dibber25 Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Model Rail 156 hits the streets on April 21. The magazine has been completely re-designed to maintain the momentum of last year's 5.2% circulation increase. The new look is the result of a great deal of research and discussion with readers, experiment, sampling and testing. We're really pleased with it and we're pretty sure you'll like it, too. Newsagent copies will carry a free Hornby re-railer. Here's what's coming: News section including launch of the exclusive Model Rail Sentinel locomotive. Model of the Month - Heljan 'Lion' Reviews Model Mail Torrington 'OO' layout (photos Chris Nevard) Carry on Camping (camping coaches) Crockherbtown 'OO' layout Masterplan - ironstone quarry Workbench section - How to solder a wire, make telegraph wires, build N gauge canal basin, Supertest Track Cleaners, make better road vehicles, Q&A, Show & Tell, Model Rail shop Competition Exhibition Diary (Backscene will return next issue but we hope to be able to post the 'missing' page on rmweb in the meantime) CHRIS LEIGH Edited to insert 'Model Mail' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted April 8, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 8, 2011 (Backscene will return next issue but we hope to be able to post the 'missing' page on rmweb in the meantime) CHRIS LEIGH Now that's what I call service Hope the revamp is successful and it sounds as if the excellent quality of reviews will be maintained as one of the hallmarks of the mag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share Posted April 8, 2011 Now that's what I call service Hope the revamp is successful and it sounds as if the excellent quality of reviews will be maintained as one of the hallmarks of the mag. Yes, I don't think there's anything that we've ditched from the content that you all know and (seem to) like. It's been about better presentation and leaving no stone unturned rather than changing the actual content. The catchphrase throughout has been 'leave no question unanswered'. Sometimes, as time progresses, you drift away from original concepts and basic principles. I was very aware that we weren't always following the 'If its a kit we build it, if it isn't we take it apart", insofar as we weren't always showing the innards of a new locomotive, for instance. We've looked at that, and we'll be doing it and doing differently, from now on. I should add that I haven't been directly involved in the re-design - it's been down to the rest of the team, who actually do the job, and it has given them the freedom that was needed. My role has been to look, read and comment - an arrangement that seems to have worked well for all of us. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.A.C Martin Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 I take it "reader's platform" has got the chop then? I quite enjoyed that section... Looking forward to the revamp regardless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share Posted April 8, 2011 I take it "reader's platform" has got the chop then? I quite enjoyed that section... Looking forward to the revamp regardless. We don't have 'readers' Platform' - do you mean Model Mail? If so, Model Mail hasn't got the chop - it's in 156 and it'll be in most issues unless there's a last minute squeeze on space that causes things to get bounced. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 I'll be interested to see the re-vamp and of course Darren's 'Torrington' with Mr N's creativity. Looking ahead to MR157 Ben and I are discussing making the 2011 Challenge a joint effort which should be announced in 157 if we agree the parameters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted April 8, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 8, 2011 Will that be a 2011 Challenge to be finished in 2011 - Assuming #157 will be out in late June, that's only 6 months of modelling... Stu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Nevard Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 I'm hoping that Darren will be pleased too - it's a cracking layout and a great subject to showcase the revamp (simpler, cleaner etc etc). The rest of the mag is pretty good too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.A.C Martin Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 We don't have 'readers' Platform' - do you mean Model Mail? If so, Model Mail hasn't got the chop - it's in 156 and it'll be in most issues unless there's a last minute squeeze on space that causes things to get bounced. CHRIS LEIGH Yes, that's the one Chris - sorry, got Steam/Heritage Railway on the brain! Good to hear, I look forward to reading the next issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted April 9, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 9, 2011 Looking forward to seeing Darren's Torrington in the next issue! Darren showed me the photos that Chris had taken and wow! we will all be in for a treat. Torrington is as good in the flesh as seen in the photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Newsagent copies will carry a free Hornby re-railer. I know it's only a piece of plastic, but is there a reason your loyal subscribers won't be getting one with theirs? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold griffgriff Posted April 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2011 I know it's only a piece of plastic, but is there a reason your loyal subscribers won't be getting one with theirs? Easy... they have your money already Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 A somewhat cynical viewpoint there. Magazines have to compete on the shelf and even have to give certain enhanced offers to retailers to guarantee prime positioning. To make a 'freebie' stand out on that shelf it will probably be mounted externally and on the front of the magazine and in a way which may not be conducive to the normal subscription packaging. Yes, there may be ways round it it but which probably involve changing specifications of delivery arrangements for subs copies etc which probably more trouble than it's worth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold griffgriff Posted April 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2011 Apologies not enough coffee ... this is what I really meant to say - publishers have to work a little harder to get money off me because I have short arms and deep pockets Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted April 10, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 10, 2011 Model Rail 156 hits the streets on April 21. The magazine has been completely re-designed ............. ................(Backscene will return next issue but we hope to be able to post the 'missing' page on rmweb in the meantime) CHRIS LEIGH Edited to insert 'Model Mail' Sounds interesting Chris, also like the idea of Backscenes on RMWeb! Regards, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John M Upton Posted April 18, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 18, 2011 Sub copy just landed through my letterbox and a Hornby Re-Railer IS included!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Simon Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Hi, Just popped through my door as well, very nice new look! Overall, a very good issue! Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tetsudofan Posted April 18, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2011 Postie just arrived in the far southeast - looks a good read. Pleased to see that they have not changed the way the magazine is bound - so much easier to photocopy articles for reference . Note, however, in the Model Rail Shop that the DRS Class 20 has morphed into a Satlink Western van Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahame Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 my subscrition copy has arrived complete wth Hornby plastic OO shoe horn. First impressions are good; it's a lot cleaner and easier to follow. I had thought that the design had started to become a little cluttered and messy and feared the worse with more of the same - so I'm pleasantly pleased with the new look. It's a kind of design spring clean and makes things look fresh and clean. G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Suitably impressed subscriber here too, particularly appreciated the fact that us loyal subscribers did get the free re-railer after all. Well done MR team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hilux5972 Posted April 18, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 18, 2011 Hi Chris Looking forward to seeing the new layout. When No.156 is available in New Zealand, will we get the free re-railer too? Or is this just a UK deal? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 Hi Chris Looking forward to seeing the new layout. When No.156 is available in New Zealand, will we get the free re-railer too? Or is this just a UK deal? Thanks I thought they were just going on the newsagent copies, but evidently not. I'm told that rerailers are on 'all' copies, so I guess it's just a case of wait and see. I would have thought the adverse effect on postage would mitigate against them going on overseas copies but equally, there might well be a charge for doing some copies without rerailers and getting them to the right destination, which would be more expensive than paying the postage! Who knows? I'm afraid we in editorial are not usually privy to the detail of what is a marketing department exercise. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 Plastic shoehorn or not, I just wish that there were not such a disparity in travelling times for subscription copies. In Utopia - not a synonym for Switzerland this time - they would all arrive on the same day to be met by lots of smiling faces. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 Plastic shoehorn or not, I just wish that there were not such a disparity in travelling times for subscription copies. In Utopia - not a synonym for Switzerland this time - they would all arrive on the same day to be met by lots of smiling faces. Chris Happily, not something we can do anything about. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted April 19, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 19, 2011 Plastic shoehorn or not, I just wish that there were not such a disparity in travelling times for subscription copies. In Utopia - not a synonym for Switzerland this time - they would all arrive on the same day to be met by lots of smiling faces. The people who run subscription mailing services on behalf of magazines don't always view the world as you and I might. My recently-discontinued subscription to a leading US magazine used to regularly arrive with clear indications it had travelled far and wide. Milwaukee to France - via New Zealand, every month? Err, ok..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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