From the Dome Car: Train 3 Track 3 (February-March 1993)

 
 

A price increase! And not the last time. Prices for everything kept going up; finding a way to balance costs and revenue was an ongoing challenge for Morgan. And we get a report about his plan to give a train set for Christmas to some neighbour boys. New collector cards are coming, and we hear the common refrain again for more articles. Journalism, it is said, is either an act of commission—going to get articles—or collection—waiting for them to come in. The latter approach is less expensive but riskier; that’s the approach Morgan took. Later, when I became involved, I would search out articles and work with authors, trying to keep the hopper full. It was always a challenge.

With Groundhog Day behind us, it's only a matter of time now before the snow will be gone and I can drag the BBQ out of the shed and burn up a steak or two! We've had our share of the white stuff this year. On the plus side, the railfanning in the snow and cold was great!

Our plans this year include attendance at the Toronto Train Show on March 27 and 28 and at Railspree '93 PNR 6th Division Spring Meet to be held in Calgary from May 21 to 23. We would also like to attend the Trains '93 PNR Convention in Burnaby, BC in November, but we'll have to wait and see on that one.

To follow up on an item I talked about in Train 2 Track 6, where I mentioned giving a model train set to a neighbour's boys for Christmas, the three young guys were pretty excited on Christmas morning. Seems their mother put the set together for them on a piece of plywood and it ran steady for four days! As expected, the youngest really took a shining to the sight of the CN locomotive with its three cars and caboose, racing around the track! By golly, I think he's hooked. One more future railway modeller in the making.

Talking to his mother, she told me of her plans to make some tunnels and a mountain and to put a city scene in the centre. So, who's really hooked? I wonder.

Those that enjoyed the Railfan Canada '92 Train Collector cards (that were produced last year), will be happy to know that a new set is being produced which includes a sub-set of caboose cards. Although the same general format will be used, the photos are all different and include many that were not in last year’s set. The 76-card assortment will be officially launched during the Toronto Train Show.

There are plans in the works for a steam locomotive set; we have been asked on numerous occasions for such a collection.

On the article scene, we've received some response for material that we're looking for, but it's never enough. Modellers are waiting for us to produce articles on modelling the Ontario Northland, Algoma Central, GO Transit and VIA Rail. That requires the help of those that are modelling those particular roads—modellers like you. If you need some help preparing an article for us, just ask and we'll do our best to assist you. Several articles that we've published in the past began as handwritten, notebook-style material that we whipped into shape. We all have friends in the hobby who would also be happy to lend a hand—it’s quite a thrill to see your work in print!

And we can't forget to mention the lack of material for our Modeller Photos department. We have received some very pleasing material, as is evident in past issues, but it's always nice to see some new 'Photo by' credits. If your material is sent in and can not be used, we'll send it back with suggestions as to how to improve it. We don't like to turn anyone away. CRM depends on you.

In the next issue, we will be announcing a small price increase to cover some of our rising production and distribution costs. That's one thing that there's never a lack of in this business! Until the release of Train 3 Track 5, prices will continue as they are now. If you have been putting off sending in your subscription or renewal, now would be a good time to send it in. Producing a quality product for a fair price is, and always will be, our goal. Just wait until you see the cover on our next issue! Dynamite!



 

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