New headline font, new photo caption font, new fonts on the mb's and the news wire... and the slogan "THE magazine of railroading" gone from the logo. Will take getting used to IMO. I'm surprised they didn't change the font for the article texts. What think ye of the changes?
Not bad, not bad at all. Magazine format changes do occur over time, it's inevitable and actually necessary since reader tastes change.
For example, at a train show give-away table I picked up some copies of "Trains" magazine from around 1972. In spite of the great writing of David P. Morgan and the columnists like John P. Kneiling the format of the magazine as it was then just wouldn't work now, too archaic for current readers, and I remember "Trains" from those days.
As a matter of fact, ever hear of David P. Morgan's book "The Mohawk That Refused to Abdicate?" It's a collection of DPM's writings, an absolute masterpiece. I got my copy at a train show, but was almost put off by it's garish, total 70's, black-silver-red dust jacket that looks like cheap gift wrapping. It was only because I'd heard of the book and how good it was that kept me from walking right past it. Thank the Lord I knew about the book and had to have it!
Not all change is bad, not always.
Not bad, not bad at all...
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
motorWhat think ye of the changes?
Is the way the Table of contents is organized on pages 4 and 5 part of the new design theme?
Dividing the "in this issue" content from the "in every issue" seems smart.
motor I'm surprised they didn't change the font for the article texts.
The pencil-line caricatures of the regular columnists are definitely more flattering than the prior actual photographs! lol.
Has the magazine been late this month? Still haven't received mine yet.
Progress is always change, but change is not always progress.
I wonder about their marketing program and why the magazine isn't a lot more popular. In a country with a population approaching 350 million, they have such a tiny subscription base.
Meh!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
CMStPnP I wonder about their marketing program and why the magazine isn't a lot more popular. In a country with a population approaching 350 million, they have such a tiny subscription base.
BackshopThat other mag that was out of New Jersey seems to do a better job focusing on railfans.
Did that other mag ever get better with not putting snide little editorial quips in every photo caption?
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
Frankly, I've never been very observant of details, but I wouldn't have noticed any of the changes if they hadn't been pointed out.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
zugmannDid that other mag ever get better with not putting snide little editorial quips in every photo caption?
Not as long as it was out of New Jersey. That's an occupational pastime there. I should know.
OvermodNot as long as it was out of New Jersey. That's an occupational pastime there. I should know.
Wouldn't have bothered me if they were at least correct. But they weren't.
So far so good...
1979
Jones 3D Modeling Club https://www.youtube.com/Jones3DModelingClub
I don't like it. But I never like the redesigns...
The true test will be six months from now. If I'm still thinking the same as I read an issue this coming summer, I suppose I really didn't like it.
But if I've long forgotten about it and don't give two thoughts to the redesign, I suppose it was okay after all. That's always ended up the case in the past, so I imagine it will happen this time as well.
My favorite era of Trains where the layout and aesthetics are concerned probably was the 1993 overhaul that lasted until the end of 2001. Even the paper felt much higher quality. I assume they've regressed in paper quality due to our internet-centric world and trying to control costs (a necessary evil), but I prefer the old feel.
I have been reading TRAINS on a regular basis since September 1967 and it always been more than strictly a fan magazine. The fact that they carried a monthly column by John G. Kneiling for years speaks to that orientation. So do a variety of articles over the years on a variety of behind-the-scenes issues and the issue-length "Who Shot the Passenger Train?" issue in 1958.
The change in layout is more of a change in visual style than a change in editorial direction and it is refreshing. I'm not happy that the layout seems to stress photos over the written word but that's a matter of personal preference.
[quote user="CSSHEGEWISCH"]
"The change in layout is more of a change in visual style than a change in editorial direction and it is refreshing. I'm not happy that the layout seems to stress photos over the written word but that's a matter of personal preference."
I would tend to agree with the above comment....It seems that in our 'current environment', content seems to lack the 'flash' of more visual presentations(?) . I prefer the 'stories' along with some illustrative work.
The photographers presented in TRAINS have always seemed to be able to present points, and complement the work of the writers.
Personally, I've been a purchaser and reader of TRAINS since the 1950's; At first it was mostly, MR but as time, and space took their toll on my modeling; TRAINS has been my fall-back publicaton. CT is one I buy on occasion, and subscribe to as topics areas become of interest.
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In 1941, I was six years old living in Milwaukee WI. My father worked for the Missouri Pacific, (The local sales office) He started getting TRAINS then and I have been reading it ever since. In 1946-7 he wrote six articles including one about rates and ticketing options under a pen name. It was titled THIS WAY, THAT WAY. and all the optiona one had when traveling by train. Such as between Chicago and the East coast, the fares were the same if you went via PRR, NYC or B&O and for example if you went via PRR to New York, NY, you could go have a side trip to Baltimore or Washington at no extra cost.
There have been many changes in the magazine since its start but I am glad that Kalmbach is still able to publish it. Its "base" is dwindling over the years as the number of railroad employees has been reduced dramatically. Back then every town had a manned station (maybe more than one), many manned interlockings and the predominate mode of passenger transportation was by train. Today the predominate mode is automobile, followed by airplane. Rail is the outlier. I am one that sees change as a sometimes necessary evil and sometimes as something that is done to prove to upper management that someone is doing his job by making changes, whether they are needed or not. Time will tell.
Perhaps, someone at Trains can provide the rational for the changes.
zugmann Backshop That other mag that was out of New Jersey seems to do a better job focusing on railfans. Did that other mag ever get better with not putting snide little editorial quips in every photo caption?
Backshop That other mag that was out of New Jersey seems to do a better job focusing on railfans.
Hey Zug, I have to ask, which rail mag out of New Jersey are you referring to, "Railfan and Railroad" or the Italian mag, "Rail-Pah-Che?"
"Railpace" for those of you not from the area.
I think Zug is referring to R&R, which is now owned by White River Productions in Missouri.
motor
motor I think Zug is referring to R&R, which is now owned by White River Productions in Missouri. motor
Sorry. The other one.
zugmann motor I think Zug is referring to R&R, which is now owned by White River Productions in Missouri. motor Sorry. The other one.
I THOUGHT it was the "Italian" mag! I know Zug doesn't care for it and I respect his opinion, but I enjoy it.
And as Overmod said, wise-a$$ just comes with the New Jersey territory.
In two words: age + interests. The likelihood that you are probably one of the younger readers does not inspire much confidence about the reader base growing. If younger cohorts were surveyed, I imagine I'd be correct in predicting that most under 50 would have ~zero interest in reading about or looking at pictures of trains and railroads.
According to an article in Wikipedia, in 2014 Trains had a circulation of 92,235. Anyone know what it is today?
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
PJS1 According to an article in Wikipedia, in 2014 Trains had a circulation of 92,235. Anyone know what it is today?
The number of paid distribution nearest the filing date is 76,664.
Johnny
BTW-I was referring to R&R, not Railpace.
Deggesty PJS1 According to an article in Wikipedia, in 2014 Trains had a circulation of 92,235. Anyone know what it is today? On page 63 of the January 2019 issue, the numbers are given. The number of paid distribution nearest the filing date is 76,664.
On page 63 of the January 2019 issue, the numbers are given.
Is that just printed copies, or does it also include the digital copy introduced since 2014?
Paid print copies: 76,664. {aid electronic copies: 2,137.
I would consider this the circulation.
A 16.88% decline in five years. As I was saying above...
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