Modern Railways
Encyclopedia
Modern Railways is a British
monthly magazine
covering the rail transport
industry published by Ian Allan
. It has been published since 1962.
It has always been targeted at both railway professionals and serious amateurs, an aim which derives from its origins as an amalgamation of the enthusiast magazine Trains Illustrated and the industry journal The Locomotive in the hands of its first editor Geoffrey Freeman Allen
.
It is currently edited by James Abbott. Regular contributors include Roger Ford
, Alan Williams and Tony Miles.
, then Chairman of the British Transport Commission
, who wrote presciently: "The thousands who read your journal every month derive from it a great deal of pleasure and useful information about the activities of British Railways. I feel that we share common ground, for your readers are our friends as well as yours, and we are helped by your success in holding and enlarging their interest. In particular we have come to expect from you, and to value, the kind of well-informed comment on our affairs which is the mark of a lively and competent magazine. Like the railways, Trains Illustrated is now moving towards a new era and I think it wholly appropriate that you should choose Modern Railways as your new title. What is merely a new name for you is an eagerly-sought objective for us. May we both go forward to new and rewarding success." A feature article in the edition analysed peak traffic operations at Reading railway station
in the days leading up to Christmas 1960, stating: "Reading...has neither a desperate shortage of platforms nor a crippling complication of layout...". Fifty years later, services through Reading were suspended between Christmas 2010 and New Year 2011 to allow installation of a new bridge as one of the first stages of a £850m project to construct new platforms and streamline the track layout to ease a congestion bottleneck.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
monthly magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
covering the rail transport
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
industry published by Ian Allan
Ian Allan Publishing
Ian Allan Publishing is a UK publisher, established in 1942, which specialises in transport magazines and books.In 1942 Ian Allan, then working on enquiries on the Southern Railway, published his first book, "ABC of Southern Locomotives"...
. It has been published since 1962.
It has always been targeted at both railway professionals and serious amateurs, an aim which derives from its origins as an amalgamation of the enthusiast magazine Trains Illustrated and the industry journal The Locomotive in the hands of its first editor Geoffrey Freeman Allen
Geoffrey Freeman Allen
Geoffrey Freeman Allen was an author specialising in the field of railways.He authored many books and magazine articles on this subject, and for a time was editor of Jane's World Railways.His name was usually styled G. Freeman Allen.- Bibliography :...
.
It is currently edited by James Abbott. Regular contributors include Roger Ford
Roger Ford
Roger Ford is a British journalist specialising in rail transport. He is Industry and Technology Editor of the monthly trade and technical magazine Modern Railways, where he is probably best known for his authoritative column Informed Sources, noted for its in-depth analysis of railway technical,...
, Alan Williams and Tony Miles.
First Edition
The first edition of Modern Railways was published in January 1962 as Volumue XV, no. 160 in a sequence continuing from Trains Illustrated. It featured a preface letter from Dr Richard BeechingRichard Beeching
Richard Beeching, Baron Beeching , commonly known as Doctor Beeching, was chairman of British Railways and a physicist and engineer...
, then Chairman of the British Transport Commission
British Transport Commission
The British Transport Commission was created by Clement Attlee's post-war Labour government as a part of its nationalisation programme, to oversee railways, canals and road freight transport in Great Britain...
, who wrote presciently: "The thousands who read your journal every month derive from it a great deal of pleasure and useful information about the activities of British Railways. I feel that we share common ground, for your readers are our friends as well as yours, and we are helped by your success in holding and enlarging their interest. In particular we have come to expect from you, and to value, the kind of well-informed comment on our affairs which is the mark of a lively and competent magazine. Like the railways, Trains Illustrated is now moving towards a new era and I think it wholly appropriate that you should choose Modern Railways as your new title. What is merely a new name for you is an eagerly-sought objective for us. May we both go forward to new and rewarding success." A feature article in the edition analysed peak traffic operations at Reading railway station
Reading railway station
Reading railway station is a major rail transport hub in the English town of Reading. It is situated on the northern edge of the town centre, close to the main retail and commercial areas, and also the River Thames...
in the days leading up to Christmas 1960, stating: "Reading...has neither a desperate shortage of platforms nor a crippling complication of layout...". Fifty years later, services through Reading were suspended between Christmas 2010 and New Year 2011 to allow installation of a new bridge as one of the first stages of a £850m project to construct new platforms and streamline the track layout to ease a congestion bottleneck.
Gallery
See also
- List of railroad-related periodicals
- Rail (British Railway Magazine)
- Today's RailwaysToday's RailwaysToday's Railways is a British railway magazine aimed at the enthusiast market and concentrating on current events. It is published by Platform 5 Publishing Ltd of Sheffield....
(British Railway Magazine) - Model RailModel RailModel Rail is a British railway magazine focusing on Model Railways. It was first published in 1997, after running as a supplement to RAIL magazine.Model Rail is published 13 times a year...
(British Model Railway Magazine) - Railways IllustratedRailways IllustratedRailways Illustrated is a British monthly railway magazine that is published by Ian Allan. Inside there is detail of news, stock changes, tours, and more. It is aimed at railway enthusiasts.-Inside:...
(British Railway Magazine)