From the Dome Car: Train 1 Track 5 (January-February 1991)












As the new year begins, Morgan has had to apply for a GST number. And he’s now in the clothing business, selling sweatshirts. Still some challenges, but he says they will soon be off the siding and on to the mainline. And already he’s beginning to note the role CRM will play for future historians of Canadian railway modelling. (Like this blog, perhaps, although he Internet wasn’t even a dream in 1991.) 

Well, another issue headed down the track, it’s a good sign! It means we need to start working on the next one. Things are happening at a rapid pace around here, in more ways than one. 

You will soon notice hobby shops selling Canadian Railway Modeller sweat shirts. The shirts will only be available through Canadian hobby shops and we trust that you will give them your support if you are interested in purchasing one. It will help both the shops and the magazine through these tough economic times that we all face. 

All Canadian hobby shops listed in our Hobby Shop Directory will have information on how to order. Our success with this project will determine the release of other clothing-type items in the future. 

As you can see in the Letters to the Editor, we have had plenty of correspondence with modellers over the last few months. It would appear that the first four issues of CRM have been well received by those that model Canadian roads. 

We are still learning how to walk along with this and we are able to see the turnout that leads to the mainline. There is no doubt that we are all experiencing difficult economic conditions. But I am confident that you will stick by us going into our second year as, with your support and commitment to this magazine, you assure its future. We have a bright future ahead with information and material that needs to be published. 

In true Canadian style and fashion, we want to do it ourselves: this is our stuff we're talking about! Personal letters of concern that will not appear in the letters to the editor column are welcome. We are all kind of like historians, keeping detailed records that some day may prove how valuable our culture and heritage really is. Canadian Railway Modeller becomes an important document. 

CRM is planning to attend the train show at the International Centre in Toronto in March. We hope to meet many of the modellers that we've talked with and written to over the past year and we will welcome some of our featured authors behind our table. I have attended this show before and it is a dandy! Hope to see you there. 

Again, I wish to encourage those that are thinking about sending in an article to do so. We have received quite a few over the last while and always have room for more. I am happy to have received material from some of our teen modellers and they are always of great interest. The Canadian modelling future is in their hands and from what I've seen so far, we have nothing to worry about. Some very fine material! Keep it up. 

If you are a teen and are sending in material, be sure to label everything and please tell us what grade you are in and what school you attend if you are a student. 

Another call needs to go out for material for the Modellers' Photo section. Please include negatives if possible and a caption for each picture. All material will be returned. Your favourite hobby shop has space available in the 'Tunnel' and we would like to hear from more Canadian Historical Societies. 

As has been mentioned, we have some very good article material on hand and are always looking for more. It helps us publish some variety in our content. We will be including a reader's survey in the near future. 

And perhaps I should mention the status on CRM logo pins. The remaining pins will be mass-mailed in January, so if you were one of the first 1,000 subscribers and haven't already received your pin, look for it soon. We have had only three pins returned from the 500 or so already sent out, so we are confident that they are getting through the mail system. 

One last item: the Goods and Services Tax. I am forced to become a government messenger. CRM must collect and remit GST on all products and services and has registered for a GST number. We have had to reflect this in all our prices. When will it all end? 

Well, that's all the crying for this issue. Hope to. hear from you’all soon, but don’t everybody write at once! 



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