What's Neat This Week in Model Railroading
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ค. 2024
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This week we have David Popp from Model Railroader Magazine and Craig Fuller from Firecrown Media to explain and answer questions about the sale of Model Railroader and Trains magazine plus other titles from the Kalmbach portfolio of publications. It's an amazing conversation. Ken gives a short update on the garden railroad progress. Joshua Barton makes a great announcement about his professional life and requests our support. All that and more in about 40 minutes this week.
I began reading Model Railroader when I was 10 years old and I am now in my 60s. I am delighted that MR is in the hands of a new steward who demonstrates such passion for the brand.
The hobby is alive with young people. I am a college student and modeler. I also currently server as President of the RPI model RR club which built the New England Berkshire & Western (NEB&W) a 50 year old layout, built by students, that has been featured on the cover of Model Railroader many times. But more importantly any time I've asked someone at my university if they want to join the club for an ops session, they have come and enjoyed it. Young adults are into the hobby you just got to show them the hobby is more than a loop around a Christmas tree. The greatest hobby in the world is alive, and growing!
I love hea hearing the news about model railroader. I am a long time reader of this magazine. I started a 6 years old and now 62 deaf disabled veteran who still loves to read and build my building and cars from scratch or kitbash.
Thank You For Serving Our Country! MoPac Jack
This show I think will go a long way to allaying the fears of those of us in the hobby that one of our model rr touchstones will not be dying. Thanks especially to Craig Fuller and David Popp for your candor and appearance.
I'm impressed with the new publisher of MR and its family of magazines. I look forward to a turnaround in the magazine's fortunes. It currently is a shadow of its former self. Great interview guys. The hobby is not dead. Let's work to promote model railroading.
This is awesome news! The "Model Railroader Magazine" is in great hands with Mr. Fuller & Mr. Popp! I wish them all the best! * Please Keep The Layout* are a part of it! Ken, outstanding job on the garden railroad. We didn't get to Steve's trains he brought to the round table! "It's All Good" This is "The Best Hobby In The World" Till Next Time! MoPac Jack "May Your Tracks Be Clear & Your Switches Be Lined Up" Rock N' Roll Forever..
Listening to Craig and his vision for Model Railroader and Trains Magazine going forward has reignited my love for these two publications. I have slowly moved away because of the lack of quality and content. I will renew my subscriptions for both and continue to add to my inventories of these two publications. I have every issue of Model Railroader since 1977 and Trains Magazine since 1985. I'm looking forward to a bright future for these brands. Thank you, Craig, for helping to keep these legacy titles going. Model Railroading is Fun!
What a wonderful episode of WNTW, featuring the new owner of Kalmbach Publishing, Craig Fuller! I especially loved the Southern Pacific Daylight hoodie that Craig was wearing! Thank you for producing such a fascinating, interesting, and informative weekly TH-cam show! 🚂
Thanks to MRH for sending out the link. The attitude presented by Mr. Fuller is very encouraging. I purchased my first Model Railroader in 1951; I hope both of us are still going strong in 10 years.
Having been a reader of Model Railroader since the 70s I am exited about the news. I strongly believe that Model Railroader needed a new injection because the last cupel of years it definitely has not been the same quality that it used to be, so I hope that it will become the same mag that I was used to .
Great news! I have not subscribed to MR since I was a teenager. David has me considering a renewal. Funny, I know this sounds like an ad, but it's true :D
Wow! I first read Model Railroader in 1959....Linn Westcott, Paul Jansen, Gore & Dephited, and the fine folks in the hobby....keep the wonderfulness going!
I enjoyed the interview with Mr. Fuller and am excited also about the prospects for Trains and MR. I've been in the hobby for 70 years and love to see the changes in technology and media.
I’ve enjoyed MR since before I could read and I was pretty worried when I first heard the news that Kalmbach sold it all, but I feel better knowing David is excited about the new owners. Onward!
❤super interview! Good information. Thanks for sharing!!! 🚀🚀🚂
FRESH -
Ideas, pictures, how to's and help.
Looking forward to the changes and upgrades!
Thank you Craig Fuller and EVERYONE at What's Neat. Great things ahead. Until next time, Scale Rail Ray signing off
My first issue of Model Railroader arrived in the mailbox in February 1953. My grandmother helped to finance my 1 year subscription.
Glad the real MR is alive again.
Sounds like a great new owner,saving a cultural Icon
Ken, really good job getting this interview. Fascinating getting a look into the thought process.
Great interview!! I am now thinking of subscribing again to Model Railroader again!! Am encouraged by this episode!
Awesome episode. Sad to hear that the MR&T is coming down. I have the MR&T 45th anniversary special, and it's one of those 'legacy' layouts. Can't wait to see what they do next.
Read a week ago MR was gone. Sure glad I watched this. It's changed, it really needs to change. Got a subscription offer today at a great price. Dropped it two years ago, and seemed fully devoted to brand new modelers. I've been doing this for 55 years, which didn't appeal to me. Subscribed for 45 years. So yeah, things need to change. This guy is just what they needed.
As a former subscriber to 4 of Kalamabach's titles I have hope for the first time that these titles will not only survive but thrive and I am resubscribing.
Thank you for another brilliant show and video
I just want to say WOW! Great show and great news.
I think I first subscribed to Model Railroader back in 1977. I would know nothing about this hobby if it wasn't for Allen Keller and Ken Patterson's contributions! I enjoyed it from one end to the other until a new magazine came out that I enjoyed even more N Scale Magazine. Not only was the quality better but I actually had a magazine dedicated to my scale. I was out of the hobby for a long time but I am building my 3rd n scale layout now. I look forward to seeing great changes for the future of all of the former Kalback mags! I love "What's Neat" and always look forward to the next one. Thanks for elevating this hobby and the community! Happy model railroading everyone!✌
I only buy/read print and always buy print. Looking forward to the upgrade💪🏽
We need to work on getting more kids into model railroading, and away from computers. Modeling allows one to plan, draw, use math (radius, grades, etc.), construct benchwork, wire layouts/solder, build kits, paint, invest/collect, and so much more. Plus the younger kids have the DCC aspect, along with things like 3D printing now. So many areas of interest to get them involved in without being a diehard train fan. Glad to hear about the magazines upcoming futures!
As the Editor of a niche magazine myself (Vintage Snowmobile Magazine), I am excited to see what this new team comes up with. I'm an N scaler, and model the Soo Line during the transition era. I've watched MR get thinner and thinner over time, but thankfully the content is still good. Print Done Right works, but you have to know your audience and make sure that they are getting what is hard to get on the internet: Great, informative, educational content. The internet may be convenient, but is full of scams, b.s. and unvetted crapola. One of my main purposes as Editor of the publication I am responsible for is vetting all of that stuff out and making sure that what goes to our readers is 100 percent true and factual, and as informative and easy to understand by all ages and interests within the hobby as possible. I hope that the new MR team has similar ideas.
Great News
Great Job on this!!! You Rock it every time!!! Thank you for doing this...
Hoping this will be a positive change for the magazine. Certainly feels like good changes are coming. But hate to see that the MR&T may become part of history.
Craig you said it all !. Thank you!
I have to agree that magazines are more enjoyable to read vs computers or tablets. Hopefully Model Railroader magazine will cast a wider net in the future about what they accept to be published. I agree with the comment here about model railroading being a hands on hobby. For years I was into video games but I'm really enjoying building my layout. My biggest problem is having time!
If this gentleman can get this magazine back to what it once was, I will happily give him my money.
Hey Ken & the WNTW crew~,
Another fantastic show brother! What a God send Having David Pop and Craig Fuller from Firecrown Media on this week's show. I feel so much excitement about what's to come in the future with the modeling magazines. Best wishes to Craig and his company's success. He wins, we win! 👍👍
Thanx Thom...
What a show - and a great "scoop"! Great job, Ken!
As a subscriber to multiple Kalmbach magazines for over 40 years I am happy to hear that the print Issues will continue. I still have every issue I have purchased and can still go back to reference projects. After working on a computer all day I prefer to sit down with the magazine.
Great video Ken, fantastic news about model railroader magazine, I stop buying because it tripled in cost and was less than half the size in the 20 years I was buying , the contents got very poor, so hopefully if they do what they say they will do I may start buying it again, we will wat and see,
Keep up the great work guys
Hi Ken, another great video. Thanks for posting. Ever think of changing the name to “That’s Cool!”!
All I can say about the news of MR is IT'S ABOUT FRIGGIN TIME!!! I will be interested in seeing the changes and improvements as they come.
I would hope that changes in some of the people will be part of this. Just PLEASE leave Tony Koester and his "Trains of Thought" column in for as long as he cares to write it!!
Cars, Trains, Guitars - they're better in print. Excited for the next generation of MRR/Trains. I've been trying to convince others that a mid-priced set with a reasonable motive power and consist (maybe with the rolling stock in kit form) is very much needed - something more than the usual loop of track with a scratchy power "pack".
I hope they will bring back Garden Railways in some form.
For the first time in a long time, I heard my opinions about MRR being aired. I gave up the mag when the Legends left the running if it. They added a certain nuance to it. I am truly excited about what I heard in this insert.
I have every issue of Model Railroader ,dating from January 1st 1941 all the way through December 31, 1945. My granpa saved everything,lol.
Best podcast on TH-cam!
I was a MR subscriber from the time I was an early teen up through my 30s. Kalmbach started sending DVDs and then insinuating they needed to be returned or paid for, and doing other things that seemed predatory or scammy. Quality and quantity of content was also going down, so I unsubscribed and went to other resources for my model railroad content. I hope this gentleman can get the railroading mags back to their roots.
Hi Ken & Hi Mike & Hi Joshua & Hi Steve & Hi David & Hi Craig & it's Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks Ken & Mike & Joshua & Steve & David & Friends Randy
Thanks for that......young nlood may be GREAT for the Kalmbach magazines.
And yet I haven't received my June and July Model Railroader magazines, which usually arrive very early in the previous month. Coincidence? Maybe a little shakeup in the office? We'll see.
Wish more thought had been given to the layout before selling the building. Makes me question the decisions.
Will Kalmbachs titles expand with new owner? Model Railroader has shrunk over the decades to half of what it was(Page count)?
I would vote for you Joshua but being in the UK I dont know the TV series. I wish you all the best of luck with the voting.
It’s all a business transaction I didn’t hear 1:17 much encouraging news
Any chance Garden Railways will come back into print?
Any idea if Garden Railways will come back in a hard copy edition? I know a lot of fellow garden railroaders who miss that magizine.
Are they still going to sponsor the Trainfest Train Show
Will "Trains of Thought" continue in Model Railroader Magazine?
I had subscriptions to model railroader, classic toy trains, garden railways,
and trains magazines. Why I gave up my subs is because of too many ads. Very few pictures of layouts and kit bash articles didn't have very many picture instructions. I inherited my grandpas old MR mags from the 50s and 60s when they had illustrations and the difference is night and day. I don't feel you get what you pay for with modern MR magazines.
Has the name of the new Publishing company been given?
Aside from the Rah Rah conversations, it was not asked as to why Kalmbach wanted to sell. And the gentleman said he acquired titles, but did he actually buy Kalmbach media, or is that kaput. And I read that each MR employee has to be interviewed to see if they will be brought along or not.
If you look at the MR masthead you realize how few employees they really have. The contributing editor is basically a freelancer or contractor, same with classic toy trains .
Why did Kalmbach sell?
Magazines used to be available in stores. Just try and find magazines (that people are actually interested in) these days... no one carries them on the shelf.
Major bookstores have many magazines…
I can get MR at my local Safeway.
MR has a new home but please save the MR&T it is the King of Layouts hate to see it go in the dumpster after Cody and the gang took years to restore it. I hate to see it land in some landfill but can you at least get Bay Junction, the WSOR, Lake Buah, Big Bend, The Canyon, Hails Corner, Maquanago, and Jones Island saved. PM Yard we can rebuild Milwaukee we can rebuild staging yard we can save sections of it if we can we can save Winter Hill but some way the MR&T has to move Kalmbach is bankrupt everything has to move to Nashville. Please save the MR&T hate to lose it.
Promocode for free shipping does not work for international shipping. 😅
😀
Can’t wait to see a new issue of garden railroad magazine & bye it
How about more N Scale
I sent an e-mail to Eric White back on 5/7 about a possible layout article. I know he received it, as I received an automated attendant response. I have yet to hear from him at all. Although I wish them well, if the editor can’t be bothered answering his e-mails, how much hope is there for them?
It is a bit unrealistic to expect them to answer that quickly. In all my dealings with themover the past 25 years or so, including submitting articles, they take more like 4 weeks to send an initial reply, even if they are very interested in the piece. It would then typically take at least 8 weeks before it got on their list to review. And if it is accepted for publication, it is not uncommon for it to take 1-2 years before the article appears in print. It's simply a function of a small staff inundated with a lot of material to wade through. Don't take it as a sign that they "can't be bothered".
Do some turn of century stuff because there are a lot of out here.
For years, I have jokingly referred to Model Railroader as "the incredible shrinking magazine." Over the past thirty years, the folks at Kalmbach have made every wrong decision that they could possibly make. The decision to cater to the beginner in every issue is, for me, a huge drawback. Why not take those beginners and raise their sights a little, instead of keeping them perpetually on a beginner level? Why not give the seasoned modeler something once in a while? Why not dismiss the editorial voice that condescends to the reader as if it (the editorial voice) knows all, and the reader should simply buy into the magazine's (rather low) standards? The editorial voice at Railroad Model Craftsman is much more conducive to the modeler actually raising his/her abilities.
To my mind, Model Railroader went south when they demoted Andy Sperandeo from the head job at the magazine--and that was a long time ago. Since then, it has been one bad decision after another.
Obviously, therefore, I greet this news about new ownership as great news. Hopefully the folks at Model Railroader will take a lesson or two from Railroad Model Craftsman, and overhaul everything.
👍😀😀😀😀☺️🇬🇧🚂
I like the idea of changing the magazine to appeal to young people and families, but MR got to the point where challenging articles (kitbashing and scratchbuilding) disappeared from the magazine. I first subscribed to MR in 1962. I contributed more than a dozen articles on kitbashing with scratchbuilding elements, and I don't see that anymore. I built dollar models as a preteen. Gordon Odegard had a multi-part article on scratchbuilding article on building a 2-8-2. I saved that article until I felt ready to do that. Yes, change the magazine to attract younger modelers, but please, please, PLEASE don't ignore veterans like me. Then I'll subscribe again.
I have every issue of MR from 1973 to today plus a few bound editions from the 40s and 50s. The magazine is definitely not as enjoyable as it once was. During the reign of Jim Kelly “O” scale was eliminated from the magazine and without those ads and articles “O” scale withered and died. More recently the editorial content leans heavily toward scale operation which many that have small layouts are not interested in. Along with that is DCC which is fantastic technology but does not make sense on a small layout with 2 locomotives and a loop of track with one operator. That has caused locomotive prices to escalate to the $500.00 range. When Cody does a review of an $800 locomotive and says that you can easily fix the manufacturing flaws yourself I say this has gone too far. If you bought an IPhone and it came broken are you fixing it yourself?
Ken. Hopefully you are not spraying nasty chemicals "In Shorts". Some of those chemicals can cause severe damage to your skin. I suggest you make sure that what you spray is organic. Or at least tested. Malathion will eat your skin. OTOH, it's very encouraging what your guests are saying. We can all hope for a rejuvenated MR plus.
I cancelled my MR subscription many years ago... price was too high, too many ads, too many other online (free) options. Hate to dump on the hobby, but, I'd rather buy a locomotive than a subscription.
Given the cost of engines MR sub is a fraction of the price.
Canadian subscription over 4 years is easily more than a locomotive. Last I checked, a subscription to Canada (2022 prices) is $71.95 USD, which = about $99 per year, x 4 years, = $400 (the price of a DCC/Sound locomotive "up here")
Does not make any sense to buy Kalmbach for MR, so what was the real reason? The show is seriously lacking and the fanboy comments by Ken don't help.