Railroad Model Craftsman

Railroad Model Craftsman
Editor Stephen Priest
Categories Rail transport modeling
Frequency Monthly
Publisher White River Productions
First issue 1933
Country USA
Website rrmodelcraftsman.com
ISSN 0033-877X

Railroad Model Craftsman is an American magazine specializing in the hobby of model railroading. The magazine is published monthly by White River Productions, which acquired the title from Carstens Publications in 2014. Its first issue in March 1933 was called The Model Craftsman because it covered other areas of scale modeling as well. Founded by Emanuele Stieri, it was second owner Charles A. Penn who helped grow the company and lead the publication towards the hobby of scale models.[1] In April 1949 it changed its focus to model trains and changed its name to Railroad Model Craftsman reflect this change in editorial content. While it can claim to be the oldest model railroading magazine in continuous publication in the United States, rival Model Railroader counters with the tagline "Model railroading exclusively since 1934." (However, both were predated by The Model Maker, which dates from 1924, and showcased working models of steam engines, trains, and boats.[2]) Over the years, several other titles have been folded into the publication, including Toy Trains, Electric Trains and Hobby Railroading, Miniature Rail Roading, Model & Railway News, and The O Gager.

Early years and development

The company was founded in 1933 by Emmanuele Stieri, a prolific how-to writer, and was the first editor-in-chief of the fledgling publication.[3] Published by Model Craftsman Publishing Corp., the company moved headquarters from Chicago to New York City in 1934. The company was acquired by Charles A. Penn in 1935. The company relocated to suburban Ramsey, New Jersey in 1940. During the 1940s, the staff consisted of Charles Penn as editor and publisher, Robert W. Thompson as managing editor, Lewis Austin as the model railroad editor, Leon Shulman as the model airplane editor, and Louis H. Hertz as the research editor.[4] After World War II, Robert Thompson was succeeded by his brother Jim as managing editor.

Harold Carstens joined the staff as an associate editor in 1952, after previously contributing several articles. As of 1954, the magazine staff consisted of Charles Penn as editor and publisher, Jim Thompson as executive editor, Hal Carstens as managing editor, Sam Skean, Bill Schopp as technical editor, and Edwin P. Alexander as research editor.[5]

The Carstens era

In 1962, Hal Carstens was named publisher and president following the retirement of Charles Penn. Hal Carstens later purchased the company, and the name was changed to Carstens Publications in 1969. Tony Koester joined the staff as an associate editor in 1968, and later became managing editor in 1971. JBy 1972, Jim Boyd was working full-time as editor of Flying Models, but was also listed as an associate editor of RMC. The last big move came in 1973 when the publishing company moved to rural Newton in northern New Jersey, housed in a newly constructed suite of offices with an attached warehouse.

By 1980, Jim Boyd and Bill Schaumburg were listed as associate editors. In 1981, Bill Schaumburg succeeded Koester as managing editor, and Chris D'Amato and Jim Ankrom joined the staff as associate editors in 1982. By the mid-1980s, Boyd was dropped from the masthead as he was now concentrating full-time as editor of Railfan & Railroad.

The magazine was published 12 times a year by Carstens Publications, located in Newton, New Jersey. As its name would suggest, Railroad Model Craftsman concentrates more on scratch building and kitbashing than its closest competitor. In-depth features relating to prototype historical research, model construction techniques, and high-quality detailing and finishing are common themes. The editors have also closely followed the emerging trend of Railway Prototype Modelers, who seek to reproduce scale replicas of actual existing pieces of railway equipment as closely as possible, and share those techniques with other modelers. Although the magazine is not scale-specific, most of its plans are published either in HO scale or O scale, with instructions on converting them to other scales. Almost all of the content in the magazine is generated by readers, with very few articles produced by the editors.

Enjoying a long career as RMC's longest serving editor, Bill Schaumburg retired in 2013. After his departure, the staff of the magazine consisted of editor Chris D'Amato, associate editor Jim Ankrom, and part-time associate editor Scott Lupia. Most of the accompanying art work, maps, and track plans were produced by senior illustrator Ken Lawrence.

White River Productions era

After years of financial struggle, Carstens Publications president Henry Carstens announced the company's permanent closure on August 22, 2014. On September 1, 2014, White River Productions announced their acquisition of Railroad Model Craftsman as well as sister publication Railfan & Railroad. Beginning with the January 2015 issue, the primary editorial staff consists of Stephen Priest and Tony Cook, the first major change since the 1980s. The magazine has been completely redesigned, and some columns have been removed ("Collector Consist"), while others have been renamed ("Safety Valve" is now "Postmarks"). The magazine continues to produce in-depth features focused on scale model construction and prototype research.

Magazine sections

Postmarks - (Formerly "Safety Valve") A column of letters submitted to the editors by the readers of RMC expressing opinions about or sharing news related to features published in the magazine. Printined on a space-available basis.

Receiving Yard - (Formerly "Dispatcher's Report") This section features announcements from various hobby manufacturers of new model railroading products available. Descriptions are brief and contain contact information for the manufacturer or their representative.

Railbooks - Various new books and recordings related to the world of railroading and scale models are reviewed in-depth by the editors and other authors.

Timetable - A listing of model railroad related events taking place around the country, submitted by readers, and published on a space-available basis.

Features - The main part of the magazine is dedicated to the features. The subjects can range from a tour of a model railroad; to historical research related to a structure, piece of equipment, or entire railroad line; to the construction, painting, and detailing of a scale model.

Scratchbuilder's Corner - This has been a regular monthly feature of RMC for the last several years. Each month, veteran model builder Bob Walker discusses tips, techniques, and philosophy related to the construction of scale models from scratch, otherwise known as "scratchbuilding."

Test Track - In-depth product reviews of new tools, models, and other equipment related to model railroading.

Editor's Notebook - News and editorial commentary by RMC editor Stephen Priest.

Look Both Ways - Explores some of the philosophy and reason behind the construction of model railroads and the hobby experience as a whole.

Notes

  1. ↑ "Railroad Model Craftsman - Craftsman Classics". Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  2. ↑ Mark Brown. "Library". The International Model Car Builders' Museum. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  3. ↑ Harold H. Carstens (March 1983). "The First Fifty Years". Railroad Model Craftsman: 5.
  4. ↑ "The Model Craftsman". August 1946: 4.
  5. ↑ "Railroad Model Craftsman - Craftsman Classics". Retrieved 2012-03-31.
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