[RITSlist] A Rocket Survey

[Arkrail at aol.com]

On Jun 29, 2007, BILL POLLARD wrote:

>>  
>> There is a place for both publications.  To my knowledge, neither the 
>> board nor the publications committee has formally affirmed any formal 
>> position regarding the two publications, or explained their intent 
>> for the two publications to coexist. 
>> 
 
 
We still haven't seen any response to my original comment (above), from 
either the publications committee or the RITS board.  If a decision has been made 
on the publications, it needs to be shared with the members in a timely fashion 
(meaning well in advance of the Chicago convention).  Otherwise, members will 
be left to make their own interpretation of the situation based on the 
information that is available.  That "available information" includes the following 
tidbits:
 
The publications committe report (page 3-4 of the current ROCK) says:  "By 
the time you read this report, we will probably have decided what to do about 
publications through the next two years, and have our proposal ready for 
presentation to the Board of Directors at the convention in Chicago.  We are getting 
together in May for that purpose." 
 
Later in the same report: "Digest #24 may be completed this year, which will 
close out any obligation for members to receive Digests."
 
We are also advised that "missing" Digests 22 and 23 were summarily replaced 
with two Rocket magazines (2005-1 and 2005-2).  For the record, that's 
replacing a 60-80 page publication with a 30-page publication, each issue of which is 
apparently costing RITS as much or more than a Digest.  After reading the 
above comments, it seems reasonable to conclude that RITS is moving toward 
discontinuing the Digest.  If that is the case, the membership needs an opportunity 
to provide input before that decision becomes final.
 
In his response below, publication chairman Dick Hutchins basically confirms 
that the Rocket is not really a suitable publication for long, in depth 
feature articles about a specific aspect of Rock Island operations.  That is not to 
criticize the Rocket -- the Rocket and the Digest are two separate products -- 
two vastly different formats, and each offering a publication for quite 
different types of articles.  Whether the topic is some obscure RI historical 
detail (like 15-passenger motor cars on the Searcy branch in Arkansas), or a 
lengthy "how-to" article on modeling a specific locomotive, RITS needs the Digest if 
the RITS membership is to continue to receive these types of articles.
 
It is incumbent on the board and publication committee to craft a future 
publication plan which specifically preserves both the Digest and the Rocket, such 
as the once discussed plan to produce  3 quarterly Rockets and one annual 
Digest each year.
 
Bill Pollard
 
In a message dated 7/2/2007 1:08:59 AM Central Daylight Time, 
hutnet at earthlink.net writes:

I will inject here, (pardon the injection) that we did hear a lot of 
complaints about the length of the covered hopper article in The Rocket 
2007-1.  When the magazine is limited to 32 pages, apparently some 
folks prefer to have variety rather than lengthy articles.  But then, 
you know the ole saying "you can't please all of them"
Dick Hutchins






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