Model Railroad Hobbyist - Why don't I read it?

There's a free and fantastic model railroading magazine available. Yes...free. It's SUPER easy to access as well.

MODEL RAILROAD HOBBYIST  

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/

You can read it online. You can download a fantastic "player" that works on numerous machines and formats. It's packed with information, great articles and more. Yet, why don't I read it? Ever? I've downloaded many of the magazines. I've even scratched out notes to go and read the thing like, "Hey, don't forget to read that awesome FREE model railroad mag!" :)  Yet, I never seem to make it back to read 'em. I just have them downloaded in a folder...waiting. The equivalent of buying a magazine, then placing it directly on the shelf and never reading it. You know...without money being involved.

So, why don't I read it? 

I think there are a few factors.

If it were a Japanese railroading free mag, I'd be looking through it all the time - even if it were in Japanese and I couldn't read any of it. I'd scan for photos and make copious amounts of notes on things I want to do. It's not, however, and some of the content - while cool - just doesn't reel me in like my Japanese stuff does.

Super easy to access and "page through"

Also, I have a Kindle, but not an iPad. I think an iPad or iPad-like device would make the experience a bit more mobile. Let's be honest, a lot of magazines are read while in the restroom and lugging a laptop in seems a bit clunky. (Though, a warm laptop on a cold day does make the experience a bit more pleasant. :::grin:::) The Kindle isn't great for the format due to the size of the screen, so it's just not drawing me in either.




I just found it interesting that I like the magazine and think it's really well put together and engaging when I do manage to look through it, but that I just don't make the effort. I read through my old magazines on my shelves from time to time, dragging them off the shelf and into the aforementioned restroom or living room to make notes and I've already looked through them numerous times.

How about you? Am I the only one that's experienced this? Just curious.

Seven Stars Cruise Train

Info and quotes from:
https://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/en/train_info.html




I'm adding this to my "bucket list". To be honest, I didn't have a bucket list until I saw this train. Now, I have the list and one item - travel to Japan and ride the SEVEN STARS train. Whew!

This is just an amazing looking train. In my vision for the experience, I'm sitting in one of the suites aboard, watching the sights slip by and sipping a fine, Japanese whiskey of the $40 a glass variety. :)  If I start saving now....



Deluxe Suite for 4 days and 3 nights....$12270.85. Yikers.
I can get a "regular" suite for a mere $6872.61, so I might have to "settle" for that. :)

There's a rather complex procedure for actually getting on board as well. They reserve the standard suites for non-Japan based passengers, which is interesting. And, if they are overbooked, there is a lottery to choose who gets to ride. https://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/en/tourdesk.html

 Needless to say, unless I win a lottery here in the states or come into HUGE money, I will not be riding, but I'll have dreams about it. heheheh  I'd rather spend the money on a rail pass and a few mid-range hotels and see more of Japan. But....it's still amazing.



TRAIN NAME:

 Name Origin:
A representation of the 7 prefectures of Kyushu (Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga).         

A representation of the 7 main tourist elements in Kyushu. These are: nature, cuisine, hot springs, history and culture, power spots, local hospitality and sightseeing trains (aka Design & Story trains).          
A representation of the 7 carriages on the train.


The train is a work of art, really. Just beautiful. The craftsmanship behind it's look and feel is mind blowing.



BLUE MOON BAR


JUST LOOK AT THIS TRAIN!!!!!!!   WOW!
It really is a rolling piece of art. I can't imagine what it would be like to be rolling along in this beauty for days. Eating...sleeping....and just feeling like you're in a movie or another era with a massive smile on your face.

I'd have to keep the phone and camera in the suite for prolonged periods of time so I could stop taking photos and actually sit and take things in. I'd wat to document everything!

Funny how I found out about this. HOBBY SEARCH sends little email notices about their offerings. I usually dump the anime and hobby magazine emails because I'm not in the market, however today i took a look at the hobby mag email and saw a few train magazines that looked interesting.  One had the SEVEN STARS featured.

I simply let myself get lost in the search for the name of the train and found it rather quickly. More photos followed and I was lost in the spectacle at once. Every inch of the train is amazing.  

::::swoon::::


DINING CAR JUPITER

And food? Oh, they have food and a fine place to eat it!

"Radiant sunshine, towering mountains, and glittering oceans. Kyushu is blessed in its nature and is truly a treasure house of gourmet food. The dining car "Jupiter" will offer passengers cuisine made from seasonal ingredients throughout the year. There will also be occasions when the passengers alight from the train for their meals. We will guide you to popular eating-places at the towns where the train stops. Exclusive meals are offered, and passengers will meet some special hosts. Enjoying the local air and flavours will make this cruise train journey even more special."


Heaven. :)

TRAVEL

 "Kyushu is the gateway to Asia.
There has been active exchange with the mainland here since ancient times. Now many foreign tourists visit Kyushu each year, aided by the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen network in 2011. These tourists number around a million people a year.
Also, around 30 million people visit Kyushu annually from within Japan. These people make their way here via air, sea and land."


It looks like there is a nice section covered when you travel and that you'll sleep on-board and a few nights in a nice Japanese inn, so you get the best of both worlds as far as your experience goes - both train and land based accommodations.


The 4 day / 3 night course is as follows:

"This course is a four-day trip around Kyushu. It travels through the five prefectures of Fukuoka, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Kumamoto. The contents of the trip are a concentration of the attractions of Kyushu, including walks around popular areas such as Yufuin, southern scenery such as the expanses of the sea and sky, and the natural scenery of the Aso area, which is an unusual sight even if considered from a global perspective. This course also includes a night staying at a Kirishima hot spring resort, where passengers can thoroughly enjoy the famous hot springs. Here you can enjoy a different relaxation experience to that on the train."

Again, more info can be found at the TOUR DESK




All in all, it would be a fun trip if you have enough cash. I'd love to be able to walk through and take some photos. Take deep breaths and take in the ambiance. I'm SURE this is not allowed, but even outside shots would be grand.

One day. :) 

KAWAGOE, Japan

Danny Choo has another great series up on his website and it's perfect for Soyokaze reference images! Danny Choo does a lot of traveling through Japan and takes many fantastic photos along the way. His PLACES TO VISIT IN JAPAN page has a photo essay on KAWAGOE, JAPAN and it has the exact look and feel that I want for Soyokaze.

KAWAGOE - http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/1498/Kawagoe.html

It looks like I may need to invest in many more people, however. The place looks packed! :)

The Train Shop

I made a return trip to THE TRAIN SHOP in Santa Clara, CA and they seem to be making a real effort to be less...cold.

I've had several reports throughout the years that people I've sent there have been greeted with blank stares and have received pained looks when they've asked questions.  I've had the same thing happen when I've gone through. A "WHAT do YOU want?" look that's made things somewhat unfriendly.




My last visit in was far different. Even the somewhat gruff man in the baseball cap stopped to ask if I needed help and managed to smile. When i made my purchase, the lady there made small talk and bid me a good day. :)  It made the shopping experience much better. I didn't feel like a sucker walking out having spent money in the shop.

With that said, I feel fine giving the TRAIN SHOP a big thumbs up. You should make an effort to get in there if you're in the area and looking for model train related items. The place is HUGE and caters to most scales from large to small. They also carry various hobby items like magazines, books, DVDs and building supplies.  They even have a Thomas aisle packed with all sorts of Thomas gear. 

A fantastic shop that seems to be making a real effort to be more customer friendly. Check it out!

Model Railroad Hobbyist

Model Railroad Hobbyist
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/

Free? A FREE train mag available online? 

For free?

YES! Model Railroad Hobbyist is a free train hobby mag online. It's packed with ads and is online and not printed, so the price is right when it comes to getting the product out to the customer.


And honestly, I don't mind the adverts. As a matter of fact, I like them.  They let me see what items are out there and get me thinking about things that I might want for me layouts. And, free is good.

The "mag" is packed with information and helpful articles. The production level is top notch and the online mag is easy to browse through and make use of. I'm sure iPad owners will love the setup. And, they can cart the mag around a little better than I can on my laptop. The interface is clear and the left and right arrows allow for easy page turning. There are three views to choose from and options to jump to pages and email to friends as well.

It's not the same as a paper magazine - I know, but the bad aspects are far less than the good the online mag provides. The smaller eco footprint, smaller home footprint (no piles and piles of mags laying around) and...the mag being free are all big points in the plus column.

Take a look when time allows.  The simple framework and easy to use interface will please, I'm sure.