I don't know how many of us are or have been subscribers to the Modeling
Guide, but nobody as mentioned that their last issue was sent a couple
of days ago. Bob sited two main reasons--economics and the poor reputation.
Back in the day there was a pretty good magazine started by Ed L. with
the help of a few of us. Although it probably didn't make a profit
(most magazines don't for several years) it was also produced in the
days before the digital revolution had obtained critical mass to lower
production costs.
Billy Wade then tried a somewhat similar but smaller version but again
it was a lot of work and likely not profitable enough either. After the
sale to Richard Bendever things took (in my opinion) a deep dive of
unfilled efforts and bad medicine seemed to follow. I had a
subscription to all of those magazines for awhile but never saw them
progress to anything near what was started in the late 80's! This
brings us to the present! Mr. Nalbone seems to be willing to start
another publication with the same concept in mind, but could it succeed?
It might be time for us to realize that furthering S Scale through a
publication isn't possible without an actual printed copy available in a
hobby shop, while many of us seem to be well informed by just linking a
website to a discussion. It also seems difficult for our smaller
manufacturers to actually advertise beyond this list or an occasional
announcement. In most cases it's the advertisers who supply the
economic means for a magazine to exist. So at this point it looks like
maybe S and our communications have changed to a point where speciality
magazines, newsletters and similar promotions means aren't necessary for
our personal needs (despite the fact the internet isn't reaching a large
percentage of us).
What remains is the promotional effort that needs to happen to make S
progress. Since these magazines with the exception of the S Gaugian
never made it into too many hobby shops we really don't know what impact
they could have had on furthering S in general, their subscriber base or
in moving advertiser's products.
Just some thoughts this AM!
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
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