Do you read prototype train magazines?

[Gary Crawley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby

Hi Rene
Australian Railway History and Light Railways magazine b
oth Aus Pubilations
regards John

Same here.

Regards
Gary

[van buren s l]

I bought a recent copy of Railfan and Railroad so that I could keep the article on the Central California Traction Company. Over the last few years I've discovered that California had some fascinating electric railways.This discovery was particularly startling since previously I had thought there was nothing worth modeling west of the head waters of the Potomac and the James.
Bob

[Anonymous]

Since I'm basically an arm-chair modeler at present, prototype magazines are a must. Subscribed to Classic Trains when it was first announced. My TRAINS copies go back to the 5 by 8 inch era but during hard times the subscriptions had to go.

My older brother thought Classic Trains was a ploy to get more money out of us; he wanted the aricles in TRAINS but he still subscribed to both.

If you're modeling something, it's nice to know what the thing you're modeling really looks like and how it was used.if you plan to photograph it realistically..

Art.

[vsmith]

I like Classic Trains and alway pick it up if they have an article on the L.A. area

Tall Timber Short Lines is about the only other non- modeling specific mag I read

Finescale Railroader's Narrow Gauge Annual and the Mining Annual are always full of great prototype articles, the article on the Arizona Copper Company RR was especially good.

The Gazoo also has terrific articles on real RRs and places.

I do not read Trains or Railfan or other contemporary RR mags as modern RR's are just plain too boring to me, all the engines look alike now, all hauling double stacks. At least thats all I ever seem to see out here.

[kstrong]

Yeah, but since I'm the editor, I don't have much choice... [;)] Though in fairness, the content is generally split between prototype and model.

http://www.febt.org/TT/
(The web page hasn't been updated in a while...)

I also read similar magazines put out by other historical and preservation societies, especially those related to narrow gauge railroading. The mainstream mags like Trains don't really cover obscure eastern narrow gauge railroads, so I don't do much more than thumb through them at Caboose Hobbies to see if there's anything of particular interest. Aside from the niche mags I read, the only other mainstream magazine that routinely publishes historical prototype articles is the Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazette. I find I read that more for the prototype articles than I do the modeling--though that is also generally top-shelf.

Later,

K

[John Busby]

Hi Rene
Australian Railway History and Light Railways magazine b
oth Aus Pubilations
regards John

[Puckdropper]

Do newspapers count? I read the three here when they publish. (Worth waiting for ;-))

I'll pick up an issue of Trains every now and again, but it's not a regular thing.

[tangerine-jack]

Nope, for some reason getting stuck by a 200 car coal train on the way to work every morning and a 300+ car train on the way home, plus 3 drawbridges (mostly open) has tempered my enthusiasm for reading about real trains. There just isn't much going on in the modern railroading world that interests me. I'd rather play with my toys.

[oX)]

[GP-9_Man11786]

Yes, I read Trains and Railpace every month.

[ttrigg]

What? Me read about the 12 inch stuff? Why?

I do "read" about the 12 inch stuff over on the other forums, mostly to look at their pictures though. As a matter of fact, if they don't have pix, I don't read! Waiting to see a pic posted by someone standing TOO close to the tracks!

[Marty Cozad]

Thats the only way to learn how to take great railfan shots. And learn weathering.

[TonyWalsham]

I voted rarely.

Anything narrow gauge is what interests me the most.
Steam, diesel, electric, critters, mining, logging, industrial and even preserved RR's.
I do occasionally purchase some relevant magazines.

I have zero - very little interest in modern mainline stuff unless it is older steam.
At least steam has a soul.
Big dismals don't do it for me.

[tmcc man]

I do from time to time. I read TRAINS when an issue will interest me, as well as TRP, which is a great magazine. (no pun to trains)

[RhB_HJ]

Yes, I do.

But mostly those from the prototypes, they provide really good technical information, take it extremely easy on the "bury them in ads" routine and - who would have thunk it [;)][;)] - most of them must still employ proof readers, if the very low number of non-sensical typos is any indication.

[Curmudgeon]

When they are given to me, usually in a stack, I do.
Haven't bought any since....1975 or 1976.
Railfan, Railroad, Trains, whatever comes in the door.
Then I give them away, if not wanted, trashed.
TOC

[Rastun]

Egads!!!!! NO!!![:O]

My prototype is completely fictional and I haven't found a magazine on it yet [(-D]

[Train 284]

I do. I subscribe to TRAINS. I love every issue! But not as much as Garden Railways! hehe! [:D]

[Rene Schweitzer]

On a sem-related note, I am always looking for poll ideas. Just email me your idea anytime!