Which Railway Magazines Do You Read

[D854_Tiger]

Which railway magazines do you read and why.

 

I include railway modelling magazines in that question also online or hard copy.

 

Are there any magazines you used to read but have got out of the habit of doing so.

 

P.S. I have no connection with any publisher and have no commercial interest in asking this question.

 

I simply wonder to what extent the availability of the, up to the minute, Interweb has changed purchasing decisions and affected the contents of any magazines.

 

I seem to buy fewer magazines nowadays largely due to less business rail travel and fewer visits to the nearest High Street, thus reducing my exposure to the temptations of W H Smith.

 

I'm more likely to buy a magazine nowadays if a specific article is of interest rather than force of habit with perhaps the exception of Modern Railways which I tend to pick up whenever the opportunity to do so arises.

 

P.P.S. When I say read, I don't necessarily mean purchase.

[jamie.dunn]

I'm a subscriber to Model Rail, and technically not a model magazine but I'm also a subscriber to modern locomotives illustrated which is another fantastic mag.

 

Other then them I'll only tend to pick a mag up if it has an article/layout of interest or if the mag has an article of one of my clubs layouts in it.

 

Jamie

[4630]

I’ll happily browse most of the railway magazines in WHS until Mrs 4630s impatience with me becomes unbearable.

 

In terms of actually purchase behaviour for the full size railway print magazines;

 

Modern Railways is an every month purchase. Primarily for the up to date news and accuracy and quality of the articles.

 

Rail when a particular article or two appeals, but on balance probably at least every other issue - so once a month.

 

Railways Illustrated occasionally if an article or two appeals but probably at least once every three months.

 

Today’s Railways occasionally if an article or two appeals but probably at least once every three months.

 

Rail Express rarely but probably once or twice per year.

 

Traction rarely but probably once per year.

 

The Railway Magazine virtually never. I actually don’t like this magazines style of writing or generally the choice of articles. The style of presentation is, in my view, dull and outdated. Sorry Mortons.

 

Trains. An occasional purchase to keep in touch with the US railroad scene.

 

I also subscribe to the weekly internet magazine Railway Herald.

 

In terms on model railways;

 

Model Rail. Every issue since launch and I’ve been a subscriber for the last 4 or so years. I like the quality of the articles and the presentation. I feel the magazine has evolved over the years and for now I’m happy to remain a subscriber but......there is now a competitor that may steal my hard earned shillings....

 

BRM. Until 3 or 4 years ago I used to think this was pretty dire. I bought the very occasional issue but that was it. I think the changes introduced by former Editor Ben Jones transformed all aspects of the magazine. So much so that I now buy regularly but not every month. I can foresee though that before long I may shift my allegiance to buy BRM each month, or subscribe.

 

MRJ. Occasionally if a particular article or two appeals. Probably two or here issues per year.

 

Railway Modeller and Continental Modeller. Very occasionally, probably one issue of each per year.

 

Model Railroader. Until a few years ago I’d been a regular buyer, including a spell as a subscriber, but I found myself enjoying fewer of the articles. I haven’t bought an issue now for probably 3 or 4 years.

 

 

I don’t think my consumption of print magazines has been reduced by the Internet. Print magazines may not have the immediacy of the web, or the ability in print form to have interactive content. But for this consumer, there’s an innate pleasure in sitting in a comfy chair, with a mug of coffee and thumbing through printed pages and absorbing the words and images. I don’t get quite the same satisfaction from web content.

Edited November 25, 2017 by 4630

[jjb1970]

I buy Modern Railways because it is the strongest of the general circulation (as opposed to specialised technical journals) on technical issues and by a long way. I enjoy the trenchant but well informed columns of Roger Ford and Ian Walmsley and they have some very interesting feature articles. I don't buy any others on a regular basis.

[Legend]

Railway Modeller. I like the variety of layouts in it. The Editor has some good views and I like the comments pages . I’ve likened it before like being a pair of comfy old slippers. Comfortable, very familiar yet has introduced some new features and some stunning photography. There also seems to be a lot more reading in it that the other Model Mags

 

All other mags I have a browse at before buying. I typically buy one mag a week, although it is dropping, it might be Aviation or Ship related as well as Trains. The most common purchases are Modern Railways and Today’s Railways UK . Really depends if any of the articles are of interest.

 

I do find that I am reducing purchases and looking more at YouTube

Edited November 25, 2017 by Legend

[tractionman]

I also definitely still favour a print magazine over digital--and probably buy too many railway magazines...

 

I subscribe to "Traction", the only sub I have, though in a sense the railway memberships I have are a bit like subs, the Industrial Railway Society "Industrial Railway Record" is excellent.

 

Otherwise, for me the main regular must-have mag is "Railway Modeller", I get it every month and it's the only modelling mag that I keep too--something I grew up with many moons ago when my mum used to buy it for me ('as a treat') from Smith's in Hertford Street in Cov in the '70s! RM's production values are always top, and that's something I value in a mag.

 

Occasional other modelling mag purchases are "Hornby Magazine", "Model Rail" and "BRM", depending on what's in them, reviews especially, plus layouts that fit with my modelling interests.

 

As for the 'real thing', I do like "Railway Bylines", and "Steam Days", for a decent fix of nostalgia, and their scenes and stories from the 'good old days'. If I see an interesting article in "Backtrack" I sometimes buy it, as it's a good quality mag with (usually) well-researched historical features and excellent photographs, though some of the articles on railway-related esoterica, stuff such as posters, or silver service sets, etc leave me a bit cold!

 

"Narrow Gauge World" I get sometimes when there's an article--usually an overseas line, or obscure British system--that catches my eye (and imagination).

 

Overseas stuff, I like Australia's "Motive Power" magazine, excellent photographs and production values. "Classic Trains" from the US is also an excellent quality mag with very evocative pictures of early diesels in the States, as well as fantastic cartography.

 

I used to buy magazines on the current scene such as "Rail Express", "Today's Railways" and "Railways Illustrated" but not so much these days, I seem to enjoy living more in the past as I get older!

 

It's good to see that there are so many railway magazines to choose from, we're pretty fortunate I reckon.

 

all the best,

 

Keith

Edited November 26, 2017 by tractionman

[Kris]

None, now the Great Western Railway Journal has been discontinued. 

[Jol Wilkinson]

MRJ, because it provides inspiration.

[Dunsignalling]

I only buy all issues of Railway Modeller and Model Railway Journal these days. The other modelling magazines only get a look-in when they include something of specific interest. I've maintained a full set of the MRJ but the RMs generally get "filleted" after a year or so.

 

IMHO, there's too much duplication of content across the various titles these days and the really interesting stuff usually appears in the Modeller eventually, even if one (or more) of the others get there first. I like the RM's high quality paper, excellent photographs and less "adventurous" layout / presentation which makes it my "go-to" resource for items I want to extract and file.

 

I have a full set of The Southern Way (if that counts as a magazine), and also buy specific issues of the various "nostalgia / historical" monthlies that include something I want to keep; again, usually filleted / filed after a decent interval.

 

A pal gets several prototype mags, (Railway Magazine and Heritage Railway, usually; Modern Railways and Steam Railway occasionally), and passes them on to me when they are a month or two out-of-date, so I get to read all the old news.

 

 

John

Edited November 28, 2017 by Dunsignalling

[APOLLO]

Not so many these days. Occasionally "Railway Modeler" (by far the best), but an occasional BRM or Traction mag. I've gone off "Railway Magazine" (probably because I've "gone off" the current rail scene). MRJ is an occasional buy, just to give me some inspiration.

 

One magazine I always buy is the quarterly (4 a year) "Classic Trains - The Golden Age of Railroading" - an American mag with well illustrated articles on 40's 50's & 60's Yank Railroads - it has many diverse and interesting well written articles.

 

I've just won on Ebay some bound volumes of Railway Modeler 1960 - 64, and some "Model Railway news" mags, again 1958 - 64. Looking forward to some interesting reads over Christmas !!.

 

Brit15

[jonny777]

I subscribe to Backtrack, and have all the magazines from its inception over 30 years ago. 

 

Like Dunsignalling, I get passed Heritage Railway and Steam World on a regular basis a few weeks late. 

 

I used to subscribe to the online edition of BRM, but gave it up a couple of years ago because I had a purge on my spending; although I do still subscribe to Railway Herald online. 

[JDW]

I was going to answer "Nothing that comes in a plastic bag!" but reading some other answers has gotten me thinking.  I do tend to avoid anything in a plastic wrapper, unless I know in advance that there's a particular article I want to read.  I tend to Buy Rail Express frequently, and Rail and the Railway Magazine regularly depending if there's anything of interest.  Often, I find I'll buy one or the other of similar subjects have been covered, but it depends what's in it.  I no longer buy any religiously, I'd rather read what I find interesting, and like the difference in style between RM and Rail. 

Likewise, I'll occasionally buy Today's Railways, both the UK and EU version, if there's something interesting in them, but maybe only a couple of times a year.  I probably buy Railways Illustrated even less frequently, I'll flick through it but don't like the style as much, so only pick it up if there's something unusual or that hasn't been covered elsewhere.  Modern Railways Illustrated is another one that I occasionally buy, mainly for modelling reference, the majority of my copies are second generation multiple units.  

 

In terms of models, I used to buy ModelRail every month.  Now, I tend to buy that, BRM or both, depending on content.  If there's nothing of interest I might not buy either, but that's rare.  Hornby Magazine I buy if there's something of interest, but probably less often than the others.  That said, I have bought it more frequently recently, possibly as I have more free time for reading and consumption of magazines.  Railway Modeller is one that I no longer buy often, but again, if there's something of interest I will.  Of the main mags, its the one I like least - no disrespect to the magazine, simply personal preference.  I don't buy any of the more specialist titles.  In terms of modelling, I find that most titles of late seem to be a bit thin on text with a lot of big picture articles on layouts, but I'd often appreciate more text.  Again, personal preference though.  There seem to be a lot of "how to" type articles recently, many mags looking very similar with a couple of layouts and some "how to", I'd quite like to see some modelling projects - along the lines of some of the workbench threads on here (step forwards MickNewBryford), rather than just skills/technique demonstrations.  

 

I don't think the internet has reduced my magazine consumption, as I like the professional articles, whereas forums like this are good for general opinion and more wide-reaching discussions, plus things that would neither be of interest nor sufficient quality for a magazine, but are interesting nonetheless.

[Steamport Southport]

Prototype wise, I've got a subscription to Steam Railway that I've had since nearly the start. I've also got nearly a full set of Locomotives Illustrated/Modern LI, GWJ, Midland Record, LMS Journal if they count. Just started on The Southern Way. The rest I pick up if there is an interesting article.

 

Model Rail subscription. The rest I buy when there is something of interest. Usually if it's something to do with locos or rolling stock, which means most issues.

 

I'm another one for picking up old magazines. I've got most Railway Modellers from 1965 to about 1989 when I gave up on model railways to do other things. As well as hundreds of the others such as MRC, Model Railway News (Model Railways/Your Model Railway), Scale Trains, Model Trains, Practical Model Railways, Loco Modeller*, etc.

 

*Pity there was only a few issues. Great magazine.

 

 

 

Jason

[exet1095]

Railway Modeller

The Railway Magazine

Backtrack (which is a real treat every month)

GWRJ until last week

[locomad]

None any more

 

I used to subscribe to Railway Modeller up to 2015, but got fed up with poor postal delivery I've had a few go missing, just got fed up trying to chase up lost post.

 

I didn't think much of the exact editions free then online viewing, hard to download pages, link often lost with too many 401 and 502 error pages, if they just sent whole of copy via email whatever mb it might have been might have subscribed to that. Nor was I happy you could only look back a couple of years.

 

Availablity is stopping us buying at newsagents, supermarkets, there just never seems to be every month in the shops, there's no WH Smith local to us. I could have tried regular order with a newsagent but had problems with other magazine in past, they blamed poor wholesale suppliers there's just one monopoly in area.

 

I've got every one since 1958, might add to collection buying second hand as quite a ready market at toy fairs, model shows and local rail clubs, lot cheaper, got all of 2016 apart from December for £5, storage becoming a bit of an issue.

 

Do pick up others but again never pay more than 10p for a copy 2nd hand

 

Again it's the internet, this forum is good, use Facebook, YouTube, etc for advice, eBay for prices, online for catalogues

 

It's the same with books, up to about 2000 I used to purchase about 20 a year, now it's more like 2 and second hand, lack of book shops, high prices, storage etc etc.

 

My research has changed, it's now YouTube, bfi films, old maps online, wilky, and specific internet sites, haven't been to even a public library for years, in fact not even sure we still have one in town, think it's been shut due to cuts.

[Craig1989]

Rail express

Rail

Railway moddeler

Model rail

And Hornby mag or brm if there anything of interest in there plots the demu mag

[scottishlocos]

All

 

I read Model Rail and dip in and out of BRM and buy any of the other modelling mags if they have a particular layout or article that is useful.

 

I stopped buying any of the real railway magazines a long time ago get most of this content from internet now but have bought a few of the Locomotives Illustrated issues

 

There are some serious gaps in the market for us D & E modellers there could and should be a magazine or even a section in one of the other mags just for D & E articles and layouts it has been reported here and elsewhere a few exhibitions have had no steam only OO layouts so hopefully magazine content will reflect this

 

Some of the model mags may as well be GWR magazine so why not launch a GWR modelling mag if the alleged popularity of GWR steam is anything to go by then it would be a success

 

Dave

[Bruce Depot]

Railway Modeller as its brought as a gift sub for me each year, not sure I would bother otherwise mind..

Used to like tracton years ago but not seen a copy since I moved from the UK...

[wombatofludham]

Modern Railways - sub

Rail Express - sub

Model Rail - occasional shop purchase

Railway Modeller - infrequent shop purchase

 

I used to have the RM and Model Rail on order with the newsagent but when I moved house I had to dump a Railway Modeller archive dating back to 1978 as I had no room to store them in the new place and no-one seemed interested in taking them.  So now I'm sparing with my purchases.

[smiths park]

Model Railway Journal every issue, though I have bought the occasional Hornby mag. Modern Railways, Railway Bylines and Classic Trains occasionally, MRI more often than not.

[sir douglas]

i flick through the modeller, BRM and the journal that our club has subscriptions for but only a few articles each month take my interest, i dont have any subscriptions for money reasons but if i could it would be the Narrow gauge & industrial review, i buy them occasionally at shows for certain articles, ive bought second hand bylines for certain articles as well

 

do group quarterlies count as ive got the guild gazette and the 7mmnga narrow lines

Edited November 28, 2017 by sir douglas

[PaulG]

I browse at my local "library" WH Smiths and buy only those which have items of my specific interest, eg railways of East Anglia,new product etc, whether a modelling article or the real railway. After reading the magazine I rip out pages of interest for filing and recycle the rest,which is usually 80% of the magazine.

 

If a magazine is in a plastic bag I seldom buy it, I've been let down too many times with a cover headline and found content disappointing.

[Vecchio]

BRM on subscription, model rail 8 out of 10, continental modeller once a year. German or italian magazines in case I am in that area.

[TexChem]

As an ex-pat, I browse this site a lot as my "magazine".  I do have a subscription to Model Railroader - while it is US-centric and I model the banger blue era, it is full of useful techniques and perhaps more importantly, it gives information on suppliers.  While I do buy many of my major supplies from the UK, there are many "universal" supplies or ones that can be anglicized that can be obtained locally (or mail order).  The layout articles tend to be basement empire types, but there is still much useful information to be gleaned.

[Nearholmer]

Two things have trimmed my magazine-buying: ceasing to commute every day; and, The Space Problem.

 

When I commuted, I would buy on the basis of a browse in WHS and a decision that an issue would be worth 'two rides home' (c80 minutes reading), which was a fairly indiscriminate way of choosing, and led to a fair few purchases. I was also subscribing to a couple of specialist magazines through membership of societies. Which, unless rigorously culled, created The Space Problem at home.

 

I've found myself settling back exactly where I was 40+ years ago: Railway Modeller as the most broad modelling magazine; and, Modern Railways as the best way of keeping-up with the real thing. Backtrack contains superb material, but I only buy it rarely on a cost/personal-interest balance.

 

This forum, and another, have replaced the rest!