My wife took 6 weeks off this summer and one of the projects was to "empty boxes in the basement" and also to develope a spot in the basement for my hobbies (trains, guitar, astronomy, and a couple others).
Thus, last weekend I began moving Trains Magazines from boxes to a designated spot. Along with that task, I began quickly reviewing each magazine and compiling a database (notebook and pencil) of all magazines with articles / features of interest. The collection is nearly complete from 1965 on with a few from the 1950s. Yes, I know the entire collection is available digitally, but there is something to be said about a magazine (or book) in hand.
So far I have completed up to December 1999. It has been very interesting to note the differences the editors had on the magazine.
David Morgan - One of the biggest contributions he made (other than incredible writing ability) was his introduction of Richard Steinheimer and his ongoing use of his work. Once he was introduced, DPM found it to his advantage to keep using the "Stein" formula. Interestingly, the effect of Stein seemed greater with B&W. I found his color work less dramatic. DPM had a group of writers such as Middleton, Drury, Hilton which were very effective. It was on DPM's watch that he gave Fred Frailey his opening shot - a 2 part series on KCS.
J. David Ingles - Opened the floodgates of advertising to the magazine. From a 60 page format of DPM the page count moved into the 90s and occassionally triple digit. While I like JDI's writing and photo documentaries of the 60s -70s, I found the editorial content slipped considerably.
Kevin Keefe - moved to a major feature story each month, typically on a line segment. In addition to Fred Frailey, Keefe used a stable of authors for these well written examination of lines or divisions including Michael Blazcak and Mark Hemphill. The page count remained very high, often into triple digits.
One article which I have not located is DPM discussion of how he and a photographer (Hastings perhaps) were driving along Illinois Rt 16 west of Mattoon and happened across a NYC Niagara steam unit. It was a very emotional article with the ending words "Look away, look away." This might have been upon his death, or perhaps shortly after his retirement. Anyone who can locate this article...it would be appreciated.
My pile of magazines with articles to read is rapidly growing. There is probably enough to keep me occupied the rest of the year and I am only thru 1999.
Next up will be Mark Hemphill and quite frankly all of his issues were outstanding, almost to DPM standards.
Ed
MP173Next up will be Mark Hemphill and quite frankly all of his issues were outstanding, almost to DPM standards.
Mark still chimes in here from time to time, albeit under a "nom de plume."
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Would love to sit down with him and have a couple of adult beverages. I lost track of his current identity.
He was an outstanding editor and very open on these forums.
MP173One article which I have not located is DPM discussion of how he and a photographer (Hastings perhaps) were driving along Illinois Rt 16 west of Mattoon and happened across a NYC Niagara steam unit. It was a very emotional article with the ending words "Look away, look away." This might have been upon his death, or perhaps shortly after his retirement. Anyone who can locate this article...it would be appreciated.
It was a Hudson.
The article is titled "Early on one frosty mornin'" and was published in the September 1989 issue, pages 44-47.
Just as I suspected...Sept 1989 is gone. Perhaps it is misplaced and will be located in another box.
A fine piece of writing by a very talented man.
You can also find "Early On One Frosty Mornin'" in "Confessions of a Train-Watcher", an anthology of DPM's writings from 1952 to when the night train came for him in 1990.
It's a hardcover book published by Kalmbach in 1997, well worth getting if the opportunity presents itself.
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