American Magazines.

[chris vine]

Could I ask if anyone knows the equivalent magazines to Model Engineer and Engineering in Miniature that our cousins in America read?

Just the Magazine titles is all I need.

Thank you

Chris.

[baggo]

Hi Chris,

I think the main one is 'Live Steam' which is similar to our ME but I am sure there are others,

John

[chameleonrob]

www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=2cce01818854985c349dcc231ba0a6f4

this is the place to ask

rob

[chris vine]

Thank you both. I am now in touch with Live Steam and have applied to the Home machinist forum. (bet it isn't as good as this one though!!)

Chris.

[3405jimmy]

I have been a member of that forum for a number of years. It’s not as boisterous as it used to be but it still an interesting place to see how the other half work.

Jim

[Shawki Shlemon]

Hi
Also there is Modeltec, and there is one in Australia AME.

[chris vine]

Thanks Shawki,

I had noticed the AME but not the Modeltec title.

Chris.

[Shawki Shlemon]

Hi Chris
I used to get the Modeltec a long time ago ,I am not sure if it still exist but this was their address :-
P. O. Box 286 , Cadillac , MI , 49601 , USA .
Phone No - 616 775- 6296
I coppied this information from the Magazine .

[GWRdriver]

After a number of years of inconsistency in delivery and thin content Modeltec ceased publication several years ago. Currently Live Steam Magazine is the only model engineering publication in the US.

[John Lee]

gwrdriver said:

After a number of years of inconsistency in delivery and thin content Modeltec ceased publication several years ago. Currently Live Steam Magazine is the only model engineering publication in the US.

And "Live Steam" is the only publication worth having from "over the water" IMHO. But it is very good and offers an alternative view from our rather parochial view of model engineering.

Regards,

John

[GWRdriver]

John,
The publisher and editor of Modeltec was Wiliam C, Fitt, the same person who started Live Steam Magazine, and took LSM from being the live steam "newsletter" to a bone fide magazine. For some reason Bill was ousted, or chose to leave his own magazine, and although he was a superb writer, draughtsman, and publisher his health declined after the move and the magazine suffered (IMHO) from lack of pertinant material and it languished after his untimely death.

Actually I rather like your view of model engineering, but I can confirm it's not shared by the majority over here. If had to mention an example it would be our general pre-occupation with bigness. 7.25"/7.5"ga is growing and all other gauges, with perhaps the expection of Ga1, are declining.

[John Lee]

gwrdriver said:

Actually I rather like your view of model engineering, but I can confirm it's not shared by the majority over here. If had to mention an example it would be our general pre-occupation with bigness. 7.25"/7.5"ga is growing and all other gauges, with perhaps the expection of Ga1, are declining.

Ohh there is a general pre-occupation with bigness over here too it seems now. Apart from an enthusiastic hardcore, 2 1/2 guage is rarely seen, 3 1/2 is still much alive, but declining.. which is a shame. How often do you see a new design for either?

At the end of the day though, a big engine is not really any more work than a small one, just potentially more expensive in materials and equipment, and harder to transport. If the sight of seeing a simple loco in a large guage run, or at the other end of the scale, an impressive traction engine at a rally attracts more newcomers into the hobby then I am all for it.

The interesting thing about the American scene is that there seems to be more willingness to experiment, to do the unusual and individual. Thats a broad brush comment of course, but the "Live Steam" issues I have read are certainly fascinating. You say it has declined? That is a real shame.

Regards,

John

[jones]

This is strange. Here in Australia 5" gauge seems to be the most popular, at least in my area. I have to travel for around an hour and a half to get to a 7 1/4 track. This suits me fine, as 5" gauge is cheaper to build, and requires smaller machines.

[John Lee]

jones said:

This is strange. Here in Australia 5" gauge seems to be the most popular, at least in my area. I have to travel for around an hour and a half to get to a 7 1/4 track. This suits me fine, as 5" gauge is cheaper to build, and requires smaller machines.

Well that is Australia my colonial friend ;D

But thats how it is in the USA..they do monsters, the UK is not far behind in this respect, I suppose the disease will spread to Australia. I still love a 3 1/2 inch "Maisie" with a heart of gold

Just kidding all above,



Regards,

John

[GWRdriver]

John,
The culture (disease) of bigness is rampant here, although 3-1/2"ga is undergoing a revival as many old locos built during the 30s and 40s when 3.5"ga was leading the pack are now being unearthed and revived and the benfits of 3.5"ga are being realized. The most amusing (sad) task is having to advise a rank beginner that perhaps a 2-8-8-4 in 7+"ga is a bit optimistic for a first go and an 0-4-0 might be a better choice.

[gordonfrench]

Interesting that the "Modeltec" stumbled over here in the USA. And the "Strictly I.C." is no longer with us either. Oddly the Bay Area Engine Modelers (which I started) continues to gain popularity, live steam activity seems to have peaked. There seems to be all kind of activity for EMD profile locomotives in 7.5 here (around Medford, Oregon anyway) Steam in all scales has fallen off. Garden Railways have gained with new magazines and people spending huge amounts on LGB and other Garden equipment.

The difficulty for 3.5 inch gauge anyway seems the limited availability of track here to run it on. I had a group meet here at my house in Roseburg, Oregon last month and I steamed one of my 3.5 inch gauge locomotives and mentioned my difficulties in building a track to run them on and was immediately offered help and assistance. THE INTEREST IS THERE! the track is not, magazines or no.

Gordon
Roseburg, Oregon, USA

[lancelot]

Hello all,
I know this may be slightly off topic, but I would like to know if any of our American cousins have built the ''corliss'' valve single cylinder engine and if any magazines or websites would illustrate the build of it.
All the best for now,
John.

[gordonfrench]

Past issues of Live Steam Magazine covered parts if not all of the machining of it. Several articles over the years also covered Corliss valves and valve motion damping as used on the Corliss engines.

Gordon
USA

[lancelot]

Hello Gordon,
Would you happen to have any information on the build that could be scanned over to me? it would be greatly appreciated.

[e-mail]

All the best for now,
John.

[lancelot]

Hello G.W.R.driver, thank you for the P.M.
All the best for now,
John.