Printing and publication of Railway Mags in the current health crisis

[paulblackpool]

I feel selfish writing this whilst people are dying a horrible death all over the world and others are losing there livelyhood and I don't think anyone has any real idea as to how it will all pan out. I am over 70 (73) and can't go out much and can't see adult children or grandchildren for the forseeable future. It looks like all the shows are cancelled.
It would be an overstatement to say I lived for reading "Railway Modeller" and "Backtrack" but I would miss them greatly. I usually buy them at the newsagent each month. I am considering doing a subscription for them but wondered what other members are doing? I can't see many magazines of any type being published in the near future. I don't suppose anybody knows about this or anything else for that matter.
The last time I looked there was nothing on PECO or Pendragron websites to the contrary.

I have only posted once before on the new forum about dabbling in 0 Gauge.
Several years ago I posted quite regular and about 00 and my layout which is still in the shed.
Is Albert (Alfez Depi?) still with us?
Look forward to hearing from somebody.

[LC&DR]

As someone who has edited magazines myself I did most of my work in the comfort of my home and the internet enabled me to receive and send copy remotely. Understandably the printer had to go in to 'the office' but I would expect most print shops will only employ relatively small numbers, printing, collating, and enveloping can be carried out mostly by machines, so Social Distancing ought to be reasonably practical.

Only time will tell of course, but Royal Mail have said they will endeavour to maintain a service so distribution remains likely.

[RogerB]

If you get stuck Paul send me your address as a private message and you can have my Hornby Magazines when I finish with them. I haven't got any at the moment and I think the first one for this year is due in April. Would that help a bit? R-

[paulblackpool]

Thanks for replying LC&DR and Roger B.
After noting the first reply I decided to put in subscriptions for both mags.
If you go to the Pendragon Publishing website as appose to the Backtrack website the former mentions the current crisis
and you can subscribe on a month by month basis at a price less than at the newsagent.
It is a very kind offer RogerB but if I can get my usual two mags I will be content.
I have had Railway Modeller continuously since 1980 and Back track since it started in the 1980's.
As a historical railway mag. in my opinion Backtrack is superb.
If any members have not read it, have a look at a copy if you can.

[brian1951]

[quote

I have only posted once before on the new forum about dabbling in 0 Gauge.
Several years ago I posted quite regular and about 00 and my layout which is still in the shed.
Is Albert (Alfez Depi?) still with us?
Look forward to hearing from somebody.
[/quote]

There has been no sign of Albert for over 18mths Paul, so i fear the worst.

[bulleidboy]

Hi Paul

You can read this magazine without going out - http://www.mre-mag.com/index.php

[Walkingthedog]

Thanks for the link Barry. I had no idea that was available.

[Tricky Dicky]

Many of the magazines can be bought as e-magazines to read on either a laptop or tablet. BRM, Railway Modeller and Model Rail all produce digital versions of the magazines. Most have a subscription service and you do not always have to take out an annual subscription. BRM for instance can be bought through Pocketmags as a single issue at a time if you do not want to commit to a lengthy subscription. As with everything there are pros and cons, some digital versions offer extras such as additional photos of layouts That don’t make the printed version as well as additional videos. Some of the downsides are missing out on printed subscription offers, BRM offers a discount to their sponsored shows for printed magazine subscribers but that does not extend to their digital subscribers.

Richard

[Mike Parkes]

Worth checking publishers web sites - I have bought two magazines on-line both post free so saving me the unnecessary trip to WHS and one, Modern Locomotives Illustrated, was actually cheaper than it would be in store

[paulblackpool]

I have subscribed to "Backtrack" on a rolling month to month basis and I have received by post the May edition published the third week in April.
Regarding my new subscription to "Railway Modeller" I know that PECO is closed at least for the lock-down but I have received an acknowledgement of my Direct Debit from PECO, and Howe and Davis Ltd. are mentioned. Presumably this latter firm are the actual publishers of the magazine.
So the May edition usually published on the second thursday of the previous month might be on its way by post.