TrainsMag.com Reader Poll – January 19, 2004

[Anonymous]

I realy enjoyed Chard Walkers - My Life At Summit , I used to drive semi over cajon pass on Interstate 15 quite often & saw alot of action on this pass . I often wondered about its history , I new bits & pieces about it but not exactly the big picture. & The crews realy do earn their pay here. Things can get out of hand here ........."realy quick".......If your not on top of things. Thanks for such a good article.

[Anonymous]

(Dave Fallon/Salisbury/NC) Chard Walker's Story was the best by a 'Country Mile'! My
least favorite was the Overrated/Underrated story which I sent you a somewhat
blistering E-Mail on. I realize the work that goes into these stories, and even if they
don't please everyone, they can easily be bypassed. I apologize for my scathing
comments in the E-Mail, although I still hold firm on personal preferences of which
these were. Next time ask your readers and report it on a yearly basis giving plenty of
time for replies and research!!!

[georgefain]

It is often hard to find interesting people who can also write. The summit articles are well written and interesting.

[Godfollower]

Honestly, I have to say that I hope the first annual underrated/overrated article is the LAST. I enjoy Trains magazine for the stories, news, industry status, and educational material. The "Whats' Hot? What's Not?" article was an unnecessary deviation from the usual fine magazine I've come to expect.
As a teenager, I was exposed to almost violent rivalry amongst railfans as to who's railroad was the best. As a result, I missed out on a lot of railroading that I now miss not having the opportunity to witness. "Overrated-Underrated" is an ugly flashback to those days.
Precious to me are the memories I have as a young boy excited about every trip to the post office or local general store, because that meant I was almost sure to see at least one Seaboard Coast Line freight train, or maybe an Amtrak flying by at what seemed like 1000 mph, or maybe even... the auto-train (the original).
To some, all of these are underrated, because they have Cajon, or Chicago, or wherever. For this now 34 year old, though, what pales in comparison to Donner's Pass, or witnessing the Super Chief, sparked a lifetime of a love affair with the American railroad and the seed of what has become a career in engineering.
Dear Mr. Hemphill, please, no more senseless, non-informative articles. Stick with what has made the magazine the reputable magazine what it is.

[jeaton]

I voted for overrated-underrated, with everything else a very close second. I'd also go for "Life at the Summit" because of the era. Actually, when my copy arrives, my family says goodby, because I am "gone" for a few hours.

[Anonymous]

We want more stories like Chard Walker's.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed Chard Walker's "Life at the Summit" as it brought back memories of my Grand Parents who lived in the Maine Central Mt. Willard Section House on the Mountain Division. Only access to this location was by rail.
Loren Evans, my grandfather was section foreman.

[zardoz]

Each was excellent for its own category.

Summit for history
Risky Business for factual
Overrated/Underrated for general reading
Blueprint & Carload network for railroad operations

The articles seem to be getting better and better lately!

[Anonymous]

Summit Article was the best. It triggered my distant memories of lonely vigils
spent at Toyah, Texas.

[Anonymous]

Overrated/Underrated was splendid, and the appreciation of those who have to keep the track in good condion was much apprecated.

Track Engineers often feel forgotten (I work for London Underground - where you can only get at most ofthe track when the rest of us are asleep) and the article brought a smile to more than one long suffering track manager - in reality the basics of Railways/Railroads are much the same anywhere in the world.

[Anonymous]

Toss up between Northumberland and Cajon Pass, but like bbroomfield, I'm familiar with the east and voted for Northumberland.

[Anonymous]

Because I am an east coast fan, I voted "Northumberland" because I was there and I remember what he was talking about. Have never been to Portland or saw any of Doyle's toys, but he is doing a good job of restoring the PA.

[Anonymous]

I liked the Life on the Summit.The second best was Doyle"s house of toys .

[Anonymous]

Chard Walker combines Railroading, history and the people into a very engaging article. Part two will get my vote for February!

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed all the articles, but I especially enjoyed Chard Walkers article "Life at the Summit" Part 1. I have read Part 2 and it's just as good!

[Anonymous]

I voted for all of them as every month I read the whole magazine. I like it all, but I did especialy enjoy the article on life at the summit. To me this is what railroading was all about

[Anonymous]

The Summit article... yes for the history! [:D][:D]

[joecool1212]

It was a close tie with chard walker and northumberland Pa. Joe

[jrygg]

I had a hard time choosing between Chard Walker and "They were all good". The issues have all been great lately.

[eihndrsn]

I enjoyed Chard Walker's January article and of course now I have seen Part 2 in February's Trains and it just gets better. A great series of photographs chronicling a great era. For a distant Santa Fe fan this was excellent.

Ian Henderson
Sydney Australia

[Anonymous]

The Summit article. I love history.

[espeefoamer]

My favorite was the one onChard Walker at Cajon Pass.The shots from the 50's were fantastic!I'm sure we wll wish we were him![8D]

[Anonymous]

While, of course, they all good, but my favorite had to have been Chard Walker's article. It was a really excellent look into what railroading was like at that time (I've always been a huge fan of the 50's) and the photographs were spectacular.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the Chard Walker series is excellent. I voted for the car leasing article "Risky Business" as it gives some real insight into the complicated business of railcar leasing and finance.

LC

[Anonymous]

My Favorite Was the Chard Walker's life at Summit article

[Anonymous]

Mt Favorite Was the Chard Walker's life at Summit article

[Bergie]

What was your favorite feature story from the January 2004 issue of Trains Magazine? Please vote then share your comments below.

Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.