A musing about MRJ
- Thread starter Martin Shaw
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Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
Another way of looking at it is that if it's not supported through sales then it will disappear and future generations won't benefit from what the journal offers, or do we all think that once us lot have gone there won't be scale railway 'modellers', just box collectors ! 
Col.
Col.
So let’s imagine at issue 300 MRJ announces they’re going digital, all hard copy production ceases.
They’re transferring the contemporary magazine to a digital subscription online platform.
No changes to frequency, style, content and advertising. Rotation of editors and similar length articles. The contributors are being paid for their writing/images.
The back issues are not available online as part of the package, and the subscription lasts for four issues.
How much would you pay for that subscription?, cover price currently £6.00 I think buying a hard copy. So in summary, you’re probably n effect buying the next 4 x issues online only. Please put a number on it, not a discussion of variables, which clearly there will be many. Today we fork out £6.00/issue as a subscription or over the counter. We’re buying exactly the same, how much?
For me, I’m doubt I’d continue. The big thing for me with magazines is I want the hard copy, I have no digital subscriptions of any kind any genre. If I want to read something I’d want paper. So for this ‘exercise’ my answer is £0.00, no sale.
They’re transferring the contemporary magazine to a digital subscription online platform.
No changes to frequency, style, content and advertising. Rotation of editors and similar length articles. The contributors are being paid for their writing/images.
The back issues are not available online as part of the package, and the subscription lasts for four issues.
How much would you pay for that subscription?, cover price currently £6.00 I think buying a hard copy. So in summary, you’re probably n effect buying the next 4 x issues online only. Please put a number on it, not a discussion of variables, which clearly there will be many. Today we fork out £6.00/issue as a subscription or over the counter. We’re buying exactly the same, how much?
For me, I’m doubt I’d continue. The big thing for me with magazines is I want the hard copy, I have no digital subscriptions of any kind any genre. If I want to read something I’d want paper. So for this ‘exercise’ my answer is £0.00, no sale.
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
The more RTR I see even with the accuracy, although some are some way off yet, the less interest I have. Just a personal view
, I like making stuff and seeing what others do, did enjoy the wooden wagons in the recent journal.If and when RTR stuff gets really accurate and there is no point in using them as a basis then you won't see it in a journal like MRJ. Bit like a Masterpiece Models loco being featured, all you could do is weather it.
Personally I prefer a hard copy to digital.
They always did though, (not having a pop), the big difference being between 0 and 296, good RTR has changed almost beyond recognition, making many makeovers redundant. Eg 4mm class 37/47’s.
steve1
Western Thunderer
I took the MRJ from Issue 0 to no 50 and then stopped because it contained virtually nothing that chimed with my interests; D&E modelling, the railway after the 1960s, plus US and Continental prototypes, etc. When they did once, there was an uproar by the hardline wing of the finescale brigade because there was article on a diesel that had the effrontery to be OO.
I also became increasingly irritated by its deliberately anachronistic style as I saw it, plus the “I went to my lathe…” type of articles.
Yes, the Central Hall show was good but the organisation was dreadful, made worse by the serious underestimation of numbers.
I donated my copies to the club to which I belonged years ago.
steve
I also became increasingly irritated by its deliberately anachronistic style as I saw it, plus the “I went to my lathe…” type of articles.
Yes, the Central Hall show was good but the organisation was dreadful, made worse by the serious underestimation of numbers.
I donated my copies to the club to which I belonged years ago.
steve
Nigel Cliffe
Western Thunderer
Like others, I've read MRJ from the beginning (I don't have a "0", but I have read it).
The first 50 were way different to anything else, pushed the hobby onwards. Thereafter its fluctuated up and down in interest and quality of content. Of those which get pulled out from the shelves/stacks to read an article again, its the earlier ones which dominate, though it is not exclusively those early ones.
There are some huge blindspots. It is very technology adverse ignoring electrical and computational approaches. I've experienced similar things to Tim V in submitting material, having it ignored, and then years later, someone else covers some of the area.
The "stop at issue 300" comments are interesting. I probably will keep buying a little longer through habit. But, it does depend on the interest in the content, and there's been rather a lot of "jump over that" compared to "read carefully" recently.
The first 50 were way different to anything else, pushed the hobby onwards. Thereafter its fluctuated up and down in interest and quality of content. Of those which get pulled out from the shelves/stacks to read an article again, its the earlier ones which dominate, though it is not exclusively those early ones.
There are some huge blindspots. It is very technology adverse ignoring electrical and computational approaches. I've experienced similar things to Tim V in submitting material, having it ignored, and then years later, someone else covers some of the area.
The "stop at issue 300" comments are interesting. I probably will keep buying a little longer through habit. But, it does depend on the interest in the content, and there's been rather a lot of "jump over that" compared to "read carefully" recently.
michael080
Western Thunderer
Not very likely for a magazine that doesn't even have an email address to contact them.
Michael
simond
Western Thunderer
Well, I’ll say, as I did previously, that I’d pay a subscription for an online version. You ask how much?
Well, any sum would be more than I’m currently paying, as I haven’t found a way to buy it online, and I can’t be bothered with posting cheques, indeed, the lack of convenience was why I’d didn’t renew my last subscription. And actually, I don’t want paper. It takes up space, it’s heavy, it’s environmentally unnecessary, and it ultimately ends up in landfill. I’d be very happy if the MotoGuzzi club magazine went online only, I don’t think I get (m)any others.
An online-only magazine probably can make ends meet without subs if the circulation is sufficient for the advertisers, but practically, a niche interest is always going to struggle, so it probably does need to charge. Then it becomes a balance between cost reducing circulation and its effect on advertising revenues, vs the revenues from subs.
I’ll throw in an offer at a fiver per copy. I do think digitised back-issues need to be part of the deal.
Not interested in on-line magazines so I wouldn't pay anything. I can't get on with sitting in front of a screen reading, reading, reading and not having something on the shelf to refer to. It's much easier for reference if I have a hard copy.
I gave up exam marking when it went on-line. I couldn't stand the inconvenience and inflexibility and found the experience unpleasant.
I gave up exam marking when it went on-line. I couldn't stand the inconvenience and inflexibility and found the experience unpleasant.
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
The reason I buy MRJ is that it isn't digital. I like to sit and 'physically' read it. A digital copy has no appeal whatsoever and it's this 'old world, old skool' feel to it that appeals so much, to me at least.
However, MRJ is still, arguably, THE doing modellers magazine available on the high street and it contains much to inspire those modellers like myself who are RTR led/based/dependent.
However, I definately don't suffer a lack of interest when I see an article featuring a scratch built or kit built loco or item of rolling stock. Far from it. Good modelling is just that, regardless of it's basis and all examples of such should be featured. But MRJ needs to keep up, embrace the changing standards of the hobby and maintain the balance between traditional crafting and the new standards of off the shelf modelling.
I'm not advocating that stock featuring tension locks appear. Good grief, there'd be a few pipe stems bitten through if that were to happen..............but it's perhaps not only MRJ that needs to change step but also some of it's readers..........
Rob.
However, MRJ is still, arguably, THE doing modellers magazine available on the high street and it contains much to inspire those modellers like myself who are RTR led/based/dependent.
However, I definately don't suffer a lack of interest when I see an article featuring a scratch built or kit built loco or item of rolling stock. Far from it. Good modelling is just that, regardless of it's basis and all examples of such should be featured. But MRJ needs to keep up, embrace the changing standards of the hobby and maintain the balance between traditional crafting and the new standards of off the shelf modelling.
I'm not advocating that stock featuring tension locks appear. Good grief, there'd be a few pipe stems bitten through if that were to happen..............but it's perhaps not only MRJ that needs to change step but also some of it's readers..........
Rob.
Dan Randall
Western Thunderer
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
The Jaguar XK and F Type Enthusiasts Club (a bit better than XK Owners Club which would abbreviate to X-KOC) magazine changed from hard copy to on line only two or three years ago due to the costs of producing hard copy and postal costs. It's the classic specialist interest magazine. There have been some advantages, even though I prefer hard copy (and you can always print it out if you need. ) I've noted no diminution in quality or advertising and it's dead easy to search for articles and items of interest. It's my go to source for info regarding maintenance and problem finding.
I started off anti the change. Now I'm ambivalent - there are certainly some advantages.
Brian
) I've noted no diminution in quality or advertising and it's dead easy to search for articles and items of interest. It's my go to source for info regarding maintenance and problem finding.I started off anti the change. Now I'm ambivalent - there are certainly some advantages.
Brian
Osgood
Western Thunderer
Ah yes, that (149) was worth digging out from the heap just now, an interesting design set in very familiar scenery.
In fact I don't recall giving it any more than a cursory glance back in the day - which illustrates another benefit of keeping them.
Jordan
Mid-Western Thunderer
Beat me to it!! Yes, made me laugh too, reminded me of my earliest impressions of O Scale modellers....
Regards
Dan
Well even if it wasn’t, l can quite imagine him using it!!!
Sorting through Adrian’s ranges and kits has been like living in a two year time warp!
DJP
76043
Western Thunderer
I'm quite interested in the RM digital back catalogue, but haven't yet forked out for it. Mainly interested in the drawings.
As for RTR stopping anyone from making stuff, I'm of the view that if something is good enough why make it? I don't have enough time in my life to build everything from scratch. If I went down that route I'd start off with a whopping brass express engine, and it would soon find itself very lonely as I'd fallen off my perch before the train, the track, the boards, buildings, scenery, electrics were even started!
I'll never build an O gauge loco because an 08, Pannier and Jinty are already available and GOOD ENOUGH! I have these three and am looking forward to MAKING the rest of it.
Tony
As for RTR stopping anyone from making stuff, I'm of the view that if something is good enough why make it? I don't have enough time in my life to build everything from scratch. If I went down that route I'd start off with a whopping brass express engine, and it would soon find itself very lonely as I'd fallen off my perch before the train, the track, the boards, buildings, scenery, electrics were even started!
I'll never build an O gauge loco because an 08, Pannier and Jinty are already available and GOOD ENOUGH! I have these three and am looking forward to MAKING the rest of it.
Tony
76043
Western Thunderer
Actually, what annoys me the most about the 'finescale' modeller. Is when they complain this and that is wrong on an RTR then proceed to remove everything and stick all the detail bits back on wonky. Producing something that looks worse that what they purchased.
I've seen plenty of wonky in the MRJ. We need more consistent modelling in my view. This is really hard to do.
Tony
I've seen plenty of wonky in the MRJ. We need more consistent modelling in my view. This is really hard to do.
Tony
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