GWR magazine

[GSWR68]

Folks, I know this subject was discussed about a year ago, where discussions centred around the demise of the Great Western Railway Journal. Do you think there is enough material about GWR of old in mainstream publications and enough online content perhaps about the up to date First Group run GWR company that a separate GWR magazine is not needed, or do you think that there is a market for such a magazine?

 

Should it be a printed magazine or perhaps online only? Pros and cons with both of course.

 

I feel that if a publication did come about, it should cover GWR in the steam era but also heritage railways that run on the old lines in modern times - and further afield where GWR locos operate on other lines. I think topics on modern rolling stock, stations, improvements to the network and community projects should be written about too; and why not have some material for modellers too.

 

What are your thoughts on the above? Do let me know. Thanks

 

Paul

[Pteremy]

I have a complete set of GWJ, the only magazine that I have cared enough about to have bound. It was a thing of beauty, in execution and content. But I can understand the limitations, particularly in terms of new insights. If someone was to bring together, in one place, the existing knowledge of the system then - from an academic perspective - that would be a worthwhile enterprise - but realistically I think that, given the scale of any such enterprise, then we are going to be left with multiple contributions, in multiple places. Which is probably no different to any other specialism, railway or otherwise.

[Steamport Southport]

I think there might be demand for occasional one offs comprising of subjects that haven't previously been covered by GWJ or elsewhere. A bit like LMS Review continues from LMS Journal and Midland Record. If you release a totally new magazine then you are in danger of just going over previously published material.

 

However I reckon modern should be kept out of it, even though I'm interested in it. Plenty of that material is readily available elsewhere and I can't see many modern enthusiasts buying magazines that are predominantly steam based to find information on Class 802s. Same goes for heritage/preserved which is already well covered by magazines such as Steam Railway, back issues of older magazines and the society magazines/guide books.

 

 

 

Jason

[mdvle]

13 hours ago, GSWR68 said:

Folks, I know this subject was discussed about a year ago, where discussions centred around the demise of the Great Western Railway Journal. Do you think there is enough material about GWR of old in mainstream publications and enough online content perhaps about the up to date First Group run GWR company that a separate GWR magazine is not needed, or do you think that there is a market for such a magazine?

 

I think you are asking the wrong question(s), for I serious doubt in 103 issues the former GWRJ managed to cover anywhere close to everything.

 

The 2 appropriate questions are:

 

1. are there enough people willing to buy a newer replacement for GWRJ?
2. can you get enough articles, written by enough authors, to actually create a production pipeline?

Note the 2) isn't whether there is enough stuff to cover (for there likely is), but rather if enough people are willing to write the articles given that the financial remuneration is unlikely to be much reward for the hours of research each article likely would require.

 

[Joseph_Pestell]

10 minutes ago, mdvle said:

 

I think you are asking the wrong question(s), for I serious doubt in 103 issues the former GWRJ managed to cover anywhere close to everything.

 

The 2 appropriate questions are:

 

1. are there enough people willing to buy a newer replacement for GWRJ?
2. can you get enough articles, written by enough authors, to actually create a production pipeline?

Note the 2) isn't whether there is enough stuff to cover (for there likely is), but rather if enough people are willing to write the articles given that the financial remuneration is unlikely to be much reward for the hours of research each article likely would require.

 

 

I will add a 3. to that.

 

Are there enough businesses selling GWR related stuff who will advertise in the magazine?

 

Advertising revenue is always key to viability in the magazine/newspaper sector.

[Steamport Southport]

It's like MLI and MRJ are full of adverts....

 

And ISTR that GWJ wasn't exactly heaving with them either.

 

 

 

Jason

[martinT]

At the time of GWRJ's demise Mainline & Maritime (publishers of the bi-monthly Locomotives International) did announce they intended to publish a new GW mag - but I think to include news of the current GW scene as well as historical material - but it seems to have fallen through because the page on their website announcing it has been removed. I gather they just couldn't get enough suitable material. You could always join the GW Study Group & get their twice-yearly journal 'Pannier', currently 36 pages - or even contribute to it! See: http://www.gwsg.org.uk/

 

Martin

[dibber25]

Authoritative material written by people who either experienced it first-hand or have researched it thoroughly is increasingly hard to source, not just for GWR but for BR Western Region. None of the Big Four is awash with material but the GWR/WR is by far the worst in this respect. Magazines in the historic rail sector have to be financed largely from copy sales and their target audience is suffering constant attrition due to age. There simply are not enough advertisers whose product is relevant and for the few that there are, very narrowly-focussed specialist magazines struggle to balance their advertising rates at a level that makes them any profit while being affordable to businesses which generally have very limited budgets. Having worked in this sector for over 50 years I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to sink money into a new launch into what is a declining market. (CJL)