Phil Copleston Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Hi fellow S scalers, I'm a regular reader of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine as it has a strong emphasis on scratchbuilding and serious prototype info with lots of scale drawings - very much to my taste! I spotted that this month's June 2014 issue has a 22-page "Special Pullout: S Scale Modeling Supplement", comprising articles about: "Become an S scale Craftsman" - 1 page "Rebuild a Modern Passenger Car" - 2 pages "Kitbash a Transfer Caboose" - 2 pages "Modify a Diesel Locomotive" - 2 pages "A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch" (scenic modelling) - 1 page "Scratchbuild a Basic Flatcar" - 2 pages "Building and Weathering Laser Kits" - 2 pages "Painting a Masonry Building" - 1¼ pages In addition, there are many extra pages of S scale-related manufacturer's adverts - all very useful! Also, the "Editor's Notebook" (pp.88-89) features Trevor Marshall's delightful Canadian "Port Rowan, Ontario" S scale layout, with 3 colour photos and a short write-up of why Trevor moved to S scale from O scale. Interesting reading and facts about the relationship of S to HO and O. Also check out his “Port Rowan in S scale” blog http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s/?p=5087 Well worth seeking out a copy of this June issue of RMC while its still available from your local newsagent or from SPV in the UK (the June issue is the latest currently available month in the UK), whether you are interested in American prototypes or not, in my opinion. US$5.95 or GB£3.25. Happy S scale reading! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Copleston Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 The June 2014 issue is the last issue which will be available from Carstens, as they shut their doors yesterday. Thanks for this depressing bit of news, Simon. In my opinion, RMC is by far the better 'modellers' magazine than Kalmbach's Model Railroader. What is your source? The Carstens Publications website makes no mention of going out of business, or or RMC or Railfan & Railroader ceasing publication. All I could find was this extended note from the Akron Railroad Club, Indiana: http://akronrrclub.wordpress.com/2014/08/23/carstens-publications-ceases-operations/ and on this discussion board: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,3498912 The problem seems to be falling subscriptions, their printer's moving, and (possibly) their distributor going out of business. One can only hope that Carstens is able to reorganise and return anew, or that someone else will take over their publication. Kalmbach publish some good magazines (particularly Trains Magazine) and books, but I'd be wary of them having a near-monopoly of the US hobby magazine market. Anyone else hear of this news about Carstens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Copleston Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Phil, it has been actively discussed on RMWeb, in the USA & Canadian Railroads section. Also mentioned by Trevor Marshall, and Mike Cougill. And MRH. Basically, it's all over those parts of the web which cover North American modelling. The primary source, though, is their Facebook page. Not keeping their website up to date has been one of the ongoing gripes about Carstens. Deciding not to pay contributors is one of the reasons they had fewer of them. I think I might be reading too many websites... Simon, You are right. I just checked the RMC Facebook page - and there are a couple of notices there. I must have missed these in my newsfeed. I've not been reading the RMweb USA & Canadian Railroads section of late. Such a shame that a decent 'modellers' mag like RMC has got into trouble. Let's hope a decent publisher picks it up soon. Thanks for the clarification. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Reichert Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 RMC got rather stuck in the up to the 70's idea that "model railroaders" actually made models. Had they figured out that the vast majority have moved to buying just about everything, and watching what others have done on-line, they might have adapted and been financially successful instead. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Copleston Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 RMC got rather stuck in the up to the 70's idea that "model railroaders" actually made models. Had they figured out that the vast majority have moved to buying just about everything, and watching what others have done on-line, they might have adapted and been financially successful instead. Andy, These are all good points. But perhaps you assume that all modellers want the same things from their hobby. There is a wide spectrum of interests out there, and the mass USA modelling market (to which you allude) is already well catered for by Model Railroader. RMC, in contrast, seemed to be trying to not directly compete with MR, but satisfy that part of the market who genuinely like 'making things', i.e. the craftsman aspect of our hobby. Maybe not as lucrative, but still worth persuing commercially. Its about spotting your niche and then exploiting it! Here in the UK, there is a thriving 'make it yourself' scratchbuilding element to our hobby, or at least lots of modellers who are not afraid of and enjoy building quite complicated etched and cast kits, not necessarily dependent on r-t-r or simple conversions. Certain British model railway magazines also cater for this aspect, and RMC always appealed to me because it did the same. Its downfall may have something to do with what you say, for sure - we all need to be commercially savy these days - but its demise seems to partly lie with third parties, late payment of bills, distributors going out of business, etc., as much as any internal failings at Carstens. Anyway, I sincerely hope RMC continues even under another publisher, as it was an excellent model-makers magazine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpm1ca Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Hi Phil: Also, the "Editor's Notebook" (pp.88-89) features Trevor Marshall's delightful Canadian "Port Rowan, Ontario" S scale layout, with 3 colour photos and a short write-up of why Trevor moved to S scale from O scale. Interesting reading and facts about the relationship of S to HO and O. Also check out his “Port Rowan in S scale” blog Thanks for the kind words about my model railway. Much appreciated. And thank you, too, for posting the link to my blog here. I would just add that the best link to use is this one: http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s As well, those looking to follow my blog have a couple of options, which I've outlined on this page: http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s/?page_id=1594 There's no truth to the rumour that my photos in the June RMC, coupled with the S scale special supplement, were the final nail in the coffin... Cheers! - Trevor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpm1ca Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Simon - if only that were so. But thank you! -Trevor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Copleston Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Simon, Trevor, Andy et al, The latest news (as of Friday, 29 August 2014) is that White River Productions (publishers of many U.S. hobby magazines and books) have purchased Railroad Model Craftsman, Railroad & Railfan, and Carstens' book division. A combined 'catch-up' issue of RMC is planned to bring the publication dates back on schedule, and all current subscriptions will be honoured. Great news! Hopefully the new publishers will not "jazz up" the new RMC too much, but keep the same format, 'conservative' style, and - living up to the publication's title – maintain an emphasis on scratchbuilding and providing solid prototype articles with drawings - a combination very much to my liking. Oh, and regular support for S scale! Anyway, here's a link to their press release: http://www.modelrailroadnews.com/PDF/WRP-Press_Release_140829.pdf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpm1ca Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Hi Phil: A couple of thoughts on your post... First, this is indeed great news. WRP has a stable of excellent publications - mostly prototype-focused. But in addition to their commercial (broadly-distributed) magazines, they also produce magazines for several historical societies in the United States. And their design expertise - demonstrated in magazines like "Railroads Illustrated" and in their books - is second to none. I expect RMC will benefit from an update to the design that makes it look a whole lot better. I also expect the content to improve, thanks to links into the various historical societies. I know I'd be taking advantage of that. I've penned some additional thoughts about this on my blog, here: http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s/?p=5131 Second - You express wishes that RMC continues to offer support for S scale. Since RMC - and, indeed, almost every hobby magazine published in North America, depends upon contributions to fill the pages, the best way to ensure such continued support is to submit articles to the publication based North American prototypes rendered in 1:64. (That's not an observation aimed at you - but rather at anyone reading this thread.) Cheers! - Trevor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSB Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Thanks, Simon - duly bookmarked! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpm1ca Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I haven't noticed this anywhere in the S Scale section on RMWeb, and apologies if it's already been mentioned, but last October a new North American publication was launched for S scale enthusiasts. It's called The S Scale Resource, and it is published every other month. It's digital and entirely advertiser supported so it's free to read/download. There are three issues so far - enough to give one an idea of the sort of content the editors will be covering. My own layout is the cover story in the current issue. As I write on my blog, this feature came about in the approved manner: the editor bought me lunch at the pub. How could I refuse? Enjoy if you read it... Cheers! - Trevor (The usual disclaimer: I have no business interest with The S Scale Resource - I'm just a happy reader) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Stewart Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 To add to Trevor's post I would also recommend joining the NASG for these interested in North American S, it only costs 25 us dollars per year (no additional cost for UK). NASG [ www.NASG.org ] produce The Dispatch, an excellent magazine which covers both hi rail and scale, the content is good and well worth the subscription price. Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
backofanenvelope Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Thanks for point to this mag, really nicely done. Have definitely bookmarked this site. And nice article on Port Rowan Trevor like the operations side of it.. Tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpm1ca Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Hi Simon: My mistake - thanks for clearing that up. I skimmed the thread and completely missed both references to the S Scale Resource. In any case, I'm sure Daniel and Glenn at TSSR will appreciate the reminder posted here. Cheers! - Trevor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.