“Dear Mr. Lee,
After at least two failed attempts to send you a narrative with photos of my current layout project, here are some individual photos. Hopefully you will enjoy them.
The layout is an 8.5 inch by 72 inch Inglenook that folds into an 8.5 inch by 36 inch space. To be more specific, it is a “proper” 3-3-5 Inglenook plan using Peco turnouts and Atlas track. The structures are all designed to “Plug-in” to specific areas on the layout. Two of the six structures are kitbashed and the balance have been scratchbuilt from plasticard and styrene strips. Most of the photos were taken outside in with the morning sun lighting the layout; the last photo is of the layout in its normal home.
If you enjoy these, I can also send you photos of my other layout — Mischief –. Mischief is a Timesaver that is 12 (or 14) inches wide (need to check again) by 72 inches long and also folds into a 36 inch long package for easy transport.
Sincerely,
John”
“Hi Alastair,
I just thought that I would send you some pics of my layout. I think it’s interesting because it’s actually a hornby trakmat layout (as I don’t have that much space for a massive layout) but I’ve added a whole new section, aswell as a canal and other small bits. It might interest people with smaller layouts.
Many thanks,
Mark”
And now on to the good, the bad and the ugly.
They are, of course, the comments I got after announcing what I’m doing with the mailing list.
Because it’s costing me too much, I can’t mail everyone any longer.
Monday will be my last mailing day – then I’m just mailing the folk who have bought the ‘golden key’.
The good: Most folk understand and sent some wonderful messages of support, like David’s
“…Now I come to the purpose of this email. Your web site and all those contributors is an inspiration and I have signed up to Golden Key to ensure I continue to be inspired. I hope, as our layout develops, I will be able to share our puny efforts with you and all your other satisfied subscribers. Thank you so much for all the work you devote to our enjoyment.
David”
The bad: Many people mailed me saying they’d like to carry on with the mails, but they just can’t afford it. It does sadden me, but that’s why I’m doing this – I’m in the same boat as them. I can’t afford to carry on doing what I’m doing.
“To whom it may concern:
Thought I would be formal about this seeing how you have become all about business and not about the hobby,I have been a faithful subscriber for 4 years, I cannot afford to purchase your golden key nor would I want to as a condition of receiving your post.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this, I really got a lot of good tips for my layout from your mails and will miss reading them. I have been on disability payments for the last 4 years and my model railway is all I have left in my life that brings me happiness,But with my current financial status I do not have the money to spend more than a few dollars here and there, so I find ways to do my scenery using reused household Items,coffee grounds for ballast,limb clippings for trees, so forth.
Sincerely
Tator”
And now on to the ugly. No point publishing them. But it’s safe to say some out there think I’m a “money grabbing shit”.
I do feel stuck between a rock and a hard thing.
My priority now is for the folk that have bought the ‘golden key’. They will still get the mails as normal. Everybody else gets them once in a blue moon. I shall try a couple with ads on, as Walter suggested, to see if they can pay for themselves, but please don’t hold your breath.
If you’d like to carry on getting the mails, click here to buy the Golden Key.
Lastly, on to Dangerous Dave.
It really has been a big week for me, so his latest cheered me up no end. I think you have to be familiar with his other stuff to find it funny. But you all are, aren’t you?
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
