Let’s say we are wanting to give only a dozen issues of Trains magazine to a newbie in our hobby. We want to give him an idea of how railroading was, how it has morphed, what railroading is about, how it works, etc. What would be your choice of issues in this Trains magazine Hall of Fame?
(I know we have available the almost complete digital version, however we are only wanting to point out a few issues as 800+ issues can be overwhelming.)
Jay
Either late 80’s or in the 90’s trains devoted the whole issue to the L&N Big Emma 4-8-4. It was the last time it was ever done. From drawing board to the last dropped fire, you had Big Emma’s whole life story. That’s my recommendation.
One issue that stands out in my mind is November, 1995. The authors rode a UP freight from Omaha (I think) to North Platte, and the article included a breakdown of the whole consist with the ultimate destination of each car. There were also descriptions and a map of Bailey Yard, and an article on track maintenace, if I remember correctly.
Big Emmas were 2-8-4s – that was part of the story.
I’m thinking early '70s … not later than 1972. Check your DVD.
Interesting question…and the answer depends on geography, age, and perceived interests. Railroads of local interest probably pique the interest and would be a good place to start. Then, depending on age, whether articles about today’s railroading or more historical pieces have to be weighed. And of course, what is the interest in railroads? Passenger trains? Main line freight? Diesel or steam power? Routes and reasons for the routes? So many questions. There are many books in the library which might help too, using some of the same criteria. But best, would be a group of issues going in many directions…one in particular would be the November 2012 issue about how railroads work…
Next should be an issue with how promo banners at bottoms of web pages work to hide the “post” button when writing posts.
The July 2003 issue on Chicago.
As the subtitle of the issue states, “If you want to know trains, you’ve got to know Chicago”.
Perhaps the best part of that issue are the detailed maps of the passenger train routes into Chicago when passenger trains were at their height and the freight train routes and yards.
Rich
Speaking personally I would say the April 1948 issue with its incredibly detailed railroad map of the city of Milwaukee, part of Al Kalmbach’s article “Milwaukee, City of Streamliners.” Obviously this may not be an article of broad interest.
Dave Nelson
Can’t remember the issue date, but the one with the exploded view of an SD 40-2 and accompanying story about the guy who designed it would be a major contender.
Not only did the story explained the technical changes made in this series of locomotives, but it explained why these changes had occurred, the back story involved the changing railroad business model and the changes to operating practices quite well, and several other articles in that issue discussed the changing railroad scene.
I would go with the January 1968 issue with John G. Kneiling’s proposal for his “true” (read integral) trains. It was a good example of thinking way outside the box. While the integral train hasn’t come to pass, the container and bulk trains that he proposed dominate today’s railroading.
There seems to be a thread (except for those L&N locomotives) that the newbie should be given issues that emphasize current operations. All good…maybe an article on history thrown in to show what the magazine is capable of doing if one gets really interested. But I’d concur with the UP issue, the Chicago issue, a similar issue on HorseShoe Curve, and others that tackle certain interesting railroads or locales.
However, as good as some of these issues are, they are a bit dated. What would taking that UP train to North Platte look like now? UP didn’t have CNW or SP added yet when that was written. Chicago…are those ten hot spots still hot, or have some gotten even hotter? Ed, would Houston rate a treatment like Chicago got?
One I liked was an issue basically about motive power, comparing the locomotive fleets of the largest railroads, in terms of age, size, etc. I know that would look different if it were done again.
“Big Emma - Louisville & Nashville’s M-1 2-8-4s”
by Castner, Charles B.
from Trains, December 1972, p. 22
The very recent issue (loaned mine so I cannot give the month) with the BNSF Willow Springs operation story by Fred Frailey generated much participation at this site and would give a newbie an understanding of what he/she is likely to encounter watching trains in 2013 .
Rich,
Thanks for your perspective. A few weeks ago I was at a museum with some back issues of Trains available. I picked up the Chicago issue. It is fascinating but I need to go back and re read it. Chicago is a new subject for me; now I know I’m getting started in the right direction.
With best regards, John
A couple of my nominations would be:
April 1959 - “Who Shot the Passenger Train” for a still topical look at the passenger train in this country.
May 1969 - Centennial coverage of the Golden Spike, a nice collection of articles on the building of the first transcontinental railroad.
Many of the issues listed above are outstanding. My favorite issue is from 1985 and is on the State of Iowa. In that article is my all time favorite article on Culver Tower in Muscatine. The author, whose name escapes me, but has penned a few other articles (and is a professor at Southern Illinois University if memory serves me) described the workings of Culver. Fascinating stuff. A few years later business took me to Muscatine and while the tower was gone, the foundation remained.
The author had a particular paragraph in describing working the second shift…typically late in the shift after the Rock Island’s hot trains had passed and there was a lull, he would sit back and listen to the railroad thru the dispatcher radio. Far off at other locations he would hear of passing of trains, the issuance of train orders, and other communication. Sometimes late at night when I cannot sleep, I go to my office and turn on the scanner and listen to the railroads at work…there is definately a different vibe at night.
Ed
You might also enjoy the two part article by Gary Dolzall in August and September 1988 Trains on the BN (now BNSF) Chicago Division: the line out to Aurora.
Dave Nelson
The whole issue was basically on railroads in Iowa:
“R.I.P., DY - Culver Tower, Muscatine, Iowa”
by Brunner, Edward J.
from Trains, April 1986, p. 26
April 2004, the “Special Collector’s Issue” on “Mountain Railroads” which was quarterbacked by then-Editor Mark W. Hemphill - see:
http://www.kalmbachstore.com/trn040401.html
Ed,
Have you ever noticed how much more quite the folks seem to speak on the night shift?
No one ever seems to “yell” on the radio, everyone speaks in a softer voice, and there seems to be less urgency to it all….
(one of the others) Ed
That April 1948 issue predates my entry into model railroading, but it sounds fascinating. Does anybody know if Kalmbach has a digital copy of that issue available?
Rich