--- In [email protected], Bob Werre <bob@...> wrote:
> 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
>
Part of the reason is there apparently isn't a "critical mass" to support an S
scale-only magazine in today's environment.
The fact that the Gaugian has survived is likely due to a Flyer/Hirail
readership that is larger as a group than us in the small flange and coupler
side.
Even if it were to get on the magazine rack in the hobby shops, it tend tend to
get lost in the huge variety of other model, prototype and historical society
magazines. The top sellers get the top shelves, slow movers, bottom shelves.
Plus, if the store doesn't carry S, there's little incentive to carry a
magazine devoted to it.
That's why I've chosen to do "missionary work" in the "Lion's Den" so to speak,
while others have boldly gone to non-S publications and successfully had
articles published.
I like to think I've had some small effect in Lionel's decision to offer scale
proportioned Flyer and not just Gilbert reboots.
My outreach may be little (or a lot of)self-delusion, but it does no good to
keep on preaching to the choir. We know what's available, when, where and all
the wonderful small manufacturers, the outside model railroading world doesn't.
Lionel and MTH being more aggressive in S should eventually get S the
mainstream recognition it deserves. They have the general public name
recognition that S has been lacking. Even so, it will likely take a few years
for S to enter the mainstream.
Rich G(ajnak)
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