If You had to choose only 1??????

[Rasputen]

I notice they both are released every 2 months, are they released together on the same month, or alternating (I.E. 1,3,5, and 2,4,6,)??..

J....

I still get both of mine within a day or two of each other. :'(

[lashedup]

My cheap advice is that you will learn more through the various n-scale forums (this one in particular as it tends to attract some better modelers) than you will with either magazine. Simply asking for help on any given task will give you incredible feedback and advice on various techniques.

If you are starting out in n-scale I'd also consider picking up some of Kalmbach's books as they are very, very helpful. Marty McGuirk's book N Scale Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby is available through Amazon or Kalmbach direct. However the Kalmbach library has books on nearly every topic when it comes to building a layout, so you have a lot of options.

The n-scale magazines have hit or miss months which tends to be more of a personal thing for you depending on where you are at with your current layout, where your interests lie and what roads/areas regionally you model. Model Railroader magazine offers quite a bit more from the quality standpoint and the tips and tricks they publish are pretty well done and most aren't necessarily scale specific. A LOT of what you do in HO carries over to n-scale just at nearly half the size.

So my vote is MR above the n-scale specific magazines and hang out here a bit and feel free to ask questions. Even something as simple as a basic discussion on what you would like to do for a layout, how much room you have and what roads you want to model can yield some impressive results around here. Ask Lee or Ian as to recent examples.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,

-jamie

[sirenwerks]

...The lack of proto photos probably has something to do with obtaining permission/a printable copy from the original source.  Recall that Kalmbach has a 75 year library of their own material to draw from...

But isn't that a part of publishing? It has been in my experience with nonprofit publications, newsletters, etc. - that securing that stuff is a part of the process. I would assume that role is even more important in the real publishing world.

And if someone's enthusiastic enough to produce a scratchbash article on a one-of-a-kind caboose, you'd think the enthusiasm for showing/proving the existence of the real car would be there too (my logic); and at the very least the author would know of sources (the same sources he/she used in the process) and could facilitate the publisher laying hands on an image from a private source (the car even still exists), drawings from a hysterical society, etc.

I guess I mistake the intent of articles like that, thinking it's to promote other modelers doing the same. But when you talk about heat-forming a part over a custom wooden form and don't give other modelers a clear reference to do the same, it really is just a show-off piece.

One (other) thing I find annoying are infomercial articles, like the laser-cut article in N Scale. It claims not be a how-to article but, after the coloring of the wood parts, presents as exactly that. It's one thing to present new technique while showing off a product, but when the technique's already been beaten to death (in other publications), like powder coloring wood has been of late, then it's nothing but advertising.

[DKS]

But isn't that a part of publishing? It has been in my experience with nonprofit publications, newsletters, etc. - that securing that stuff is a part of the process. I would assume that role is even more important in the real publishing world.

And if someone's enthusiastic enough to produce a scratchbash article on a one-of-a-kind caboose, you'd think the enthusiasm for showing/proving the existence of the real car would be there too (my logic); and at the very least the author would know of sources (the same sources he/she used in the process) and could facilitate the publisher laying hands on an image from a private source (the car even still exists), drawings from a hysterical society, etc.

I guess I mistake the intent of articles like that, thinking it's to promote other modelers doing the same. But when you talk about heat-forming a part over a custom wooden form and don't give other modelers a clear reference to do the same, it really is just a show-off piece.

One (other) thing I find annoying are infomercial articles, like the laser-cut article in N Scale. It claims not be a how-to article but, after the coloring of the wood parts, presents as exactly that. It's one thing to present new technique while showing off a product, but when the technique's already been beaten to death (in other publications), like powder coloring wood has been of late, then it's nothing but advertising.

It is part of publishing, but remember, these two publishers are small-time operations. They don't have the staff or the resources to regularly secure rights to publish photos, and they certainly don't have the wherewithal to generate much original content internally. And contributors are often even less capable in this department; many modelers don't even know they need rights, let alone know how to go about securing them.

Contributions are slow in coming for a lot of reasons, most of which have already been touched upon--the most significant being competition from other magazines, plus that huge sucking sound is the Internet and all manner of new electronic publishing outlets. Add to this the fact that preparing material for magazine publishing is not trivial; it takes quite a bit of effort to do it right, far more time-consuming and involved than, say, just rattling off responses on a forum, or even posting blog entries.

In general, both magazines share about the same level of highly variable quality. Both are also subject to the whims and idiosyncrasies of their publishers, not to mention how they react to each other--there are often tiffs over the meager content that's available to each of them. They'll never be MR, but then they couldn't possibly be; they each bring their value to the table and raise awareness of the scale. The light they cast on it, however, is only as flattering as the contributions they receive.

[wm3798]

One (other) thing I find annoying are infomercial articles, like the laser-cut article in N Scale. It claims not be a how-to article but, after the coloring of the wood parts, presents as exactly that. It's one thing to present new technique while showing off a product, but when the technique's already been beaten to death (in other publications), like powder coloring wood has been of late, then it's nothing but advertising.

I agree to a point.  Despite the high level of mediocrity I've been able to achieve in my modeling, I've yet to wade into the warm waters of laser cut kits.  This step by step helps nudge me toward this type of project, and the simplicity of the kit itself presents it as a fairly small bite to chew.  I also like that it's both a step by step as well as a bit of a product review.  The photography is also very good.

As Jamie points out, our perception of each article is going to center around our individual tastes, experience and level of aptitude.  The last edition of N Scale pretty much left me cold, but the current one will be thumbed through over and over.  I really liked the Western Pacific layout article.  It's amazing how the next technological generation is going to be model railroading!  (Now, who wants to work for beer to do all the detection circuits for my staging yards? ;D)

Lee

[DKS]

One (other) thing I find annoying are infomercial articles, like the laser-cut article in N Scale. It claims not be a how-to article but, after the coloring of the wood parts, presents as exactly that. It's one thing to present new technique while showing off a product, but when the technique's already been beaten to death (in other publications), like powder coloring wood has been of late, then it's nothing but advertising.

It's only "done to death" if you read all of the magazines. If, as the original poster had asked, one chose only a single magazine, it would be a new technique. I see nothing wrong with repetition. I see nothing wrong with repetition.

[FloridaBoy]

If I were totally into HO exclusively, I would subscribe to Model Railroader as I have many years ago, then expanded to RMC. 

Now I am into N, and expect to be enlightened monthly, so instead of subscribing, I go to my LHS and buy mine.  This accomplishes many endeavors, first I stay connected to the scale/hobby with the visit, able to "kill 2 birds with one stone", talk to the staff or other patrons, and see what is new in stock, new or used.  Additionally, by getting me in the store, I am able to buy a few things I always seem to need and join in supporting my LHS.

Both are same and different enough to maintain my level of interest. Both address the same build and enjoy issues we all share so one isn't more than the other, as it depends issue to issue. I really like the contribution of Pamela Clapp to N Scale, since I was wearying those overdone articles on train stations and large warehouses and bridges.  Frankly, I prefer locomotive upgrades and re-motors and detailing.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[sirenwerks]

I see nothing wrong with repetition. I see nothing wrong with repetition.

You've been assimilated, as repetition is a basis of marketing.

My comments about the lack of photos and drawings are just as much directed at the bigger pubs too. MR is woefully lacking in the drawings department; where it once featured plans, drawings and detail photos of numerous rolling stock and structures in each issue, now we're lucky to get even one.

RMC seems to be holding that end up best. I don't need a head house, but the recent multi-part article on building a well-detailed model was the sort of in-depth 'reporting' we should expect from a good publication. There are those in N scale who have the same level of detail.

For instance, when is Jamie going to write that two-part article on building the Klema feed facility using the Silhouette SD, replete with drawings of the structure and photo of it in its heyday? Now that would be a great article for an N scale mag, since the original model's N and the Silhouette and its ilk seem to be a great asset for N scale modeling, and probably not larger scales given its limited size.

[DKS]

You've been assimilated, as repetition is a basis of marketing.

My comments about the lack of photos and drawings are just as much directed at the bigger pubs too. MR is woefully lacking in the drawings department; where it once featured plans, drawings and detail photos of numerous rolling stock and structures in each issue, now we're lucky to get even one.

RMC seems to be holding that end up best. I don't need a head house, but the recent multi-part article on building a well-detailed model was the sort of in-depth 'reporting' we should expect from a good publication. There are those in N scale who have the same level of detail.

For instance, when is Jamie going to write that two-part article on building the Klema feed facility using the Silhouette SD, replete with drawings of the structure and photo of it in its heyday? Now that would be a great article for an N scale mag, since the original model's N and the Silhouette and its ilk seem to be a great asset for N scale modeling, and probably not larger scales given its limited size.

Such drawings can be a real problem. They're labor-intensive to generate oneself, even with software, and sometimes the process of getting permission to reproduce existing drawings can be onerous. Plus, MR seems to take the position that big, colorful photos sell magazines more than dry technical drawings.

That said, I agree; I really miss the days of the "old" MR when there'd be a raft of technical illustrations in almost every issue. But since modelers do far more buying than modeling any more these days, who needs 'em?

[sirenwerks]

Such drawings can be a real problem. They're labor-intensive to generate oneself, even with software, and sometimes the process of getting permission to reproduce existing drawings can be onerous. Plus, MR seems to take the position that big, colorful photos sell magazines more than dry technical drawings.

That said, I agree; I really miss the days of the "old" MR when there'd be a raft of technical illustrations in almost every issue. But since modelers do far more buying than modeling any more these days, who needs 'em?

Perhaps that's a sociological or economical shift the hobby's encountering. It seems that, in the pre-digital days, there was more sharing of information. Funnily, now that sharing is easier, it is happening less frequently. Like that guy that prints steel mill drawing sets and photos that are available for free on the HAB site. Now that information's king, people are hording and selling it. Again, funnily, it seems the older gen, the one that used to share, is the one that's doing the most selling.

[lashedup]

For instance, when is Jamie going to write that two-part article on building the Klema feed facility using the Silhouette SD, replete with drawings of the structure and photo of it in its heyday? Now that would be a great article for an N scale mag, since the original model's N and the Silhouette and its ilk seem to be a great asset for N scale modeling, and probably not larger scales given its limited size.

Actually...

I'm going to write that article *and* I'm going to make the drawings available to whoever wants to download them. I envision a place where numerous drawings people create can be uploaded so that others can use them. I have a platform that I'm writing the article for, but it just isn't ready for prime time yet. As it grows though, I think it will become a vast resource for people and provide a neat way for all of us to interact and share what we create.

- jamie

[sirenwerks]

That's great Jamie, I look forward to it; for the structure and more info on those great little machines. I would hope you whip up a basic drawing with key measurements for those of us who do not (yet) own a Silhouette.

[JDouglasFisher]

My cheap advice is that you will learn more through the various n-scale forums (this one in particular as it tends to attract some better modelers) than you will with either magazine. Simply asking for help on any given task will give you incredible feedback and advice on various techniques.

If you are starting out in n-scale I'd also consider picking up some of Kalmbach's books as they are very, very helpful. Marty McGuirk's book N Scale Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby is available through Amazon or Kalmbach direct. However the Kalmbach library has books on nearly every topic when it comes to building a layout, so you have a lot of options....

Jaime,

I have several of those books already, particularly McGuirk's recent N scale book, mostly because of the New England theme, and the fact that it focused a large part of the railroad on a paper mill. (Yes, I do like New England Railroading, and fortunately, Paper Mills exist even today on the B&P  )

One of the biggest driving pro's for switching to N scale is because of this forum and the modelers here. Up until a week ago, I was still on the fence regarding scale, HO vs. N. My argument was that HO was familiar, and that it offered sound. Since I'm more of a switching guy (versus a road running guy) the size and DCC sound capability was a big selling point, but as Loretta pointed out, I spend at least a few minutes daily reading this particular forum AND we both already have some small scale modeling experience through our other hobby, Flames of War miniatures. (Ever paint 72+ stands of Russian Strelkovy? We have...)

She also suggested that since N scale has DCC, why couldn't one match a non sound decoder in a locomotive, to a sound equipped decoder under the layout, with the same address, pumped through a small sound system under the layout. The sound would truly be "that much more epic" with bass and all, and since one is just standing in one location, switching cars, the sound wouldn't have to "travel" with the equipment.

So its safe to blame both you guys and my soon to be wife, for encouraging the switch. I'm comfortable with scale modeling part (although when the time comes, gonna have to learn how to do those AWESOME trees that Ed K. does...)

It is part of publishing, but remember, these two publishers are small-time operations. They don't have the staff or the resources to regularly secure rights to publish photos, and they certainly don't have the wherewithal to generate much original content internally. And contributors are often even less capable in this department; many modelers don't even know they need rights, let alone know how to go about securing them.

Contributions are slow in coming for a lot of reasons, most of which have already been touched upon--the most significant being competition from other magazines, plus that huge sucking sound is the Internet and all manner of new electronic publishing outlets. Add to this the fact that preparing material for magazine publishing is not trivial; it takes quite a bit of effort to do it right, far more time-consuming and involved than, say, just rattling off responses on a forum, or even posting blog entries.....

Regarding Publishing and securing rights to use a photograph. Isn't this something that the author can do prior to submission to the publisher? I don't know as I haven't been published in Model Magazine press. I'm quite sure there's some sort of legal document that can be drawn up that can ease and speed up the process.

I like 'em both, but one of the pays me to say that! ;D

One thing I prefer to see is information that is more N scale specific.  i.e. working with particular N scale models, dealing with the various opportunities that N scale affords, that sort of thing.  How to paint a road, or build a tree is a little too general to be in a scale specific magazine.

Thats one thing that kinda turned me off to HO scale is that the press, in my opinion, has gotten so used to buy it, play it, versus build it, or engineer it, that its kinda BORING!...

I'd love to see articles regarding N scale specific issues/opportunities myself, and hope to see a future trend in that.

J........

[DKS]

Regarding Publishing and securing rights to use a photograph. Isn't this something that the author can do prior to submission to the publisher? I don't know as I haven't been published in Model Magazine press. I'm quite sure there's some sort of legal document that can be drawn up that can ease and speed up the process.

You pretty much proved my point by asking this question. Most authors are in the same boat: how does one go about this? It can be as simple as sending an email to ask permission to as complex as drawing up a release, or arranging to pay royalties, or any number of other routes, depending on the source of the image and the preferences of the owner. The documents don't speed the process; they formalize it so that copyrights are not infringed.

[wm3798]

When the opportunity presents itself, I'm sure I could easily secure permission from the WMRHS to use images from their collection.  It's sort of what they live for.  If I ever get around to finishing that Potomac, I'll definitely be making some inquiries for some good proto shots.

In my on-line article for the K-2, I simply provide links to images that are available elsewhere (no hot linking though!)

Lee