Guys, the delay between issues has been for two reasons. #1 has been health related. From a heart valve replacement to a massive blood infection, I've experienced a number of medical issues. I am somewhat healthy now but I have been severely limited in travel and could not get to the model engineering shows as I used to do to pick up more content. Unfortunately, a lot of our previous contributors have grown old and many have opted out of the hobby. So content is difficult to come by and I've had to build engines to obtain enough content to make up a story. And, I don't like to publish an engine without having proofed the drawings (if I can). So, for example, the GEM1, the current build article has had to be built in and around the medical issues. And so it goes.
I do think the interval between issues will come down this year, everything being OK.
Contributions . . . tips, build articles, how-to on shop tools, etc. would be appreciated. If my main contributor, Dwight Giles were to become disabled, I think I'd have to pack it in as he contributes a lot of information for each issue and at 87, he's getting a bit slower. The only other local contributors are the Bay Area Engine Modelers and now the Golden Gate Live Steamers since BAEM now meets in the GGLS clubhouse every other month. Content has become a lot more difficult to obtain as you can tell from other magazines that are more than 50% advertising and string their build projects waaaay out.
I do appreciate everyone's patience and contributions.
Thanks,
Mike Rehmus
Editor
