For those that care (gift shop managers, especially), the 2009 edition of Kalmbach's Tourist Trains Guidebook (spiritual successor to the Steam Passenger Service Directory) is currently shipping. A few lucky clients have it in stock already; my copy is in the mail.

New this year: color printing, and far more expanded listings (disclaimer: I wrote a few of the listings and took the accompanying photos, with the help of the portrayed operations).

Well, color is new this year, but expanded listings are not new, they're just returning to what they should have been all along. The original format had one attraction per page, in an easy to read and informative format.

With all due respect, giving a major rail museum that's open most days of the year or a major excursion operation like the Durango & Silverton or Strasburg the same space as a local rail station museum that's open twice a month in the summer or a two-mile out-and-back with an NW2 simply doesn't make sense, especially in an age where the Internet exists to supplement the book's function.

Such decisions aren't taken lightly. If you commit to a full listing, someone trustworthy (and independent of the operation) has to write up an up-to-date and accurate write-up. There was some back and forth going on, as I understand it, over which places to write up fully. I even fielded a couple last-minute phone calls over particular operations that almost fell through the cracks.

"With all due respect, giving a major rail museum that's open most days of the year or a major excursion operation like the Durango & Silverton or Strasburg the same space as a local rail station museum that's open twice a month in the summer or a two-mile out-and-back with an NW2 simply doesn't make sense, especially in an age where the Internet exists to supplement the book's function."

I sorta disagree -- I keep a copy of this reference book out on my desk and use in as a first source of information in planning out of town trips -- my logic is I'm going to be at such and such location for event xyx -- what else is there interesting to do in the area? and then I use the web to sort out the details.

I'm glad a current version is off the press !

Bob H

What's on this years cover? Just a little bit curious.

Les

A quick check to the "Trains" website shows none other than...

The Wilmington and Western Railroad, featuring 98 and 58 doubleheaded at Yorkyln.


Well, unless there are multiple cover photos. Either way, I'm happy to see this

- Jonathan

It's nice to see old 98 on the cover. She had the back cover back in the early 80's. I don't want to start any arguments but she is about the prettiest steamer running anywhere.

Yes, and Amen.