Bob, et al, I’ll add my 2 cents, it’s sad to have seen the Modeling Guide go, how it has, as you know, I did some writing for the previous Editor, add needed content to a “scale” magazine.
First I will NOT pay for any digital publication for various reasons. I Like a printed copy, I like to keep said copy on file for future reference. Looking up a back issue is much easier than trying to find a digital file, especially when you consider that you might have had a computer crash & replaced a computer since said “digital” issue was emailed, and hopefully saved in multiple locations, that you probably can NOT locate. ANY scale magazine MUST have content BEYOND model Railroad content. 1/64th is the most popular scale to collect of ANY scale, when you add (in no particular order) Trains, Tractors, Trucks, Autos, Industrial & Racing (including Nascar). A publication does not need to be all encompasing and cover all of the models available but MUST contain some of the “overlap” models. Now I already hear some “purest Model Railroaders” squealing, but it’s true. Even the major publications, like Model Railroader & RR Model Craftsmen have done this leading to their success. for example, articles on Farm Tractors, Trucks (both for RR MOW & local Industries), small buildings suitable for layouts, large industries, “how to” articles, etc., not just directly RR related, but also loosely related to modeling and layout as a whole. I personally, do NOT see a publication like this continuing as digital only, too many not online, and many of us that are online don’t want digital only. If it is to succeed, it MUST be in Print. There are old business sayings that hold much truth, make what the customer wants, & the customer is always right. Unfortunately, we live in an era of Wal-Mart mentality, if I (the mfg. or store) don’t have it, they (the customer) doesn’t need it, and buy what’s available & be happy with it, because they are only interested in profits, not long term business relationships with customers. to review, My thoughts are, “if” a scale magazine is too succeed, which I hope it would, it must be in Print format, have original & broad content, greater than just model railroads, and needs to be more that yahoo & facebook group rumblings repackaged into a digital format at a cost. my two cents on this frigid 1st day of Spring on the Northern Plains, Martin “Yonson”
