Train 8 Track 2 (July-August, 1998)

 

Today, when almost everyone is connected to the Internet, it's like visiting ancient times to read Morgan’s comments in 1998 about the impact of this new thing called the World Wide Web. At that time, the public Internet was just seven years old. (I made my first website in 1994, when there were about 3,000 websites in the world.)
His idea for printing links in CRM makes us smile now. But back then we were all sort of wide-eyed and amazed by what the Web was and could do. Morgan's wonder at this new technology would eventually make him bitter and disappointed since it would end up spelling the end CRM (and many other print publications). But he didn’t know that when he wrote this Dome Car—nobody did. 

The Internet seems to be everywhere these days. More and more of us are 'getting on the net' with personal sites, 'unofficial' prototype train sites, train club sites, muse[1]ums and manufacturer sites. The list seems endless! The last time I took a tour of someone's links page (on the Internet, you can add a 'link' to other related sites for instant retrieval), there were well over 500 links. Boy, has this thing ever grown! 

As I scrolled down this huge list of links, I got to thinking: why not offer website owners an opportunity to have their web site listed on paper where our readers can see for themselves just what is on the Internet in regards to train and model railway sites? It would be a spot where one could publish his or her URL in print, along with a brief description, so that others can see what is available on the Net. 

Those already on the Net know what's out there; now those who aren't, will too! So, here's the plan. For $10.00 (which will include any tax, if applicable), Canadian Railway Modeller will list your URL along with a brief description as to whether the site is personal, a club layout, an 'unofficial' prototype site, a manufacturer site, etc., for two full years (12 complete issues). 

Simply e-mail us at: crm@cdnrwymod.com with your web site address and a credit card number and we'll add your web site to our printed list. Any changes to a site address can be handled in the same manner. Snail mail, voice and by fax is also acceptable. We'll review the site to make sure it's in the correct category before printing. 

Here's a great opportunity to get your web site address out in front of all our readers. Somebody out there might be looking for the information that you have on your site; now they'll be able to find you directly. 

We've come up with another interesting department too, for all you Internet types. Beginning in this issue, we've commissioned Richard Richie to select, at random, three or four train-related web sites for a brief review of what's on the site. Richard has been sending me URLs of sites that he has found interesting over the last year or so; the idea for this department came to us one night over a cup of coffee. 

If you are connected to the Net or have access to such, take a look for yourself at some of the sites Richard has selected for this issue. I know we' II all enjoy this department. 

On other matters: we put out a call for more 'Modeller's Photos' and I am happy to report that we've received submissions from many different model photographers. That's what makes our job (and this hobby), so much fun. Through the pages of this magazine, we are all showing and telling the rest of the world all about railways and railway modelling in our country, Canada. We simply organize and publish the material that you send us so that others are able to capture the feeling of what it's like to be involved in the railway modelling and prototype aspect of this particular country. 

We encourage readers to submit material to the magazine for all to see and read about; so far, I think everyone has been pleased with the many different offerings. We have some wonderful stuff to pass on in upcoming issues, all supplied by you. So please keep it coming! 

So, as I continue to swat mosquitos while making a disaster on the barbecue for dinner, I sign off for this issue with these thoughts in mind: live for today; dream for tomorrow; learn from yesterday.



 

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