Looking for a magazine recommendations

[StealingSilver]

Hi Guys,

Now lockdown 2 is in full effect I thought I may treat myself to a magazine subscription. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm a big fan of railway journeys, UK rolling stock, stations & heritage railways.

Thanks in advance

 

[Dai Corner]

Rather than subscribe I tend to read Railway Magazine free online courtesy of my local library service and buy any others which have interesting articles as and when I see them in the newsagent.

 

[jfollows]

Modern Railways is, in my opinion, far above the rest. Its editorial quality and the insight and accuracy of its correspondents are second to none.
Railway Magazine is good if you like your railway history.
But, for example, both RAIL and Railway Magazine had articles recently about the lack of overhead wiring under Steventon Bridge, west of Didcot. These articles were simply wrong, the wiring was there and the issue was the speed restriction to which electric trains were subjected. Railway Magazine didn't acknowledge my letter and didn't publish a correction.
On a different issue, I wrote to Modern Railways and received a polite and factual response clarifying the issue, which was then published.
So I'm biased, but it's from personal experience.
Oh yes, and the first ever issue of RAIL told us that pantographs on a Class 87 locomotive dropped to pass under neutral sections. I don't think the quality has improved much since then.

EDIT PS RAIL's editorial stance will annoy you if you think that railway privatisation has been a mistake, it's an apologist for the policy in a big way.

 

[Gloster]

Platform 5’s Today’s Railways - UK (there is also a Today’s Railways - EU, which covers Europe) seems to have a reasonably wide brief (it includes tram and light-rail) and what I would describe as a sceptically friendly attitude. My main gripe is that there is a bit too much preservation coverage.

Disclaimer: I have done regular work for Platform 5 and, although I have retired, still do occasional items.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

"Modern Railways" - a new editor of late ,(not that the last one was in any way lacking) -absolutely spot on and a major source of factual topics with depth and analysis. Business trends have arguably never been more important.

 

[30907]

MR has been my choice for 45 years, but it doesn't do heritage or travelogue, so it might not match your requirements as well as the generalist mags.
Does your local library offer anything online?

 

[etr221]

For an all round, general, magazine, probably the Railway Magazine (though I have my reservations: better than it was a couple of decades ago, not as good as it was 50+ years ago). And if you've got a few grand to spare, see if Mr Humm has a complete set, to see how things were over the last 125 years...
But my advice would be, first chance you get, look at the lot, buy a copy of those you fancy, same again next month, study carefully, make your choice, and then take a sub. They all have good and bad points, choose the one that's best for you.

 

[birchesgreen]

I wouldn't look beyond Modern Railways (which i have a sub for), i used to buy quite a few railway magazines but just MR now.