TRAINS MAG. and Amtrak

[Anonymous]

Dru,
Just received the August 2002 issue and there is some improvement. Not too much Amtrak, considering the funding problem. The article by Fred Frailey on the UP's old T&P Texas line is fantastic. That is what we want to see. Mr. Frailey has written some great articles in the past. Looks like the next issue on Cincinnati could be a good one.

[Modelcar]

I'm reading my new issue of Trains mag. too....and enjoy it as usual. But Mark Hemphill.....there at Trains, please continue to represent the Passenger Train side of railroading as well...That's the way it's been for decades and sure hope the way it continues.

QM

[favuprailroadfan]

Terry,

In the November of 2001 issue of TRAINS they did a article on the UP through KS. It was only on the Golden State, put it was a pretty good story. Me and my buddy have tossed around the idea of doing a story on this line. I have people that will help me in getting even more in depth than what I already know. So I am currently looking for a way to do a story.

Dru

[favuprailroadfan]

I haven't gotten my August issue yet so I don't know what its got. It sounds like it might be a pretty good issue. Fred Frailey always does a good job on his articles. He is the one that did the Golden State Route story in the Nov. 2001 issue. Thanks for the info.


Dru

[Anonymous]

Everytime I ride Amtrak the sleepers are sold out. One has to purchase the tickets in advance just to get a sleeper. Obviously, Amtrak could make more money if they had more sleepers....But that takes capital..... Something Amtrak doesn't have....

[Anonymous]

While I agree that Trains has had a little too much coverage of Amtrak, I find it intersting that everyone is talking about how great it is that they have all their articles on the UP and BNSF. Personally, I feel that these two roads are getting way too much coverage in the magazine. I've always felt that Trains should change it's name to Trains West, because they rarely have a feature article covering anything east of the Mississippi.
I have a large collection of Trains dating back to the 40's, and for the most part it was pretty balanced, with some history, some business, some short lines, some locomotives, etc. Now, if you're not one of the big boys, or out in the desert, you're not gonna get covered.
There are dozens of short lines and regional railroads in this country, and we never really get to hear about them.

Just my two cents worth.
Scott

[Anonymous]

Scott, you made a good point that we never hear as much on NS, CSX, FEC, CN and other eastern operations. Many short lines have interesting operations.
Today, the Trains newswire has article after article on Amtrak and only one good article on the WC units being auctioned by CN.

[Anonymous]

Well, I don't know how much the US Army helped, and where (can you bring up any specific instances?), but the system and practices were there before the 1900s. It just went through a big expansion in the years preceeding WWI and the Revolution.
The truth is that until the 1950s or so, Russian railroading was almost indistinguishable from that in the rest of Europe.
Starting in the late 40s and early 50s, as Russia became a superpower, tonnage and passenger mileage on the Russian railways increased to the point where four-axle (or even more) cars became needed (loadings still max out at 25-27 tons, while American ones run in the 32-37 ton range).
Also, the auto-coupler was introduced for the same reasons. However, Russians picked the SA-3 coupler (which, I believe, is a product of American research). This coupler is much more reliable than the knuckle because it basically is a hinge.

[favuprailroadfan]

Scott, I will agree with you. Maybe some people don't want to read about UP or BNSF. I am from the Midwest (KANSAS), and I would like to learn more about the Eastern roads. When was the last time that TRAINS did an article on NS's(formaly CR's assault on the Alleghany's(I hope I spelled that right). I think it was some time back in the 80's. They need to go out and just sit trackside and do what they do best. There are more than just 2 major companies here in the US. I would like to read about FEC, NS, CSX, and all the other lines. When have they done a feature on the Bessamer & Lake Erie? TRAINS needs to branch out to the short lines also. That agree with you also. They have some of the older power around. Well just saying what's on my mind.

Laters, Dru

[Anonymous]

No magazine is going to cover all people's interests all at the same time. You have to have a balance (maybe TRAINS has lost that balance? - I have not read it long enough to know).

You would probaly get just as many people saying 'Where is the Amtrak coverage?' if it was reduced/removed as there are people complaining about there being too much!


Jason.