Hello everyone!
The Trains staff is busy working on our April and May issues, and we’ve got a great line up of content for you for the rest of 2011, so it’s not too early to begin planning stories for 2012. We’ve got some great ideas already floating around. Maybe you have one as well. Post it here, or drop me an email to jwrinn@trainsmag.com. And just so you’ll know, suggesting a story idea, doesn’t obligate you to take on the assignment.
Happy Saturday!
Jim Wrinn
Editor
Jim,
Generally, I feel that Trains has become too focused on the present day railroading. So I am pleasantly surprised to see your coverage of the Civil War era of railroading in the current issue. I would like to see more historical coverage because history is slipping away. I know that polls show only about a 2% interest in anything pre-1900. Certainly railroading was not as big, as advanced, and as efficient in that period, but the diversity of locomotives, rolling stock, infrastructure, and individual railroad companies make today’s scene look sterile by comparison.
I suspect part of the reason for the low popularity of earlier periods is that people just are not familiar with them. So while I can understand Trains reflecting readers’ preferences, part of your job is to teach and expand those preferences.
Along the history line - a fire service magazine to which I subscribe regularly does an “update” on a particular fire deparment for some year from the past, always written in the present tense.
It’s always the same fire department, but the concept might work for railroads, too. Just pick a year and tell us what the Santa Fe (or NYC, or even the entire railroad industry) was up to as though it really was 1953 (or whatever). Mix them up, and reach back as far as possible. The Trains archives would likely provide much of the information necessary.
More coverage of the tourist railroad industry - especially the non-commercial operations.
This one doesn’t have to wait for 2012 - Include the “winners” of the forum photo competitions in the print magazine. With the current inclusion of a “guest” photographer each time, and the changes we’re discussing elsewhere, it might mean a little fame for someone from time to time.
How about doing some articles - or even an entire issue - on “the most important things you’ve never heard of”. Examples of topics include
Amtrak route
Commuter system
Excursion steam locomotive
Light rail system
Main line
Rail-hauled commodity
Railroad infrastructure
Railroad museum
Rapid transit system
Yard/terminal
[quote user=“Bucyrus”]
Jim,
Generally, I feel that Trains has become too focused on the present day railroading. So I am pleasantly surprised to see your coverage of the Civil War era of railroading in the current issue. I would like to see more historical coverage because history is slipping away. I know that polls show only about a 2% interest in anything pre-1900. Certainly railroading was not as big, as advanced, and as efficient in that period, but the diversity of locomotives, rolling stock, infrastructure, and individual railroad companies make today’s scene look sterile by comparison.
I suspect part of the reason for the low popularity of earlier periods is that people just are not familiar with them. So while I can understand Trains reflecting readers’ preferences, part of your job is to teach and expand those preferences.
[quote user=“coborn35”]
Bucyrus:
Jim,
Generally, I feel that Trains has become too focused on the present day railroading. So I am pleasantly surprised to see your coverage of the Civil War era of railroading in the current issue. I would like to see more historical coverage because history is slipping away. I know that polls show only about a 2% interest in anything pre-1900. Certainly railroading was not as big, as advanced, and as efficient in that period, but the diversity of locomotives, rolling stock, infrastructure, and individual railroad companies make today’s scene look sterile by comparison.
I suspect part of the reason for the low popularity of earlier periods is that people just are not familiar with them. So while I can understand Trains reflecting readers’ preferences, part of your job is to teach and expand those preferences. <
I agree with Bucyrus. I am very interested in19th century railroading, especially early development. If not in TRAINS, maybe CLASSIC TRAINS could expand their time-frame backward.
Jim:
The N&W had some pretty interesting steam locomotives and some innovations that made their culmination in Locomotives a peak of the likes of the J Class, and their articulated engines (A Class) as well.
How about something on locomotive developments/accomplishments of the PRR and their Altoona Works and the Pennsy Locomotive designers?
Even something about the history and development of diesels that were never picked up and used widely in the railroad industry. The S series by Ingalls Shipbuilding springs to mind.
Even a story of the Southern Rwy’s Shops ( Spencer, N.C.) wouls be of interest.
Thanks, for asking! [tup]
UPS and the railroads. Or, if they are too protective, then the TL/LTL freight forwarder business.
An update on ethanol. The number of ethanol trains on CSX out of Chicago (EB) is amazing. In fact, a great map of the month would involve both UPS routes and ethanol routes with origin and destination points.
Ed
I very rarely buy trains , too much current coverage . I usually buy classic trains because it deals with the era i grew up in. Every now and then one of your covers catches my eye. I guess i am more interested in railroad history . RON
See, I’d go the other way. Modern era items usually get me to open my wallet. That or some kind of technical description/map/“how-to” will work too. For me any story that’s earlier than (at most) back to the early/mid 80s is too old and I won’t even give the issue a look unless I’m looking at a specific article (unless historic look is to illustrate a point of some kind-but not the ‘meat and potatoes’ of the issue). Current “Civil War” issue is a great example. I have no desire to pick it up at present. If I want to see “historic” rail stuff I’ll look at a publication from one of the myriad hysterical societies or Classic Trains instead. To me Trains should be modern, progressive, relevant, and cutting edge.
well depending on the politicians and state budget here in ohio there is a viaduct that is going to made higher here in Defiance Ohio.It claimed another truck this past wed.Another idea would be the connection at Galetea and the progress on CSX’s North Baltimore yard and the new trains on the toledo branch and toledo sub at deshler.
stay safe
joe
[quote user=“MP173”]
UPS and the railroads. Or, if they are too protective, then the TL/LTL freight forwarder business.
I strongly second MP173 on this. I seem to recall reading that Kalmbach uses UPS rail for magazine distribution? I would love to see the various steps in getting that magazine from the printer to the local Post Office (assuming that rail is in fact involved and also assuming that UPS would be willing to participate).
–Reed
Jim, I’ll offer my suggestion that spans railroading of today and of yesterday…that being a story on recycling operations (I’m specifically thinking of Larry’s Truck and Electric of Ohio) which either rebuilds and leases power to railroads big and small OR scraps/recycles power for other “uses”. These operations have long facinated me but I’ve never been able to actually see one “up close” (the closest was Pielet Bros. in McCook, IL from the roadway when it was still in existence). My grandfather owned such an operation for cars, etc. back in the 1950’s in New York and I kind of “grew up” around the smell of grease and old engines, so you can see the reason for my facination, not to mention my love of railroading. Just my two cents [2c]
P.S.: Even though you said in your original post that we who suggest a subject would not be obligated to take on the assignment, I’d personally be happy to participate in such an adventure to come up with such a story for TRAINS.
And to expand on Jim’s thoughts - “where are they today…” keying off articles in Trains from years past. I seem to remember an article some time back that covered LTE, for instance - let’s have an update. If a single point of interest (since we’re using LTE) doesn’t warrant a story in and of itself (ie, it’s closed), then a look at that niche - in this case locomotive recycling - might be appropriate.
I’m sure a look through the archives would provide myriad ideas. Not only would it take your older readers back, but could provide a historical basis for current practices for younger readers.
Here si one that I would kinda like to see looked into. We all know that Santa Fe did that Huge CF7 Rebuild Program in the 70’s. Where are those Units Now close to 40 years Later. Also what about something about trying to find who has the Oldest Locomotive Truck Casting still in Service. It could be on a GP 20 or GP 30 since alot of them are running around on the old FT trade ins from the early 40’s That would be something to find out.
I would love to have an issue dedicated to technology. How things work. The good and bad side of high tech stuff. Can’t get enough of ask trains. More detail on PTC systems and the electronics of locomotives,
Something I would find interesting would be an article profiling one of the M.O.W equipment and services providers like Herzog or Loram…
That specialized equipment fascinates me…
Some very interesting ideas!
I originally subscribed to Trains because I love the mix of older, newer/current, technology, the human side of things, equipment, etc!!
I’d love to see more on regionals and shortlines, interviews with some of the ‘old school’ folks, etc. Please keep a mix of topics like you now cover! I love that the magazine has a balance. And, thanks for asking us!
I have one for Kathy Kube’s Technology feature. A couple of months ago, Norfolk Southern announced the installation of a system that aids dispatching. Using real time train location and algorithms to forecast the future movement of the trains, the result is displayed on a video screen in the form of a stringline graph with one axis time and the other location. This aids the dispatcher in planning meets for optimum movement of trains over his territory.
Interestingly, this type of graph has long been employed for train schedule planning and in the days before computers actually prepared with string and pins. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first installation of the system employed in a dynamic real time environment.