Age of the Rail Fandom

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Age of the Rail Fandom
Posted by Jersey Mike on Mon Jun 25 22:42:30 2012 edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Hey, I was wondering if anyone had any information on the history of the Railroad Fandom. I know it goes back pretty far (NRHS dates to 1935 and the first model trains were sold in the 1840's) and is at least about as old as Radio, but I was hoping to compare it with the likes of Sherlock Holmes, which is widely recognized as the oldest modern media type fandom. Finally does anyone have an idea to the size of the railfan community in the UN and Canada?
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Re: Age of the Rail Fandom
Posted by Bill West* on Tue Jun 26 05:37:55 2012, in response to Age of the Rail Fandom, posted by Jersey Mike on Mon Jun 25 22:42:30 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Trains magazine’s circulation from the 60’s through the 80’s was just over 100,000. In the early 60’s there were few business (non fan) readers and few other fan magazines of any size, so I think it’s a good indicator (Every 6 or 12 months magazines have to put a tiny ownership and circulation statement in the front or back to meet postal regulations. Noticing those numbers always gave me a perspective check). I think there was a fair bit of sharing of issues and information too, young fellows with starting jobs couldn’t afford a subscription. The modeling community is a lot larger and is also interested in 1:1, but railfanning is not always a big part of their activities. I recollect that there was a New England club (“Railroad Enthusiasts”?) running fantrips starting about 1928. Individual photographers go back farther, Fred Jukes comes to mind. I think he was active out west about the start of the First War. Bill
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