N scale magazines

[RDG_Rich]

I just got a renewal notice for RMC, and it got me thinking that I should think about adding another mag to the toilet tank pile.  ;D

Out of the two (N scale and N scale Railroading) which is better...(opens the can of worms) for ME?

I like building stuff~ structures, freight cars, kitbashing etc.

I model steam and early diseasels, and I don't have the time money or space to build an "empire" so Modular articles, and small layouts are more my speed.

Any insight on these mags would be great.

Tanks!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Personally, I like N Scale. Mostly because I've head a couple "choo choo" like comments coming from the other camp lately.

[wcfn100]

I wouldn't subscribe to either.  Both mags post the contents for each month.  Wait and order the ones that interest you.  Could be both one month and neither the next.  

Jason

[inkaneer]

I always thought N Scale magazine was more into the actual construction of stuff even if it was just trees.  N Scale Railroading had a lot of nice pictures of completed layouts but thin on how to get from "A" to "Z".

[DKS]

N Scale Railroading had a lot of nice pictures of completed layouts but thin on how to get from "A" to "Z".

That's by design, from what I gather. I've exchanged emails with Kirk, and that's the way he prefers to run his shop. He comes off as a bit odd to me, but then who am I...?

[John]

I like both the NScale mags, but they all seem to lack "construction" articles that I like. The layout articles are nice, but there is just some "sizzle" thats missing. I have been less than thrilled with the last 3 Nscale mags. RMC and RMJ are actually my favorites.

[Kisatchie]

Before hurricane Katrina, I was always going through back issues of Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman magazine for building plans. I had accumulated quite a few which I planned to build out of styrene. Then came the flood and they were lost. Rats.

[inkaneer]

RMC used to have a n article called  "N scale niche" every issue.   Didn't pay much attention at the time as I was in the "accumulation" mode.  Wish I did now.

[Chulvis]

This comes down to personal preference for each individual, rounding it down even further then that, toilet tank vs. reading something of serious interest to you.

Both magazines offer something in each category in every issue. I won't disclose my personal habits here, but I am sure you can guess I have a well defined place to read/look at both types of articles.

If you take a look at the contributors to both magazines you will see that they both have lots of content from the same people all the time. I'm not saying this is bad, but I am saying that it tells me that both magazines need articles.

Having hung around here at RW since it began I can say with confidence that we have a number of very gifted people posting here. I would suggest that some of you sit down and write a "How To" or create a photo essay of your own layout for publication.

I think we are pretty lucky to have two magazines dedicated to N Scale Modeling. Considering that you can subscribe to both magazines for about $60.00 per year I'd think it would be a pretty easy decision and don't see any downside to it.

[chuck geiger]

I always subscribed to MR and looked at RMC at the LHS and never purchased it. RMC has the look of a 1975 magazine. I think even some of the pictures are still in black and white. I like the N scale magazine that is published every two months. I agree with Ed not a lot of meat. I have been getting into the magazine you get when you join the NMRA, it's pretty good stuff and Model Railroad News is not bad either.

[Mark5]

I always subscribed to MR and looked at RMC at the LHS and never purchased it. RMC has the look of a 1975 magazine.

Hmm, I'd take RMC in 1975 over most of the current mags (I was a subscriber in 1975).

I get extremely bored with endless layout photo tours.

I think I might subscribe to that N Scale Magazine - I've actually been considering this for months.

[RDG_Rich]

I always subscribed to MR and looked at RMC at the LHS and never purchased it. RMC has the look of a 1975 magazine.


Hmm, I'd take RMC in 1975 over most of the current mags (I was a subscriber in 1975).

I get extremely bored with endless layout photo tours.

I'd take MR in 1975... I had from 1971 to 1977 that were Dad's... unfortunately in a flood all were lost exept for 1976.

I get bored with layout photo tours as well. The current trend of fictionalizing stories about the layout is not nearly as interesting to me as learning how the scenes were built.

So, it sounds as if N scale covers more of the building aspect of the hobby than N Scale Railroading.

Thanks for the input everyone!

[RS-27]

I subscribe to MR & RMC, buy both NS & NSM every bi-monthly(???).

I also have a few hundred #s of RMJ, MRG, Trains, Railfan, CTC, Railpace, et al, not to mention GMR, MRP and sundry pubs.

Info is good. Yeah, there is some stuff that appears on the web but may also go pouf! Paper lasts. It may have that smell if it is 60 years old, but I can carry it where ever I want & still access it (as long as the lights are still functional (if they aren't... we have BIG problems)).

Bob in IDaho

[Subwayaz]

N Scale Model Railroad is the one I've subscribed to for two years now.  Yes they do take you from beginning to end.  No Sop Opera there.

[amato1969]

I find RMJ extremely informative for freight car articles, particularly differences between 40-footers so common in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

  Frank