N Scale Magazine Subcription Suggestions

[davefoxx]

Recommending a magazine for someone is rather like trying to tell them which brand of toilet paper to use. Everyone's tastes, needs and sensitivities are individual.

I don't know about the rest of y'all, but, when it comes to toilet paper, I'm not concerned about the taste.   

DFF

[Sokramiketes]

I'm biased toward N Scale Magazine, obviously...  While it's still evolving out of the Hundman past, I think it has a clearer direction, and with only occasional exception, showcases a more consistent quality of modeling.  (The consistency of the articles still needs some work...)   NSR takes more a "big tent" approach, but has some outstanding modelers/authors in the stable.

Lee

As an example of personal taste, I'd say the exact opposite of the comments above.  I think NSR has a clearly articulated editorial voice, which includes what articles are chosen and mixed into an issue.  NSM has a "big tent" approach since they will publish almost anything sent in.  A specific example is that NSR doesn't want to rehash topics already covered online.  Kirk will turn down articles if they've already been aired online.  However, NSM will publish those types of articles, and that just waters down the overall content.

[MichaelWinicki]

I think MR is still head & shoulders above the others. 

[pennsyfan1361]

Your Not Suggesting using the Magazine for toilet paper?

Recommending a magazine for someone is rather like trying to tell them which brand of toilet paper to use. Everyone's tastes, needs and sensitivities are individual.

[alhoop]

...........  I think NSR has a clearly articulated editorial voice, which includes what articles are chosen and mixed into an issue.  NSM has a "big tent" approach since they will publish almost anything sent in.  A specific example is that NSR doesn't want to rehash topics already covered online.  Kirk will turn down articles if they've already been aired online.  However, NSM will publish those types of articles, and that just waters down the overall content.

Didn't NSR publish the Mississippi river bridge  model that had been covered online both in forums and a blog?
They both will publish layout after layout photos Ad-infinitum. NSR even devoted 10 pages recently to show
various shots of a train running through/by a flood loader when two photos at most would have sufficed.
 
Very few people build anything anymore, they had rather drool.
AL

[muktown128]

I subscribe to MR and N Scale Magazine and buy N Scale Railroading at the LHS.  I enjoy reading all of them.  It it nice to see articles from guys who post on this forum.  I'll add my vote to try a few issues of each before you decide which one to pick for a subscription.

Scott

[Bob Bufkin]

I subscribe to MR and N Scale Magazine and buy N Scale Railroading at the LHS.  I enjoy reading all of them.  It it nice to see articles from guys who post on this forum.  I'll add my vote to try a few issues of each before you decide which one to pick for a subscription.

Scott

+1

[rogergperkins]

I subscribe to NSR and think I have all  the issues from the first todate.  I bought N-Scale Magazine at the LHS when it was initially published, but stopped because it was repeating articles that already appeared in NSR.   Now under new management, I have a subscription.   I also subscribe to MR.
I like aspects of each and as long as the budge allows, I will continue with all three.

What are your interest in n-scale and what sort of modelling are you doing or planning to do?
If we knew that we might be able to help you focus on which one fits those interests.

[mmyers]

Recommending a magazine for someone is rather like trying to tell them which brand of toilet paper to use. Everyone's tastes, needs and sensitivities are individual.

I think Charmin was invented to keep plumbers in business. Scott starts breaking up before it hits the bowl.

I get NSR and NSM. As suggested try an issue of each and go with the one that pleases.

[wm3798]

As an example of personal taste, I'd say the exact opposite of the comments above.  I think NSR has a clearly articulated editorial voice, which includes what articles are chosen and mixed into an issue.  NSM has a "big tent" approach since they will publish almost anything sent in.  A specific example is that NSR doesn't want to rehash topics already covered online.  Kirk will turn down articles if they've already been aired online.  However, NSM will publish those types of articles, and that just waters down the overall content.

Kirk forgets that not everyone is on-line... 

Consider that when a layout is blogged or presented in brief phrases on a forum, it is not presented with the same potential depth, coherence, or perspective that it can be in a comprehensive print article.  Also, when a layout becomes the focus of on-line chatter, it achieves a level of attention that some editors might want to capitalize on, attracting potential readers to their publication.

Jim Reising is featured in the next Model Railroader and the Rochelle Sub has been covered exhaustively there, Pete Nolan's ship models and Dave Vollmer's PRR have been featured in NSM, Max Magliaro's steam work has been presented by RMC.  Meanwhile, I recall a standout article in NSR titled "Unitrak Heaven"...  which I admit, I never saw discussed on any of the forums where I dwell...

So if Kirk is bypassing work that's already been vetted by a pretty tough crowd in favor of shining his light into the darker corners of the hobby, then to each his own!  But wait!  Mini Modutrak has certainly gobbled up some column inches in NSR, and I know I've seen that stuff posted on-line...  Or could that be a case where some animals are more equal than others?

Lee

[bbussey]

Most likely Kirk was unaware that the Mini Modutrak had been featured online.  His preferred position is to not feature venues that have had online exposure.

To be fair regarding the magazine preference -- a number of people who have contributed magazine content (myself included) should recuse themselves from commenting one way or the other because the appearance of being unbiased is suspect.  I've written multiple articles for both, and my only advise is to let people sample both magazines and arrive at their own preference.

[wm3798]

I already said I was biased...

[sundowner]

I have bought every issue of  NSR. NSM  not so much.

[elnscale]

If you are relatively new to the hobby like myself then I think soaking up information and learning is very important. And what the modelling forums are good for.

To that end, all of the magazines serve to that purpose one way or another. If I read and enjoy just one article in each magazine then I think that I have got my money's worth.

Speaking of money's worth, here is what I think I pay very approximately per month:

• N Scale Railroading $3
• N Scale Magazine $3
• Model Railroading Magzine $3
• Model Railroad Craftsman $4

That's about one Atlas Trainman box car.

Tomorrow, I am driving 200 miles to Columbus for the N-Scale Weekend and back on Sunday, so there's a hotel stay somewhere too. That puts the magazine cost in perspective.

I say, get as many at $3 per month as you can afford and learn from one article.

One last thing, something that really isn't mentioned is that it's quite interesting (especially with Railroad MOdel Craftsman), that reading through the advertisements is interesting too because of all the small manufacturers that you generally don't here about anywhere.

[John]

I already said I was biased...

Careful that you don't become overexposed like Pele or Malcom