Being a total newbie to this hobby is there any magazines people would recomend? I am looking more for layout and scenery orientated ones at the moment and any that specialise in just 'N' gauge.
Many thanks in advance...
Mick
Couple of online magazines.
Model Railroad Hobbyist.
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/
N Scale Modellers Australia.
http://www.nscale.org.au/
I don't buy paper ones anymore for two reasons.
1) When in the shop you can't get to the shelves because they are blocked by 'browsers'. (Go to the library people!)
2) They are 90% adverts for new models and the same old, same old layout photos that I've seen in them since the 1960s.
Hello Mick......
This might be a good place to start......http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120786614508?
I would get in quick though because they sell really quickly
Graham (H) is a member of this forum and produces a magazine from time to time called N'spirations...
I dont know if he has any back issues,might be worth asking though.......
Hi Mick,
As dock shunter has said Grahame produces Nspirations magazine which is now in its 5th issue containing plenty of great information & as in the link he posted there is a yearbook now (which i have just ordered ;) )
(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii377/upnick/blogentry-33-126866816869.jpg)
Year Book sold out by 2pm. :(
Quote from: anselm on September 30, 2011, 02:11:45 PM
Year Book sold out by 2pm. :(
Save the seller to your favorite sellers on ebay & tick the box for email alerts on their listings when Graham lists more you should stand a better chance of obtaining one ;)
Save the seller to your favorite sellers on ebay & tick the box for email alerts on their listings when Graham lists more you should stand a better chance of obtaining one ;)
[/quote]
Thanks. Not bought off Ebay before (am I the only one!) so will explore what you suggest.
Ian
I can also recommend N'spirations. Very nicely produced. Very good photos of great layouts and tutorials too.
Have you joined the N gauge society? Their bi-monthly booklet is pretty good too. Both are dedicated to N.
If you want a paper mag from WHSmiths, the ome i subscribe to is Model Rail. The photos are good, there are a lot of scenery articles and N gauge reviews. It is mostly OO though, but often quite inspirational.
Mark
Did you know that magazines have to pay WH Smith to get their mags on the shelf? I wonder what they'd do if all the publisher refused to pay this ridiculous charge?
I've just ordered a copy of N'inspirations Year Book on Ebay at £11 incl p/p. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
There were only 5 left after I ordered so if you want one - hurry along the coach please.
Bill
I have a year book and a couple of back issues now ordered ;D (many thanks to Grahame for sorting them for me! :thumbsup: ) I will also check out the on-line magazines and the N gauge society.
I can see this hobby seriously cutting into my wargaming budget... :smiley-laughing:
Mick
I was able to get yearbook at 5.30 this evening - last one!
Mick I'm fairly new to this as well (beginning of year), the mags I prefer are 'N Gauge Society' and 'N'spirations' and shop bought 'Model Rail' followed by 'British Railway Modelling'. To be honest I hav'nt found too much interest in 'Railway Modeller' and have stopped buying it.
I would highly recommend joining the N Gauge Society, the hand book is very useful and the bi-monthly mags are very good. :thumbsup:
Regards
Paul
lately i've been reading rail express and railways illustrated, i also like traction magazine...
i got a bit bored of model train magazines, if i get stuck or want info on the hobby i just ask on here...
i get the n gauge society magazine and i also have #1-4 of nspirations.
tim
I have found the most helpful magazine with plenty of tips and projects is the Model Railroader, I recently canceled every other mag at the paper shop and now only buy this one.
Mick, despite not exactly covering my areas of interest, the N Gauge society is probably the the closest to a must buy you can get for N gauge stuff, it is certainly the most professional N gauge publication I have seen so far.
Once you decide on your specific area of interest, you will no doubt find something more "targeted"
As an occasional read, I do find Model Rail quite a good mag, and their editorial staff are great should you ever feel the need to contact them
I've just applied to join the N gauge society :thumbsup:
Mick
Quote from: Mick A on September 30, 2011, 06:48:42 PM
I have a year book and a couple of back issues now ordered ;D (many thanks to Grahame for sorting them for me! :thumbsup: ) I will also check out the on-line magazines and the N gauge society.
I can see this hobby seriously cutting into my wargaming budget... :smiley-laughing:
Mick
I can see the bug has really bitten you Mick...... ;D
Trust me..... in a few months you will be saying "What war gaming budget"..... :smiley-laughing: ;D
Just found Septembers issue of Model Rail in a charity shop for 75p, looks very good and might be a regular buy for me now ;D (unfortunately it didn't have the scenery magazine with it, which would of been very helpful :'( )
Mick
Just discovered this free online mag (us based but still interesting)
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/ (http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/)
Quote from: polo2k on October 02, 2011, 02:48:10 PM
Just discovered this free online mag (us based but still interesting)
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/ (http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/)
Thanks for the link - the La Mesa club layout is enormous - have to see if I can do something similar :D
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/back-issues (http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/back-issues)
Here are their back issues, I am not responsible for how many days you loose!
On page 17 this month there is an interesting article on building a helix for anyone going down that route
I always find continental modeller to be surprisingly interesting. I only buy it now and then,but I am generallyvery impressed with the modelling skills on display. Septembers copy has a jealousy-inducing American track plan in it.!
Iv'e bought a few issues of the continental modeller on the strength of some articles on building and weathering by a guy named Emanuelle Nouaillier.....
His work is quite stunning........http://www.009.cd2.com/members/how_to/nouaillier_a.htm
My yearbook and back issues turned up this morning ;D Great service Grahame and much appreciated sir! :thumbsup:
Mick
Came home & my yearbook had arrived look forward to a good read on my day off tomorrow :thumbsup: thank you Graham for an excellent service.
Quote from: poliss on September 30, 2011, 12:43:43 PM
Couple of online magazines.
Model Railroad Hobbyist.
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/
N Scale Modellers Australia.
http://www.nscale.org.au/
I don't buy paper ones anymore for two reasons.
1) When in the shop you can't get to the shelves because they are blocked by 'browsers'. (Go to the library people!)
2) They are 90% adverts for new models and the same old, same old layout photos that I've seen in them since the 1960s.
You've hit the nail right on the head there. When I down at WH Smiths trying to get near the magazines I often want to find a manager to ask if they can set up a special section for the people who just want to read, leaving space for those of us who actually want to buy something. This perhaps should be in the angry thread.
I'm thinking of joinng the NGS. How often are the journals published and what do that consist of? Are they like an N Gauge RM or more about their own products and what people have done with them?
I've been in the N Gauge Society three times now, as other interests and commitments have taken me away from the hobby from time to time. First time was in the mid-1980s and I suppose I'd have a really low membership no. now if I'd have stayed throughout.
The magazine is a very well-produced A5 publication with lots of colour. Mainly contains well illustrated articles of varying length about members' layouts, or plans, or kit-builds and useful tips and hints from other members. Some of the layouts are inspirational, or cause jealousy. It comes out quarterly. An additional benefit of being in the Society is that members are able to buy specially commissioned bits of rolling stock that are not available to non-members. For instance a recent snow-plough, siphon wagon and an inspection coach that's due out next year; I ordered the latter at N Gauge show last month.
I'd recommend membership, it always feels like good VFM to me.
Non members can get hold of a sample copy of the magazine at exhibitions where the society has a stand, you may have to pay for the sample; can't remember.
On a similar subject, I've noticed that some people on the forum are also members of the 2mm society. Does anyone have a view on whether 2mm membership is useful to people like me who don't want to go down the fine-scale route?
For American outline modellers another great bi-monthly mag is "N Scale Railroading" always full of interesting articles.
N Scale Railroading, that's a new one to me.
Quote from: R M Williams on October 04, 2011, 08:05:16 PM
I've been in the N Gauge Society three times now, as other interests and commitments have taken me away from the hobby from time to time. First time was in the mid-1980s and I suppose I'd have a really low membership no. now if I'd have stayed throughout.
The magazine is a very well-produced A5 publication with lots of colour. Mainly contains well illustrated articles of varying length about members' layouts, or plans, or kit-builds and useful tips and hints from other members. Some of the layouts are inspirational, or cause jealousy. It comes out quarterly. An additional benefit of being in the Society is that members are able to buy specially commissioned bits of rolling stock that are not available to non-members. For instance a recent snow-plough, siphon wagon and an inspection coach that's due out next year; I ordered the latter at N Gauge show last month.
I'd recommend membership, it always feels like good VFM to me.
Non members can get hold of a sample copy of the magazine at exhibitions where the society has a stand, you may have to pay for the sample; can't remember.
On a similar subject, I've noticed that some people on the forum are also members of the 2mm society. Does anyone have a view on whether 2mm membership is useful to people like me who don't want to go down the fine-scale route?
Thanks for that! :D I'll definitely be joing now then! Plus, I'm desperate for that brake van and snow plough! I, too, would be interested to hear what the 2mm Society has to offer.
Here's the link Poliss, a great mag.
http://www.nscalerailroadn.com/
Received my copy of N'spirations Year Book - seems N'teresting - will have a good read later.
Another success story H.
By the way has anyone got a spare N'spirations No. 2?
Bill
Quote from: R M Williams on October 04, 2011, 08:05:16 PM
The magazine is a very well-produced A5 publication with lots of colour. <snip> It comes out quarterly.
It actually comes out every 2 months now (not quarterly).
Quote from: R M Williams on October 04, 2011, 08:05:16 PM
An additional benefit of being in the Society is that members are able to buy specially commissioned bits of rolling stock that are not available to non-members.
And exclusive kits as well, which are excellent. Furthermore the NGS has a shop that sells lots of useful, hard to find bits and pieces (often discounted).
Quote from: R M Williams on October 04, 2011, 08:05:16 PM
Does anyone have a view on whether 2mm membership is useful to people like me who don't want to go down the fine-scale route?
I am a member of both the NGS and the 2mm Association (and a member of DEMU as well - well worth it for "modern image" modellers, particularly for the quarterly mag and forum) and both offer different things. Depending on what you are interested in the 2mm Assoc also offers some useful kits and bits and pieces that are only available to members - have a look at the website for details of all the products. the 2mm Assoc also produces a bimonthly mag which is very good and often full of inspirational layouts and/or tips and techniques that are often equally applicable to N.
Cheers, Mike
Quote from: red_death on October 06, 2011, 05:20:32 PM
Quote from: R M Williams on October 04, 2011, 08:05:16 PM
The magazine is a very well-produced A5 publication with lots of colour. <snip> It comes out quarterly.
It actually comes out every 2 months now (not quarterly).
Quote from: R M Williams on October 04, 2011, 08:05:16 PM
An additional benefit of being in the Society is that members are able to buy specially commissioned bits of rolling stock that are not available to non-members.
And exclusive kits as well, which are excellent. Furthermore the NGS has a shop that sells lots of useful, hard to find bits and pieces (often discounted).
Quote from: R M Williams on October 04, 2011, 08:05:16 PM
Does anyone have a view on whether 2mm membership is useful to people like me who don't want to go down the fine-scale route?
I am a member of both the NGS and the 2mm Association (and a member of DEMU as well - well worth it for "modern image" modellers, particularly for the quarterly mag and forum) and both offer different things. Depending on what you are interested in the 2mm Assoc also offers some useful kits and bits and pieces that are only available to members - have a look at the website for details of all the products. the 2mm Assoc also produces a bimonthly mag which is very good and often full of inspirational layouts and/or tips and techniques that are often equally applicable to N.
Cheers, Mike
The kits do look good. I particularly fancy the snow plough and the new brake van. Do the kits come with wheels, bogies and couplings? Are there guides on how to paint and suggested liveries? What do you do about lining and numbers etc. - are there transfers available to finish the kits off? Will definitely join at some point.
Quote from: RichardBattersby on October 06, 2011, 07:52:50 PM
Do the kits come with wheels, bogies and couplings? Are there guides on how to paint and suggested liveries? What do you do about lining and numbers etc. - are there transfers available to finish the kits off?
All the kits come with wheels, bogies, couplings etc. All the later kits from about NGK24 include transfers, most of the earlier kits you can get transfers from the NGS shop to go with the kits.
Most of the instructions include paint diagrams or instructions.
For the modern kits if you can put together an airfix kit then you can put together one of the NGS plastic kits (just don't choose one of the etched brass kits as your first kit!).
Cheers, Mike
Quote from: red_death on October 06, 2011, 08:40:45 PM
Quote from: RichardBattersby on October 06, 2011, 07:52:50 PM
Do the kits come with wheels, bogies and couplings? Are there guides on how to paint and suggested liveries? What do you do about lining and numbers etc. - are there transfers available to finish the kits off?
All the kits come with wheels, bogies, couplings etc. All the later kits from about NGK24 include transfers, most of the earlier kits you can get transfers from the NGS shop to go with the kits.
Most of the instructions include paint diagrams or instructions.
For the modern kits if you can put together an airfix kit then you can put together one of the NGS plastic kits (just don't choose one of the etched brass kits as your first kit!).
Cheers, Mike
That's good. Thanks. I'll just not start with the brass ones then!
A lot of the early brass stuff is also shrinks from larger scales rather than designed for N. I would work through the simpler kits, then brass and other etched kits designed for N, then shrinks.