Original vertical format cover photos should include some sky for placement of The SETOFF publication name. (Photo by John Gonder)
COVER PHOTOS
Cover photos must be high resolution with a .jpg file size between 2200KB to 3200KB. For many electronic cameras this is the highest resolution just short of "raw." Raw format files are too big for e-mailing, and have more detail than is needed for our newsletter.
If you're still shooting with film, that's OK! Have the negative scanned to disc by your local discount photo processor.
Finally, send all photos in their original form, don't make any changes in Photoshop. You can e-mail photos if you only have one or two. The editor's preference is to get all of your photos from one event on a disc. You never know what might get picked!
The above horizontal format type of shot is suitable for placement in a run report on the inside of The SETOFF. But, vertical format shots also work very well in the three column format of the newsletter.
Directors Messages, Run Listings, ETC.
The SETOFF is limited to 28 pages. In order for "something of everything" to be published in each edition, here are some guidelines the Editor has for space allocation. (Photo by Dan Page)
Directors Messages are an important communication of NARCOA and represent the "official" in The SETOFF "publication." Directors are asked to target their messages in the 300 word range. The President gets a little more. The Editor does not edit these submissions.
Run listings represent another one of the "publication of record" items in The SETOFF.
Run listings are downloaded from the web site the day of The SETOFF deadline. Run listings are not limited in size on the web site because those little bits and bites don't cost what ink and paper cost. Therefore, The SETOFF edits the run listings down to "just the facts" in the 150 word range and uses a smaller type face. Tour events taking place on multiple railroads get more space. If participants can book the tour events individually, each railroad of the tour should have it's own listing.
Supplier listings are at the discretion of the editor. These listings are like a business card. They show what the supplier sells (radios, motorcars, etc.) and give the contact information. Suppliers desiring a listing should contact the editor directly at setoff@neo.rr.com
ARTICLES
(Photo by Jamie Haislip)
RUN REPORTS
The new format of The SETOFF has more space allocated to run reports. Run reports should be e-mailed to the editor in MS Word format with .doc file extensions, but other formats are also fine. Please set your word processor to put two spaces between sentences after the period. This is important for later paste up in the justified column format used by The SETOFF.
LENGTH: Run reports should be in the 300 to 600 word range. Shorter for one day events, longer for two day events or tours. This length allows for a photo or two to go with the report.
Reports must have this basic info:
Set-on location - City and State.
Set-on date or the first day of operations date- or show dates of the multi-day event.
Name of affiliate sponsoring the event.
Name of the Excursion Coordinator(s) running the event.
Number of motorcars setting on the first day.
Name of Railroad. Please use the railroad's current name, not what it was formerly know as.
Name of Railroad escort and / or officials.
Direction of travel to first turnaround spot (or overnight stop) and the name of that place.
Direction of travel to second turnaround (or overnight stop) and the name of that place.
Junctions, switches, changes of direction.
Setoff time (and date for multiple day events).
After those basics, time for some interesting story, or things you saw, etc. Weather reports are useful if they reveal that a nice sunny day gave good scenery, or rain created slick rail conditions.
Throw in a little history of the line. Be sure of the facts. A personal story is of great interest. Recently "Boomer John" Schmidt told a story of riding the railroad past his college alma mater. He had lots of local railroad details. Please include photo captions with who's in the photo, where the photo was taken (town or mile post marker), and who took the photo. Pleasse title the photos to go with the article.
Please understand the Editor will do his job which is to edit and create a pleasant layout. Items may be shortened for space, syntax corrected, facts researched and corrected as needed.
Technical Articles
Technical articles should be e-mailed to the editor in MS Word format with .doc file extensions. Rich Text Format and Plain Text format are also fine. Those files would have .rtf or .txt file extensions. Please set your word processor to put two spaces between sentences after the period. This is important for later paste up in the justified column format used by The SETOFF. Please include photos with your technical articles.
Technical articles vary widely, so the editor will make the best decision he can on each submission. Please include photos when possible. For example, if writing about flange lubricators a good photo is at left below. The additional close up shot at right below really shows how a lubricator works. Wide shots with close ups together "sell" articles.
Calendar photographs can only be accepted in electronic
format, that is as .JPG files, on a disc. All photos are welcome no matter
how good or bad you think they are. Several montages are planned so what
you have may turn out to be just what the calendar editor wants. The
SETOFF editor is acting as the point of contact, and will turn over all discs to
Greg Knightlinger, our SETOFF printer, who does the calendar. Please include a photo caption and
credit for each shot. Please mail your disc to The SETOFF editor at the
address above, and write "CALENDAR" on the outside of the envelope.
The deadline, as established by NARCOA policy, for the next calendar is
October 1, 2011. Thank
you!