the above mentioned issue. This issue should at least get properly distributed to the news trade, I believe that Smiths are once again fully functioning in this regard. All involved with the production of the magazine appreciate the patience shown by readers in this difficult situation. Simon That’s good to hear. Regarding Smiffs, I tend to frequent ones on railway stations when at work. So far, the ones I frequent are either still shut or have a limited selection of magazines currently. So hope you’ll have plenty in stock as another order may well be coming your way. Cheers, Andrew 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted August 1, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 1, 2020 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Not Jeremy Posted August 4, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted August 4, 2020 Issue 279 is now out and I have received copies, Jerry Clifford in the editorial chair for a super slightly 2mm scale orientated issue. That said it was great to see Chris Matthews highly atmospheric "Bottom Works Siding" getting a good airing in this issue - one of the best-ist Cameo entries in that Cameo thing from pre-Coronavirus days. The publication date of the next issue is given as "unknown at present" -, I can't help but feel this is a tad pessimistic and don't think we should read too much into it(!) Anyway, great to have it back! 19 2 6 2 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted August 4, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 4, 2020 GN on the Cover...........I need some tissues.... 1 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post queensquare Posted August 5, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted August 5, 2020 MRJ is indeed out now and should be in your local newsagents very soon. Here is the contents list. The issue was meant to be a 2mm special coming out a month or so before the big 2mm bash at Derby in June to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 2mm Scale Association. Well Covid put paid to that. Some of the historical 2mm content I had lined up has been put back to next year when we will be celebrating 60+1 years! As well as the 2mm content, which I have carefully selected to have a wide appeal, there is some great modelling in 3mm and 4mm. Shouldn't have favourites but if the shot of Steve Martin's St Erth doesn't blow your socks off then you're in the wrong hobby! Jerry 21 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 On 01/08/2020 at 17:19, MartinWales said: Spoke to the local branch of Smiffs, and they're telling me to expect it in on 8th August...... If Smiffs last that long. Bernard 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
w124bob Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Sadly I suspect some regular readers will not get to see MRJ279 any time soon. My own club is locked down with the door locks changed so 279 will sit on the door mat for several days before some one pops in about once every 2 weeks to check the building and pick up the post, 279 will then join a growing pile of magazines untouched. On the bright side even as club librarian( no key) I've taken to buying a copy from Smiffs , so anyone who would normally read the copy at their club please go and buy one. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alant Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 On 31/07/2020 at 12:15, Tim Dubya said: MRJ is proper old school, fortunately the same sort of school I went to. Cow gum and non-repro blue pencils and if we was lucky a copyproof machine (for growing massive crystals in). I know what you mean but I think it works perfectly the way it is. We were slightly better as we had a waxer! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted August 6, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 6, 2020 On 31/07/2020 at 12:33, chris p bacon said: They're loading the Gestetner as we type.... What was the difference between a Roneo and a Gestetner? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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