RMweb Premium spamcan61 Posted January 13, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 13, 2011 Update: 9 pages: recent news, mainly Hornby 2011 releases Llandudno Junction: 8 pages: Chris Evans describes his 1961 London Midland based OO roundy roundy. Parker’s Guide: 4 pages: Phil builds the Langley Models OO 6 ton yard crane kit. Liveries of Privatisation: 6 pages: Evan Green-Hughes examines the freight scene since privatisation. Stove R upgrade: 2 pages: Mike Wild fits 14mm wheels. Favourite Models: 2 pages: Evan Green-Hughes describes the Hornby Dublo CO-BO. 2 pages of letters Rowlands Castle: 12 pages: Pete Goss describes his Southern OO WW2 layout. Reviews: 18 pages: Including Bachmann 7F and Heljan O 33 Reality Check: 4 pages: Evan Green-Hughes describes the career of the real S&D 7Fs Denton Town: 8 pages: John Berry describes his OO layout based in the Eastern Region in early BR days. Staff Projects: 2 pages: Mike Wild’s Bolsover and Seven Lane Pit. Railway Realism: 4 pages;: Evan Green-Hughes talks about trainspotters in the old days. PLUS 14 page A4 booklet on the basics of DCC Coming next month – Deepcar and Wulstanton Road. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattingleycustom Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Evan Green-Hughes writes yet another fictional account of real locos, this time the 'Prussian blue' SDJR 2-8-0s get the false history. Cracking swap round of titles in the reviews section where the Britannia and Schools Class get mixed up, the smoke deflectors on the Hornby Schools are still too long, by the way. Hornby's Blandford Forum gets a good review from Editor Mike Wild, who has failed to spot the inclusion of the casing ahead of the cylinders still extant on the model, despite them all being removed long before the advent of the BR late crest. I just get the feeling this magazine has been rushed into production, simple proof reading would have spotted most of the errors. It's such a shame as I liked this magazine when it first appeared, but its quality has descended to the levels of Model Rail now. Glenn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 its quality has descended to the levels of Model Rail now. Glenn Thanks for the compliment! Good to know Mike has such discerning readers. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Evan Green-Hughes writes yet another fictional account of real locos, this time the 'Prussian blue' SDJR 2-8-0s get the false history. Cracking swap round of titles in the reviews section where the Britannia and Schools Class get mixed up, the smoke deflectors on the Hornby Schools are still too long, by the way. Hornby's Blandford Forum gets a good review from Editor Mike Wild, who has failed to spot the inclusion of the casing ahead of the cylinders still extant on the model, despite them all being removed long before the advent of the BR late crest. I just get the feeling this magazine has been rushed into production, simple proof reading would have spotted most of the errors. It's such a shame as I liked this magazine when it first appeared, but its quality has descended to the levels of Model Rail now. Glenn Please refer to the forum rules on media. 10. As with any other matter, any criticism should be constructive, accurate, quantified or qualified and addressed in polite terms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted January 17, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 17, 2011 After a few issues that were a wee bit stale I thought this edition was particularly good. I loved the Layout articles Llandudno,Rowlands Castle and Denton. A good bit more reading to it than Model Rail. Lots of reviews and Hornby 2011 information. Overall a pretty good read Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted January 18, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 18, 2011 After a few issues that were a wee bit stale I thought this edition was particularly good. I loved the Layout articles Llandudno,Rowlands Castle and Denton. A good bit more reading to it than Model Rail. Lots of reviews and Hornby 2011 information. Overall a pretty good read I agree entirely with the above, and I also enjoyed this month's issue, albeit with the typo in the reviews. When I worked on magazine production, I was particularly keen on good proofing, but even with an ex journo who was a proof reader on a national paper, the odd one still crept in. I think that Rowlands Castle is a marvellous and unusual layout, but it is in danger of being over exposed in the mags now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium spamcan61 Posted January 18, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 18, 2011 I agree entirely with the above, and I also enjoyed this month's issue, albeit with the typo in the reviews. When I worked on magazine production, I was particularly keen on good proofing, but even with an ex journo who was a proof reader on a national paper, the odd one still crept in. I think that Rowlands Castle is a marvellous and unusual layout, but it is in danger of being over exposed in the mags now. Seems to me that the more successful the magazine, the more typos. Can't say I get too worked up about them unless they change the meaning of the text. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted January 18, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18, 2011 I agree entirely with the above, and I also enjoyed this month's issue, albeit with the typo in the reviews. When I worked on magazine production, I was particularly keen on good proofing, but even with an ex journo who was a proof reader on a national paper, the odd one still crept in. I think that Rowlands Castle is a marvellous and unusual layout, but it is in danger of being over exposed in the mags now. Not just the 'over exposure' but the duplication of layouts which have already been covered by other magazines. I realise it must be a headache for the Editors and that a variety if styles of coverage will show different angles etc but it seems to be happening more & more Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold queensquare Posted January 19, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 19, 2011 I don't normally take Hornby magazine but picked up this issue on the strength of a couple of articles, principaly the SDJ 7F's. Unfortunately the article is a shocker as noted by a previous poster although I will try to be a bit more constructive in my criticism. * The 7F's were never blue - always black from the start * The locos were not modified to enable them to fit Radstock shed. Indeed they were innitialy shedded at Radstock due to problems getting them in to Bath shed. There are numerous other dubious sweeping comments in what is sadly a very poorly written and researched article. The myth of blue 7F's is almost certainly the result of the S&D Trust (of which I am a member)painting '88' in a fictional, albeit attractive, lined blue. That said, you don't have to dig very deep in the literature to confirm that in service they were always black - why Mr Green-Hughes needs to repeat this fiction three times in the same article is a complete mystery. I have just read the Wikipedia entry for the 7F's and think I may have found the principal research resource! To balance, I enjoyed the Llandudno article and, whilst I haven't read it yet, the trainspotters article looks fun and certainly contains some very nostalgic pictures. Jerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattingleycustom Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Firstly my apologies for my first post which was in my bludgeoning style rather than constructive. Other than the errors mentioned, Hornby Magazine is still a good read. Jerry's notes above on the 7Fs, spell out my own concerns with the contents of the article. I tend to buy Railway Modeller and BRM every month and Hornby Magazine and Model Rail (apologies to Chris and Mike) when there is something of interest. I remember another HM issue some time ago on BR steam liveries and in that Mr Green-Hughes implied that the short-lived experimental apple green livery was a standard BR colour for a short time. The point is this magazine is aimed mainly at the beginners in our hobby and the articles in it need to be correct. I have quite a library of books on the SR and SDJR, among others, so I know the facts on these railways at least and can spot the errors. With articles on railways and locos from other parts of the country I am relying on the writer for proper facts, so it has to be reliable information. Glenn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Belgian Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Firstly my apologies for my first post which was in my bludgeoning style rather than constructive. Other than the errors mentioned, Hornby Magazine is still a good read. Jerry's notes above on the 7Fs, spell out my own concerns with the contents of the article. I tend to buy Railway Modeller and BRM every month and Hornby Magazine and Model Rail (apologies to Chris and Mike) when there is something of interest. I remember another HM issue some time ago on BR steam liveries and in that Mr Green-Hughes implied that the short-lived experimental apple green livery was a standard BR colour for a short time. The point is this magazine is aimed mainly at the beginners in our hobby and the articles in it need to be correct. I have quite a library of books on the SR and SDJR, among others, so I know the facts on these railways at least and can spot the errors. With articles on railways and locos from other parts of the country I am relying on the writer for proper facts, so it has to be reliable information. Glenn I have to agree with you Glenn, articles that set out to give information should not give bad information: if an author can make such errors he should expect criticism and an editor should become very wary of printing further articles by such an author. The trouble is it reflects on the magazine as a whole rather than the rogue writer, which is probably unfair on the former but inevitable. JE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahame Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I must admit that I purchased this mag by mistake - I had intended to pick up a copy of Railway Modeller but when I got home found it was Hornby mag. I hadn't flicked through as it was in my local village newsagent-######-post office and isn't exactly a Smiffies reading rooms. Unfortunately I have regretted the mistake as, with the exception of Rowlands Castle, have personally found it rather dull with nothing much of great interest to me. Perhaps it's me, but I get the faint impression that perhaps there are now one too many mags chasing the same limited monthly diet of newsworthy and inspirational railway modelling content. AFAIC currently the 'Hornby mag' content is a tad stale and perhaps being the last to the table (most recent title) it seems like they are following the trend rather than setting it. Being published (this month at least) after the others the reviews have all been done and read, and the news already reported on. A new fresh angle/approach needs to be opened up to get my interest. G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted January 21, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 21, 2011 Perhaps it's me, but I get the faint impression that perhaps there are now one too many mags chasing the same limited monthly diet of newsworthy and inspirational railway modelling content. G. I think I said something similar a few months ago. I buy most of the mags and would be loathe to drop one of them but the amount of duplicated content - not word for word, but in essence - does seem to be on the rise, especially with all the coverage now being given to froth-orientated topics such as new releases, CAD drawings, limited editions, etc. Much of the content is quite ephemeral, too - OK, that's in the nature of "news" but in a year's time, is anyone going to be interested in looking at pages of pre-production shots of models that are now on the shelves? Compare and contrast with the situation 20 - 30 years ago where there would be little or nothing in the way of updates between a model's announcement and it's appearing on the shelves. Personally I'd like to see more emphasis on layout and how-to articles. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted January 21, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 21, 2011 It's already happened with me, I stopped buying RM once HM started up, there's loads less garden railway/narrow gauge Although a monthy feature on O gauge wagons might appeal these days, hmmmmm ......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Trevellan Posted January 21, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 21, 2011 I've bought Hornby Magazine every month since it was launched and I have enjoyed the current issue. Yes, the level of duplication among the main players is increasing, but I see this as inevitable. I have subscriptions to BRM and Model Rail, and occasionally buy RM and MRJ if something tickles my fancy. For me, reading several different reviews of the same model is helpful. It's what I do for photographic gear, so why not models? In my opinion, HM still looks fresh and the overall content is good, so I'll stick with it for now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Emily Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I agree that getting more than one review for a model is helpful - I don't buy a car based on a single review, but try and get a few to see which way the wind is blowing. However, with layouts appearing multiple times in print, there has to be something new and different to justify it. I haven't read this issue of Hornby Magazine, so cannot comment about it directly. However a while ago I bought a copy because a layout - Iron Mould Lane - was featured that I rather like. I was disappointed to find that HM had reprinted word for word the text of the article that appeared in the February 2001 Railway Modeller. As long as this doesn't happen and the article adds something new that the last version of it didn't have then I'm more than happy to read more about layouts of that quality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Not necessarily the magazine editors fault - if a contributor launches a copy of his manuscript to several magazines (and believe me it does happen without any changes to the article) and they all publish it (though at different times) you will get the word -for-word problem - very few mags have the time to do editorial re-writes fo the items submitted., Just one of the hazards of producing a magazine for a shrinking number of modellers forming your base audience, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted January 21, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 21, 2011 Not necessarily the magazine editors fault - if a contributor launches a copy of his manuscript to several magazines (and believe me it does happen without any changes to the article) and they all publish it (though at different times) you will get the word -for-word problem - very few mags have the time to do editorial re-writes fo the items submitted., Just one of the hazards of producing a magazine for a shrinking number of modellers forming your base audience, There ought to be a degree of insistence that layout articles aren't duplicated, though. Simultaneous submission is generally frowned upon in publishing circles. I think my main gripe is that the mags are still carrying a lot of product-related news that, frankly, isn't what they're best suited to in this day and age. I know it's unwise to assume that everyone has internet access, but the proportion of modellers without it must be dwindling, and I can't see any great point in the mags devoting acres of print to forthcoming releases, when anyone really interested will have probably found out already from the likes of RMWeb, MREMAG and so on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
westerner Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Whilst agreeing with Barry ten I suspect it's because of lack of other content. As to the duplication of layouts in the model press it is surely down to us to send of layout articles to the mags if this apparently creeping trend is not to contiue (many seem to be there to promote an up coming exhibition). There must be many good layouts which do not leave home, which lets be honest covers most of us, which would make for good articles, judging by many of the layouts we see on here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Perhaps it's me, but I get the faint impression that perhaps there are now one too many mags chasing the same limited monthly diet of newsworthy and inspirational railway modelling content. I think I said something similar a few months ago. I think I've been saying something similiar for about four years Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I think that Rowlands Castle is a marvellous and unusual layout, but it is in danger of being over exposed in the mags now. After a few years on the exhibition circuit, better late than never for such a brilliant layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted January 21, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 21, 2011 There ought to be a degree of insistence that layout articles aren't duplicated, though. Simultaneous submission is generally frowned upon in publishing circles...... Sorry that is anti-competitive! I think my main gripe is that the mags are still carrying a lot of product-related news that, frankly, isn't what they're best suited to in this day and age........ The magazines still score well above on-line content as far as reviews are concerned (apologies to Andy here at RMweb). A magazine review will reflect the policy of the editor and we will buy Hornby / Model Rail etc. for that reason (Model Rail for Chris Leighs reviews) Unfortunately the on-line review can very quickly turn into a rant as one or two members will try and get their views across. Personally I subscribe to Model Rail and have always thought the quality of the Hornby magazine to be very good. My father has now subscribed and he is very happy with the current issue - a case of you pay your money and take your choice. I would not want to see this or any of the other model rail titles go to the wall. Competition is very good for the industry / modellors combined. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted January 21, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 21, 2011 I did find that some one has not done a very good job of proof reading it though as there is a very large error within the magazine. Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 There ought to be a degree of insistence that layout articles aren't duplicated, though. Simultaneous submission is generally frowned upon in publishing circles. Sorry that is anti-competitive! It might be competitive if they're published simultaneously, but they seldom are. Unfortunately the on-line review can very quickly turn into a rant as one or two members will try and get their views across. Often because they have a particular interest, and more specialised knowledge than the mag reviewer. Doesnt have to be a rant either - and if it does, there are mechanisms with which to manage it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I did find that some one has not done a very good job of proof reading it though as there is a very large error within the magazine. Terry. The mix up with the Schools and the Brit? Or have you found another one? Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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