Well, let’s see if we can keep this monthly thread moving.
How does everyone rate the last Trains magazine? I give it a high 7/low 8 on a scale of 1-10, which is more a reflection of my specific interest in railroading rather than anything against the quality of the articles.
I thought the SP/UP California Street running article was awesome, and I also really found the article about fans investing to be both pragmatic and interesting. I really liked the news blurb about new switch engines (I had no idea that “hump-back Alco switchers” only had an engine in one end that led to wheel slippage problems. I also thought the “Ask Trains” section was more interesting than normal—and I normally like it.
The coverage of David Gunn’s departure was both good and bad for me. I thought the coverage was outstanding. I loved the fact that both Mr. Wrinn and Mr. Phillips weighed in on the subject, and I loved the extensive coverage of it.
The bad aspect for me is, I prefer to read about freight operations and I thought this particular magazine was by far dominated by commuter, Amtrak, and automobiles (made by Alco). Obviously, a lot of people like such articles and I am glad they are included in Trains. Also, with the big Amtrak news, I knew this was inevitable. I just like to see more articles about freight and or particular aspects of Class I lines, short lines, regional railroads . . . and abandoned lines.
What does everyone else think?
Gabe
P.S. Like I said in the first installment of this post, let’s try to remember Trains is a great magazine even on its worst day, and keep any criticism constructive.
I was really disapointed in this issue. I will give it a 3.
I have no interest in the Alco car article or the UP museum article and I did not read them. The other two articles on New York commuters and the Oakland station were good articles, but not to interesting to me. These articles would have been fine in separate issues, but it was poor editing to put them together in one issue, especially when this issue was the thinnest in 15 years (only 82 pages).
I want a feature article on freight operations or locomotives (steam or diesel) in every issue. Railfan can do it, so Trains should be able to do it as well.
I found the PRR map to be outstanding. I had written to each of the last 3 editors requesting such a map. If the summary of this map had been a 4 page article, I would have given this issue a higher score. Without the map, I would give it a 1.
I don’t know about this monthly rateing thing. It might cause people that buy off the shelf to not buy the low rated issues and that could hurt the mag sales. Someone migh want to check with Bergie on this one.
I agree with nanaimo on this one, maybe a 3 at best. I am one of those people with no real interest in transit news or the continuing Amtrak saga. (Now, if Amtrak news became morphed into a discussion of privatized regionalization with Amtrak itself evloving into a federal rail passenger oversight agency rather than a rail passenger operator, well then that subject would turn interesting!)
I utilize TRAINS as one of my primary source references for the research of freight transportation. As such, I would rather (for example) read articles about how truckers and waterway firms are adjusting to the freight market demands, and how railroads are responding and interacting with those other modes, rather than what some overpopulated city is doing to aid in transporting overpaid yuppies from their seven-figure homes in the suburbs to their six-figure jobs in the city center, and vis versa. That’s a sociological paradigm, more apt for Psychology Today, not TRAINS. But that’s just my opinion.
I am in the7 to 8 range…loved the Alco automoblie article…shows that American builders were trying their hand at a lot of things…Winton Gas engines were installed in cars and trucks before locomotives…in fact, a Winton ran a race against one of Henry Fords prototypes, and lost.
The street running story was great also…but then, I like the odd, non mainstream stories.
Phillips and Wrinn words should be heard in Washington, but I doubt it.
If Trains doesn’t like having us talk about their product, I will be happy to pull the thread. However, (1) I do not post the thread until well into the buying season, (2) I can’t imagine any publisher not liking a forum wherein their articles are discussed, (3) and–as long as it is constructive–I would think Trains would love the feed back. I saw this thread as something Trains would smile upon.
That having been said, if Bergie or anyone affiliated with Trains doesn’t like it, just send me an e-mail and I will quietly pull it or stop posting them. However, I think I am not the only life-long Trains reader who would like the opportunity to indicate politely what articles I like in the magazine. I would think any publisher would value such feedback.
I like your analysis Ed. I agree with you on the car article. I wouldn’t want a magazine full of articles like that, but an out-of-the-way article like that every now and then gives the hobby flavor.
Trouble? I like trouble. It keeps people like me off the streets and out of the bars and in the court rooms.
But, in all serious, the last thing I am trying to do is give Trains a hard time. And, I have always wanted to talk about the Magazines with someone since I started getting them at age 4. I am not going to pass up an opportunity like this forum.
Gabe
P.S. I really could shoot myself. From 4-6 I would cut out my favorite pictures in the magazine and put them on a peg board. I can’t count the times I have went back over those 25-year old magazines and wanted to read an article that I cut the heck out of.
did anyone else have time to read the sperry truck article?plus the glossary of terms? I found that interesting.also the commuter and jack london square articles. the railroads to deal with with that many people in such limited space.also liked the former pennsy map.showed why it was the powerhouse it was.the only thing I didnt like was the article on investing in railroads.overall id give the magazine an 8-9.its always well done and edited better than any other magazine ive seen.
stay safe
Joe
We so seldom agree gabe, but FWIW, I think you are right on the money here.
I think the magazine is professional enough that they do not require a buncha yes men patronizing their work, and would think they would welcome the feed back, negative as well as positive. Funny thing about opinions…any particular reader might be encouraged to go out to a news stand and see for themselves what the forum discussion is about, the attention (even the negative attention) might help sell magazines, one never knows
I just wish I had my issue, I’m sure I’ll have an opinion, just not sure what it will be yet.
Not everyone can hit a home run with every at bat… I think the editors have been doing a pretty good job of late. Interest in topics with the audience is pretty varied and I am sure trying to please everybody all of the time is somewhat akin to herding cats. I found the article on the Alco car to be unusual, but an interesting historical aside. The Union Pacific museum article to be also interesting, and probably a place I would like to visit, unusual in this day and time of “What are you going to do for me NOW, I don’t care about what has happened in the past.” corporate culture. And I enjoy reading the forum in addition to TRAINS. Most of the time lots of informed comments and some pretty good info presented.
Well since I am shortly going to the Bay area shortly the Jack London article was very timely for me so that gets a ten. The rest of magazine gets like a 3 since I was quite familar with the LIRR. The UPRR storage article was not detailed enough IMHO. 5 on that one.
I doubt that the editors have any problems with comments on the magazine being posted on the forum. I suspect that many more comments show up on e- or snail mail every day.
My interest in railroads is quite broad, almost anything on the subject is worth a read.
Rest assured, we always value all sorts of feedback. As many of you have noted — and demonstrated in your comments — not every reader will like every article. But we do try to provide articles for a wide range of interests.
Personally, I try to focus on what I learned in each issue. Even when we run stories that don’t interest me as much as others, I still learn something in every article. This month, I obviously learned the most about Sperry Rail Services. Very, VERY cool operation!
But keep the comments coming, by all means. We might not have the time to stop in and say, “Hi!” but we’re definitely interested in hearing what you think.
Gabe- First of all, a big thank you! Brilliant thinking on starting this thread. Hopefully Kalmbach does look at this as a good thing (I imagine they will) because I think a thread like this for every month’s magazine would be great and should provide them with feedback on their reader’s interests.
I very much liked the Alco automotive story for many of the same reasons that Ed gave. I like seeing what other things the raiilroads and loco builder have and are still trying their hands at that are a bit away from their specialty. Secondly, I grew up in Speedway, IN, home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so that story had some personal connotations with me.
The Jack London Square article was hands down my favorite and one of the best I’ve seen in the magazine recently. There was an amazing wealth of information backed up with a ton of photos and it really drew me in. The best part for me was that not only did it peak my interest with its info on the trains but by illustrating what the area is like now gave me some reason to plan a trip there soon: I can watch trains and my girlfriend can shop! Everyone is happy! [:D]
I’d also agree with JoeKoh that the Sperry Truck rail was very interesting and informative as well. Well worth a read.
I think I understand where you are coming from, but the magazine is trying to appeal to a broader base. Obviously people that read the magazine come from many walks of life and are interested in different aspects of railroading, therefore different aspects of the magazine. The magazine’s ultimate job is to publish articles that appeal to it’s fan base and keep the subscription renewals coming. I think Kalmbach’s history pretty much speaks for itself.
The forum is a perk of the success of the magazine. One of the benefits the forum has is that a person can ask a specific question on a thread and have it answered, usually quite quickly, and often by someone who is quite knowledgable on the subject. Therefore, it is easier for anyone to get information on what matters most to them from the forum rather than from the magazine.
I have been generally happy with both the magazine and the forum and plan to keep reading and re-reading the writings from both. I’m glad that we have these resources available. It helps to prove I’m not the only “weird” one around who thinks trains are interesting. [:)]
This is probably one of my least favorite issues, but you know what they say “you cant please all the people all the time”. That said, i appreciate the broad aspect of railroading in each issue. I too really like the freight aspect of railroading, and didn’t really get it in this issue.
The new technical aspects such as the Sperry, and the loconotes are well recieved with this reader, keep it coming.
Gabe: I still think this is a brilliant monthly topic, so thanks.