What happens when a sneak away for a couple of hours for lunch and
already people start talking about me! Thanks for thinking about me anyhow.
I don't know when I started sending stuff into various magazines...S
Gaugian, the Dispatch and Model Railroader but it was before the 50th
Anniversary of S that was published in MR. I've always enjoyed
contributing my work (actually I started shooting trains some time in
junior high, but I won't share those results!)
I started to approach some of the manufacturers like SouthWind, Omnicon,
River Raisin and American Models in helping to promote their products as
well as, the scale in general. Of course, later on SHS joined the mix
in a great way. In this way the freebie stuff was somewhat repaid by
actual clients with a profit motive while I received trains and a few
dollars. Of course uncle Ed Loizeaux put me on the staff of the old
3/16 magazine, so I did some traveling covering layouts around the
country. The idea was to sell nice prints to the layout owners while
the magazine got to use the work--in the three years, I sold one $14 print!
Since the economy went south the paying projects disappeared and I was
also becoming burned out and frustrated without anything much to show
for it. I announced that at the end of 2011 that I was retiring as the
NASG photographer. With that being said I'm still honoring some
commitments I've made prior to that time, and I'm continuing to shoot
layouts for the major magazines--Bob Jackson's layout is waiting in line
(MR) , one of Bob's friends' HO layout was published about a year ago
(RMC), and I have another very elaborate HO layout also waiting in line
(MR). I have a verbal go-ahead on another S layout but that's some time
away. Additionally if you've joined the S Scale Sig, you know that I've
helped with that project also with some of my latest work. I've always
worked in covering all scales frankly because N scale dollars are just
as green as the rest, so no apologies for that!
Who has or will pick up the ball for the association is not known to
me. But I've had about as much fun as I need for awhile.
Regarding the promotion or lack of promotion that's a whole nuther ball
of wax! Those of us who heard Steven Priest talk at the recent NMRA
national quickly realized that his whole firm is devoted to promoting
model railroading (from product design to publishing catalogs, books,
and of course the NMRA magazine) to whoever can afford his company. I
don't recall his staff size but he has to keep many irons in the fire to
keep them in beans! If you look at our promotion budget, it probably
wouldn't count for much.
I personally would invite Steve into the mix if he's willing to travel
the country in search of!!! Then of course, there's the famous Kansas
City photographer Roy Inman--how about it Roy? A couple of cans of Red
Bull and you can do it!
Bob Werre
Hi Roy --
I like this idea. Steve Doyle would be the obvious choice IF we
could get him to do it, as that is his business. The problem is
finding these layouts and getting a videographer to them, even more
than the time spent in the editing, burning and distributing. Right
now, we are having trouble getting folks to send photos to the NASG
webmaster to post on the website, especially the American Flyer types
who make up nearly 70% of the NASG.
Maybe a better way to approach this is to put together a list of S
videos on YouTube, Vimeo, and other internet video sources, and have
that put together in a flyer to give out at various events and/or with
the “Dispatch”. Volunteers, anyone?
Hey Bill (Fraley)! One can join the NASG/_and_/ get 6 issues of the
"Dispatch" per year for ONLY $25.00! A bargain compared to those
guys who have too many rails. <grin>
Have fun!
Bill Winans
--------------------------
... even better is to send out a DVD of S scale in operation, showing
detail, etc.
I hasten to add that someone would have to volunteer to shoot, edit
(lots hours at the ‘puter here), mass burn and post.
While the Dispatch is very good for those already hooked on S, I think
that a more generic product aimed at the uninformed might get the
point across better.
If someone like “Bob Werre (ahem, Bob!) were to put something like
that together, showcasing images from S Fests, train meets, and
specific manufacturers’ products it would be quite a promo tool. I am
talking a piece with high-end production values. Given the givens of
the economy, the Chinese disconnect, etc., spare advert dollars are
not much available, but perhaps some of the S bosses could contribute
a token amount for postage. And of course use their mailing lists to
create their own campaigns. When SHS and AM get back on track (so to
speak). If everyone kicked in a small amount, there could be an annual
mail/email blast, with updates.
Roy, who has great ideas for everyone else to accomplish :) Inman
------------------------------------
Hi! .... Yelp!
Just received in my mail today a large glassine envelope containing a
FREE "O GAUGE RAIL-ROADING" [April-May 2012] magazine, plus a smaller
magazine containing, Ameri -Towne -KITS-VIDEOS- TOOLS - BOOKS. (a
supplement to O Gauge Railroading magazine.)
Now folks this is what our NASG leaders say we can't do, but I ask
where did they get my name? Most likely from the NMRA?
What a great come-on to O gauge and this magazine is top-notch, chuck
full of nice articles, images and ADVERTISING, all in three rail O
gauge of course, with very professional editing .
How much? only $34.95 a years for seven issues a year!
It is time our BOT wakes up, and if they really want to expand and see
our S gauge grow, do what the O Gaugers are doing, and we can start
with our DISPATCH as the foundation to this adventure..
No More POO! POOing! on the idea!
"S"incerely,
Bill (Fraley)
