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| To respond to this month's Editorial, send comments to: Editorial@modelrailroadnews.com |
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| I’m writing this in February 2005, and it is time for my annual Model Railroad News Appreciation Editorial. Each year I’ve been at the Editor’s helm, I’ve enjoyed an abundance of assistance from many sources. I wish I could name every single person, but since that would number into the thousands let me start by saying what a wonderful industry we have. I was talking with Bob Walker of Accurail recently, and we agreed that this industry is filled with really great people. Of course, Bob is one of those for whom I am thankful. We all have people who make our jobs easier, and I’d count David Newall of Aristo-Craft, John Engstrom of Athearn, George Riley now of Digitrax (and his running buddy, Norm Stenzel), Larry and Jim of NCE, H. Lee Riley and John Morath of Bachmann, Hiroshi and Brent at Kato, Allen Keller and Charles Smiley of the video world, Dale, Alan, and Sam at Kadee, Tim Nissley of Broadway Limited, Loy Spurlock of Loy’s Toys, Tony at Tony’s Train Exchange, Frank Verricho at MRC, and Sermeng at Walthers. I’ve received considerable assistance from Brenda and Jeff at Marklin, Bob Zimet at QSI, Nancy and Steve at Soundtraxx, Don Thompson as S-Helper, Jack Polaritz of Kahndog Publications, Robert Del Grosso who writes wonderful books, John Claudino of Aztec Manufacturing, Stephen Gugel of Garden Metal Models, Doug and Anna-Maria at Foscale Models, Jim Conway of Con-Cor, Rita, Charlie, and Chuckie of USA Trains, and so many more people from dozens of other business. Every successful magazine is a group effort, and every individual in the production chain is equally valuable. Our writers and photographers are magnificent, giving me great images and spicy manuscripts. Alphabetically (to avoid preference) a big thanks to Mike Acker, Dave Carr, Bill Cawthon, Rich Cobb, Roy Hoffman, Alan Houtz, Dr. John Hullman, Jennifer Lindsay, Peter Maurath, Dave Otte, Danny Rittman, Jeff Saxton, Phil Scandura, Larry Smith and Stuart Thayer. We have several new names coming on board this year and expect to see more of Pete Birdsong, Jonathan Schoen, and several others in the coming months. Behind me, back at MRN Headquarters, protecting me from my formidable reputation for mistakes, is our Publisher, Mike Lindsay. I can talk to him about any and every phase of this magazine at any time he’s not coaching soccer. That makes him a pretty darn good boss. Jennifer Lindsay, Mike’s daughter, reads everything which gets printed in our pages with a very critical eye and a degree in English. Karen Lindsay, Mike’s wife, keeps the books, and we’re glad she does. Mike Faber, Monica, and Nancy round out the office staff, and the Lindsay kids and cousins pitch in to stuff envelopes. Every month, all of this carefully written, photographed, edited, and prepared material is sent electronically over the internet to our Art Director, Warren Tryk in Tumwater, Washington, where he takes it all and makes it look like a magazine. If you’ve followed the changes in our appearance over the past year or so, it is due to simply turning Warren loose! All that I do would be wasted without him. Every month with the help of Adobe Systems’ marvelous InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator graphics software, Warren assembles, massages, and polishes the bits-an-pieces and sends the completed magazine files electronically back to MRN Headquarters. Mike Lindsay then takes it all to our printer, Valley Web Printing in Medford, Oregon. When the file arrives in their front office, it goes into the capable hands of the Prepress Manager, Jeremy Sipple — my son! Not only is he better at Photoshop than I am, he also knows all the computer magic to turn our electronic work into printing plates. While I am thankful for him that he has given me a lovely daughter-in-law and three wonderful grandsons, he also makes our magazine work! It’s then handed off to Valley Web’s Pressman, Bruce, who runs a monster printing press a block long and two stories high — and he keeps a sense of humor while he does it. The printed product in your hand is the result of his skill and effort — it could all come to nothing without him. Of course, the whole Valley Web Printing business is run by the Reichenbach family, Ed, Marsha, and Todd, and I’m grateful for both their company and their friendship. Finally, I come to you, the reader. From you we get letters and e-mails which we read and enjoy. You are the final link in a chain which starts with a product and ends with a reader. You are the reason why we do this (it would be tempting to think we do it because of all the new toys!) If we help you make a good purchasing decision, then that part of our mission is fulfilled. Thanks! |
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— John Sipple
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To respond to this month's Editorial, send comments to: Editorial@modelrailroadnews.com
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