Trains Magazine Covers

[Anonymous]

This month's cover is horrible. (May 2003)

Last month's cover was horrible too.

The China steam cover was spectacular though.

Please give us better covers.

Thnaks.

[Anonymous]

To each his own. I kind of really like the cover of the magazine this month (MAY). It's what got me to buy the mag in the first place. You obviously have no idea how much people really LOVE those paper train cut outs. I go throughthe train with those for the kiddies, and so many adult shyly ask if they could have one too...."it's for grandson, nefew, son, ect..." sure it is. You can always tell what bars the VIA crews go to on their away terminals because they have those bloody paper train cut outs on the back of the bar. They LOVE them. I think they're great. I really like the cover. Those trains light up the eyes of so many little children. More parents have put them together than kids, I'm sure. But they are a real part of the experience people now cherish. A silly souvenir. A great train to put together and occupy the long hours that pass. :)

[Anonymous]

The June cover of Trains is EXCELLENT!!

Thank you!!

Chris

[Anonymous]

Having been a professional editor for just over 20 years, I can attest to the near-fistfights that have occurred over covers on the staffs of several magazines. The final decision is that of the art director and chief editor.
I worked on an industrial trade journal whose covers didn't have to "sell" on newstands.
I don't envy the staff of Trains their task every month. They pull it off and many of the covers' photos would be worth framing by themselves, if it wasn't for all the "sell" lines and the logo.
These guys deserve kudos, not derision.
Hank Morris

[edblysard]

If I purchased a magazine based soley on the cover, odds are I wouldn't buy a one.
Content, on the other hand, make or breaks a magazine. About the only exception to the rule was Life. Of course, it was a magazine devoted almost exclusively to photographing and documenting the world. National Geographic ranks as one of the best in the cover catagory. Beyond those two, I rarely pay that much attention to covers. I dont subscribe to Trains or Model Railroader base on whats on the cover, but whats inside, although I have noticed that Trains has had a exceptional number of covers that stand alone, worth framing, if it were not for the tag lines.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

I will have to reluctantly agree that the covers of "Trains" magazine have been somewhat less than spectacular as of late. I miss the old familiar red masthead, and I think they are getting a bit too "artsy" with a lot of the graphics. I suppose that my all-time favorite cover was back around 1977, or so, with a semaphore against a sunset, taken on the Milwaukee Road somewhere in Illinois. No fancy graphics, just a great photograph, and a simple "TRAINS" up in the corner. I wonder what the late, great, David P. Morgan would think about the new magazine layout. I suspect that he as well, would lean towards a return to the older format. Just my opinion though...

[Anonymous]

Publishers live and die by covers. They believe that the cover sells the magazine and no amount of persuasion by an editor will change that fact. TRAINS underwent a total redesign. This is done by almost every magazine every couple of years. It's believed that redesigns infuse new blood and might attract readers.
TRAINS also is feeling the greying of railfans. I'm sure they're trying to attract the younger set, hence the more modern logo and cleaner layout.
This greying problem affects NRHS, and other railfan organizations. The average age of railfans isn't getting any lower.
Ask anyone who is in any organization, Masons, Elks, etc., and they'll sadly agree that the younger set aren't the joiners their parents and grandparents were.
Anyone with ideas about how to attract younger persons to the hobby should share their insights. Perhaps this is worthy of a new thread? Ya think?
Hank Morris

[Anonymous]

Hank, I'm all for "passing along" the railfan spirit, but these days it's pretty hard with all the tight security around yards, etc. In the "good old days", Pop would take you down to the yard, and you might even get an occasional ride in the engine. Now, you can't even get on the property without the risk of being arrested. (thank you Osama Bin Laden!) I suppose all we older folks can do now, is share our pictures and books with the kids, and hope they will pick up the same interest. Sure doesn't compare to the real thing though....
Todd C.

[Modelcar]

....In the next few days when our new issue of TRAINS arrives we will see a "real" railroad scene on the cover. I also notice there is an article ref: Saluda, "Will trains ever run there again". Yeh, I wonder too. What an interesting place to visit. Quaint little town too.

QM

[DTomajko]

I have to agree with Ed,I don't buy a magazine based on the cover,only the content.Trains consistently has some of the best writing of all the magazines & I've read it since the early 80's.By the way,I read MR,RMC,Railfan,Railpace,Mainline,MRG, & PRR Keystone and have subsciptions to most.They all present information differently & I enjoy each for the content. Stay safe,DT Pa.

[Anonymous]

Yea, I agree, Trains is still a good mag. regardless of the cover shoot. I didn't see "Classic Trains" in your list. Now, THAT is a good magazine! My only complaint is it is a quarterly mag. I wish it was at least a Bi-monthly. Railpace is a very good one too, but it covers lines out of my "area". If you know of one that covers Michigan, let me know.
Todd C.

[DTomajko]

Todd,Yes,I do read Trains Classic too,I just didn't list everything I read on a regular basis.Sorry if I left anyone's favorite out.Also,I don't know of a magazine devoted to your area.DT Pa.