From the Dome Car: Train 7 Track 5 (January-February 1998)












Some things never change—like post office strikes! Dealing with the postal service was one of Morgan’s many challenges publishing the magazine. If it wasn’t strikes, it was rate increases which he had to pass on to readers. And in this Dome Car he highlights the new Prototype Report sections, which I worked on with Bryce Lee (who was publishing prototype information online). Later, I took it over by myself. It sort-of was a precursor to Railfan Canada, which Morgan started in 2009.

As I write this issue of 'From the Dome Car', my office is full of magazines waiting for delivery to our downtown main branch of the Winnipeg post office—and ultimately to you, our reader. The strike by Canada Post has been costly to all of us. Not only do we depend on them to get you your magazine, we also depend on them to deliver things to us like your article submissions, Proto Photos and Modeller' s Photos, news items, new products, subscription renewals, advertiser's artwork, bill payments—the list is quite long. 

Yes, some stuff has arrived by fax, e-mail or courier, but these methods of delivery will never replace the post office. Despite what' s been said about the new electronic age, it's going to be a long time before we are able to declare our independence from them. 

We will survive this disruption in service and ask that you be patient with us once postal service resumes. It may take a couple of issues to catch up to where we were before the strike, but you know we'll do it. 

Your response to our new departments (50s Flashback and Prototype Report) have been very favourable. If you have an idea for a '50s Flashback' article, the format to follow is very simple. Select a photograph (usually a black and white that's printed to an 8 x 10-inch size) that depicts the 1950s era and write about 1,200 words on what we should be looking for in the photo that represents that era. It must be a Canadian scene and should have enough detail in it to be interesting.

 

In the 'Prototype Report' we try to bring you news that may have a modelling aspect to it; for example, a new operation in eastern Quebec could spell a new shortline operation on somebody's existing layout. Our reporter, Bryce Lee, who combines his information with that of John Longhurst's, is constantly combing the latest press releases for his information. If you think we may have missed a newsworthy item that fits the bill, kindly send it to us either by e-mail, fax or in the regular mail. It needs to be in typed form to be accepted. 

And, while we're on the subject of article submissions, 'Modeller's Photos' are always needed. Also, if you are working on a kitbashing or scratchbuilding project this winter that you think fellow readers would be interested in doing, kindly ask us for a copy of our Contributors Guidelines to help you put together an article. All of our construction articles come from modellers like you, and we're happy to help you with the details.

With all the post office troubles going on while we were getting the last issue together, I neglected to send along Christmas and New Years greetings to everyone. So, I'll do it here. I trust the Christmas spirit caught everyone on a positive note and the New Year brings all the very best. 

As most of you know, my wife and I will be attending our daughter's wedding in Geelong, Australia after New Years. Why did she have to fall in love with somebody from so far away? What's wrong with a nice, good-looking Canadian boy? Oh, kids of today!



 


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