Magazines
by Phil Cooper
Model Rail:
For me this is essential reading. It’s not got the best paper quality but it’s 146 pages contains just 44 full page adverts and includes 21 pages of product reviews. It also featured 6 pages of news from the various model rail suppliers.It is packed with information and very well edited. In December there was a terrific review of the Rails of Sheffield GWR Gas Turbine no. 18000 which would look great on my layout. I want one. That review was rivalled by another review of Irish RailwayModels Metr0-Vick A Class models.
My mum and dad took me on several holidays to Ulster and the Irish Republic back in the 60s and we took several train trips which I loved so I enjoyed that review as well. There is a varied mass of “How To” articles which are well written with “every stage” photos. I know I’m useless at making scenery and electrickery is pure evil. When Barbara and I moved in together I decided to install a dimmer switch in the living room so I unscrewed the original face plate and discovered wiring and metal things. Being curious I took my little screwdriver and prodded the wiring and metal things. There was a very loud bang and I shot 2 yards backwards. I found this very strange so I got up and did it again. I got the same result. At the time I was a 6’4” rugby forward and nobody ever forced me backwards which gives you an idea of the strength of this stupidity.
Anyway, eventually I read the instructions and the words, “turn off electricity at the Mains” rung a bell. Now you know how stupid I am/can be. Amongst the December “how to” articles are one on Creating Perfect Water and a brief, but very informative, article on Adding removable snow to your layout. It’s given me the confidence to have a go myself! If I’m feeling brave I’ll post some photos of my attempt soon. I started yesterday doing just 1 small corner. Grandson Harrison asked if he could “help”. I tried to explain to him that all he had to do was use a tea strainer to gently shake Bicarbonate of Soda onto the trees but he decided to add the snowy stuff to the tops of various trains and other scenery. Anyway back to Model Rail. Every month there is a Skills Station which, in December, explained all about Figure Painting. This magazine may not have the best quality of paper but it will inspire you to try things and even give you confidence to have a go. Just make sure you don’t have a 7 year old grandson to “help” you. A subscription to Model Rail will cost you £3.90 a month. Full price is £4.70.
To subscribe go to www.greatmagazines.co.uk/modelrail
British Railway Modelling
The magazines BRM, Hornby and Railway Modeller all have glossy photos. Looking at BRM. It has 44 full page adverts in 146 pages. Like Model Rail they have excellent “How to” articles all with various stage photos. In December they had in depth articles on “How to Fit a Decoder” and also how to Change the Identity of a model. I think I can do the latter and I’m going to have a go at it. There is no chance of me trying to fit a decoder. In my collection I have 13 DCC locos. I’ll do the maths again for you. That’s a total of £520. Roughly the cost of 2 or 3 sound equipped locos. I’m lucky because my local model shop, Turners Model Shop in Dover has a brilliant electronics man, Terry who has done my DCC work for me and, on occasion, he’s discounted the cost.
I think he feels sorry for me as he is very aware I’m useless. I was once in his shop and I just looked at a loco and it stopped working immediately. I watched him once fitting a DCC chip to an old Hornby DMU. It was like a magic act!
But for you clever modellers, this BRM item could save you lots of money. To have your local model shop fit a DCC decoder will cost you around £30-£40 on each locomotive. I really wish I could do it but I don’t have the confidence to,even, try it AND I have jumbo fingers! There are also excellent articles on various layouts, many of which are on the model fairs circuit. The photography is excellent with some photos very life-like and require a second look because you’ll think they’re real. They have a review section of 16 deep reviews. The December issue features a review of the Bachmann Class 47, a regular on Scottish routes, which I’d love to own.
To subscribe go to www.bit.ly/345Dec21 3 issues for £5 You can get 3 issues for £5 and then you will make a quarterly Direct Debit of £12.49. I’ve done the Maths for you £12.49x3 (quarters) is £37.47 plus £5 for 3 months is £42.47 divide by 12 equals £3.54 per month. It will arrive a week before it is in the shops where it will cost you £4.99 each month.
Modern Locomotives Illustrated:
Soon after subscribing to these modelling magazines I started looking at magazines on the real thing. One of the first was Modern Locomotives Illustrated. This magazine should be banned. It is pure railway pornographer! When you read your first copy you’ll subscribe. I know you will. MLI has 7 full page adverts in it’s 99 pages. It features a Latest News section and, in December, 9 in- depth articles on Deltic Racehorses of the East Coast, Snow Patrol (which has given me ideas for my own winter scenes on my layout) and also a superb article on the Eastfield Depot in Scotland. Every photo in this magazine is superb and there is the bonus of a number of photos which open out making them larger and even more detailed.
It looks like an after-thought but there is one page devoted to modellers which is a page of latest news from suppliers.
To subscribe go to shop.keypublishing.com/gift21mli. Quote “gift21mli and they’ll send a gift worth £8.
Subscription costs £28.99 for 6 issues which works out at £4.83. The full cost is £6.99 every month so quite a saving. I have to say that I love seeing this one come through my letter box.
To subscribe go to shop.keypublishing.com/gift21mli. Quote “gift21mli”. This offer ends on 31 Jan
So which ones would I buy you ask? I get them all. They’re all great and I hate to think I might miss something. Before I leave you, I’ll tell you that I managed to get my Maths “Higher” in Scotland (English A Level) but I recommend you check the prices for yourself!
If you would like to read more blog posts from Phil check back every two weeks or sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date on site news or when the blog posts go live.
The views and opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Trackside Signs or its affiliates.
