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NEWS
FLASH!
The
1:64 Modeling Guide has a new owner and some thoughts:
1-64 Modeling
Guide Blog: 8/25/08
Hello, again. I
hope you had a nice weekend. I spent a few hours on Sunday at
the Garden State Division, Northeast Region, NMRA summer rolling
meet and barbeque. The Garden State Model Railway Club in North
Haledon, New Jersey was our gracious host. I got a chance to
see some old friends and acquaintances (and pass out a few
1:64MG business cards). There were clinics, award
presentations and two layouts (HO and O scale) on display. No S
scale models or modules, alas, but still some nice model
railroading. Too bad I couldn’t stay for the operating session
on the HO layout.
I think it’s
important for us to get out and see what others are up to, even
if the models and layouts are in a different scale. I don’t do
it often enough, but each time I do I find it to be a source of
inspiration and I my interest in the hobby is renewed. I also
learn new tips and techniques. The importance of this is
something I drum into members of my club every chance I get. I
was concerned, and with good reason, that THE Model
Railroad Club (as we get teased from time to time) had wrapped
itself inside a cocoon and was losing touch with the hobby and
with itself. Fighting and bickering instigated by some bad
apples didn’t help matters, either. In fact, we had managed to
completely separate ourselves from the NMRA and the
hobby—ironic, since the club played a key role in the founding
of the Garden State Division. Thankfully that has changed, and
we now host the division’s spring meet each year. Now if I can
only get that S scale department activated…
I’ve been spending
almost all my free time (ha!) working on the 1:64 Modeling
Guide. My latest efforts involve contacting manufacturers
and dealers and trying to get them to advertise. To help
persuade them, I’m offering discounts on both black and white
and color ads. A one-time insertion is being discounted 10%, a
three-issue insertion gets a 15% discount and the discount on a
six-time insertion is 20%. The reserve date deadline is August
31 and the closing date is September 15 for an October issue,
but there is a little wiggle room. If you have a product
or service to sell that is of interest to the S scale modeler,
please reserve your space with me as soon as possible. If you
need an advertising rate card, just ask!
I hereby renew my
call for articles, photos and plans. What topics am I looking
for? All topics. I’d like to see what you’re working on. Are
you building or planning a layout? Send me some photos and the
track plan. Are you building a unique structure or piece of
rolling stock? How about writing about it and taking some
photos and sending it to me? Did you do some railfanning
recently and came across something interesting? Pass it along.
Remember, if your article gets published your efforts will be
rewarded in the form of payment (as in $$). In fact, after
learning a rather nasty lesson recently, I may buy your
submission outright before publication.
I know that
writing isn’t easy for many of us. Heck, those of us who write
for a living can find it a daunting task, but I’m here to help.
Soon I will be reviewing the author’s guide for the 1:64MG and,
if necessary, make some changes and post it up on the Website.
Perhaps I’ll even practice what I preach and write an article
about writing an article!
Bob
August
17, 2008
Well, another
Pleasant Valley Sunday has come to a close (trivia: the song is
about the area of West Orange, New Jersey where this blog and
the 1:64 Modeling Guide originate from). It has been a
busy, but enjoyable weekend. I hope yours was enjoyable was
well.
All right, it
wasn’t totally enjoyable. I spent a few hours Sunday afternoon
weeding one of my planting beds and my back is protesting – a
lot. At least the weather was nice and, well, pleasant.
Meanwhile, back in
1:64MG land, work is progressing on several
fronts. Renewal notices for readers whose subscriptions ran
out with the last issue have been mailed. I’m offering what I
believe is a pretty good deal for those who renew before
September 30th. Basically, it’s four issues at the
old three-issue/year rate. Renewals received on or after
September 30 will be at following rates:
USA-Standard Rate: $27.95
USA-1st Class Rate: $35.95
Canada-1st Class Rate:
$37.95
All Other International: $43.95
Remember, that’s for four issues, not three.
The next stop for this train is dealers and advertisers, especially those
who owe this publication money. Are any of you who fall into
that category out there reading this? If so, please pay the man
(that would be me).
Speaking of
advertisers, a couple of inquiries have been received from
potential advertisers, which is very encouraging. I will be
doing everything I can to close those deals. I’m thinking of
running a special promotion for new and returning advertisers.
If you are interested in advertising in the 1:64MG, please give
me a yell and I’ll send an updated rate card to you.
I’m pleased to
report that the special two-issue trial subscription that was
offered during the recent NASG national convention is bearing
some fruit. Several new subscribers have been added to the
roster this past week!
Finally, the next
issue is taking shape. It’s exciting to see it start coming
together.
What would you
like to see in future issues of the 1:64MG? Drop me a line and
let me know.
Bob
August
10, 2008
Hello again. By
the time you read this the 2008 NASG National Convention will be
history. I regret that I was unable to attend due to scheduling
conflicts. I had hoped to at least be able to make it up to
Lowell on Saturday, the 9th to check out the dealer
hall and meet some of you in person, but that didn’t work out,
either. The 1:64 Modeling Guide had a presence, though,
thanks to Jeff at Hoquat Hobbies, who graciously put out copies
of a special flyer I made up for the occasion. That flyer had a
special trial subscription offer for first-time subscribers. I
hope some attendees will take advantage of the offer.
Since I wasn’t
able to attend, I’m putting out a call to someone who did attend
the convention to write a short article about the convention and
their experience for publication in the next issue of the
magazine. A couple of pictures would be great, too. If anyone
is interested, please contact me (Bobnalbone04@yahoo.com)
as soon as possible so I can set aside some space.
Before I forget, I
want to thank those of you who sent me your good wishes for
success. A few of you mentioned that you were former
subscribers and are thinking of re-subscribing . Allow me to
heartily encourage you! In fact, if your subscription expired
with the last issue (V9, I6-July/August 2007), you will be
hearing from me in the next week or two.
J
I promised last
week that I would put together some questions and answers
concerning the magazine. Here they are:
When is the
next issue coming out and how often will it come out in the
future?
The next scheduled
issue of the magazine is November. That was before I purchased
the magazine. I want to move that up to October, if at all
possible – at least that’s how I’m proceeding.
As to the
frequency, I believe that a quarterly publication is feasible
(this publication was a quarterly in one of its earlier lives).
This is, of course, contingent on a number of factors, not the
least of which is the number of articles sent in by you, our
loyal readers. The plan, then, is to publish four times a year:
January, April, July and October.
I’m a current subscriber. What’s
going to happen with my subscription?
Nothing. It will
continue as is. If you paid for six issues, you’re going to get
six issues.
Do you have a mailing address for
subscription renewals and other correspondence?
Yes. The company name is RLN Publishing and the mailing address
is: PO Box 6104, West Orange, NJ 07052-6104
My number one
immediate goal is to establish and keep to a regular publishing
schedule. Unless that goal is met, my other short-term goals,
namely rebuilding the advertising base and growing the
subscriber base, will not be met. That wouldn’t be good.
I have some ideas
for the longer term, but you’ll have to subscribe to find out
what they are (ain’t I a stinker)!
Do you think that a magazine devoted
to the scale modeler is really needed?
Absolutely! The
high-rail/tinplate community in S gauge seems to be adequately
covered but not so us scale modelers, and I mean both standard
and narrow gaugers alike.
I see many
opportunities for learning and sharing ideas and techniques in
the S scale model railroad community and the 1:64 Modeling
Guide is the venue for this learning and sharing to
take place.
That’s all, for
now. In the meantime, have some fun and get to work on those
articles!
Regards,
Bob
August
4, 2008
Greetings to all!
I am very excited about taking over the reigns of the 1:64
Modeling Guide and I am working diligently to get all my
ducks in a row so I can concentrate on getting an issue together
and out to you.
First, I must
express my thanks to Richard and Debbie Bendever for their
support and efforts with the sale of the magazine. A great, big
“THANK YOU” also goes out to Pat Turner at Turner Model Works
for his assistance in transporting the back issues and related
hardware up to New Jersey, which is where both my headquarters
and hindquarters are located. So far the whole process has gone
a lot smoother than I was prepared for. Not that I expected
things to go badly, but I have seen and heard of less
complicated affairs turn into a real Marx Brothers routine. I
look forward to their continued support and participation, as
well as yours. As Richard has mentioned, current subscribers
don’t worry. Your subscriptions will continue as is (Richard
and I will work out the gory details behind the scenes). If
your subscription has lapsed, let me encourage you to renew
today.
I’m sure you have
many questions and I am putting together a list of some of the
more obvious ones that occurred to me that I will post in the
next blog. I am, of course, always happy to answer anyone’s
questions.
A bit about
myself: I’ve been a model railroader for over 35 years (I just
turned 50 –yikes!), working mostly in HO scale. I currently
serve as the Vice President and head of Development for The
Model Railroad Club, Inc. in Union, New Jersey (www.tmrci.org
for those curious). Professionally, I am a course designer and
trainer for a major New York managed care company (yeah, one of
those). I have been the editor and publisher of several
newsletters. I have also authored several user manuals and
guides of proprietary software systems for my employer (maybe
soon to be ex-employer, if the rumors hold up).
I made the switch
to S scale several years ago, but I guess you could say I’ve
been a closet S-scaler much longer than that. It all began when
I saw a layout of some S scale modules set up at a train show
held at the old Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal at
Liberty State Park in Jersey City. I thought they looked great
and the size of everything just seemed “right.” When my wife
and I moved into a dry basement – I mean a house – five years
ago, I claimed most of the basement and started buying S stuff.
No layout yet, but lots of doodling and scheming. It will be a
traction layout, set in the 1940s. More details in future
issues of the magazine.
That’s all for
now. I will be looking in on the Yahoo site regularly, so look
for me there. To contact me directly, e-mail me at:
Bobnalbone04@yahoo.com.
Thanks again for
your continued support of the 1:64 Modeling Guide. I
look forward to hearing from you.
Bob
Nalbone,
August 1,
2008:
Debbie & I are pleased to make this announcement. Many of you
may already know this publication's new owner and if you do, you
know that he is a dedicated model railroader. Debbie and I will
still be around to help Bob out with proofing, editing, and
advertising. Bob
has honored me by allowing me to continue the "GaSoline Alley"
column as long as it draws readers.
If
you are a current subscriber, there is NO reason to
panic. The new owner is honoring existing subscribers. If you
are not sure if you are current with your 1:64MG
subscription, all that you need to do is look at the back of the
last
1:64 Modeling Guide issue (Volume 9, Issue 6 & looks
like the issue just above this text) and the information there
will tell you if this is your last issue; if you have 1 or 2
issues left, or the number of the issue in the future that your
subscription expires. You can also
email a question about your subscription if you can't figure
any of this out. The first issue for the new owner will be along
shortly in the Fall, 2008.
You can still
Subscribe On-Line
, purchase back issues & calendars! DEBENLLC will be supporting
this shopping feature until the new owner decides how he would
like it done.
New information
about this great news will be posted daily; weekly; morning noon
or night just as quickly as it comes along. So check back here
often!
Our Sincerest Thank
You and Appreciation for Your Continued Patronage!
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