2023 On30 Annual

[Fred Klein]

FWIW, I sent an inquiry to White River Productions asking whether or not there will be an annual this year. According to the reply, the 2023 On30 Annual is running a little late but should be available for pre-order sometime in April.

[p51]

It's probably going to be later than that. I mailed off the flash drive with my article and photos today to Chris Lane and he had no issues with that. This would strongly support he's still working on it. From past experiences, when I submit something even at the end of the deadline, it's usually at least 2 months before I get a finished copy from when they get what I submit.
Chris is a very busy guy; he edits the HOn3 Annual as well and is the main guy in charge for the NG convention in CO this year.
I wouldn't count on having a copy earlier than May, if then.

[Fred Klein]

Lee, I totally agree with you. Based on last year's experience, I'm not anticipating having my copy in-hand until some time in July, perhaps August. IIRC, last year I got my copy towards the end of June (but I could be mistaken - memory isn't what it used to be). However, hopefully we'll still be able to pre-order in April.

[p51]

Fred, you're probably right, as all they need is the cover photo to make the mockup. If you've really looked at the order pages v/s the finished versions, there have been issues where the blurb for contents on the cover is different from that on the order page photo.
The one drawback for writing for the Annual is that you only get one author's copy. I can't send copies to friends and family like I have for other magazines I've written for in recent years because of the cover price.

[Fred Klein]

Lee, I'm pretty sure that White River Productions was hit pretty hard during the pandemic (as were many other small businesses) and that they have had to re-arrange and re-organize their production processes and cut costs where they could. I'm just happy that there will be a 2023 On30 Annual! I was worried that they were going to eliminate it due to On30 being a niche market at best. So I don't mind waiting because the end result will be worth it - I have never been disappointed with any of the annuals. Also, I'm really looking forward to reading your article - never been disappointed in one of those either. Thanks for the hard work. 

[p51]

I'm really looking forward to reading your article - never been disappointed in one of those either. Thanks for the hard work. 

Thanks, Fred. Chris asked me at the NG convention in Tacoma to write an article about operation sessions on a On30 layout, something he'd never had in the Annual before.
If he uses all the shots I sent, there'll be a photo of me running trains with a good friend of mine, my wife took that one. I really hope he uses that as it'll be funny to tell people that my wife is a legit published model train photographer!

[Fred Klein]

Lee, I hope the photo makes it. The wives of model railroaders deserve all the recognition they can get for putting up with us. Been married going on 51 years and my wife still ooohs and aaahs at the models I build (of course she also nit picks them to death - claims that's part of the fine print in the marriage contract). So kudos to all model railroaders' wives. Can't wait to (hopefully) see the picture and thank you to your wife for taking it.

[p51]

I still haven't heard anything about the Annual. There's not even anything about pre-ordering them online yet.

The wives of model railroaders deserve all the recognition they can get for putting up with us.

Indeed. I thought about a photo with my wife in it, but that'd suggest she has anything to do with operating on my layout. She made the skirts for the layout, though.

Been married going on 51 years and my wife still ooohs and aaahs at the models I build (of course she also nit picks them to death - claims that's part of the fine print in the marriage contract).

Congrats! If I do anything with the layout and I bother to show it to her, she just stares with what I can only describe as ambivalence. If I ever go for my MMR with the NRHS, it won't mean a thing to her.
Nothing I've ever done has impressed her, in over 20 years of marriage. At one point I was seriously looking into putting in an application to be an astronaut, and I've often told people if I had made it, she probably wouldn't have even come to the launches.

[Fred Klein]

Lee, like you, I've been checking the WRP website every few days with the hope that they would have at least the pre-order of the 2023 On30 Annual available, but no such luck. I guess all we can do is wait patiently and keep on modeling.

Regarding wives and model railroading, mine really isn't into it that much but she does attend model train shows with me and, if I'm looking for something in particular, she will go and check out the vendors and let me know if she finds anything. However, her hobby is scrollsawing, which she really gets into. So we each have our own hobbies and have even set up individual hobby rooms (we're empty nesters so we had some available space). However, as far as being impressed by anything that I do, that's never really happened either, however I wouldn't expect it.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to your article and photos when the Annual finally gets here.

One other thing. I don't know if you watch any YouTube or not, but you might like the Mosquito Creek Lumber Company's video channel. It's run by Joseph Kreiss, the same one that writes all of the articles in the Annuals going back for at least 8 or 9 years. He models logging in the bayous of Louisiana and has kitbashed (mostly scratchbuilt) a couple of critters. He and his wife have just moved to a new house and he is in the process of rebuilding his layout. The time period of his layout is the years directly after WWII (I'm guessing 1946 to 1950-ish) but what I particularly like is that he manages to utilize 1/48 military equipment (war surplus) and incorporate it into his layout. He wrote about it in the 2022 On30 Annual. The article inspired me to attempt to "genericise" a Japanese Imperial Navy Bulldozer (1/48 - Tamiya) for use as war-surplus in the Florida swamps on my layout (1947 - 1960 - if I ever get it done).

Fred

[John]

Fred,

Do you know about the "www.westernbayrailroad.org" On30 club layout in Port Saint Lucie, FL. The owner (Al Sohl) of the club has had multiple articles in the On30 Annual. It is worth seeing the layout and he also has operation sessions. Since you are so close I thought you might be interested and you don't have to wait for the Annual.

John

[Fred Klein]

John, I've read Al Sohl's articles in the On30 Annual and I've seen pictures of the layout, so I am aware of the club. The layout looks very nice. However, I just like to do my own thing. I'm not a joiner and nor do I enjoy operations, just like I do not like my locos or layout to have sound. I prefer the hum of the electric motors and that is why I basically like to run a train or two around a loop and rail-fan my own layout while I build models or rolling stock. I find it very de-stressing. Thanks for the heads-up.

[p51]

Wow, we're looking June dead in the eye and no word on the Annual. I think this is the latest in the year it's ever been for one.
That said, David is up to his eyeballs with the Denver NG convention planning and God-knows-what-else White River Publications has him doing. I don't envy him for the things he has pending!

Do you know about the "www.westernbayrailroad.org" On30 club layout in Port Saint Lucie, FL. The owner (Al Sohl) of the club has had multiple articles in the On30 Annual. It is worth seeing the layout and he also has operation sessions.

I've seen his articles, it's great work.

[Fred Klein]

Lee, like you, I've been thinking the same thing. Just about every other day, sometimes more often, I check WRP's website to see if, by any chance, they have put up the Annual for pre-order but so far, no luck. I just hope they know what they're doing because a lot of modelers might just forget to order the Annual - sort of an "out of sight, out of mind" kind of thing. Anyway, I'm still waiting for "opening" day, money in hand.

Fred

[the Bach-man]

Dear All,
I spoke with Chris, and he's a little behind due to finishing the K-28 book, which should be a beauty!
He's now wrapping up the Garden Trains Annual, and On30 will be next.
Patience, Iago!
the Bach-man

[Fred Klein]

Thank you, Bach-man! You made my day!