Since some on the list also have a background in O scale, I am surprised no one has yet mentioned one of the early projects of OST not long after it began publication--the Introduction to O scale model railroading written [mostly] by Brian Scace, then editor of OST. It was an attempt (largely successful, I think) to present a contemporary portrait of what is possible in O scale for those who were unfamiliar with it but might have at least some interest in exploring the possibility. It very deliberately addressed the distinction between toy trains and scale while also suggesting what might be possible for an average model railroader who didn't feel ready to scratchbuild everything to an impossibly-high standard. Our British friends have had something similar (I'd need to dig out my copy for details to refresh my memory), an introduction to the full panoply of 7mm scale railroading. There was a second volume, as well (can't recall whether I also bought that). Both are excellent armchair reading and inspiration for anyone who is just starting or contemplating starting in a new scale. I think both sold around $15-20 for a quality publication with first-rate illustrations.
Jace Kahn General Manager Ceres & Canisteo RR Co./Champlain County Traction Co. > To: [email protected] > From: [email protected] > Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:47:08 +0000 > Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} Great Model (S) Railroads > > > > --- In [email protected], Pieter Roos <pieter_roos@...> wrote: > > I just want to clarify why I proposed the article-a-year in GMR. Do you buy > > the O scale magazines? The On30 Annual that Cartens publishes? While having > > an all-S version of GMR or a new S Handbook certainly says something about > > S and would be a great thing for all of US to read, why would a modeler in > > HO or O scale buy it An article in GMR every year, year after year, would > > be seen by modelers in the other scales and leave the impression after a > > few years that yes, people really do model (and well) in S. > > > > > I totally agree. I still recall Roger Nulton's layout article years ago > making me realize that S could be done to high standards in an average space > within a reasonable budget, it was something that caught the eye of modelers > in all scales. I don't think I'd ever seen an S layout that made me think > that before and I haven't seen one in print since then although I might have > missed some. I've seen Ed L's layout in person and know it is GMR material so > there's at least one waiting in the wings and I imagine there could be enough > around the country to give them one article per year if that became a goal. > As Pieter said other S scale specific magazines only are only bought by > folks already in the scale while GMR and the online MRH magazine are read by > mainstream modelers in the most popular scales so they can't overlook S as > they thumb thru the mags. > The key is the layouts presented have to be top quality, built to the > latest standards of detailing , design , and scale fidelity. The American > Flyer roots is not a selling point or a desirable connection to make when > trying to interest real scale modelers, they don't really care that the > Spiral Hill was a pioneering S layout, they want to know what can you do for > me today. > All scales of layout look about the same in print so an S highrail layout > looks about the same as an N layout sorting pizza cutter wheels and that's > not gonna cut it with the modern modelers who are used to buying well > detailed models right out of the box.The state of the art progresses at a > rapid pace and S needs to get in gear and get moving.It would be a shame for > this sweet size to drop out just from lack of exposure and lack of new > modelers to sustain new products. > Well known N scale modeler Bernard Kempinsky is building his latest layout > in O scale so it would be great to find a well known modeler interested in S > for a new venture? A co-op like the midwest valley HO modelers group might > also be a good way to get a world class layout built and published? Regards, > DaveBranum > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
