I think there has been some RTR upgrades featured in MRJ, from a
personal point of view I don't see the point if it's still 00 gauge, bit half baked !
whilst a detail upgrade and P4 conversion would be the sort of feature I'd expect in MRJ.
If moving with the times meant filling the mag with 00 gauge models and Peco track etc. well that's when I'd stop buying it, save it for the likes of RM etc.
Surely the idea of MRJ in the first place was to not be like Railway Modeller etc. not to compete but to showcase an alterative view to mainstream model railways, I certainly like the lack of the box sellers advertising crap.
And this is the kind of disappointing attitude that may well sink MRJ in the long run. In the 4mm model railway world EM and P4 modellers are in the minority. Maybe in the MRJ readership, 4mm wise, they are in the majority. Who knows ? However, unlike you though, I still get inspired by quality modelling. I don't let the fact that it's in a gauge I have no interest in stand in the way of my enjoyment of the subject.
And I'm not advocating handing MRJ over to a Railway Modelleresque audience. God no !
But to use your words there is an alternative view to OO world. Disregarding your apparent prejudicial outlook on all things 00 there are some decent 00 modellers out there, you know....PMP ( who like me uses PECO track ) Chris Nevard and Tim Maddocks to name just three. ÌAre we saying that an article or two by them and that's an issue to avoid lest you suffer a sudden and inexplicable urge to narrow your gauge........No.....I thought not.
Absolutely.
To be constructive (please forgive the pun), for those would-be aspirers to MRJ who would like the parameters shifting as suggested (shaln’t mention moving goal posts as I’m on my way to the Fulham game and I’m not filled with encouragement
), then may I offer a suggestion?
An interrogation of the online pages of say High Level kits, will yield one of several replacement chassis for current and older RTR OO gauge locos which could be purchased, along with say a CSB system with full instructions to ensure smooth running over less than perfect track - these are I believe of the highest quality with full assistance given by an interested proprietor - coupled with the purchase of a motor and some scale wheels freely available, and followed by a visit to a local exhibition to pick up some soldering equipment and an array of drill bits and pin vices of appropriate sizes; then the win on say an online auction site for a broken model of your chosen subject for a pittance, should put you on course to at least have your work noticed by the MRJ team, in the knowledge that your recipe would be of benefit to its readers, probably in any of the four milli scales. It would also prove a prime opportunity to showcase some weth’ring skills should they prove your party piece.
Essentially, it might even up a whole new and interesting avenue of the hobby.
What’s there to lose?
I take it that's aimed squarely in my direction, Jon. I'm not so obsessed by getting an article in MRJ to make things deliberately tricky for myself.
Why should I ?
On your example, I have three super smooth
Hornby J15s that will run beautifully over my peco pointwork. They will in time be weathered accordingly, coaled and crewed. They will look the part but going by the views of others, have no chance of being featured.
However, if I replace chassis wheel gears and motor, spend an age getting it to run to the same standard as the Hornby model this model, which looks the same has a better chance to get in the mag. Really ?
Other than demonstrating a degree of craftsmanship or not subject to how it runs, if at all of course, it's a pretty pointless exercise.
I would rather spend the time building a layout for my well running, well weathered and detailed out of the box loco to play on. And that may be where I'm going wrong.
I think overall, my kind of modeller is simply not the right sort to find themselves in MRJ. We're not welcomed by the finescale boys and we should remain in the other magazines and not get above our station.
I think that has been made abundantly clear.
Rob.