Passenger Trains > Trains Magazine drops two print editions

See my thread on the Western board for details:
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,6193693
 

Sorry to see this happen,  but I went digital on Trains a few years ago as a decluttering exercise.  Thinking of my heirs!

Cumbresfan Wrote:
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> See my thread on the Western board for details:
> https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,
> 6193693
>  

Found out there was an earlier thread ten days ago I didn't catch:
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,6189708,page=1
 

That's it for me....if I'm to subscribe, I want a print version of my issues.  Just got my URGENT REMINDER to renew yesterday.

AA

Stanford White
Carmel Valley, CA

agentatascadero Wrote:
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> That's it for me....if I'm to subscribe, I want a
> print version of my issues.  Just got my URGENT
> REMINDER to renew yesterday.
>
> AA

I'm with you, wasn't happy with another magizine company just went straight didgital and I could care less for it!

Like Magritte55, I dropped my subscription to Trains a few years ago as a decluttering exercise.  But, I didn't replace it with the digital edition.  In all honesty, I can't say that I miss it.  For all intents and purposes, Trains Newswire combined with other sources pretty much provides me with the information I need.  I did try the digital editions of a couple of other magazines but wasn't particularly enamored with them, so I went back to the print editions.  Actually, I have been slowly thinning out my collection since the person who will be managing my estate knows nothing about trains.  I've heard the horror stories about others who didn't make provisions about disposing of their collection after their passing.  Even though I won't be around to see it, I want to make sure that what I have will go to where it can be appreciated instead of just being dumped somewhere.

How come White River can get it right, including bringing Railfan & Railroad off the ledge from near-death under Carstens, and on higher quality paper, yet Kalmbach cannot ? 
Is Kalmbach turning into Anderson/Gardner/Harris Amtrak ?

.....because Kevin EuDaly and his team have a gift of publishing. He also does MANY historical society magazines. I think Fircrown should sell Trains and MR to him and make R&R and RMC THE premier magazines of the protoype / model railroading world. 

Trains circulation has fallen about two-thirds since 2000, so their overhead must be spread across fewer customers. Worse, the cost of printing and mailing has gone up. Like any business, they have three choices: cut costs, raise prices, or close. They know about how many subscribers they will lose if they raise prices. They know about how many subscribers they will lose with the decision they've made. It's not a happy choice. 

Who in their right mind would want to be a magazine publisher these days? Be thankful that any railfan magazine exists on paper at all. Twenty years from now, none of them will. Most of the paper-or-nothing subscribers will have aged out by then. 

There will always be demand for paper publications. While such publishing costs have risen, none of us like to order color cartriges from Amazon and Staples every couple of weeks.  

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> There will always be demand for paper
> publications.

Maybe. My wife edits the newsletter for a senior citizen travel club.

Initially only about 25% took the email pdf. Now about 95% take it.

By the time the paper edition gets to recipients, all the good trips, theater deals etc are taken.

Posted from Android

I won't be reading the online editions, but I'm not canceling my subscription because of this.  That only hastens the demise.

I like the print edition and will subscribe as long as they offer it.  If it goes all digital, I am out.  

I used to get Classic Trains until it was killed off and Firecrown moved the subscrtiption over to Trains.  I also get Model Railroader and a few years back picked up Railroad Model Craftsman from White River. I understand the extreme difficulties with print magazine financial survival. It is interesting that White River added pages at no additional cost several monthes back. I have notice a lot advertisers only advertise in RMC.  It is obvious to me one company has done a better job meeting these challenges. I am old and understand most younger people I know wouldn't think of buying paper magazines or newspapers.

Bruce Stikkers
St. Joseph, IL

Not good news for an old timer who hired on with the RR in 1969.  My July Trains was lost in the mail.  I did get the Dear John letter and the regular cover.  That was all.  Called to ask for a replacement copy.  They don't have them anymore but extended the subscription for a month as a goodwill gesture.  Went to Barnes and Noble on line for a digital copy.  $6.99.  Got it on 06/30.  Tried to read it today.  "Page Not Available - 404 Error."  Used the B&N chat option.  Composed a note, submitted it and got a 403 error.  Welcome to the digital world.
 

Not a fan of Firecrown for suddenly dropping Classic Trains, my favorite magazine,  and now I have two digital issues per year shoved on me. Haven't sent the letter cancelling my Trains subcription yet , but it has been written and in the envelope. I don't like reading my magazines online as it is hard on my eyes. 

UP951West Wrote:
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> Not a fan of Firecrown for suddenly dropping
> Classic Trains, my favorite magazine,  and now I
> have two digital issues per year shoved on me.
> Haven't sent the letter cancelling my Trains
> subcription yet , but it has been written and in
> the envelope. I don't like reading my magazines
> online as it is hard on my eyes. 

Well there is one advantage to the digital edition, depending on the device you're using, you can blow up the size of the print to suit what you need.

I didn't realize that Trains readership has dropped by about 2/3 this century.  Whatever other factors are in play here,  I should think this drop off reflects grim actuarial reality.  No wonder the publisher is testing the waters of digital publication.