( Not really the ) May TRAINS Magazine

[Murphy Siding]

Holy Cow! Overmod! I think we just jumped from reading the magazine to writing it.[(-D]

[Overmod]

Hey, that brings up an idea I had years ago, in a completely different venue:

Do I remember correctly that several railroad magazines did, in fact, provide the "additional-reading" references (admittedly on one page rather than as 'footnotes' or comments after each article) in some detail?

It might be possible to put the extensively technical details in a WEB-based form, on the Trains site, and then include live hyperlinks in the 'further reading' and 'source' lists (etc.) -- perhaps with .pdfs for the folks that want to peruse the additional material in hardcopy and html that can be optimized for the different scales of bandwidth found for readers around the world.

ISTR that some women's magazines had special site codes in each issue, which would 'get you in' to the advanced content (presumably because you had a hard copy as a subscriber, or had purchased one at a newsstand). We could always consider 'mickey mouse' access protection a la some of those '80s games, where you had to type in, say, the fourteenth word from the top on page 3 in order to get to the next section, if we needed to ensure, ah, that the issue was actually 'in hand' near the computer rather than used as a copying reference ;-}

THEN we could establish particular forum threads, perhaps even stickies, for monthly topics of interest (or ongoing themes) and periodically produce digests or whatever for publication in the physical magazine...

[Murphy Siding]

Note to Overmod: It's a well known fact that I'm computer dummy. Some-futuremodal included, have given me a ribbing now and theb about it. I take no offence, and actually laugh at my mistakes. The dis-comforting part is, that sometimes it takes so long for me to catch on to the joke.[:I]
Concerning your ideas about technology articles, I can see where there would be some tough decisions at the magazine about how technical the article could be, before losing some of the reader. A good example, is the posters (you included) that can discuss some pretty *heavy* steam technology, with ease. Some posters (me for example) get lost in the details fairly quickly. I enjoy it, as it turns into a sort of mind excercise:"let's see how many times I have to read it, before it soaks in".
On technical articles,heck-maybe on all articles,there could be a note at the end, that says:"For futher reading, see............" If you wanted bonus points, the note could say "For further reading on this subject, see our list of sources, and recommendations for further reading, listed on our Trains Magazine website. This could be the start of a really good thing.[:D]

[Overmod]

Hoo, boy! First we have Hanjin supposedly being South Korean when the word means something very close to 'the Chinese people' (as the Han Chinese see it, anyway).

And then we have FM using 'sarcasm' on Murphy Siding about not knowing how to use the quotes correctly -- he must have learned very quickly since Feb 12 at 16:22:31... but humility was not part of the lesson, I guess ;-}

With respect to feature articles -- I would like to see more articles about innovative technology both in present and historical railroading. The article on coal turbines was fine, as far as it went -- but there were enormous areas where I wanted HARD information (which author Hirsimaki almost certainly would have known) and the article seemed to have been almost 'dumbed down' presumably because one of the Powers That Be decided that too much tech would turn readership off. Note: that didn't happen when 'Frimbo' was writing in the New Yorker, a far less 'fan-oriented' publication...

Let's see some articles on things like technologies to reduce rolling resistance without causing slipping (stick lubricators, top-of-rail lube, etc.) -- or on the current state of the 'magic wear rate' thinking for track maintenance (WITH the working definition of 'martensite' as it applies to railheads).

A GOOD technical discussion of modern theory and practice in PTC, with specific reference to the programming issues vs. operating reality in NAJPTC ... and the various scams (like using NJT passenger trains to test a freight PTS system!) that have been tried. This might easily be extended to discussions of continuous signaling, and the science, practice, and implementation history of NDGPS (if I understand correctly, the initial North American continental rollout of differential enablement specifically followed important rail main line coverage) and modern distributed/packet communications.

Ongoing thinking and discussion regarding remotes and automation -- including ways that dispatching can be improved in a practical, not just theoretical, sense.

I also miss -- very much -- Kneiling's columns. Back when open-access ideas were 'iconoclastic', I found them ingenious (rather than ingenuous) and successful at being what they were intended to be -- thought-provoking rather than 'ex cathedra' answers to the railroading equivalent of lamers and lusers. Surely we can find someone to bring this sort of column back ...

I thought it was very brave and commendable of Trains to have undertaken publishing things like "The Case for the Double-Track Train" in the early '70s -- and to have weathered some subsequent discussion from 'practical purists' concerning the rightness of doing so.

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal


Poor Murphy, still hasn't figured out the.....

QUOTE: [:(!][:(!][xx(][xx(][:(][:(][V][V]

thing yet!

Poorer Murphy-doesn't even understand the comment! Zoom!!! Right over my head. 'Must be one of those South Park things![:p]

there you go, that's better

OK smartie pants-I figured out that my quote was weird, and subject to confussion. I have corrected it.[D)][:I][:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal


Poor Murphy, still hasn't figured out the.....

QUOTE: [:(!][:(!][xx(][xx(][:(][:(][V][V]

thing yet!

Poorer Murphy-doesn't even understand the comment! Zoom!!! Right over my head. 'Must be one of those South Park things![:p]

there you go, that's better

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal


Poor Murphy, still hasn't figured out the.....

QUOTE: [:(!][:(!][xx(][xx(][:(][:(][V][V]

thing yet!

Poorer Murphy-doesn't even understand the comment! Zoom!!! Right over my head. 'Must be one of those South Park things![:p]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by shay1925

[:D] (Cool) Any chance that one of you magazine gurus would be willing to explain the ins an outs of where stories come from, and how the process works? Thanks

I can go in depth later, but the short answer is that stories come from contributors' ideas and our own imaginations. We commission part of our features, and the rest comes from readers.

Usually, we evaluate story ideas using a nutshell summary of the proposed piece that covers the focus of the work, its highlights, and the all-important "why I should care" angle. A good proposed headline or cover blurb helps us to evaluate concepts. From there, we agree with the author to a general story length, look for art, budget pages for upcoming issues (working on the planner for spring 2007 right now), and deadlines.

What are we looking for? A good mix is the answer. We want a story line up that covers a lot of bases. We want stories that that appeal to the heart and the head, that are diverse in many aspects (geographically, modern and historical and futuristic, steam and diesel, domestic and international, hard-core industry and hard-core fan interest etc.), and that provide a swirl of fun, educational, and interesting topics about railroading!

That's all there is to it!
Cheers! Jim

Please go into depth later. That would make a fascinating thread.

(Note to self: Renew subscription to Open Access Monthly[;)])

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by shay1925

I can go in depth later, but the short answer is that stories come from contributors' ideas and our own imaginations. We commission part of our features, and the rest comes from readers.

Usually, we evaluate story ideas using a nutshell summary of the proposed piece that covers the focus of the work, its highlights, and the all-important "why I should care" angle. A good proposed headline or cover blurb helps us to evaluate concepts. From there, we agree with the author to a general story length, look for art, budget pages for upcoming issues (working on the planner for spring 2007 right now), and deadlines.

What are we looking for? A good mix is the answer. We want a story line up that covers a lot of bases. We want stories that that appeal to the heart and the head, that are diverse in many aspects (geographically, modern and historical and futuristic, steam and diesel, domestic and international, hard-core industry and hard-core fan interest etc.), and that provide a swirl of fun, educational, and interesting topics about railroading!

That's all there is to it!
Cheers! Jim

Please go into depth later. That would make a fascinating thread.

(Note to self: Renew subscription to Open Access Monthly[;)])

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see a contemporary photo feature of some of the larger ghost infastructure still extant. Some sompanies made sizeable investments in their rail dock/loading/unloading facilities, which over the years have gone out of business and left behind these monumental legacies, that have proven too big to economically remove, so they linger on. Think of it as an "Rustbelt Hall of fame" if you will. ..

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding
I would like to see what other posters think would be good ideas for articles in Trains Magazine. I can't say I'd be excited about a 3-part feature on open access though. ([;)]Gotcha Dave[:-,]) .[:)].

A 3 part feature on Open Access would barely scratch the surface. For one, you've got the variations of OA in Australia and Europe. Secondly, you'd need a detailed comparison of OA at work in other modes. Thirdly, you've got this huge pent up capital market that could explode onto the scene if shippers and 3PL's/3PI's started running their own trains to their specifications. Fourthly, you've got all the potential variations of converting the current closed access system to some form of OA. Then, you've got the painful transition for current stockholders and prefered shippers, and of course you'd have to dedicate entire issues to the opponents of OA, and what about the impact on the whole genre of passenger rail.........etc. etc. etc.

Nah, we're talking monthly excerpts for the next ten years at the least![:0]

[narig01]

QUOTE: Originally posted by futuremodal

Originally posted by arbfbe

No wonder those drunken red neck ilks hate Montana farmers!

Does this mean the Reds will nuke Montana?
It's not that far from Cincinnati(Reds) to Montana is it?

Rambling on with graffitti

Rgds
narig01[:D][:D][:D]

• Reply

I can go in depth later, but the short answer is that stories come from contributors' ideas and our own imaginations. We commission part of our features, and the rest comes from readers.

Usually, we evaluate story ideas using a nutshell summary of the proposed piece that covers the focus of the work, its highlights, and the all-important "why I should care" angle. A good proposed headline or cover blurb helps us to evaluate concepts. From there, we agree with the author to a general story length, look for art, budget pages for upcoming issues (working on the planner for spring 2007 right now), and deadlines.

What are we looking for? A good mix is the answer. We want a story line up that covers a lot of bases. We want stories that that appeal to the heart and the head, that are diverse in many aspects (geographically, modern and historical and futuristic, steam and diesel, domestic and international, hard-core industry and hard-core fan interest etc.), and that provide a swirl of fun, educational, and interesting topics about railroading!

That's all there is to it!

Cheers! Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

I'd like to see a feature on where all the *second tier* and *old iron* is still being rostered in the industry. It's neat to see which Class 1's ordered more SD 70's, but it would also be neat to see where the ALCO's are still being used in day-to -day service.( And the GP-7's, and the U-boats, and the SD45's, and the ........)

Hey Murphy,

I notice that the thread title changed...was that your doing, or did you get some "help"?

[Murphy Siding]

I'd like to see a feature on where all the *second tier* and *old iron* is still being rostered in the industry. It's neat to see which Class 1's ordered more SD 70's, but it would also be neat to see where the ALCO's are still being used in day-to -day service.( And the GP-7's, and the U-boats, and the SD45's, and the ........)

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by shay1925
I really appreciate the feedback, and I'm sure the staff does too. Everybody works really hard to create an engaging, entertaining, educational magazine that covers many bases, so telling us what you like, what you don't like, what you want to see more of and what you want to see less of is great information.
Best to all! Jim Wrinn

[:D] (Cool) Any chance that one of you magazine gurus would be willing to explain the ins an outs of where stories come from, and how the process works? Thanks

[Jim Wrinn]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nanaimo73

Originally posted by Murphy Siding

So, what would you like to see in the May issue of Trains Magazine?

A Map of the Month, showing how much is left, and who operates, the Milwaukee Road, or the Rock Island, or the NYC.

The return of the Annual Motive Power Survey, listing all locomotive deliveries during 2005. Also a look at the roster of one of the Big 4 systems, showing where the locomotives are based for maintenence and what kind of service they are assigned to.

Fallen Flags - Part 5 by J David Ingles. The first 4 parts were in the 4-74, 5-74, 6-74 and 1-84 Trains.

A Fred Frailey article on Class 1 operations. Perhaps focusing on the Chicago-KC corridor or the El Paso-Colton Sunset Route.

An article on a Regional or Shortline, with a roster and a map.

An article on a city with more than 3 railroads and preferably with Amtrak, writen like the Trackside guides. New Orleans was just covered in CTC Board, and Pittsburgh in R&R. Perhaps Philly, Cleveland or Memphis.

An article on William Woodard, father of Super-power.

A sequel to this article-
4-8-0s to Mallets to Jawn Henry
Trains, October 1984 page 34
motive power development on Norfolk & Western
( N&W, "POND, C. E.", STEAM, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, TRN )
detailing the dieselization process on N&W.

The first in a series of articles on geared steam by Jim Wrinn, detailing Shays.

Hmmm... The May issue might ru***hings, but I think we might be able to catch a few of these goodies down the road.

I really appreciate the feedback, and I'm sure the staff does too. Everybody works really hard to create an engaging, entertaining, educational magazine that covers many bases, so telling us what you like, what you don't like, what you want to see more of and what you want to see less of is great information.

Best to all! Jim Wrinn

Jim Wrinn, Editor, Trains magazine

• Reply

Some time back, on a different thread,you said some less-that-flattering things about DPM, and his perspective of the railroads. So you like the *spirit* of his writing, but not the *perspective*? Isn't that something like saying you like the work of Steinbeck, but don't like what he wrote?[:-,]