Quote from: NgaugeDan on April 03, 2012, 02:12:03 PM
I emailed the editor of Model Rail magazine a few weeks back asking if they'd consider doing a few of their exclusive models in N gauge as well as all their OO stuff.

The response was pretty much the same along the lines of there's no evidence of more people taking up modelling in N gauge and not enough demand for them to create exclusive N gauge models.  It's ashame because Model Rail is my preferred magazine and I'd like to see more N gauge content and would buy N gauge exclusive models from them.

Dan

Hi

They tried it with a set of TTA wagons and from what I can remember it wasn't a roaring success so I can understand their reluctance.

Cheers

Paul

IMHO if N gauge modelling is not increasing as quoted by the
MR editor the cost of rolling stock must be a major factor.
OO/HO stock at 4 times the size is not hugely more
costly as far as RTR items from Hornby, Bachmann etc
are concerned, although economies of scale apply
to manufacturing costs. Also there are frequent
mentions on this forum of poor running and unreliability
of British outline locos  even when new.

Quote from: Agrippa on April 03, 2012, 04:19:34 PM
IMHO if N gauge modelling is not increasing as quoted by the
MR editor the cost of rolling stock must be a major factor.
OO/HO stock at 4 times the size is not hugely more
costly as far as RTR items from Hornby, Bachmann etc
are concerned, although economies of scale apply
to manufacturing costs. Also there are frequent
mentions on this forum of poor running and unreliability
of British outline locos  even when new.

There is only a small difference in the actual raw material cost. The cost of the CAD work, making the tooling, making the moulds,  production machinery, motors, packaging, shipping and distribution are virtually the same, irrespective of scale.

Quote from: Agrippa on April 03, 2012, 04:19:34 PM
Also there are frequent
mentions on this forum of poor running and unreliability
of British outline locos  even when new.

Got to admit the comments on this forum put me off buying anything British and contributed to me selecting Kato. And I wish I'd taken heed of them because when I did eventually buy British, I was not impressed either, for the reasons quoted above (and these are for DMUs and not steam). There was a lengthy post about British reliability on this on this forum. Still going to buy the Blue Pullman though.

We should invite them onto the forum.  By the editors or their staff seeing the enthusiasm & quality of the modelling involved it might spark them to include or ask to include more N gauge modelling into their magazines.. 

If per chance they are a 3rd rail modeller (but thats just wishfull thinking)...

Quote from: Greybeema on April 03, 2012, 06:39:22 PM
We should invite them onto the forum.  By the editors or their staff seeing the enthusiasm & quality of the modelling involved it might spark them to include or ask to include more N gauge modelling into their magazines.. 

If per chance they are a 3rd rail modeller (but thats just wishfull thinking)...

I already have when I spoke to them last year about supporting the raffle, they declined as they only have a very small team.

Quote from: Greybeema on April 03, 2012, 06:39:22 PM
We should invite them onto the forum.  By the editors or their staff seeing the enthusiasm & quality of the modelling involved it might spark them to include or ask to include more N gauge modelling into their magazines.. 

Ben Ando who is a regular contributer to Model Rail and an N Gauge modeller is a member of this forum and i'm sure someone who is working to have more N Gauge related articals in the mag.
Model Rail is the only mag i take on a regular basis even if there is not much N in it as there is usually something in it of interest......the workbench section is usually full of good tips and advice regardless of the scale you model....

I know we had a Ben A as a member but didn't imagine it was himself  are you sure  our piddly wee forum has attracted such modelling nobility 

Quote from: NgaugeDan on April 03, 2012, 02:12:03 PM
I emailed the editor of Model Rail magazine a few weeks back asking if they'd consider doing a few of their exclusive models in N gauge as well as all their OO stuff.

The response was pretty much the same along the lines of there's no evidence of more people taking up modelling in N gauge and not enough demand for them to create exclusive N gauge models. 

MR did once produce an 'exclusive' N gauge product but it flopped. However, that seems to be because it was a poor subject choice - there have been plenty of very successful N gauge exclusives so it's not true to say there is not enough  demand. Sure, there have also been a few other failures but they are less than the successes, and it's all a matter of making the right (and popular) choices.

I would have thought that growing membership of the N Gauge Society, 2mm Scale Association and exclusive on-line N gauge forums (like this) is some evidence (although not conclusive) of more people taking up modelling in N gauge. 

H.

Quote from: Agrippa on April 03, 2012, 04:19:34 PM

IMHO if N gauge modelling is not increasing as quoted by the MR editor the cost of rolling stock must be a major factor.

Not that old battlecry  It's simply not a major factor.

Quote from: Agrippa on April 03, 2012, 04:19:34 PM

Also there are frequent mentions on this forum of poor running and unreliability of British outline locos even when new.

But that is a concern - for some. Although in general new D&E stock is now very reliable with more than acceptable performance.

H.

Until 12th April British Railway Modelling magazine are doing a survey which they will use for improving their magazine.

I've already done it. Maybe worth everyone having a go because the more N gauge modellers that complete it the more likely that N gauge coverage will increase.

You can find the survey here :

https://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/information/2012_BRM_reader_survey

(You could win a prize as well and even though it's OO scale you could always sell it to fund your N gauge purchases!)

There is also a larger survey being carried out through the Model Railway Express Magazine/RMweb http://www.mremag.com/ which is being supported by all of the magazines, major manufacturers and many retailers. The more people that register an interest in N Gauge the better will the chance of manufacturers recognising the true extent of N Gauge modelling. 

Quote from: H on April 03, 2012, 09:03:04 PM

Quote from: Agrippa on April 03, 2012, 04:19:34 PM

IMHO if N gauge modelling is not increasing as quoted by the MR editor the cost of rolling stock must be a major factor.

Not that old battlecry  It's simply not a major factor.


The cost of rolling stock may not be a major factor for you H but there are those of us who love the hobby but have to prioritise our finances and rolling stock can come way down the list

Quote from: SymonC on April 04, 2012, 07:51:31 AM
(You could win a prize as well and even though it's OO scale you could always sell it to fund your N gauge purchases!)

That's somehow symptomatic of the whole problem.  Those of us who don't have the time or inclination to go through the rigmarole of selling unwanted stuff are hardly likely to do the survey.  Therefore N gauge will automatically be under-represented. 

Iv just finished the survey
Doesn't take long everyone should do it!