Interesting series of posts. It was the August ’73 issue of MR that got me hooked on model building and model railroads as kid. Specifically, it was E.L. Moore’s Bunn’s Feed & Seed Plant construction article. Most of that project was too difficult for me at the time, but recently I went back to the article to try and build it. When I was going through the magazine again – and other issues from that era – it seemed that many of the articles were more technical and detailed than they are today, but I wasn’t sure if that was just bias on my part. As well, most of the articles seem to have more text to them than they do today.

Anyway, I enjoy reading your posts.

Cheers,
Jim Lowe,
Ottawa, Canada.

40 Years of August in Model Railroader – Part 9

When comparing page counts how do you factor in Great Model Railroads, Model Railroad Planning, and other “special” issues that didn’t exist at one time? Arguably MR is now a 14 or is it 15 issue a year magazine now.

I would also point out that using the August issue as comparison is a bit odd — I bet that has the lowest news stand sale of any issue (since I suspect less model railroading is done that month) and thus they probably tend not to put their best articles in that issue.

Third observation is that had I ranked issues years ago, before beginning my layout, I would have placed far less value on articles about benchwork, tracklaying, wiring, yard design etc than I would now. Soon I will be deeply involved in structures and I imagine my ranking of articles will change once again. Just a point
Dave Nelson