Rating Trains Magazines: last issue

[gabe]

This ranks between one of my best ideas and one of my worst. But, it occurred to me that having a post dedicated to evaluating the monthly magazine would benefit Trains, the readers, and the forum. So, with that in mind, this post is dedicated to evaluating the last Trains magazine.

I do ask that you keep 2 things in mind in contributing:

(1) I think Trains Magazine—at least under the last three to four editors—has been the best magazine in the field by far.

(2) Please keep all criticism constructive. I am curious to see if other readers share my interests in the particular aspects of the magazine, not kicking the best magazine in the field.

I give the last issue a high 6 or a low 7 on a scale of 10.

I liked the fact that Mr. Wrinn is adding articles to the magazine. That definitely ups my score. I particularly liked the article on railroad ties. It really furthered my knowledge of the industry (I had no idea they made plastic ties). I also thought the Hurricane coverage was first class (although deserving of a whole article at some point).

That having been said, I think this magazine rates noticeable below the last 2-3. Many monthly magazines seem loaded from cover to cover with stories I am really interested in—stories that focus on a particular segment of a Class I RR, a major current issue of importance, or the operations of a short line or regional RR.

I am not really into Trolleys. Although I thought the article was well written, I think I am not alone in saying a railroad fan is not necessarily a trolley fan. That having been said, I am sure some people like to read about trolleys, and I am not faulting the magazine for including it. The article just didn't appeal to me as an individual.

I also lament the 261's appearance in Kansas City was not covered a little better. Mainline steam has been on the wane in the last decade or more, seeing a trip like that I think at least deserved a picture of the engine--although showing the back of the train was nice in showing the uniform consist.

I feel the same way about the Pennsylvania excursion of the E-8s in uniform tuscan red on Horseshoe curve. I would have really liked that to have been covered more—as I didn't even know NS allowed excursions. Are they just anti steam?

Don Phillips' article was disappointingly good. Why disappointing? A fellow that interesting would command my attention for a three-to-four page article. I would have loved to hear more about his stories with Southern steam, among other aspects of his life.

The CP article was good for what it was—the photography was nothing short of awesome—but I think the subject matter was more suited to two-to-three pages (I would have much rather had the space devoted to expounding on Phillips' article).

Finally—I wish I had the magazine here so I can remember his name—but the article concerning the changing of the rail mindset to a struggling industry to a booming one was interesting and thought evoking. I do not know if I agree with the conclusions 100%, but they are certainly valid and evoke thought. That is why I buy the magazine.

What do you think?

Gabe

[rrandb]

You shoul put your hat in the ring when they need there next editor. Trolly's are railroads with very short passenger trains.[(-D]

[Modelcar]

....I will give a rating of 7 for the January issue. Many comments would parallel with Gabe's above. I too would be interested in an article regarding the Pennsylvania E-8's with their tuscan red consist and their circle route they traveled....The streetcar piece was fine with me, having seen some of those older cars pictured in use. Believe Mr. Wrinn is doing a good job.
Item: Would like to see some abandoned routes pictured from time to time...

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

....I will give a rating of 7 for the January issue. Many comments would parallel with Gabe's above. I too would be interested in an article regarding the Pennsylvania E-8's with their tuscan red consist and their circle route they traveled....The streetcar piece was fine with me, having seen some of those older cars pictured in use. Believe Mr. Wrinn is doing a good job.
Item: Would like to see some abandoned routes pictured from time to time...

I agree with you about the abandoned routes. I think that would make an excellent tri-monthly article--an article about an abandoned line, what gave the line its initial life, what its traffic consisted of during its life time, who owned it, and what policies or changing traffic paterns led to its demise.

Ed (MP 173) and I have had a great on going e-mail exchange about Illinois Central's Newton IL to Evansville Indiana line. Our conversation ranged from its boom time when he was a kid, seeing random "blue" passenger trains on the line in the middle of the night to the two local freights, its slow downfall under the ICG, short line acqusitions of the line, and its final abandonment. It has really been good reading. I think it would make a great trains article.

Gabe

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrandb

You shoul put your hat in the ring when they need there next editor. Trolly's are railroads with very short passenger trains.[(-D]

Na . . . I couldn't do 1/8th of the job Mark did or Jim is doing. I just thought that people talking about the magazine from month to month would be useful to the magazine and it would be useful to me to see other people's opinions about the articles.

Gabe

I respect your like of Trollys. But, I see them as bus lines with more constraints rather than short passenger trains.

[Randy Stahl]

I'll bet you wouldn't say that about Illinois terminal electric freight trains. Remember the good ol " IT was a trolley line .
Randy

[edblysard]

Last issue was pretty good, on the ten scale, around an 8...
Is it just me, or did the graphics of the magazine change a little, somewhat of a subtle change I can’t quite pin down?

I like the odd article that deals with the little know railroads, or the out of the way ones...would love to read about the underground or tunnel railroad in Chicago...

And would really like an entire one or two page article by Don Phillips, I like his style and pace, and his ability to side step the status quo, and point out things from a different angle.

Ed

[trainfan1221]

It was nice to see the Holiday issue back. I have been getting the magazine since 1980 and always looked forward to DPM's editorials. I learned a lot of new vocabulary from them. I would rate the magazine as an 8,by far the best of the bunch but there are original aspects that I miss. But my loyalty has always been to the magazine and will continue to be.

[anb740]

I spent about 2 minutes perusing through this issue at the hobby store today, and promptly put it back on the shelf. No offense to the editors, as they do a pretty good job, but for me to pay this much for a magazine that doesn't have pics of women in bikinis, it's got to peak my interest more than this issue did....

just my worthless 2 cents worth,
anb740

[Anonymous]

I have subscribed to this magazine for 20yrs this month, keep it coming!

Gabe: this is a great topic for monthly update

I rate the Jan 06' issue a 6 on the "best issue ever" 1-10 scale

I love the new sections, like crossties, loco repair when flooded etc. keep these kinds of topics coming

I wi***hat the "Ask Trains" section were expanded, I'm sure people have more that 4 questions a month. I asked what I thought to be a very interesting question about mainline track scales where they weigh trains on the fly in WV back in Jun 2004, but never recieved a response.

I too am not a trolly / commuter / interurban fan, but I'm sure others like it, so i'm glad it's there for them.

I have always enjoyed Don Phillips column, however I have noticed that since he has moved to Paris, he has spent most of his time comparing Europe's successes with America's commuter system shortcomings. No offence Don, I still read every word.

To the editors: I read every printed word with the exception of the above mentioned commuter stuff, keep up the excellent product that you produce.

Brian

.

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Randy Stahl

I'll bet you wouldn't say that about Illinois terminal electric freight trains. Remember the good ol " IT was a trolley line .
Randy

Ah, hijack me with my beloved IT. Good point, and on the whole I like freight carrying interurban railroads. They strike me more as just small passenger trains rather than restricted bus lines.

Gabe

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by B747

I have subscribed to this magazine for 20yrs this month, keep it coming!

Gabe: this is a great topic for monthly update

I rate the Jan 06' issue a 6 on the "best issue ever" 1-10 scale

I love the new sections, like crossties, loco repair when flooded etc. keep these kinds of topics coming

I wi***hat the "Ask Trains" section were expanded, I'm sure people have more that 4 questions a month. I asked what I thought to be a very interesting question about mainline track scales where they weigh trains on the fly in WV back in Jun 2004, but never recieved a response.

I too am not a trolly / commuter / interurban fan, but I'm sure others like it, so i'm glad it's there for them.

I have always enjoyed Don Phillips column, however I have noticed that since he has moved to Paris, he has spent most of his time comparing Europe's successes with America's commuter system shortcomings. No offence Don, I still read every word.

To the editors: I read every printed word with the exception of the above mentioned commuter stuff, keep up the excellent product that you produce.

Brian

.

I agree about the "ask trains section." I often felt--to advertise the forum better as well as to beef up one of my favorite sections--they should pull a question off of this forum every month and give it a definitive answer.

Gabe

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabeI agree about the "ask trains section." I often felt--to advertise the forum better as well as to beef up one of my favorite sections--they should pull a question off of this forum every month and give it a definitive answer.
Gabe

I could swear that's already happening - seems like I've seen several "Ask Trains" questions that looked strangely familiar. Maybe it's just coincidence...

Not too many articles escape my eventual attention, even if they don't strike my fancy right away. And it's good that they do, since I almost always learn something from them.

And I don't throw the magazine away, either. It goes in the 'stacks,' from which I'll occasionally snag a random magazine to see if there's an article I don't recall reading...

[ndbprr]

I don't subscribe to either Trains or MR any more. I model the PRR and have difficulty following and no interest in the modern scene. Therefore most of the material is of no interest. If there is an article that is I will buy single issues. Joining the PRRT&HS and getting an award winning historical society publication totaly dedicated to what I model is spending my money in a more constructive fashion. Having been reading both since the early 50's I miss the ethics of the original crew at MR and David P. Morgan and his writing.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe



What do you think?

Gabe

I thought that the Jan 2006 issue was much more interesting than the December 2005 issue, and I welcome the new columnists

I was dissatisfied enough with the Dec/05 issue that I made a thread specific to that displeasure, and the Jan/06 issue is a tremendously reassuring recovery...

[rrandb]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrandb

You shoul put your hat in the ring when they need there next editor. Trolly's are railroads with very short passenger trains.[(-D]

Na . . . I couldn't do 1/8th of the job Mark did or Jim is doing. I just thought that people talking about the magazine from month to month would be useful to the magazine and it would be useful to me to see other people's opinions about the articles.

Gabe

I respect your like of Trollys. But, I see them as bus lines with more constraints rather than short passenger trains.

I was giving you a compliment to your nice recap of the mag. You may be thinking of those trolly buses that take power from overhead cantanary. Steel wheels on rails(rail) with tracks in the street(road) and trolleys(short passenger train). They are literally a rail-road. Pun intended . I like the idea and maybe they might hear us??? [?]

[MP173]

Gabe:

Thanks for the kind words regarding the IC line. I would love to write an article on the line, but I have no data. Anything I would write would be a subjective view of watching trains thru my little town of 100 people.

Ironically, my girlfriend gave me a great Christmas present. She went thru my 5x7 and 8x10 train photos from the 70's and had several mounted and framed. One of those is the southbound daily local passing thru my little town. It really stirred my emotions to see it.

At this time of year, my work load basically comes to a halt and today I found myself going thru a huge stack of photos, just tossed in a paper bag. I felt like I had discovered something special.

On another post I mentioned my sales career allowed me to travel all over Illinois and eastern Iowa. Most of these photos were of that era. My how things have changed in a short period of time. Fortunately I have shots of the Santa Fe thru Streator, the CNW switching in Dixon, NS in Tolono, and other forgotten gems.

Among those photos, Gabe, were my last photos of my hometown line. The IC was long gone and the Indiana Hi Rail was operating with Alcos. The condition of the track was pathetic, if I recall train speed was less than 10mph. Looking back, it was like watching an old friend (or wife), slowly die. I choose to recall the better times, when the trains rolled thru at 35mph and switched limestone several times a week and black geeps trailed 60 to 100 cars. Watching those trains shrink to 50 cars, then 30 cars, and finally just a few cars were like watching vital signs slowly fade away until nothing.

BTW, I rate most of the current Trains about a 5-6. Mark had really found a groove, at least with me and I miss his style.

ed

[emmar]

This thread was a great idea. Thanks for setting it up Gabe. As for the January issue, I have to be honest in that I have not finished it yet. When I do I will be sure to rate it.(from what I have read so far I think about a 8 out of ten).