A few weeks ago I was reading an old L&RP, and saw a letter to the editor that I had penned. It was written in my younger, "tell it like it is" days. Well, I regret that, and offer a belated apology (for the words, not necessarily the message!).

I want to say "thank you" for all of the work that goes into this site. I personally like the "how-to" stuff the best, but the Interchange offers incredible ideas, sources, updates; the articles are informative; and the cross-sharing of ideas and information is stellar. Thanks to all of you who do this, and provide this.

Rob-hang in there with the new baby. Thanks for your contributions, and the sleep deprivation doesn't last forever! :)

> A few weeks ago I was reading an old
> L&RP, and saw a letter to the editor
> that I had penned. It was written in my
> younger, "tell it like it is"
> days. Well, I regret that, and offer a
> belated apology (for the words, not
> necessarily the message!).

Ahh yes, the beloved Locomotive and Railway Preservation magazine, perhaps the best magazine ever published. Excellent articles, beautiful pictures, great contributors, and all printed on heavy glossy stock. Somehow the magazines that are out there today just don't cut it. L&RP really was a benchmark publication. Now why again did it die off?

It died because of too much outlay and not enough income. Mark Smith invested a lot of money in the venture, but it never was profitable. After he sold it to Pentrex, the bottom line didn't fare much better, so they dropped it also. There are simply too many railroady things competing for enthusiasts' limited funding. But as stated, it was a quality product, that I was proud to have been a part of. We always tried to present useful information and add some substantive depth to preservation subjects that might have been glossed over elsewhere.

> Ahh yes, the beloved Locomotive and Railway
> Preservation magazine, perhaps the best
> magazine ever published. Excellent articles,
> beautiful pictures, great contributors, and
> all printed on heavy glossy stock. Somehow
> the magazines that are out there today just
> don't cut it. L&RP really was a
> benchmark publication. Now why again did it
> die off?


ryarger@rypn.org

> It died because of too much outlay and not
> enough income. Mark Smith invested a lot of
> money in the venture, but it never was
> profitable. After he sold it to Pentrex, the
> bottom line didn't fare much better, so they
> dropped it also. There are simply too many
> railroady things competing for enthusiasts'
> limited funding. But as stated, it was a
> quality product, that I was proud to have
> been a part of. We always tried to present
> useful information and add some substantive
> depth to preservation subjects that might
> have been glossed over elsewhere.

My opinion is that it died because the scope of the magazine was too narrow to attract enough mainstream fans as well as preservationists. Sure we all know there were great articles for the museum minded, but not enough for the fans. One might say that there were already other magazines out there for this purpose and I would have to agree. However, look at the music world and the compromise cross-over artists have to make. Shania Twain is more pop than country, but who cares as long as she makes big sales and is still popular.

When I first saw L&RP I thought this mag would really go someplace, but then it turned into a nuts and bolt, and boiler magazine essentially with not enough for the fans. In issue two we did an article on CN6060, and had restoration shots as well as the chase to Vancouver with a wealth of scenic shots, with maybe only 2-3 of them being printed, in favor of restoration shots.
Not being critical of the editors choices, but it told me the slant which was to be the norm of the magazine.

This is a narrow hobby to start with, and we have disected it into even smaller segments which
while they are interesting, make it difficult to garner enough support for certain small segments.
From what I understood, shop mechanics, and other preservationists loved the magazine, and rightly so. The problem is there were not enough steam engine mechanics to support it. I just think it could have had a bit broader scope which might have attracted more readers making the bottom line better. I guess it really doesn't matter at this point.
Greg


sales@gregschollvideo.com

I am proud to say that i have a full set of the L&RP on my shelf at home.

What I liked best about the magazine was the photography. The pictures both color and black and white were really something.

Also, I am interested in a broad range of museums.
When I talk to people active in this pparpt of historic preservation, railroading, it always surprises me that they think one railroad, or just one museum.

In my maritime work, the 7 sailing ship folks, talk to each other all the time, the 20 submarine groups are in touch all the time etc.

Sore there is ARM, but rail preservationests do not communicate as much as they should

Back at L&RP they tryed to create a National Museum of geared locomotives. These are a special
and small group of engines that are greatly loved by their fans. However, it dodi not work out...

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov