The demise of Australian Model Engineering Magazine

I have just learned that AME is to cease publication, with the Jan-Feb 2021 issue to be the last. A while back, it became subscription only with no distribution to newsagents. Even though contributors have never been paid, apparently advertising has diminished and this plus subscriptions are not enough to continue production and postage. It has been going about 33 years I think, with six issues per year. We have essentially eliminated covid 19 so I doubt that that is a significant factor. This is unexpected and distressing news.

Simon. That is distressing news. I have been an avid reader and subsciber over here in the UK for a number of years. I have them up to being ,from the customer point of view, as to how a magazine should be run.

Perhaps now is a moment to recognise all the sterling work the team there have done in keeping such high standards to the professional publishing world from effectively an amateur run publication.

My sincere best wishes to all their team for Christmas and a better, healthier safer 2021.

Regards

Ian.

That is a great shame as I think it was a very well run and interesting magazine. I remember on holiday to Aus back in the early 2000' buying a copy of the mag in which plans were published for building a 5ins gauge driver's truck incorporating a simplified braking in which the brake blocks were wooden boards bearing directly onto the wheel treads. When back from hols I built my version of the truck and was very happy with the results. Did anyone else make up the design?

Hopefully it will at least go online

Plenty of talent in AU

An opportunity for a new format with downloadable PDF

A great shame for any publication to cease production, I had never heard of the Australian AME. I was a reader of Micromart, right up till it suddenly went to the wall, sad.

When I visited Oz about twelve years ago I picked up a couple of copies from a newsagent, I was impressed it was a good magazine, shame it’s gone to the wall, no doubt the accountants got their way!
Dave W

Hi Simon, I'm a subscriber to the magazine but have not heard anything of this, with no indication of it in the Nov/Dec issue which still seemed to promote a reasonable number of advertisers. Has there been an official statement from the publisher? I would be happy to pay an increased subscription if that would be necessary for it to continue.

Perhaps there is an opportuity for ME to fill the gap for readers and pick up some design articles for Australian locos and other things such as paddle steamer engines. After the initail use of imported engineering they developed a lot of their own designs.

Hello

I'm a subscriber. I am sorry to say i cancelled my ME subscription in favour of the AME magazine. I liked the quality photos and articles. I have been following the Wombat series. Shame they are stopping. I have just been to their website to order some back issues. No mention of stopping but renewing subscription and the shop are closed. Back issues is still open.

regards

Steve

The closure was announced on their Facebook page:

**LINK**

Looked at the FB page. Nice little 16mm tram sort of things and an interesting L&B style narrow gauge loco in the first two posts so I repeat my earlier suggestion.

Hello

The 16mm tram is called Ellie and is available from Camden.

I have an email from David Proctor. The last issue will be sent out on Tuesday.

regards

Steve

I got my last issue yesterday, with Barry Potter's NSW 24 class loco on the cover. Barry scaled this from full size plans and it is highly detailed, like all of his locos.

This is rather sad.

It's much better for the hobby to have a variety of voices.

Neil

Thank you Simon. Mine has yet to arrive here in the UK. Its normally just after Christmas when mine pops through the door.

Its very bad news I think for the whole hobby.

We have some articles in preparation which I suppose will now be sent to ME. I was not going to resubscribe to ME because of the missing issues episode, but I will now, as otherwise I will have nothing popping into the letterbox.

+1 for Bazyle's idea of mining the AME archive for inclusion in ME, but I do appreciate the copyright issues, would keep someone gainfully employed!

Edited By duncan webster on 20/12/2020 13:49:21