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Trackside Magazine

Discussion in 'Trackside Magazine' started by Buckeye, May 23, 2021.

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  1. Buckeye

    Buckeye New Member

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    Had an advert on Facebook this morning for a new preservation magazine called Trackside - The Journal of Railway Preservation. Who is behind this and what is the story of it? Is it a toys and pram scenario at another mag which has caused a breakaway? Their website reveals nothing as to who is behind it at all. As you’d struggle to get a decent mag out of Steam and Heritage Railways combined I don’t see the need for another railway mag on the subject.
     
    Buckeye, May 23, 2021
    #1
  2. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Seems it's been launched by disaffected Steam Railway personnel who quit that magazine a few weeks ago.
     
    Spamcan81, May 23, 2021
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  3. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    Johann Marsbar, May 23, 2021
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  4. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Below is the cover of the first issue. I can't see how it will compete with the many other titles already in the Railway Magazine market.

    Trackside_Launch_FINAL.jpg

    Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 23, 2021
    green five, May 23, 2021
    #4
  5. D1039

    D1039 Guest

    D1039, May 23, 2021
    #5
  6. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    mdewell, May 24, 2021
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  7. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    How many more magazines do we need, or not need as is the case? All of them scrambling for news, be it good/false or otherwise? Is competition that good for "improving" what is offered to the subscribing consumer? I personally think not, quality over quantity more often is the answer.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2021
    Britfoamer, May 24, 2021
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  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The Journal of Railway Preservation....it says.

    So what on earth do they think Heritage Railway is then? Given that HR covers all bases pretty well then I'm not inclined to wish this publication well even though some would say healthy competition is good.
     
    Big Al, May 24, 2021
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  9. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    So what is the niche that they don't think is well served right now? I don't buy any of the "heritage" railway magazines focusing on the current scene (my titles are Modern Railways and Backtrack), so what is it that this title will bring that might part me with my hard-earned?

    I've no problem with some competition - both SR and HR were once new kids on the block - but I'd like to know from the publishers what they think they're providing that's different. Especially as I see the WH Smith reading room very rarely these days.
     
    35B, May 24, 2021
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  10. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    I'm guessing that they have their sights on Steam Railway rather than any of the others, as that has certainly declined noticeably over the past 12 months as far as I'm concerned, so much so, particularly after the last two editions, my standing order subscription of many years standing to it is going to be reviewed when that time approaches. Mind you, at least they have continued to produce it, despite Covid, unlike a Museum I'm involved with which hasn't produced a magazine for 9 months now as there is "nothing to report" according to the Editor. I'm going to be interested to see how the membership renewals go for that Group this year.....
    I know that news items have been contributed to SR by groups that I am supporting/involved with and nothing has ever appeared in print, so if that is true for other groups, that doesn't help their case....
     
    Johann Marsbar, May 24, 2021
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  11. William Fletcher

    William Fletcher Member

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    HR now calls itself a Steam Mag.
    Trackside wants to cover all aspects of heritage, including archives, photograhps, discussion of issues etc,
     
    William Fletcher, May 24, 2021
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  12. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I had a look at the magazine over the weekend . Fantastic reproduction and paper quality , standout best of the monthly magazines on that level albeit I presume at some cost. It has a feel of original steam world about it and a good editorial team . Like others have said it will be interesting to see how it does and how it impacts the other magazines and where it cannibalises readers from or whether it brings new readers in . Given the editorial exodus from Steam Railway and the shift in content weighting I'd maybe be fearful for that one . I've always liked Heritage Railway and I think one of the Steam Railway team has joined which given who it is, will be good for that magazine
     
    Sidmouth, May 24, 2021
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  13. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    Anyone can push out a high quality first issue - money from the bank and articles worked up over time. Issue 10-ish and we'll see how it goes.

    Lets see if they find a niche or not
     
    Bikermike, May 24, 2021
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  14. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I did wonder what was happening at SR as they seem to have lost an Editor about 2 issues back (and so far not replaced) plus other names seem to be deserting the ship, coincidentally on another matter (we were discussing the decline of print media) I mentioned in passing to my other half that I suspected that based on recent editions SR might not be around much longer. They seem to have struggled enormously over the last 12 months, which I know much niche publishing has but SR seems to have been especially weak at filling pages.
     
    GWR4707, May 24, 2021
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  15. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    I have taken SR from Issue 1 but have to agree this last year or so they have been struggling to keep my interest going. I think all magazines go through difficult stretches, in my view usually due to the editorial team not reflecting current tastes and go off on their own track hoping to convert others, it doesn't work.
    The "old man" Railway Magazine has fluctuated throughout its long career, the current regimen under Chris Milner has been spot on for me since he took over some while back. My interests are broad, Railway Mag ticks those for me (PS - apart from nodding terms with Chris if I see him, I have no other vested interest :D)
     
    Britfoamer, May 24, 2021
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  16. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    To be fair to SR, their emphasis on news has possibly caused part of the drop on in content, there’s certainly been periods in the past 12 months when not much was happening.

    I must admit though I do find both the Mortons owned magazines tend to have the better articles and features.
     
    Pete Thornhill, May 24, 2021
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  17. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    News is very much a focal point in the heritage movement , this forum and social media being cases in point in that their is a hunger for what is going on, what is being restored, what events, etc . If you want to be feature driven then you need fresh engaging content . you could maybe argue that there is maybe little to be written about some lines and locomotives such is the previous coverage that doesn't repeat what has previously been said
     
    Sidmouth, May 24, 2021
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  18. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Count me amazed there are still enough of us around who prefer the printed page to online-only offerings, something even I'm occasionally at a loss to rationalise to myself!
     
    30854, May 24, 2021
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  19. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Actually, I read them all digitally these days, for the selection of railway magazines that they have on offer (the majority of railway related titles are on there these days), Readly take some beating at £7.99 per month.
     
    Pete Thornhill, May 24, 2021
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  20. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Oh I agree, however the other magazines don’t seem to of struggled quite as much to fill the pages as SR, I suppose that’s the benefit of a wider remit.
     
    Pete Thornhill, May 24, 2021
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