Cons: Expensive, half the magazine is ads, not enough for experienced hobbyists, little Z scale content
The Bottom Line: For information on all aspects of model railroading, read Model Railroader magazine. Train buffs will enjoy the well-written informative articles. Receive good advice and creative inspiration for building layouts.
glomarrone's Full Review: Model Railroader Magazine
If you enjoy watching model trains running on elaborate layouts, (is there anyone who isn't mesmerized by them?) then Model Railroader magazine (MR) just might motivate you to build your own layout. That's just what happened to my husband.
As a teen, he built an elaborate layout for his several sets of O27 scale trains in the basement of his family's home. Several years ago he dismantled his old layout and put his trains in storage. Recently, however, I noticed a renewed interest in model trains. Perhaps his interest was sparked by last year's visit to the NY Botanical Gardens Annual Train Show. So, for a Christmas stocking stuffer, I bought my husband a copy of the December issue of Model Railroader magazine (MR.) After reading this issue he visited a hobby store to see what was available. Now he has decided to build a layout for Z Scale trains. Unfortunately, we discovered that Model Railroader (MR) magazine has little information on Z Scale.
Model Railroader is the most popular model train magazine for train buffs and has excellent articles on the popular larger scales. This is a high quality magazine packed with creative ideas for beginners and hobbyists like my husband who have already gotten their feet wet building a layout. There are new ideas and refresher articles for intermediate model railroad builders and new product information for all train buffs. Experienced model railroading enthusiasts might prefer the contents of Model Railroading magazine. My husband and I appreciate most the close-up photos of layouts and the how-to articles in MR.
Model Railroader covers all aspects of the hobby and has been in publication for 68 years. It gives information, tricks-of-the-trade and step-by-step instructions for building elaborate layouts including: laying track, building landscaping & structures like bridges and buildings, backdrops, wiring & lighting. MR shows how to arrange all components in an artistic way. It covers different eras, locales and scales of trains. It introduces hobbyists to the latest new products. Plus, it answers all your hobby questions. It helps you turn your ideas into a wonderful hobby that will entertain you for hours. Sometimes issues include interesting fictional stories that make the hobby come alive. One recent one, "A Powerful Salvo" is in the September issue
Even the ads are interesting. All of them relate to the hobby so I'm less bothered that half the magazine is advertising. Many of the ads are for tools and supplies, model train companies, how-to/reference books/videos, layouts, Websites, retail/mail order hobby and train stores - even historical train tours. The ads provide helpful information to readers.
In fact, it was a magazine's ad that alerted us to Marklin, a German manufacturer of quality Z Scale and other scale trains. We visited the Marklin Website and later contacted a representative in Germany by phone. My husband now owns a set of Z scale trains called Ice because of that ad. We also ordered and received several kits for Z scale buildings. Plus,we learned about Ztrack, a magazine for Z Scale and now subscribe. Advertising works!
Although we enjoy Ztrack magazine, it doesn't have the beautiful color photograph that Model Railroader has. Nor, does it have all the ads and is slimmer at 60 pages. Cover price is $6 - ouch!
Model Railroader magazine is neatly divided into two sections - Features and Departments. The Table of Contents is on two pages facing each other for easy reference. Several colorful illustrations appear with the listing. The close-up color photographs inside the magazine and on covers are very important elements of issues. A picture speaks a 1,000 words and these picture speak volumes. Covers depict elaborate layouts and lure hobbyists to buy issues. Several additional cover articles are listed on the covers.
Model Railroader magazine has 12 regular departments. One of the most important departments is the Product Reviews department. Each issue has usually four reviews. HO scale and N scale are the most often reviewed. Reviews show photos of the cars, lists manufacturer and contact information, price, description and road name. Reviews give historical information on the original cars that the models are based on and comprehensive descriptions of the construction, detailing and finish. Reviews are all presented in a positive light but minor negatives are also mentioned. Sometimes the reviews are for early production kits and the manufacturer has already made improvements. Manufacturers do read these reviews and make improvements/changes accordingly. The magazine has a solid reputation in the hobby industry.
At the Throttle department is the editor's letter. He uses it to introduce the content of each issue and gives his viewpoint of topics related to model railroad building. He also uses the space to tell readers about new directions that the magazine is taking and explains why the changes are taking place. It is always interesting and informative.
Each month Railway Post Office prints around 10 interesting letters from readers. By reading these letters, hobbyists can often receive additional information from other readers who are quite knowledgeable. Many letters give comments/suggestions about previous articles. Some letters in the two-page department disagree with viewpoints mentioned by other readers in the Railway Post Office. One debate is between readers who feel the hobby is all "open the box" and others who feel "scratchbuilding" takes too much time and effort. The debate started over a letter printed in the October issue. I think the field is big enough for everyone to decide how much time and effort to put into the hobby. Sometimes companies/manufacturers submit letters explaining product modification and improvement.
Recently the magazine dropped its Ask Paint Shop column. The Paint Shop department hasn't appeared in recent issues, either, so the magazine decided to drop the two related departments. The magazine continues to publish feature articles on Paint Shop and will continue to answer prototype paint and lettering questions in Prototype Info. It will answer future painting technique questions in Workshop.
The Workshop department answers questions from readers about a wide variety of topics such as construction and trackwork, maintenance and restoration, operation and controls/power. Knowledgeable answers to specific question are given in easy to understand language. Simple questions are answered in one paragraph. More detailed answers run around 3-5+ paragraphs. The solutions, hints, tips are invaluable especially to beginners. Sometimes readers are given referral sources for additional information. A few illustrations accompany the four-page department.
Some recent subjects covered in the Workshop department deal with: turnout controls, wiring, causes of derailments & solutions, product source information, painting techniques, packing, moving and storage ideas, creating dust-free room and requests for more information on a specific topic. Another Question & Answer department is Prototype Info that has detailed answers to readers' prototype questions. December's 2001 column has a very detailed answer to one about steam helper locomotives. Answers are very informative, educational and interesting.
An entertaining and interesting department is MR (Model Railroader) News. These are short pieces about model railroading news concerning clubs, people and events. Read up-to-date reports on manufacturers annual trade shows, hobby shows and other special events, MR staff changes, announcements of awards and new openings of hobby shop around the nation. There is also informative product news about new diesel engines, locomotives, cars, controls, structure kits, paint and scenery, accessory vehicles and lighting. The fourteen-page department is colorfully illustrated and entertaining.
Get back to basics with the Back to Basics and the Working on the Railroad departments. Both contain easy projects with detailed how-to information using simple materials for easy projects. These departments are great for beginners but too easy for advanced builders. We find them very helpful.
Train of Thoughts department is a monthly commentary of the thoughts of writer Tony Koester on various general topics such as "Acting Your Age," "The Learning Curve," "Words to Live By," "The Information Age" and "What is 'Good Enough'?" He is a thoughtful, perceptive writer who is always interesting to read. His February commentary is called "Mail Call." Another department that is a commentary is One Reader's Opinion. Topics vary but are always interesting to train buffs. The magazine ends with Along the Lines. The department is a one-page short with a colorful photograph of a model train layout with information and text about the trains. Look closely; in the photographs the trains look real. Other self-explanatory departments are Coming Events and Club Membership and the Index of Advertisers.
Recent feature articles are: a continuing 3-part series on Rock Ridge Central story of an HO Layout (January, February & March 2002,) tune -up tricks (February 2002,) Trackside Photos (February 2002 - readers' layouts and models,) numerous How-To stories, Tips for Beginners, Layout features and Prototype Drawings (all issues.) The March issue will carry a story on the winners of the 25th annual photo contest. Accomplished model railroaders with years of experience write all articles.
I especially enjoy the feature "The Magic of Illusion" December 2001, which is a practical guide with techniques for making your layout look larger.The 6-page article is filled with large photographs of elaborate layouts demonstrating the points the writer makes. I also enjoyed another recent feature article on using computers for making "Brick Wall Decals." Many photographs and detailed information are provided. Other possibilities are also investigated. The article is very practical & filled with creative ideas. Another similar how-to feature is "Improved Telegraph Poles" that gives detailed ways of improving the looks for the plastic model poles through paint and scraping.
Issues are expensive at $4.95 per issue - by then so are other specialty magazines. Subscribe for $26.95 for 12 issue and save 54% off newsstand issue. That brings each issue's price down to a more reasonable price $2.25; you will also be entered in a sweepstakes. This price is cheaper than subscribing to Model Railroader through the Epinions.com Website links. A non-discounted subscription costs $39.95. Kalmbach Publishing Co publishes the monthly magazine. It also publishes two special annual magazines Model Railroad Planning (2002) and Great Model Railroads (2002), each $5.95 that offer practical expert advice, tips, fantastic layout designs, gorgeous photograph and much more.
Visit the Website, www.modelrailroader.com for more information on model trains. Read highlights from the current issue, news stories, forums, new product releases and reviews for different scales, shop online, see a webcam view of two operational real RRs and find locations of hobby stores in your neighborhood.
Since 9-11 people have become more aware of the importance of family and are staying home more. What better way is there to spend leisure time than with the world's greatest hobby - model railroading? Learn all the basics right from the pages of the most popular railroading magazine, Model Railroader. With today's abundant variety of train products, model enthusiast can determine just how involved they wish to become in the hobby. All aboard!
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