Railway mag subscription - which one?

[The Snap]

Hi all,

I want to subscribe to a rail magazine that I can read on my iPhone. I'm after a magazine that features up-to-date news and information across all aspects of the industry. The only one I've ever bought previously is RAIL, so I am naturally drawn to that.

Is RAIL value for money? Are there any magazines offering similar content that are better in terms of value, content etc?

Thanks.

 

[Dhassell]

In my opinion RAIL can be hit and miss. Sometimes there can be very good articles other times it can be a bit boring! But yes RAIL Is a good one i think

 

[43074]

I'd agree Rail can be hit n miss, some issues are very good, although their tendency to focus on HS2 at times can be a tad boring. As an alternative it depends: Today's Railways or Railways Illustrated are best for ''enthusiast'' publications, I.e. stock changes, refurbs etc., if you are more into operations and the inner workings of the industry then Modern Railways is a better alternative.

 

[Haydn1971]

I've found Modern Railways suits my needs - it's more about running the railways than enthusiast type stuff though - track work, power, comms, rolling stock, operations, stations, civil's etc - but then that's my thing

 

[Bevan Price]

I would suggest buying one "paper" copy of each**, and decide which meets most of your requirements - and then subscribe to the e-version of your favourite.

** - Or visi your local library reading room, if it stocks any railway magazines.

 

[The Snap]

I'd agree Rail can be hit n miss, some issues are very good, although their tendency to focus on HS2 at times can be a tad boring. As an alternative it depends: Today's Railways or Railways Illustrated are best for ''enthusiast'' publications, I.e. stock changes, refurbs etc., if you are more into operations and the inner workings of the industry then Modern Railways is a better alternative.

I've found Modern Railways suits my needs - it's more about running the railways than enthusiast type stuff though - track work, power, comms, rolling stock, operations, stations, civil's etc - but then that's my thing

Modern Railways sounds like the one then. I'm not an enthusiast as such, more someone who works in the industry with an interest in operations and infrastructure.

Thanks.

 

[Bald Rick]

As is often said in the office - buy Modern Railways to find out what is going on in the company, buy Rail to find out what press releases we've issued.

 

[306024]

If Modern Railways is your choice it may be worth joining the Rail Study Association. They currently have an introductory offer, join by 31 July 2015 and one years subscription will be £30 if you are aged under 45, or £45 if 45 or over providing you live in the UK. (Normal subscription is £60)

Apart from the meetings and visits, you get Modern Railways posted to your home address. As it currently costs £4.30 per month that equates to £51.60 a year so you could make a decent saving.

Also if you are lucky some rail employers will pay for membership of a professional body as part of your employment contract. The RSA is considered as such so you could get it for no cost to yourself.

Not sure if an electronic version is available instead of a hard copy but it would be worth asking about.

 

[Condor7]

Railway Herald is a on line only publication, and the beauty of that is it is published weekly, so you get the most up to date news available.

My only complaint with it is, it tries to be everything to everyone, and there is so much I just do not want to read.

 

[The Snap]

Thanks for the info all. Very helpful.