Great Model Railroads – N Scale Version?

[rickb773]

My favorite hobby publication has always been Kalmbach’s Great Model Railroads. Every year, that is where I get the inspiration and motivation to improve my home layout. My biggest complaint is that it gives just token representation to N scale layouts.

I posed the question to Pamela at N scale Magazine about doing an exclusively N scale version of Great Model Railroads. Although she never answered the question directly, Walt, her right hand man, said he didn’t think they would have the capacity/capability to do it. Would any of the other N scale magazine publishers have the capacity or will do this? I certainly think it would appreciated by a moderately large and certainly dedicated portion of the hobby if it were done correctly (i.e. large format pictures and enough content to catch your interest).

I think there are enough quality layouts out there to provide enough material. Even the barren N scale deserts of south/central New Jersey could offer up Konrad Richter’s excellent layout and a return visit to Rick Spano’s fascinating wonderland.

Your thoughts?

[peteski]

You mention "other N scale magazines"?  Are there any besides the N-Scale Mag. and N Scale Railroading?  Maybe you are thinking NTRAK Newsletter?  Are there any European or Japanese magazines devoted exclusively to N scale which would be willing to come out with this type of publication?

[ncbqguy]

Kirk Reddie of N Scale Railroading has always made it his business (literally and figuratively) to network to find the best modeling and layouts in N Scale.
He certainly would be the one to develop a list of outstanding 1/160 railroads.  The question would be if he could muster the resources to put out a special issue in addition to the 12 per year regular magazines.
Charlie Vlk

[milw156]

Kirk Reddie of N Scale Railroading has always made it his business (literally and figuratively) to network to find the best modeling and layouts in N Scale.
He certainly would be the one to develop a list of outstanding 1/160 railroads.  The question would be if he could muster the resources to put out a special issue in addition to the 12 per year regular magazines.
Charlie Vlk

Charlie I am jealous! My NSR only comes 6 times a year😉!
Rick

[sp org div]

It would take an influx of fresh material to compile a worthy set of layouts. Most readers dont want to see a repeat of the same layouts previously published in the same rag along the way. I have noted a thinning of available layout material already, with some revisits... although those layouts are of some good quality. I remember in my early days of modeling when it was all new, seeing an issue of great model railroads was a real highlight.. but now we need more  (near) completed layouts to fill the gap. There are still numerous unpublished layouts out there, but not all are willing participants either... 
Jeff

[ncbqguy]

It only takes six issues of N Scale Railroading to surpass a full year of other magazines....so I forgot it only is published every other month!!!
Charlie Vlk

[wazzou]

...in addition to the 12 per year regular magazines.
Charlie Vlk

Isn't it just 6 magazines per year?

Edited to note someone beat me too it and Charlie had his mea culpa. 

[sirenwerks]

IMO, NSR has access to better layouts than NSM, and it does a better job in terms of layout of the mag. I've let go of NSM, haven't bought one in three or four years.

[MVW]

If the established N scale magazines don't think this can be done profitably, it can't. The huge costs associated with publishing make it a daunting lift. However, it could be pulled off as an emag, ala MRH.

Jim

[rickb773]

MRH has complained in the past that it hasn't attracted enough N Scale material.

I would really love a glossy publication but if I can't get that, are there enough @Bfagan s scattered throughout the different regions of the country to put together a quality DVD on N scale layouts?
 
(It would also have to have attached articles to portray the owner's heart of his model railroad.)
(Also include a trackplan!)

[MichaelWinicki]

MRH has complained in the past that it hasn't attracted enough N Scale material.

I would really love a glossy publication but if I can't get that, are there enough @Bfagan s scattered throughout the different regions of the country to put together a quality DVD on N scale layouts?
 
(It would also have to have attached articles to portray the owner's heart of his model railroad.)
(Also include a trackplan!)

I grew up looking at the great layouts featured in MR.  When I'm ready to submit my pike, that's the direction I'm headed.  MRC would be the second choice with either of the N-scale magazines 3rd. 

[OldEastRR]

MRH has complained in the past that it hasn't attracted enough N Scale material.

Are they really looking?

[ncbqguy]

I had a nice conversation with Kirk Reddie yesterday and one of the topics we discussed was "Great N Scale Railroads".
He pointed out that as a "seventh issue", new annual or a one-time special issue there are is a great deal of work to do beyond editing great text, presenting knockout photos and other production issues.   As something outside the normal magazine, advertisers have to be contacted and committed, retail shops have to be lined up and bulk orders sold.   
I think there are a number of active legacy railroads that warrant fresh coverage that many who haven't been in N Scale for a long time may have never heard of and many new railroads that few of us know exist that should be published.
N Scale Railroading has been and continues to be the vehicle for coverage of leading 1/160 Railroads and Kirk would love to have so much good material on hand that a book or special issue would be the only way to bring them to the community.   Kirk will also encourage material that he can't use in a reasonable time to be placed in other outlets including "competitors" for the greater good.
Those with photo skills in different geographic areas need to step forward and document local layouts they know of and put together simple discriptions of what is neat about the railroads.  Identifying the railroads and getting publishable photos is key. 
Based on the modeling going on here and on other forums there are many younger guys out there doing outstanding work that needs to be published!
Charlie Vlk

[Philip H]

Are they really looking?

I believe they are. Like any publication they get what we send them. I have 4 or 5 ideas brewing myself, and have published there before. I just need more time in my day.

[Kisatchie]

I think there are enough quality layouts out there to provide enough material....

Your thoughts?

Hmm... okay, you twisted
my arm. I'll publish it...