Magazine choice

Which magazine do you think is better?

  • Model Railroader

    Votes: 29 65.9%

  • Railroad Model Craftsman

    Votes: 15 34.1%
  • Total voters
    44
  • Poll closed .
T

TrainNut

Ditat Deus
Sep 15, 2004
1,731
0
36
55
AZ
Hey all,
My son is selling magazines for his kindergarten class and NOOOO, I'm not asking any of you to buy them (unless you want to:mrgreen:) but I need help making a choice between two magazines. Which would you recommend over the other...
Model Railroader or
Railroad Model Craftsman

I'm pretty familiar with MR:cool: but I don't know much if anything about RMC:confused:. Thanks guys.
 
My two cents: I like both of those mags. RMC seems more geared towards the prototype modeler and rivet counters whereas MRR is more geared toward the masses. I have a subscription to MRR, I pick up RMC at the LHS only when it has something in it that interests me.
 
ive bought a few MRR mags but ive never had a subscription. Never read a RMC one. So far, I liked MRR and Im thinking about getting a subscription. We'll see what happens
 
I've read at least one copy of RMC, but I can't deny my subscription for MR (HIGHLY recomended for beginners like yours truly :P ). As much as prototypes have a BIG effect on most model railroads, its got nothing on my F3-FA2 A-A consist :D:P
 
I can't vote, I have no idea what MRC is like, I've never even seen an issue. I subscribe to MRR, have bought an occasional issue of both N scale mags, and even bought one or two issues of Model Railroading (I think the first issue I bought by mistake thinking it was Model Railroader):oops: I buy all the yearly special issues of MRR, and each year I vow I won't do it next year, but I do anyway, just on the chance I will gleen a bit of useful information from it, plus I enjoy looking at what others are doing in the hobby...
 
Before I retired, I used to purchase (always at the LHS - I usually bought other stuff at the same time, too) Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman, Trains, Railfan, Classic Trains, and Mainline Modeler. All of these cost considerably more than they do in the U.S., where they're printed, so, as retirement approached, I took a long, hard look at this selection, with an eye to saving some money. Trains seemed to be drifting further and further away from the aspects of prototype railroading that interested me, and after D.P. Morgan's passing, even the writing didn't appeal, so it was dropped. Likewise for Railfan, which was dropped several years prior. Mainline Modeler, at about $9.00 an issue, was relegated to only those issues which had something really useful, and the magazine's demise ended that habit. Classic Trains, which is issued quarterly, is still of interest to me, so I still purchase it. That left MR and RMC.
While MR is an extremely attractive product, it seems to have drifted away from being a modeller's magazine to being a purchaser's magazine: i.e. r-t-r, high tech, mega layouts, and lets-make-a-buck by repackaging and selling older articles from previous issues. There is still a lot of good modelling on display there, but the whole magazine is just a little too slick for my tastes.
RMC has always seemed like MR's hick country cousin: A little rough around the edges, (and definitely in need of better proof-reading) :rolleyes:, but it's always been a modeller's magazine. They continue to run excellent multi-issue articles on prototype industries, then follow up with modelling ideas. If you're interested in learning more about steam-era freight cars, check out Ted Culotta's excellent monthly pieces on "Essential Freight Cars", with lots of background info and prototype photos, plus some real knock-your-eyes-out modelling. Or for scratchbuilders, both novice and expert, Bob Walker's "Scratchbuilder's Corner", dealing with materials, tools, techniques, and helpful tips. There's a monthly column, "Collector Consist", dealing with the history of model trains, and not just in North America. And there are always layout tours: some pretty large and impressive, and some pretty small, but equally impressive in their own way. And do-able by guys like us, without mega-budgets. :-D The editorial content varies (they often have guest editorialists), but is invariably down-to-earth and knowledgeable, like talking with another modeller in a good hobby shop, friendly and personal.
Model Railroader may inspire you, with it's excellent full-colour layouts, to be a better modeller. However, I think that Railroad Model Craftsman will better teach you how to be that better modeller. Just my opinion, though. ;)

Wayne
 
doctorwayne said:
Model Railroader may inspire you, with it's excellent full-colour layouts, to be a better modeller. However, I think that Railroad Model Craftsman will better teach you how to be that better modeller. Just my opinion, though. ;)

Wayne
Click to expand...

That's seems like a pretty good summary Wayne. I don't subsribe to either but I have bought issues of both when I see enough articles that interest me.
Ralph
 
Where's the option for "Other" in the poll?

Trains magazine will teach you more about railroading that you can use in your modeling and in your online interaction.
 
I haven't purchase a RMC since '05..The magazine doesn't fit my needs like it did years ago.
I agree Trains magazine will help you understand railroads as will Railfan..However,for those modeling the 40/50/60s Classic Trains is hard to beat.
 
Trainnut, I've been reading both since the 50's and I lean more toward MR than RMC. But you might want to check into this because MR is consistantly stating that they don't recognize any MR sales or subscriptions except directly from them. Good luck!

Dick
Texas Chief
 
Thanks for the input everybody. I feel like a big sponge... soaking it all in!
railohio said:
Where's the option for "Other" in the poll?
Click to expand...
There are only the two choices... Model Railroad and Railroad Model Craftsman. Please recommend one of the two options available as your favorite. If neither is your favorite, pick neither.
 
I liked MR from 1980-1998...All those years featured alot of interesting Ideas, plans that I found extremely useful (My Trackplan, one of my major depots, and a plan for one of the locomotives I needed to research were all found in the issues that encompassed 1980)

I find the Alkali Central extremely interesting, and I modeled that layout, with a few necessary differences. I wish MR covered more of that layout, and I wish I could see it in person.

I wish to find more articles of the Jerome&Southwestern, that layout also looks VERY interesting, and I wish to explore that further. Can anybody provide me with articles from that series?

I voted for RMC, because I think it'll benefit me more in the future as a serious modeler.

Trains, Railfan, and of course Books and Historical Society Magazine articles of your favorite Prototype or era will help more than any model magazine as far as accurate, inspiring, modeling ideas.
 
MilesWestern said:
I wish to find more articles of the Jerome&Southwestern, that layout also looks VERY interesting, and I wish to explore that further. Can anybody provide me with articles from that series?
Click to expand...
Oh man, I've got that issue... or rather had that issue. That's an old layout and I think that issue is probably buried somewhere in my parents old bunkhouse out at the ranch. I'm guessing that was at least 20 years ago wasn't it?
 
I voted other. I absolutely love the Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazette.

I frequently find MR issues are extremely hit or miss. MRC even more...although I like both. I describe it as hit or miss in that MR is sometimes too focused on modern diesels and RTR Baby Boomer trains. I also find it silly when they post a 60'x40' layout's trackplan...only to mention in the text that it is only 10% completed.

I used to subscribe to MR...but I don't carry any subscriptions now. I'll occasionally check out my local library's copy of MR.
 
n00b-2, you can get the reprinted edition of the articles, Building an HO Model Railroad with Personality, for a few bucks if you look around. Much more convenient than keeping a dozen moldy magazines around.
 
I like 'em all and...

...much of my commentary was DELETED in the interest of all who have responded.

I will however take issue with railohio as I have several many moldy model rr mags in my 1-1/2 baths and I enjoy them over and over and wish I could have a pile higher than the ceiling to choose from as I sit and sh*, er, uhhh do research (I smirk, I said doo:mrgreen:). Z'amatter of fact, I have too many new mags and wish I could find my older ones (prolly lost in "moving" cleanouts) bummer. And, I go with MilesWestern. How about Kinickanick RR? And too many more to mention. Besides railohio, just a single sheet of paper wouldn't do (heh- said doo again:mrgreen:) me any good in my reading room. I need the whole stack sometimes!!!sign1

Anyway- I say, vote for...

Best regards,

Mark
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom