Railway Magazines

[alexl92]

Really hope this doesn't break forum rules but it is a genuine question from an enthusiast.

Was just wondering which, if any, of the railway magazines covering a mixture of national and heritage railways has the best quality coverage and journalism/which is the most reliable source of information as to both aspects?

I don't subscribe to any and on when I do buy, it's usually a decision based on the features and news covered but I tend to enjoy Railways Illustrated at the moment. However, I've no idea how it's regarded amongst other railway journalists/enthusiasts/those in the industry.

I'd be grateful to hear anyone's thoughts.


*Note to admin: If this contradicts any forum policy I apologise. I'm just after a recommendation!

 

[Muzer]

I am subscribed to Modern Railways and RAIL. Bear in mind that this post is entirely my opinion and may not represent general consensus. RAIL always comes across as being slightly lower quality, but its frequency in my mind makes up for that (fortnightly rather than four-weekly or monthly). The articles are usually vaguely similar to those of Modern Railways, but usually with a slightly greater focus on enthusiasts, whereas Modern Railways always comes across as being more for people closer to the industry (or more interested in the industry side of things). Modern Railways, again in my opinion, tends to have more detailed and professional pieces in the news and opinion sections and more interesting features. Modern Railways also has the incredibly useful TrackWatch to help keep Quail maps up to date. But RAIL does tend to address a slightly broader range of topics as I said - if there were an article on a heritage railway or other topic generally more of enthusiast interest, for example it'd be more likely to appear in RAIL out of the two, and RAIL also has quite a good half-page on particularly local rail-related news. I find despite what I've said on the quality of RAIL, the magazines do complement each other quite nicely and I don't generally regret having paid for both.

However, I'm not sure either of these are what you're looking for, as neither really focuses on heritage operation aside from rather big stories. I tend to find that when reading the other magazine I get, Steam Railways (the subscription to which was a gift), I am reading almost exclusively about things not even mentioned in the other two magazines.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I am subscribed to Modern Railways and RAIL. Bear in mind that this post is entirely my opinion and may not represent general consensus. RAIL always comes across as being slightly lower quality, but its frequency in my mind makes up for that (fortnightly rather than four-weekly or monthly). The articles are usually vaguely similar to those of Modern Railways, but usually with a slightly greater focus on enthusiasts, whereas Modern Railways always comes across as being more for people closer to the industry (or more interested in the industry side of things). Modern Railways, again in my opinion, tends to have more detailed and professional pieces in the news and opinion sections and more interesting features. Modern Railways also has the incredibly useful TrackWatch to help keep Quail maps up to date. But RAIL does tend to address a slightly broader range of topics as I said - if there were an article on a heritage railway or other topic generally more of enthusiast interest, for example it'd be more likely to appear in RAIL out of the two, and RAIL also has quite a good half-page on particularly local rail-related news. I find despite what I've said on the quality of RAIL, the magazines do complement each other quite nicely and I don't generally regret having paid for both.

I concur with your summation of the Modern Railways magazine and have just renewed a two-year membership where the offer for 24 issues for the price of 19 was too good to miss. I also receive my gratis monthly copy of The Rail Engineer that has carried on since I retired from the consultancy now being delivered to my home address. I must confess not really being interested in enthusiast matters but more the general operational side of the railway industry.

 

[ThePannier]

I'll be renewing my subscriptions this month!

If you need a recommendation, if you are interested in modelling, go either Hornby Magazine or Railway Modelling.

For the latest news, I would go for Modern Railways, and for some pretty neat images, Railways Illustrated.

Always been satisfied with all four.

Hope this helps!

 

[edwin_m]

"Modern Railways" doesn't cover heritage railways (the clue's in the name!) but I agree it is the most useful publication for the current British rail scene, though as I'm in the industry I may be biased! From my limited experience of Rail magazine there is some good stuff mixed with some dross but it sometimes takes a good level of knowledge to know which is which. I think also Rail's coverage of heritage issues is mainly of the diesel and electric rather than the "kettle" variety.

Railway Magazine aims to cover both main line and heritage equally but is too much towards the heritage end of things for my tastes.

 

[fergusjbend]

Which railway magazines do you recommend? I subscribe to 'Rail', but I am beginning to feel that it is simply a propaganda sheet for the rail industry. Christian Wolmar does his best to introduce a note of independent thinking, but it is clear that he is out of sympathy with the editorial staff. Also, the standard of most of the writing is pretty bad!

Fergus

 

[Condor7]

Railway Magazine aims to cover both main line and heritage equally but is too much towards the heritage end of things for my tastes.

I would agree with that comment. It tries to be a rail magazine for everyone, and if you like me are not interested in heritage, Irish, Light Rail, Narrow gauge etc, there is a lot I do not read. That being said I find it still good for modern rail news, and the articles are usually excellent.
The same publishing company, Mortons, also now own Rail Express, which is mainly devoted to the modern scene, with lots of excellent photos, but does have a large pull out modelling sections as well.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Rail Express, Railways Illustrated or Today's Railways (UK) are excellent publications of the modern scene. Modern Railways for infrastructure, news on developments and ad hoc railway-related news and announcements.

 

[Busaholic]

I have never seen 'Railway Gazette' so assume it's subscription only, but the editor always seems to get asked to comment by TV/radio when railways are in the news.

For someone like myself interested in railways and where they go (and don't go) but with scant interest in trains Rail and Modern Railways (but not every issue) are best, but Today's Railways can sometimes be of interest, and does provide some news of both preserved railways and light rail. Its European edition, never on sale locally to me, is also worth considering.

 

[higthomas]

I have never seen 'Railway Gazette' so assume it's subscription only, but the editor always seems to get asked to comment by TV/radio when railways are in the news.

For someone like myself interested in railways and where they go (and don't go) but with scant interest in trains Rail and Modern Railways (but not every issue) are best, but Today's Railways can sometimes be of interest, and does provide some news of both preserved railways and light rail. Its European edition, never on sale locally to me, is also worth considering.

Railway gazette is a worldwide industry magazine not designed for enthusiasts, especially at a subsrciption price of £195 PA!

I concurr with that, but must say that I tend to find most large WHSmiths have most railway magazines.

 

[Busaholic]

Railway gazette is a worldwide industry magazine not designed for enthusiasts, especially at a subsrciption price of £195 PA!

I concurr with that, but must say that I tend to find most large WHSmiths have most railway magazines.

In Penzance the WHS sells lots of railway mags, both in titles and in quantity, but not the European edition of Today's Railways, and nor does the one decent independent newsagent. The WHS in Helston is much smaller and doesn't carry many railway mags, but DOES have this, but not the UK edition! My visits to Helston are primarily dental-related, so I prefer not to have too many opps to see the European version.

 

[PeterY]

Again my personnel opinion only. I always buy Today's Railway and if I'm some spare reading time occasionally "rail".

For me, Today's Railways has a nice coverage of current topic's including trams, preserved railways and Irish news.

 

[alexl92]

Cheers all. I know some consider RI a bit opinionated (Pip Dunn really loves his 20s!) but I tend to find it the best of all worlds. I'm particularly in the heritage sector so it works for me!

 

[yorksrob]

When I started buying magazines in the early 1990''s I bought Railway Magazine, which seemed to have a very good balance of Modern and preserved news. I don't know whether it's still like that, however as my current interest is more in the modern network, I tend to buy Rail regularly as it's fortnightly, good for news and has some good columnists. I also buy Modern Railways quite often for similar reasons.

On occasions I also buy Backtrack, which is very good for historical stuff, particularly if an article takes my fancy.

 

[Tracky]

I get The Railway Magazine.

I think it has gone down hill since the change in publisher. Part of the reason I get it is my dad and his, and his uncle have always had it and so I have a complete collection - I must say I find the old editions interesting!

 

[telstarbox]

Has anyone bought the first copy of the London Reconnections print magazine, and is it any good?

 

[theblackwatch]

Has anyone bought the first copy of the London Reconnections print magazine, and is it any good?

At £8.00 it is quite expensive compared to most magazines, so I'd want to see a copy myself first! Seems rather strange that it is produced at 'US letter size'.

 

[LR AD]

Great to see some early discussions on the new London Reconnections Magazine. The opening issue has gone down great with readers of the web site and newcomers to the brand.

It is totally different to the standard rail mags that are out there and the whole idea was to be different and to make some changes. This has come to start with in the design and size. The response to this has been positive so far. You can see what people have been saying at http://www.londonreconnections.com/2015/introducing-london-reconnections-magazine/

With a choice of print or the digital version, we hope there is an option for most.