Short Line Journal (Do you think Trains should buy it)?

[gabe]

I was in a book store Saturday, and is usually my custom, I went to the train section and found a publication I had never seen before. It was called Short Line Journal (I am not sure it was "Journal," but it was something to that effect).

Anyway, I bought it for $3.95. (I never look for any Kalmback publications at stores because I subscribe to them already).

I wi***rains would by this Journal out, and improve upon it. I really like shortline railways and reading about them. This journal does a write up about a particular shortline and focuses on shortline news every publication. Its coverage is exactly what I want to read about. However, it doesn't hold a candle to Trains' writers, photographers, and general product. If Trains could apply its skills to Short Line Journal's general forum, I really think the product would be something I would buy regularly.

Gabe

[mudchicken]

Gabe:

The ShortLine is doomed......the fellow that now owns it is the strange bird that owns Pioneer RailCorp, a half dozen bump 'n grind joints and a couple of other strange business ventures. He hasn't done anything to help the magazines chances and the content is a little shaky. Better & more current info can be found in other magazines, for instance Extra 2200 South.

[gabe]

I have never heard of Extra 2200 South. And I agree with you that the quality of the magazine was a far cry from Trains.

I just like the idea of a magazine that concentrates on shortlines.

Gabe

[MP57313]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken
owns Pioneer RailCorp, a half dozen bump 'n grind joints

Ah. If a Class 1 line spins off another short line, with some 'dirty engines' to go with it, this Journal will be the place to see them.[:p]

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

I have never heard of Extra 2200 South. And I agree with you that the quality of the magazine was a far cry from Trains.

I just like the idea of a magazine that concentrates on shortlines.

Gabe

Gabe:

X2200S is locomotive oriented, but is usually quick to pick up on start-ups and is very good at tracking locomotive history (Frequently can be found in Trains article footnotes.....Only published quarterly.....X2200S has much better photos than TSL and has an impressive photo library and locomotive history file archives...now on it's 3rd long term owner,,,)

http://www.extra2200south.com/

Publication Critic Feathers[angel][angel][angel]

[Anonymous]

Bump & Grind joints AND a Railroad? Now theres a combonation[:p]

[Anonymous]

Gabe -

Back in the day TSL was an excellent magazine on short lines. It was run by an extremely knowledgeable gentleman named Garreth MacDonald. Unfortunately, "Mac"'s health worsened and he decided to sell TSL. It was sold to Guy Brenkman, Chairman of Pioneer Railcorp, a family of midwestern short lines. As MC correctly points out Mr. Brenkman also operates several exotic entertainment venues.

Prior to the sale TSL was a thriving magazine with a wide variety of contributors many in the railroad industry. It also innovated many ideas that have since been copied by others including TRAINS. One example was the "Box Score" concept showing a listing of new startups and abandonments. TRAINS uses this concept now (See for example page 15 of the March 2005 TRAINS with the box entitled "Abandonments & Acquisitions" which is similar to the old TSL layout.

At this point, I don't think there is much left to TSL that is worth buying. Many of the contributors have spread to the winds when they saw the direction TSL took post sale as quality declined including both photos and text and the new management struggled to understand how to put out a better quality product. I saw an issue recently, and although it has improved in terms of photo quality much of the text relies upon news from Pioneer's own lines and a small network of contributors. Also, much of the publication includes items I get from the web from a handful of web groups including this one. Not much value there to be worth buying in my opinion...

LC

[gabe]

Alas,

Your analysis seems accurate. I just wish a magazine would take TSL's forum topic and treat it with the professionalism that Trains treats its publications. The problems caused by a wash out of a bridge on a random shortline railway, the reasons a short line railway put in a spur for a new customer, or why shortline X bought two new locomotives interests much more than the double tracking of BNSF LAX Main or the SD-70ACe--not that that doesn't interest me a great deal.

Gabe

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

Alas,

Your analysis seems accurate. I just wish a magazine would take TSL's forum topic and treat it with the professionalism that Trains treats its publications. The problems caused by a wash out of a bridge on a random shortline railway, the reasons a short line railway put in a spur for a new customer, or why shortline X bought two new locomotives interests much more than the double tracking of BNSF LAX Main or the SD-70ACe--not that that doesn't interest me a great deal.

Gabe

Gabe -

Yeah, I watched it happen and I know a couple of the former regional editors who helped Mac out with TSL.

If you want short line news, try the ASLRRA website www.aslrra.org and look under the "Views and News" section. Also, there are of course the larger publications such as TRAINS. Also the shortline group at Yahoo! Groups is decent [e-mail].

I'm sure there are other line or region specific sites and lists as well.

LC

[Anonymous]

One other thing. While Extra2200 South is a great nonprofit mag, it has been very sporadic of late and it concerns almost exclusively locomotive news. By the time I get it many moons have elapsed since the contents were truly newsworthy...

The fact that I do still get it tells you it is good however...

LC