From the Dome Car: Train 4 Track 2 (March-April 1994)

 

An updated logo and news about joining the Canadian Magazine Publishers Association—a sign that CRM is recognized as an official magazine in Canada. And for those who are old enough to remember the Toronto Train Show, some notes on Morgan’s attendance there. That show was always a full house! Lots of displays and vendors, including CRM. That’s where Morgan was happiest, meeting readers and other modellers and promoting the magazine and the hobby in general. He never met a train show he didn’t like! (He even founded one in Winnipeg in the early 1990s; today it is known as Mega Train.) He also liked to hand out train cards to kids who came by the booth. After he died, the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club took over 20 big boxes of train cards out his basement. They will be handed out to kids for years to come!

If the attendance at this year's Toronto Train Show is any indication as to the health of our great hobby in this country, then I'd say it's doing just fine. Although we were allocated a somewhat different area of the International Centre, and parking was at a premium (if you could find any at all!), we heard few complaints and saw plenty of smiles. I was impressed by the number of new businesses that were present this year and must offer my sincere congratulations on their fine showing. There are now a number of us who can place a face to a name. 

I also offer my warmest 'Thank you' to all those that supported us at the show and to those who made the effort to stop by and say hello. And not to forget those that helped us at our booth and all that offered their generous hospitality during our stay in the Ontario area. Carol was most impressed with the friendliness that seems to go hand-in-hand with those involved in our hobby. 

The venture to southern Ontario wasn't without its arm twisting though. I've been convinced that CANADIAN RAILWAY MODELLER magazine must make an appearance in the most western part of our country, so I've made arrangements to attend the NMRA National Convention in Portland, Oregon this year—I understand there will be a very large Canadian contingent present! So we'll see you there. 

On the magazine front, perhaps you've noticed a slight alteration to our logo on the magazine cover. This was done so the title is easier read while in a magazine rack. You may have also noticed we are now a member of the Canadian Magazine Publishers Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Canadian magazines. Through this source, CRM is now recognized officially as a Canadian specialty publication outside the realm of the railway modelling world. We were quite pleased that the magazine was accepted by the CMPA and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship. 

A brief word about the Subscription Sweepstakes contest: It has been well received and to date there are almost 800 entries. The draw for prizes will be held as scheduled on March 31, 1994 and winners will be contacted that day by either telephone or letter. We are very pleased that so many of our readers have responded to this, our first 'contest'. Winners will be announced publicly in this department in the next issue of CRM. 

From the articles department, we spoke to many modellers at the Toronto Train Show about developing material for us and are looking forward to seeing your results when they're ready. We would especially like to see rolling stock and trackside structure articles, as well as suitable material to be used on future covers. Developing written, diagram and photographic material is really a lot easier than most think and many are surprised when they hear how some of our material is presented in its 'raw' form. So, give it a shot sometime; it's not as difficult as it appears. You’ll read the same sentence from all the magazines, newsletters and SIG's: We're only as good as the material you send us. 

Now that spring is finally here and we can all put away our winter clothes for another season, the ol' BBQ and lawnmower linger, waiting for us to do our tricks with them. So, until the next issue, you can be sure I'll be burning up a few 'burgers and likely mowing down last years' new perennials, much to the boss' dislike. See you in the next issue.



 

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