Comments on: 40 Years of August in Model Railroader – Part 9

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 03:44:48 +0000

It may be possible that in 40 years the modeling sophistication of Dan or others has increased, whereas the average modeling sophistication of MR’s audience has decreased. Like all magazines, MR’s purpose is to sell advertising to advertisers by delivering the publication to an audience that the advertisers want to reach and that MR can accurately identify in demographic terms to the advertisers. In my view, the skill level (or relative interest in craftsmanship) of the average model railroader has decreased in proportion to the page count curve shown in the graph. Ready-to-run and ready-built products are supplanting kits and taking more and more space on hobby shop shelves. The average “craftsman” modeler is aging and new modelers want things to work today, now, without building a kit. MR is simply dumbing-down to match the bulk of the audience that it is selling to advertisers — a form of Darwinism in the publishing world. Disappointing, perhaps, but explainable, and fortunately we have other publications (like Bob Brown’s Gazette) that cater to craftsmen.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:09:25 +0000

Dan,

I just came across your blog while doing some surfing (aka work avoidance) and your analysis of MR intrigued me. Nice work – I wonder if anyone from MR will a) read it and b) address it if they do.

One comment in response to one of the previous comments on this post:

Iain said:

“However I understand why it is nessecary to have those articles there which is to capture the new entrants in the hobby and get them building something that can be finished. I think this is why I go througgh buying cycles and for months at a time not purchase a MR.”

I think this is the case with any mass market publication. MR is obviously targeted to model railroaders, but it needs to appeal to as broad a group of us as possible.

I sometimes have to step back and realize that not everyone who is interested in model railroading has been at it as long or as seriously as I have. Eventually you outgrow the magazines and have to look elsewhere for information. They may still have things that are of interest, but the relative percentage will get less and less.

This usually hits me when I get caught up in some new interest. For the first while, every magazine on the rack has an article where I learn something new and exciting.

Eventually, they all start to seem more and more similar, with less and less new ideas and information.

Anyway, just thought I’d add my thoughts – keep up the good work.

Bill

By: Daniel Swearingen

Daniel Swearingen — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:16:56 +0000

Hi Iain,

Thank you for writing. I really love Iain Rice and Pelle Søeborg’s work too.

I’ve been really impressed with all the Australian narrow gauge modeling (U.S. and Australian prototype) that I’ve seen in The Narrow Guage & Short Line Gazette over the last many years. Considering Australia’s population compared to the U.S. there seem to be a whole bunch of great modelers there!

Regards,

Dan

By: Iain Stuart

Iain Stuart — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 02:40:02 +0000

I found your blog while browsing and was very interested in your analysis of MR. As an Australian MR is of interest for prodcts and techniques – those huge basement layouts are rare in Australia. In recent years I have really enjoyed the work of Iain Rice and Pelle Søeborg. I have not enjoyed the endless “the Blank and Blankety Blank: another model railroad you can build”.

However I understand why it is nessecary to have those articles there which is to capture the new entrants in the hobby and get them building something that can be finished. I think this is why I go througgh buying cycles and for months at a time not purchase a MR.

It would be good to see the Kalmbach Publications financial reports over the same time period as one reason for a decline in page size may have been income and profits.

Anyway it is an interesting analysis, I hope the MR people find it.

yours

Iain

By: Joe Daddy

Joe Daddy — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 16:54:16 +0000

Dan,
As a fellow blogger, I find your work has a certain quality and character that has great appeal to me. With your permission, I’ll add a link to your blog from mine.

As one who writes ‘assessments’ of different things, I agree with your points in regard to evaluating the magazines in August. So long as you picked the same month of the year, I think you are gold. So far as preference, we certainly all have them, but if you can make your criteria have a level of objectivity over subjectivity, you win, for example rating articles as best or better is much more subjective than to accurately describe the topics and the level of expertise required to appreciate.

And some would argue those points too!

Best regards, and may you and your family be graced with the Peace that transcends all understanding.

Joe Daddy, Erie, CO