So, did anyone get...?

[wm3798]

The latest MR Special Edition "Industries you can Model?"
I picked it up on a whim, mostly for Bernie Kempinski's paper mill article (which is outstanding for it's use of selective compression as well as showcasing the advantages of N scale when it comes to modeling a pretty massive industry.

There's some neat stuff in there, but I couldn't help but think that we used to get this type of coverage on a monthly basis...  I know we've trod down this trail before, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the stuff covered in this special.

Lee

[Dave V]

Didn't get it...  But I agree with your sense that Kalmbach has started pimping their "A" material for additional cost.

The past couple of MR issues have actually been a little better...  A temporary upswing or a positive trend?  Time will tell.  But for a few years now I've started to feel a little like I'm not in MR's target audience anymore.

[TiVoPrince]

I have
never been, nor will I ever be MRs target audience.  I take a certain amount of pride in that...

Packaging anything worthwhile into premium content leaving inferior stuff as magazine filler will only hasten the inroads made by internet content.  MR may not last the decade with the way things are going...

[wcfn100]

MR is a great 'wash room' magazine.  I didn't get mine this month so I guess I stopped subscribing. 

Now I have no mags left that aren't from a historical society.  :'( 

I feel like going to Barnes and Noble and thumbing through the Fine Scale Modeler to see how the other half lives.


"In the September 2008 issue, we showcase two museum-quality scratchbuilt airplanes." 

- Those bastards!  ;D

Jason

[ednadolski]

10-15 years ago MR was a different beast.   They still can have some interesting stuff, but nowadays a lot of it seems watered down and yes, recycled.

Just one example: look at the Pelle Soeborg stuff over the last few years.  Very nice work, esp. the pics, but the writeups can be really sketchy, if you want to actually learn the techniques:  "I used blacks, grays, and umbers to weather the trucks".   How helpful is that?

[soo]

MR will always be MR... some people don't like it, some people do,, I buy it at Wal-Mart just to have something to read when waiting for the wife or the kids to get out of the store/mall...etc.

  The only way to change the content,,is for the N scale community to start sending in articles and pics,.,,, well that is what I was told when I emailed Terry Thompson about 3 years ago.

  Adios Wyatt

[TiVoPrince]

I have always
believed that the MR staff was there to take up the slack for minority scales.  Even in the late '70s early '80s, when it was an 'all HO' staff back when they seemed to somehow seek out other scales several times a year.  The repated self congraulations and skechy (love that accurate description) articles that seem to offer limited information now, but the promise of a possible upcoming book or video to fill in the missing content because the newsstand magazine is forever going to be for beginners.  Resting on past successes will leave a void for a fresh magazne much like when Mainline Modeler thundered onto the scene back in the day...

[Walkercolt]

I let my MR subscription lapse several years ago, just wasn't enough in it for me for the price. I've flipped thru a few on the news stand since. I think I've bought 2 or 3. Feel like I've read most of the articles before(and looking thru my back issues, I have). One article usually doesn't make me part with $7.

[Mark5]

I don't think N scale folks sending in stuff will change it much, as I don't see the core problem being scale related.

[AlkemScaleModels]

The latest MR Special Edition "Industries you can Model?"
I picked it up on a whim, mostly for Bernie Kempinski's paper mill article (which is outstanding for it's use of selective compression as well as showcasing the advantages of N scale when it comes to modeling a pretty massive industry.

Lee

Lee,

Glad you liked the article. That was done a few years back.  The point about N Scale being better suited for large industries was not a point I directly raised in the article, but certainly could be inferred by an astute reader.  I didn't feel it was necessary to poke our larger scale brethren in the eye, but N Scale rocks for heavy industry modeling. 

I am working on a new steel mill these days. This time I am starting with the Walthers N Scale kits. It works well for a full size N Scale steel mill.  Compared to my previous effort,  I am spending more time detailing the blast furnace. I am documenting the process for my next book for Kalmbach.

[Wlal13again]

The only reason I bought it was for Bernie`s paper mill article. I wish I could have taken you up on the offer to see it in person when we were in Chantilly in 2004...

[Bob Bufkin]

there are 3 books in this series.  Believe they are a compilation of articles over the years.  I own all 3 and find them of interest.  Better then trying to find the individual articles.

[wm3798]

Oh, and by the way, Bernie... Thanks a LOT. :
Now I realize how woefully inadequate my little paper mill is... ;D  Better head for the Plastruct rack and pick up some more bits and pieces!
Lee