009 News Feedback

[invercloy]

I thought it best to start a new thread for feedback on the 009 News following some discussion about content in Brian's Egger History thread.

If anyone has feedback or suggestions on how to improve the News please let us know.

Ultimately we can only publish the content we're provided, and we were pretty short of articles after the handover due to a technical issue.

We're still learning what people want from the News, and we've had contradictory videos on prototype content, but so far those who have gotten in touch with us have been in favour of it. I'd like to be in position where we have the ability to publish prototype content that's relevant to a model in the same issue - we need to line up the content and get two articles in at the same time to make this idea work, we're having a go in the next issue with a shay construction article and some prototype photos.  Another example of what I've been considering is an article on building a Kelani Valley Railway 4-6-4T, accompanied by some prototype photos from members who I know have visited Sri Lanka when they were in operation, to provide inspiration for those who are interested by the modelling article.

We've got some more ideas for future content such as articles on what's available to help model a specific line, accompanied by a trackplan and some snippits of information that may help members develop layout ideas.

We've discussed potentially including more articles offering hints and tips on various modelling techniques applicable to our branch of the hobby.

Another idea Steve and I have discussed is running a series of articles on the content of the Heritage Collection if people are agreeable, and perhaps even re-running one old article per month from previous issues from decades ago, long before many of the current membership would have received the News.

If any of you have any thoughts on what you would/wouldn't like to see, or things we should/shouldn't change please let us know.

Tom Dauben - 009 News Content Editor

[rod335]

Tom

I must set the record straight. I wrote to you and stated quite emphatically that I did NOT want to see prototype articles on the 009 News. I can get that in many places elsewhere if I want to. So there was at least one person who did not support the idea.

I was not suggesting in any way that you were sniping at me! In the post I put on this forum elsewhere I suggested that someone else who is of like mind to me should write to you saying so, so I would not be the only being sniped at BY OTHER MEMBERS (who may favour the idea). At least that is what I intended. At no time did I intend you to think that comment was aimed at you.  It was not.

I can countenance the idea of prototype photographs in support of a modelling article, but for NO other purpose.

Rod

[rod335]

Another point, of the four people who have posted opinions on this topic, three were strongly against the idea, only one in favour. So that would tend to negate the correspondence you report in favour of the idea.

Rod

[petersmith1942]

Tom
I started this and I hope you have read my comments carefully.When you say "you find it interesting" usually means you find it irritating. When you say only 2 people have taken the trouble etc, you should again read my comments. I am entirely happy to see how it goes and you need time to try out ideas and excercise your editorial role. My original comments were related to Brians series which I like.
Even if off thread I take all comments/contributions to this forum to be part of the normal feedback in our Society and I would be really disappointed if you and your joint editor did not keep aware of its contents. I am a member of another modelling Society where their magazine and Forum seem to be on different planets; one the official mouthpiece where all is sweetness and light, the other a hotbed of discord
I enjoy the News, look forward to it and prefer modelling articles as I read most of the UK railway press. Picking up a previous comment on the other thread personally I would love to see a Minitrains bash in every issue but I wouldnt dream of saying so or expecting others to agree
When a new member I thought Branchlines was a waste of space but have gradually changed and now read it all even the repeated thanks for the cakes, sandwiches, gourmet cuisine enjoyed by some.
Just carry on, try new things, keep us interested, educated in our part of the hobby and informed on developments in it and in our Society. I am genuinely grateful you have taken on the joint role and look forward to reading many more 009 News. I am only sorry I feel too old to try it myself
Peter Smith

[rod335]

I've just reread tat2drod's post which has left me feeling confused. He appears to be advocating more prototype news in our magazine, because that's the only way he can get it without paying for it. Without this shift in emphasis, he appears to be suggesting that someone else should pay for prototype news for him. Why? I have to pay subscriptions to the societies I belong to. Having had NGIRM from issue 1 I've just cancelled my subscription as, one, it's getting very expensive and two, I dislike the recent changes in style. I don't want our News to go the same way. 

Rod

[tat2drod]

I've just reread tat2drod's post which has left me feeling confused. He appears to be advocating more prototype news in our magazine, because that's the only way he can get it without paying for it. Without this shift in emphasis, he appears to be suggesting that someone else should pay for prototype news for him. Why? I have to pay subscriptions to the societies I belong to. Having had NGIRM from issue 1 I've just cancelled my subscription as, one, it's getting very expensive and two, I dislike the recent changes in style. I don't want our News to go the same way.  

Rod

I didn't advocate anything and I find your interpretation of this to be a money issue distasteful. If you think I'm trying to get this stuff for free in the magazine then you really are confused. I made a point about the choices that are available and the consequences. I would suggest you re-read what was posted with the thought in mind that it's written from a different perspective than yours and from someone who's in a different situation than you are (I'm a relative newbie to NG). The line you should have focussed on in that post was the one about me not knowing what I don't know.

Whilst I may not have shouted for this change, I am not against it, unlike you, who is. Not everyone will agree with me; not everyone will agree with you. As I have said, there are other things in the mag that I don't like and things that are covered by my subscriptions elsewhere. Should I scream and shout about them? No, obviously not. I don't moan about them because I realise that there are other people out there who may like them and I realise that there has to be room for everyone.

Having done the job that the editors are now doing and having had to write large portions of newsletters myself, I would suggest that the best solution to your dislike of these sort of articles is to write more modelling articles yourself.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

[ECMT]

I thought it best to start a new thread for feedback on the 009 News following some discussion about content ...

If any of you have any thoughts on what you would/wouldn't like to see, or things we should/shouldn't change please let us know.

Tom Dauben - 009 News Content Editor

Pretty much a thumbs up from me on the variety in each issue, but I can understand the point of those not wanting too many articles on the prototype (except where it backs up a modelling article).
Maybe more items like Chris Ford's Resolution Skylark article.
Please don't include a Minitrains bash article every issue - every second issue would be ok though.  ;)
A series of articles on the contents of the Heritage Collection & older articles sounds like a great idea.

I contacted Tom recently suggesting/requesting an article - he replied that it was already in the works ! Superb. I look forward to it. I firmly believe that the two new editors are more than up to the job - thankyou to you both and to the rest of the team for such a fine mag.

[rod335]

I'm truly sorry I provoked your reply. It was not my intention to attack you personally, and, indeed, it is not my intention to carry on a tit-for-tat argument on the forum. However, having reread your post, I cannot see how my interpretation of what you said is incorrect.

As for writing articles for the News myself, I fear that the articles I would produce would not appeal to the majority of the membership. I do, indeed, applaud anyone who will take on a post such as editing, voluntarily, a magazine of any sort, it is not something I would wish to do, or indeed be capable of doing. However, that does not preclude me from having, and expressing, an opinion.

Rod  

[invercloy]

Firstly, Rod and Peter, apologies if I have misconstrued the intent of your posts. I will edit my opening post shortly to reflect this.

I've been meaning to start a thread on here for a while about the News, I appreciate that the membership of this forum only represents a small proportion of the overall membership, and we should be mindful of this, but it would be a useful source of feedback.

We both appreciate that we can't please everyone, and there are things that we should/shouldn't alter to avoid upsetting the membership.

Perhaps we should move on from discussing prototype content, but let me say this first, we don't intend to publish articles based on 'my holiday to such and such' on their own, but ideally make use of them when they can be accompanied with a suitable modelling related article. The day may come when we don't have enough content to fill a gap in the News and we need to use one as a space filler, but I'm sure people could appreciate this situation if/when it arises. In the mean time I'm trying to recruit some more modelling related content from various members on things I think others would find interesting/useful/inspiring.

So, to move on, are there any thoughts on the other proposals we've made for the future, i.e.

• featuring more of the heritage collection - perhaps an article per loco, or per collection?
• re-running interesting/useful/inspiring old articles from years ago - one per month? Perhaps the longer standing members could nominate the content for this?
• modelling 'how to' articles on specific lines with trackplans, lists of kits etc. to inspire people to build layouts

P.S. Len - the article you suggested will be in the August issue, which we're just putting the finishing touches to now.

[invercloy]

As for writing articles for the News myself, I fear that the articles I would produce would not appeal to the majority of the membership.

I think you'd be surprised, Rod, from what I've heard people want more modelling content, and I can remember when I first joined the Society that the content I found most interesting was the content that showed HOW to do something. Perhaps an article on maintenance of the heritage collection or similar?

If anyone has any thoughts on a 'how to' type article they could contribute please let me know.

[tat2drod]

Rod,

Two things... I've no problem with people having opinions. Mine happens to be different from yours but that's the way it is. As long as we can recognize that, no prob.

Secondly, what Tom said :-)

[tat2drod]

Tom,

I like the idea of something on the heritage collection on a semi-regular basis. Apart from this, something out of left field every so often on a line that gets little attention would be neat, the problem being to find someone who knows something about one.

[Frank]

Tom,

I think widening the range of articles is a good idea.   

I would vote for something on the heritage collection, I see this at exhibitions and I'm ashamed to say have no idea what most of the models are or why they are "heritage" so I would welcome this.

I also think that something more informative to be shown next to the models at exhibitions would be very interesting to a wider audience, and maybe if someone writes up some articles then these could form the basis of this as well.

Also, how to do it / hints and tips will always be very welcome.    Not everyone is an expert and for example the recent articles on how to put together particular kits has been very useful both in showing how and in giving people  the confidence to have a go.

Frank

[Alan Feldon]

So far so good Tom
I see no objection to small prototype articles ,I accept what Rod has said about obtaining the information elsewhere,but that presuppose that you know about the prototype in the first place.Often people may be on a trip/holiday and not realise there is a NG railway a few miles/kilometers away.
hints and tips are always useful.
Builing a loco is more problematical to try and compress this to 2 pages say,same with layouts if photos are included.Perhaps over more than one issue and bi-monthly so as to not swamp issues.
I personally do not like reading about food consumed or personal foibles of people i do not know.I appreciate that if branchlines are to be compressed to essentials this would have to be replaced with articles-the same old problem!

[Retiarius]

As recent 'returnee' to modelling after 40 years I really enjoy the articles on construction techniques.

Prototype news is good but in my opinion there should not be a disproportionate amount of articles on preserved lines. Articles on lines long gone provide me wiith 'fuel for thought' and articles on how to maintain and repair obsolete (and especially pre-internet) mechanisms are a god-send for one on a limited budget.

The Egger loco articles were of great interest and I would love to see a practical article on how to service and regauge Bemo locos. It took me ages to find out even how to take the body off of a Bemo loco!

Not all of the members are expert in modelling and we should include articles of interest to the less experienced.