August 22nd, 2005

Model Railroad Craftsman has published the second in a series of articles on V-Scale model railroading. Although not pertaining to MSTS directly, it does a very good job of showing what's possible on the virtual layout on the desktop computer. There are many screenshots with text explaining some of the techniques, challenges, and rewards common to this information age version of "playing with trains".

I have heard from other V-scalers that Hal Carstens, the publisher of RMC, has a less commercial approach to running his magazine than some of his competitors. I view this as a good thing, especially since V-Scale is more about a labor of love for most of it's entrepreneurs that a profit margin. I doubt anyone will ever make serious money providing add-ons for any of the train simulators, unless all the video gamers in the world suddenly got the model train bug. In that respect and many others, V-Scale is like model railroading in the old days. Maybe that's why it's so much fun.

Anyway, a big hurrah for Hal Carstens and company for the articles on our somewhat obscure, but thoroughly enjoyable hobby.

Well that's about all for now...See ya' next time.