RAIL (magazine)
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| Categories | Rail transport |
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| Frequency | Fortnightly |
| Circulation |  19,801 (Jul-Dec 2011)[1] |
| Publisher | Bauer Media Group |
| First issue | 1981 (as Rail Enthusiast) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Website | http://www.rail-magazine.com/ |
| ISSN | 0953-4563 |
RAIL is a UK magazine on the subject of current rail transport in Great Britain. It is published every two weeks by Bauer and is available in the transport sections of most British newsagents. It is targeted primarily at the enthusiast market (those whose hobby is railways, rather than their occupation), but also covers business issues, sometimes in depth.
RAIL is more than three decades old, and was known as 'Rail Enthusiast' from its launch in 1981 until 1988. In spite of falling circulation, it is still a widely-read title for enthusiasts and, to a lesser extent, those who work in the industry. It has had roughly the same cover design for at least a decade, with a capitalised italic red 'RAIL' along the top of the front cover.
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[edit] Editorial policy
RAIL is customarily critical of railway institutions, including the Health and Safety Executive, the former Strategic Rail Authority and the Office of Rail Regulation, as well as, since it assumed greater railway powers, the Department for Transport. One of the magazine's columnists is transport journalist Christian Wolmar, who is one of the most vociferous critics of the privatisation of railways in Britain.
The magazine's readership peaked in the late 1980s at around 45,000. Since then the market for rail magazines has declined, although more titles (e.g.: Rail Express, Traction, Heritage Railways, Today's Railways UK) have appeared. RAIL's 2007 circulation was 22,830 (ABC-audited figures). To meet the change in the market, the magazine repositioned itself from being purely enthusiast-based to being more business-oriented. This has met with some success, but the title must also cater for enthusiasts, if it is to continue to be available through retail outlets.
RAIL also organises conferences, including the annual National Rail Conference, National Rail Awards and Rail 100 Breakfast Club.
[edit] Regular Features and Contributors
RAIL magazine publishes numerous news stories, some submitted by its regular readership. Apart from Christian Wolmar, regular feature writers and commentators include Barry Doe, who writes on fares and ticketing matters under the by-line The Fare Dealer; Industry Insider, an anonymous railway employee; Steve Broadbent, Andy Coward, and Chris Leigh. The magazine is edited by Nigel Harris. Its continuing campaigns include one against advertising and media images showing celebrities and others walking between the rails (an unsafe practice) and another against weeds on railways.
[edit] Columns
- Stop & Examine (rail)|Stop & Examine
[edit] References
- ^ Ponsford, Dominic. "Mag ABCs: Breakdown of circulation for all 500 titles 16 February 2012". Press Gazette. http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=48769&c=1. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
[edit] See also
- List of railroad-related periodicals
- Modern Railways (British Railway Magazine)
- Today's Railways (British Railway Magazine)
- Model Rail (British Model Railway Magazine)
- Railways Illustrated (British Railway Magazine)
[edit] External links
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