>>Yes, check out www.sscale.org >>Ed's off to a great start with it and it's production is second to none. Rich G(ajnak)
>Yes, BUT, those excellent sources are preaching to the choir. <snip> >To expand the base we need to reach new people, probably with wider marketing of existing promos (see above) and new techniques as well. > Roy Golly Gee Roy.. I hate to say this, but you are missing the main point of the newly formed S Sig. It was formed for the very purpose of promoting S scale to non-S modelers. Why do you think it is affiliated with the NMRA? Perhaps it is because we get a free meeting room at NMRA conventions and other events. Perhaps it is because we get recognition and space in the NMRA Magazine. Perhaps it is because we can have direct contact with about 20,000+ serious modelers who pay hefty annual dues to belong to a hobby organization. Perhaps it is because we do not want to preach to the choir. Perhaps we want to reach new people who are interested in scale model railroading. Check out the mission statement at www.sscale.org which starts with: * Promote S scale model railroading compatible with NMRA/NASG standards and recommended practices. Regarding a "wider range of existing promos and new techniques", why do you think we are soliciting voluntary contributions? Perhaps it is to provide an S STARTER KIT for non-S guys. Perhaps it is for a continuous ad campaign in major magazines. Perhaps it is for full color handout materials with Werre-shot photographs. (Send me an email and I will send you a copy of our first handout hot off the presses.) All of these efforts require money. Why do you think we have one of the finest web sites anywhere promoting only S scale model railroading? The web site is not even finished yet and there is a lot of work yet to be done. Why do we have an S scale Forum in which every single message has some S scale modeling content (excepting the messages where new folks introduce themselves). Why do we work long hours on new product reviews, layout visit videos, presentation of standards, etc., etc., etc. In the works at this very moment is a comprehensive listing of every S scale magazine article printed in a non-S publication over the past 20 years or so. Not to mention complete listings of S scale magazines, organizations, clubs, web sites, hobby shops, importers, manufacturers, etc., etc., etc. We even have a volunteer with the unofficial title of LIST MANAGER! The S Sig web site will eventually become a one-stop shopping center for anyone wanting to research S scale. All the information in one place and easy to read with a focus on scale modeling in 1:64. No confusion with any other hobbies. Not to mention a compilation of articles explaining, in detail, how to model a specific prototype railroad in S scale. Suppose you are interested in the Buffalo Creek & Gauley RR and are currently modeling it in HO. Suppose you wanted to see if you could do something similar in S scale. Well, the easy way to answer that question is to read the Brooks Stover-authored article (now on the S Sig web site) explaining how he models the BC&G in S. Similar articles are currently in preparation for the NYC, PRR, B&O, SLSF, KCS, T&P, SP, WP, NWP, MILW, SOO and the DRGW - not to mention two different articles explaining how to model freelance RRs in S scale. Anyone interested in S scale modeling that follows the above roads will be able to learn exactly what is possible in S scale including kitbashing and modification possibilities. And then there are new product reviews of Lionel's U33C diesel and River Raisin Model's 0-6-0. In the planning stage is a review of the B&O caboose kit. More product reviews are planned. Whoops...I almost forgot the S Scale Mentoring Program in which a skilled and experienced S modeler can guide the newcomer through the idiosyncrasies of S scale to help the S newbie avoid common pitfalls and problems. Becoming frustrated with S is something we want to prevent. Do you really think we are doing all this for ourselves? Or other members of the same choir? Or because it is more fun than operating our layouts? Or is it possible this is being done because we think S scale has been under-promoted for the past 30 years? Or because we believe it is time to tell the S scale story to the non-S folks out there in the modeling world in a more professional manner? Have you read the S Sig's first newsletter which explains all this? Pardon me if I get worked up, but the handwriting is on the wall. All it needs is for folks to read it. And act upon it. This is an opportunity staring you in the face. Or do you think we are preaching to the choir and need to reach new people with wider marketing of existing promos and new techniques as well? Have you pressed that green Voluntary Contribution button on the S Sig web site yet? We cannot do it all and some help will make it all happen faster and better than you might believe. Cheers..Ed L. www.sscale.org
