Has anyone picked up the new issue of this venerable directory, now 40 years old? There's a change in format, to keep short listings from taking an entire page. Listings are now alphabetical according to the name of the railroad/museum/display, rather than location. This a small hurdle, but I am struck by how many of the Pennsylvania tourist railroads and museums are not listed this year. No New Hope listing, or a few others I believe will still be around this year. I didn't compare other states yet. I am especially disappointed that the new Jim Thorpe operations under Reading & Northern aren't in the book.
My question to you folks is: Is this no longer a worthwhile booklet in which to be listed? The listing is free, and all you need to do is keep it current. With Steamtown's listing we sent new photos to Kalmbach in 2003, and the same old one keeps re-appearing.
This isn't meant to tear apart the guide or Kalmbach, but I would like some of your input on this matter, such as if it works in your plans for promotion, et al.

Tim -- you just answered your own question -- "the listing is free" ! I've used it as a reference for planning vacations for years.

Also, there's a complete set in the NRHS library.

Bob H.

From our experience at L&RP doing that publication, I can tell you that missing entrys are likely the result of the RRs in question failing to respond to repeated requests for the required information and a photo. It should be easier now with e-mail, but when regular mail was all we had it was like pulling teeth to get people to respond.

I wonder if the timing of the request to send information to next year's Tourist Trains relates to the poor response from some organizations. Kalmbach sends them out in June and July...when you are in the heart of your operating season. Sometimes its hard to think ahead to next year at that time!

By the way, we (TMNY) did send updated information and a new picture to Kalmbach in 2004 and they do not appear in the 2005 issue. So, we're not the only ones.

Add National Capital Trolley Museum as dissatisfied with the new page layout and listing format in the 2005 directory.

Wesley Paulson

Twenty-five years ago, or so, the Empire State Ry Museum was asking for information in December or January. At that time, it was lucky if the directory came out at the begining of July.

The directory needs to come out at this time of year, so that just backs up the deadlines.

Why does it need to come out at this time of year? Well, because many people need to plan their vacations and put in their vacation requests early in the year. The directory is a key tool for this planning. I remember when I ran OERM's (then OETM) bookstore; people would be asking for the guide in January and Febuary. And they explained it was for vaction planning.

I think the guide is a great resource, both for attractions, museums, etc. AND visitors. At the Link Museum, I use the guide often to refer folks to steam excursions in our area. As we've all said - listing is free - and it's a comprehensive resource.

With that being said, I also feel like the new layout and listing system is not an improvement. For instance, with the new layout - attractions on the left side of the book are often hidden in the binding. I, too, sent an updated photo this summer, but it did not appear in the 2005 edition! Let's hope they improve for 2006!