Dropped through the door earlier today, and have had a brief scan. Nice to see an article on motorising a Peco turntable with an Arduino, as well as several other interesting articles. No doubt, however, the "usual suspects" will complain about the Editor writing several articles though ...
Mike
Had a quick read this morning before going to work. Tanners Hill really caught my eye, so I'll look out for that layout in the future. Also, well done to @thebrighton (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=943) for his superb looking Class 456. :)
Not read it yet but note with interest the article on 66 to 59 conversion, didn't notice the 456 so that should be good.
Also happy to see that I have my first ever (small) contribution to the NGS Journal. One of my photos from TINGS has been used.
See if you can guess which one :wave:
Skyline2uk
And there's a photo of my Network Rail Class 950001
Pete @ EGLM
I am surprised that no one has mentioned that there seems to be a changing of the guard on the committee, as the posts of Chairman, Display Stand Manager, Area Group Co-ordinator and Webmaster are all up for grabs.
So anyone fancy a Committee role wih the NGS? Someone who's bemoaning the state of the NGS perhaps, here's their chance to step up to the plate and make a difference!!
Haven't looked through the actual Journal yet, just managed to read throughthe Newsletter, on a positive note there is another livery available for the Thompson BG and the deadline for pre-orders has been extended to the end of the year.
Regards
Neal.
Quote from: Calnefoxile on November 26, 2015, 11:18:04 PM
......Webmaster are all up for grabs.
I would have loved to have done this some years back, and did in fact ask about it. Let's hope we get some volunteers soon.
Quote from: MikeDunn on November 26, 2015, 04:04:12 PM
Dropped through the door earlier today, and have had a brief scan. Nice to see an article on motorising a Peco turntable with an Arduino, as well as several other interesting articles. No doubt, however, the "usual suspects" will complain about the Editor writing several articles though ...
Mike
Yes, another good issue. Rather than complain, perhaps the "usual suspects" should try writing articles for the journal! In every issue, the Editor is inviting, almost pleading for, submissions!
Alex
Well I have applied for the role of Stand Manager.
I have secured Dave and Ann Baverstock as my proposer and seconder.
Please vote for me (if it comes it) :NGaugersRule:
Quote from: Calnefoxile on November 26, 2015, 11:18:04 PM
I am surprised that no one has mentioned that there seems to be a changing of the guard on the committee, as the posts of Chairman, Display Stand Manager, Area Group Co-ordinator and Webmaster are all up for grabs.
Are they, though ? I had
assumed (I know, bad) that they are up for renewal & this is an invite for other peeps to put in as well ?
Can I extend my thanks to NGF members Cooper (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=852) and Skyline2uk (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1081) who helped me help Grahame with the TINGS report in the current issue.
Also worth mentioning that they're looking for an assistant to help the editor with the Journal. If you're one of those people who'd like to see the Journal evolve into something closer to your own tastes, this would be an ideal opportunity to actually make those changes.
Even if you can't commit that sort of time, please do think about sending the editor an article or two. Clearly, he likes one about modelling rather than collecting or nitpicking! But beyond that the range of stuff featured in the Journal strikes me as pretty broad these days.
Cheers, NeMo
I see there is a debate about selling secondhand items and deceased members stock in the newsletter. As a member of the Gauge O Guild I think their Executor and Trustee service is an excellent membership benefit. That your loved ones can leave the selling of your items once you pass on to a trusted group that will find a good home for the stock at a decent price is worth considering. This is distinct from what has also been happening at the NGS, which has been buying secondhand collections with little resale value. The GOG have a members area online where you can buy this stock, and they do roughly 4 shows a year where items are available to buy. Updates of stock in hand go out with their publication. All this takes volunteer time and effort, and requires storage. Is there a way of getting something similar up and running online to help clear the backlog of stock and provide this service in the future? I'm useless at setting up webpages and processes, but would help catalogue and run such a service if it was deemed the way forward. Of course, having a decent Webmaster would be a start..... :laughabovepost:
I feel that a comparison of the re-sale values of N gauge models and 0 gauge models is a pointless exercise.
0 gauge models will always have a collectable appeal because of their sheer presence and construction. N cannot compete in this arena.
Well I have a NB-55 in the cupboard and a 4x2 test track which is a mini layout so now I can put Roger Millers Article to the test, and I have just priced up the items which come in quite cheap I was very surprised, it knocks other motor drives out of the water and with this Arduino setup it looks the bees knees.
well done Roger and thank you.
More articles like this in the Journal will keep me hooked.
My understanding is that the NGS's S/H service was essentially what Neal describes for the GOG. Also a way to make sure that people got fair prices, but it all seemed to get a bit out of hand.
S/H is really difficult to do well - you need to know what you are buying and what the market will pay for it.
After my first read of this issue I am very impressed.
I found the article on converting a 66 to a 59 fascinating, with a superb result.
Congratulations to the winners of the model making competition listed in this article, inspiring work.
Skyline2uk
6/15 just arrived here in todays mail. Just had a flick through, and that Arduino article looks interesting, especially as I've recently been experimenting with Arduino.
Dunno what happened to issue 5/15, though..... lost somewhere in the world, I guess. :(
Sorry to be a wet blanket but the NGS journal has become an ego trip for Grahame Hedges.
The back cover features an article on a Bo-Bo class 37. For those who don't know about these things, a "Bo-Bo" loco has 2 axles per bogie whereas the 37 has 3 and should therefore be described as Co-Co.
Forgive me for being pedantic - as Grahame says in his supercilious reply to a reader's letter that pointed out that Peco do make electrofrog code 55 slip points and crossings, contrary to what was indicated in the "How To" supplement offered with the previous journal :
"Looks like I can't afford to be anything but perfect".
The free supplement in the next issue is the "N Gauge Supplier Compendium" - Hmm.
Finally, Grahame has launched a call for articles for future journals, so anyone who has sent articles that were never pubished please re-send as they have no doubt been "lost" when Grahame took over from the previous incumbent.
Best regards,
Joe
Quote from: joe cassidy on December 03, 2015, 08:25:19 PM
Sorry to be a wet blanket but the NGS journal has become an ego trip for Grahame Hedges.
The back cover features an article on a Bo-Bo class 37. For those who don't know about these things, a "Bo-Bo" loco has 2 axles per bogie whereas the 37 has 3 and should therefore be described as Co-Co.
Forgive me for being pedantic - as Grahame says in his supercilious reply to a reader's letter that pointed out that Peco do make electrofrog code 55 slip points and crossings, contrary to what was indicated in the "How To" supplement offered with the previous journal :
"Looks like I can't afford to be anything but perfect".
The free supplement in the next issue is the "N Gauge Supplier Compendium" - Hmm.
Finally, Grahame has launched a call for articles for future journals, so anyone who has sent articles that were never pubished please re-send as they have no doubt been "lost" when Grahame took over from the previous incumbent.
Best regards,
Joe
Sounds like a case of dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. The plea for articles comes from editors everywhere. For myself, I enjoyed it although I've still not managed to find time to properly read it.
There are some interesting articles there, particularly the one about the new kit from Mill Lane Sidings which is a wagon specially designed for carrying hydrochloric acid in drums/carboys.
Best regards,
Joe
Private Owner Coal Wagons by 'N E O'Phyte' is a well written and informative article on the core traffic of many a model railway yard.
I also liked the article by Phil Lundberg about detailing the Union Mills LNWR tenders.
Best regards,
Joe
There are certainly too many errors, but the fix for that isn't to female dog (changed by forum) about it but for someone to volunteer to do the utterly tedious job of proofing for the NGS.
I would be willing to have a go at proof-reading the text for the next issue.
Best regards,
Joe
don't post here - apply @ the NGS ::)
I just received mine a couple of days ago, and I was THRILLED to see my little 20 shunter and Prototype HST set in the AMMC report from Michael.
I might just apply to NGS as a proof reader. I shouldn't just be the person that cringes at grammatial error or misuse of an apostrophe... I should offer to help, if such a position exisits!
Quote from: Mustermark on December 05, 2015, 12:54:27 AM
I just received mine a couple of days ago, and I was THRILLED to see my little 20 shunter and Prototype HST set in the AMMC report from Michael.
I might just apply to NGS as a proof reader. I shouldn't just be the person that cringes at grammatial error or misuse of an apostrophe... I should offer to help, if such a position exisits!
Ahem, wrong spelling of grammatical and exists , and prototype doesn't need a capital P........ :telloff:
Quote from: Agrippa on December 05, 2015, 01:25:59 AM
Quote from: Mustermark on December 05, 2015, 12:54:27 AM
I just received mine a couple of days ago, and I was THRILLED to see my little 20 shunter and Prototype HST set in the AMMC report from Michael.
I might just apply to NGS as a proof reader. I shouldn't just be the person that cringes at grammatial error or misuse of an apostrophe... I should offer to help, if such a position exisits!
Ahem, wrong spelling of grammatical and exists , and prototype doesn't need a capital P........ :telloff:
D'oh, yes, lol. Will save proof reading for when I haven't had gin!
Speaking as a relative newcomer to this hobby of ours - and surely that is what it is for the majority - a hobby, I have to say that I am quite impressed with the Journal. As a newcomer, I do not know Graham Hodges from Adam, but I have noticed from time to time, that he does seem to have his detractors. All I can say is that I enjoy the Journal for what it is, a decent magazine for 'n gaugers' and a source of information. I must admit though, I thought the comment by Graham Hodges about being perfect could have been taken as being a bit sarcastic, (or even supercilious) -how's that for proof-reading? ;):) David.
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 03:54:10 AM
-how's that for proof-reading? ;):) David.
It's Hedges, not Hodges ;) ;D
Paul
Quote from: Sprintex on December 05, 2015, 05:00:29 AM
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 03:54:10 AM
-how's that for proof-reading? ;):) David.
It's Hedges, not Hodges ;) ;D
Paul
:-[ Just testing peoples powers of observation ;D :P
And anyway, I did say I didn't know Graham Hodges from Adam :P
peoples' ;)
Quote from: Bealman on December 05, 2015, 05:19:45 AM
peoples' ;)
The dreaded apostrophe again - I was always taught, (a long time ago!), that an apostrophe was only used to signify a missing letter, (or letters). :confused1: :) But I'm, (see what I did there?), drifting of topic - sorry Mod's, (oops, done it again). :smiley-laughing:. David.
Well as always I was excited as a five year old in a lolly shop to find the latest edition had arrived. Did you usual flick thru last night to save it for the three hour train trip to work. Top articles as always and I'm always impressed by what I read and see and as always thank you to those who have made it so.
So since my train was now an hour and a bit late due to a freight train breakdown in front I decided to do my bit to help the journal and write up an article on cheap control panels so hopefully it will make the grade and you all get to see it some time soon
Quote from: Bealman on December 05, 2015, 05:19:45 AM
peoples' ;)
Disagree. The "s" is only there for possessive purposes, not the plural of people, therefore it's "people's".
Testing the observation of peoples is a much bigger task!
I :thankyousign: :D
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 05:32:26 AM
But I'm, (see what I did there?), drifting of topic - sorry Mod's, (oops, done it again). :smiley-laughing:. David.
Puts pedantic head on - I think you meant 'off' topic ;)
Removes head before someone else does it for me :worried:
Quote from: newportnobby on December 05, 2015, 01:20:21 PM
Puts pedantic head on - I think you meant 'off' topic ;)
Removes head before someone else does it for me :worried:
Oh, I dunno ... the topic has drifted quite a way ... :no:
Sad to see some of the "usual suspects" come out as I had predicted, however :-[
I think we need to remember that everyone can make mistakes. It's also worth remembering that the filling of committee positions is rarely and easy task. I have been a member of a specialist tropical fish association for 38 years, and currently vice chairman of it. There is just a handful of our committee who are what I would call active in running and furthering us. If we lost our editor, who by the way is not perfect, we would really struggle to fill his position.
Grammatical errors. I have had several articles published in Practical Fishkeeping over the years. A previous editor of this magazine told me they have to bin around 70% of what they get sent, as it is so full of errors and all over the place.
Personally I quite like the recent format of NGS journals, and whilst I have never met Graham Hedges I think he needs to be cut some slack guys. I am making the assumption that there is not a bevy of wanna be editors waiting in the wings?
I have been a member of NGS longer than I care to remember and I would suggest that the Journal has improved dramatically since Graham took over and the last edition was probably the best ever. Even the professional magazines and newspapers have grammatical and spelling errors as spellchecks don't always pick up the fact it is the wrong word. Proof reading is a time consuming, boring task and after while you see what you expect to see.
I like a previous contributor have decided not to renew my subscription to Model Rail as the cost of postage to Canada no longer justifies the purchase when the NGS Journal has reached the standard it has and provides a wide range of articles but particularly the trade information and evaluation of N gauge focussed products. There will always be articles that are not relevant to one's specific interest but even then there is often ideas that one can build on.
Congratulations Graham and keep up the good work!
Keith
Dundas, Ontario.
Quote from: geminijkr on December 05, 2015, 04:44:35 PM
I have been a member of NGS longer than I care to remember and I would suggest that the Journal has improved dramatically since Graham took over
Hear hear!
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 05:32:26 AM
The dreaded apostrophe again - I was always taught, (a long time ago!), that an apostrophe was only used to signify a missing letter, (or letters). :confused1:
Then I'm afraid you were taught wrong ;-}
http://www.eng-lang.co.uk/apostrophe_rules.htm (http://www.eng-lang.co.uk/apostrophe_rules.htm)
Quote from: trkilliman on December 05, 2015, 03:07:49 PM
Personally I quite like the recent format of NGS journals, and whilst I have never met Graham Hedges I think he needs to be cut some slack guys. I am making the assumption that there is not a bevy of wanna be editors waiting in the wings?
Two nails hit squarely on their heads there.
He's doing the job for free. While that isn't an excuse for doing things badly, the fact is that he isn't doing it badly -- he's doing it rather well. Maybe not to everyone's taste, but the journal now has a clear focus and vision -- namely promoting the modelling side of the hobby through publishing a variety of how-to articles pitched at different skill levels.
And yes, there's a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking going on here and elsewhere. Grahame has repeatedly asked for articles, not to mention a deputy to help him out, so it's not like he's actively excluding others from getting involved with the journal.
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: keithfre on December 05, 2015, 04:55:43 PM
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 05:32:26 AM
The dreaded apostrophe again - I was always taught, (a long time ago!), that an apostrophe was only used to signify a missing letter, (or letters). :confused1:
Then I'm afraid you were taught wrong ;-}
http://www.eng-lang.co.uk/apostrophe_rules.htm (http://www.eng-lang.co.uk/apostrophe_rules.htm)
Not sure what you are saying Keithfre - the first part of that webpage states -
"In UK and US English, the apostrophe is used:
To indicate the possessive.
To indicate missing letters. (my italics)
Sometimes to indicate the structure of unusual words."
Just an observation. Sorry Mod's, off the original topic I know. :) David.
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 08:48:44 PM
Quote from: keithfre on December 05, 2015, 04:55:43 PM
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 05:32:26 AM
The dreaded apostrophe again - I was always taught, (a long time ago!), that an apostrophe was only used to signify a missing letter, (or letters). :confused1:
Then I'm afraid you were taught wrong ;-}
http://www.eng-lang.co.uk/apostrophe_rules.htm (http://www.eng-lang.co.uk/apostrophe_rules.htm)
Not sure what you are saying Keithfre - the first part of that webpage states -
"In UK and US English, the apostrophe is used:
To indicate the possessive.
To indicate missing letters. (my italics)
Sometimes to indicate the structure of unusual words."
Just an observation. Sorry Mod's, off the original topic I know. :) David.
Hi
Read your own quote. You say "an apostrophe is
only used to signify missing letters"
Cheers
Paul
I'm of t' opinion th' an apostrophe should b'used t' slow t' reader down so th't hes' better able t'understand t'sentence. :D
Quote from: PaulCheffus on December 05, 2015, 09:23:05 PM
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 08:48:44 PM
Quote from: keithfre on December 05, 2015, 04:55:43 PM
Quote from: dannyboy on December 05, 2015, 05:32:26 AM
The dreaded apostrophe again - I was always taught, (a long time ago!), that an apostrophe was only used to signify a missing letter, (or letters). :confused1:
Then I'm afraid you were taught wrong ;-}
http://www.eng-lang.co.uk/apostrophe_rules.htm (http://www.eng-lang.co.uk/apostrophe_rules.htm)
Not sure what you are saying Keithfre - the first part of that webpage states -
"In UK and US English, the apostrophe is used:
To indicate the possessive.
To indicate missing letters. (my italics)
Sometimes to indicate the structure of unusual words."
Just an observation. Sorry Mod's, off the original topic I know. :) David.
Hi
Read your own quote. You say "an apostrophe is only used to signify missing letters"
Cheers
Paul
Touché - maybe I should not have used the word 'only', however, that is what I was taught and, having used the rule for nearly 60 years, it's a bit late to change now. :) Maybe we should get back on topic. :hmmm: David.
So where does T'pau fit in................... ;D
Quote from: Agrippa on December 06, 2015, 01:37:09 AM
So where does T'pau fit in................... ;D
I doubt if she does !
I am no Vulcan liguistic 'spert but I think that has more to do with a glottal stop than a diacritical mark ?
It's grammar Jim, but not as we know it..................... :D
Quote from: geminijkr on December 05, 2015, 04:44:35 PM
I have been a member of NGS longer than I care to remember and I would suggest that the Journal has improved dramatically since Graham took over and the last edition was probably the best ever. Even the professional magazines and newspapers have grammatical and spelling errors as spellchecks don't always pick up the fact it is the wrong word. Proof reading is a time consuming, boring task and after while you see what you expect to see.
I like a previous contributor have decided not to renew my subscription to Model Rail as the cost of postage to Canada no longer justifies the purchase when the NGS Journal has reached the standard it has and provides a wide range of articles but particularly the trade information and evaluation of N gauge focussed products. There will always be articles that are not relevant to one's specific interest but even then there is often ideas that one can build on.
Congratulations Graham and keep up the good work!
Keith
Dundas, Ontario.
How about subscribing to the digital version. Cheaper and received faster. Pity the NGS journal is not digital as I am still waiting for my copy. Love to see what you guys are on about - excellent articles.
Damn forgot the apostrophe :D
I usually read my copy of the journal the moment it drops through the letterbox, and would like to extend my congratulations to Grahame for the superb job he has done as editor since taking over, the journal is of a standard that in my view challenges any of the current model railway magazines, indeed I generally only buy one a month now as the journal gives me almost everything I want.
It is always easy to criticise, but there are few volunteers like Grahame who give up their free time to do these jobs and they do eat heavily into spare time (I volunteer for the Royal British Legion so I have an understanding of this), so I would say to the nit pickers, try doing the job first before running a critique - I can guarantee it will change your viewpoint.
Regards,
Alex