On a lark I picked up a copy of Train's "Steam Today" special issue on the newstand. I hestitate to admit this where our friends at Kalmbach will read it, but before now I have always passed on these special issues--maybe I had one too many bad experiences with such issues published in one of my other interests, astronomy, where they tend to be a lot of fluff for the expense.

I'm here to tell you I was wrong, and to urge anyone with an interest in operating steam in the 21st century to get a copy and read it from cover to cover.

You'll find very thoughtful articles on all the subjects dear to our hearts, from the case for small travelling exhibition steam (e.g., the Gramblings' 0-4-0T), to the debate on repair vs. reboilering, to what it takes to keep steam on the mainline (takeaway: either be part of thoughtful and carefully-budgeted corporate heritage initiaitive, as at CP and UP, or else control a complete train and be in a position to offer a turnkey complete transportation solution as 261 does. Either way, be hyper-professional), to the case for matching operable engines in the hands of one group with good operating envirnments controlled by other groups (Soo 4-6-2 and Lake Superior Railroad Museum).

My compliments to Mssrs. Wrinn, Hanson, Glischinski, Craft, Crosby, and all the other contributors.

It is an excellent magazine and interesting reading.
I did get a bit of a chuckle, however, at the caption under a photo showing someone working in the smokebox of a JS in Pindingshan, China. It tells how these steam mechanics in this shop work with only the light that comes in through the windows. "It contains no lightbulbs."
Well, the guy in the smokebox has an obvious trouble light hanging by its cord. Two (what appear to be) light fixtures are also in evidence in the ceiling of the place, but in fairness don't appear to be turned on.

But that's not meant to take away from the excellent work they produced. There is something for everyone in there, and anyone with half an interest in steam as it applies today should find a copy.
Mark D.

I got a copy when it first came out and read it cover to cover. There's some great stuff in there! I too noticed the shop photos with no lights listed yet clearly in the photo and thought that was odd, especially if they do any work at night! As for any other small errors, I'd brought up earlier on another forum why I was confused that Reading 2100 wasn't listed anywhere under a story on serviceable 4-8-4s, nor on the list of running locomotives in the US in this magazine's issue. This was met with a slew of messages stating it was best that 2100 stayed, "under the radar," I guess because of questionable operating practices with the GP RR and questions over the ownership currently. I agree that listing the location would not have been a good idea as that is subject to change, but I am still quite confused why so many people (almost 100% who responded) want the existence of the only Reading T-1 capable of steaming to be kept out of a publication just because people aren't happy with how it'd been operated…

Because as my mother used to say, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. They're trying to be polite.

The list included engines for which there is a reasonable chance they'll be under steam for the public at least one day in the coming year. As of our deadline in mid-February, we had seen no evidence that 2100 will make an appearance. That, of course, could change, and if so, that would be a delightful deviation. Jim Wrinn

I was happy to see mention of the Alder Gulch shortline.

I'd love to get one, but three newsstands near me, plus a train hobby store and nobody has one. Can you still get this via mail? I've wasted enough gasoline already...

Yes, I browsed it at a Barnes & Noble and was quite impressed. I don't often get to read about the labor of restorationists in railway preservation, since the passing of Locomotive & Railway Preservation magazine. With all the changes in publishing technology, I wonder if it might be viable for it to publish again. It is sorely missed from this quarter.

You can order it direct from Kalmbach, and they are paying shipping right now. Go to:

https://secure.kalmbach.com/offer/Defau ... c=IA82TT31

I'd like to add my praise for this magazine as well. I've thoroughly enjoyed this publication!

I'd also like to offer one correction to the index of operating steam locomotives provided toward the last few pages. The index lists Dollywood's Ex-White Pass & Yukon locomotive #70 as a 1920 Alco product, but is instead a 1938 Baldwin.

I found one at the grocery store magazine rack last night, didn't even know about it, and about fell over when I saw it. It about jumped off the rack at me. Gee, and all the players get their pictures in it too!

I'm really impressed. Great cover, great message, timing on the newsstand to hit the vacation planning season was right on the money, content-rich, great photography. And if it hits my supermarket out here in the wilderness, the distribution chain is well-done too.

Well done, Kalmbach, and well-executed. I predict a sellout.