Railfan magazine publisher closing

CHamilton · Aug 23, 2014

http://railfan.com/railnews/ posts that the publisher of Railfan & Railroad, Railroad Model Craftsman, and Flying Models magazines is closing.

Carstens Publications
August 22nd, 2014

It is with regret that Carstens Publicatons, Inc. will be closing permanently at close of business on Friday, August 22, 2014. Carstens Publications, Inc. has been a leading publisher of leading hobby magazines for over 50 years. Unfortunately the current economic climate has placed us in this position. Discussion is continuing with several parties who expressed desire to take on the continuance of the magazines. At this point there is still hope that all three titles will remain in existence. But I can offer no guarantees. We thank you for your patronage over the years, and wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

—Henry R. Carstens, President
Carstens Publications, Inc.

the_traveler · Aug 23, 2014

I'm glad they gave some advanced notice!

Date = August 22, 2014

"... will close ... on August 22, 2014"

I'm sorry to see them go.

I enjoy R&R.

benjibear · Aug 23, 2014

While in my opinion the Carstens publications exceeded the quality of their closest rival, Kalmback, their magazines were not as widely available. I think the Kalmback publications has a few more years in it but as you see the amount of print materiel be reduced to free online information, all magazines and newspapers are dying a slow death. Newsweek ceased print publication and soon others will follow. Most people are looking for free on-line information and unfortunately that is not always the best. In addition to the changing world of print publications, there are several other reasons why these magazines are hurting:

The people (mostly men) that are interested in railroading and modeling are dwindling. Since around 1980, the hobby shop has almost disappeared. The younger generations are not interested and the older generations are dying off.
In the hobby world, even the younger people that are into models, want everything ready to run with super high detail and accuracy. The days of the "craftsman" taking a broom stick and turning it into an HO tank car is gone. Even the EZ to build Athearn kits are history.
With increases in prices and money being scarce this is one of the first things to go.

CHamilton · Aug 30, 2014

Via Facebook:

HO-Scale Trains Resource

Good news to report regarding Carstens' Railroad Model Craftsman and Railfan & Railroad publications...they have been acquired by White River Productions and will continue!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 29, 2014
White River Productions Acquires Railroad Model Craftsman and Railfan & Railroad magazines from Carstens Publications
(Bucklin, Missouri) – White River Productions has ac- quired Railroad Model Craftsman and Railfan & Rail- road magazines, effective September 1, 2014. The asset purchase agreement between Carstens Publications
and White River Productions was completed Thursday, August 28, 2014.
Carstens Publications’ final issues of the two titles are the June issues, and future issues will be produced by White River Productions. Staff assignments for the two publications have not yet been determined. Includ- ed in the agreement is the Books Division of Carstens Publications, which will continue under White River Productions. Not included is Flying Models magazine.
“We are excited to welcome these two Carstens titles to our family of White River Productions publica- tions,” said Kevin EuDaly, president of White River Productions. “These magazines are an important part of railroad publications and White River Productions looks forward to continuing their legacies.”
Subscribers will be pleased to know existing sub- scriptions are to be honored and fulfilled by the new ownership. Fulfillment will be based on the number of remaining issues in existing subscriptions. Due to the need to get the magazines’ cover dates current, a combined issue scenario will likely be employed, but the number of issues owed to each subscriber will be adjusted accordingly.
“If you have six issues left on your subscription, you will receive six issues,” EuDaly said.
The magazines’ new mailing address for all sub- scriber, reader, and industry communication is the Bucklin address.
Advertisers should contact Mike Lindsay of White River Productions at 800-282-3291 or via email at [email protected], [email protected], or ads@ modelrailroadnews.com. Mike will be managing adver- tising for the new titles.