Trolley Talk Magazine

Trolley Talk Magazine is quite different from the other industry magazines out there like Trains, Railfan & Railroad, or Railpace, which deal not only with the history but also the present day. For instance Trains is published by Kalmbach Publishing Company, has been covering the US rail industry since the 1940s when Al C. Kalmbach originally started the magazine in 1940. Over the last sixty years Trains has always been based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has seen the industry go through quite a bit (especially in the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s, during the industry’s darkest days) of change and over that time it has become the largest railroad magazine in the country. For instance, if you are one of those folks who enjoy reading about our country’s railroading history, try and find older volumes on the magazine which predate, say the 1980s (they can usually be found at antique stores, or the easiest method, eBay). The stuff included in them is quite interesting!

While Railfan & Railroad does not carry quite the number of subscribers as Trains, it nonetheless has a very loyal following with those who do. Railfan and Railroad tends to gear its magazine more to the railfan then taking a “50-50” approach like Trains. For instance many folks who subscribe to it enjoy the several classic photos found in the magazine. Similar in nature to Trains, Railfan & Railroad also tends to cover a wide range of different topics, such as current news and feature articles.

Railpace Magazine another publication, like Railfan & Railroad, that is geared more towards railfans, although like all magazines includes plenty of news and information in general about the railroad industry. For instance, in a typical Railpace publication you can find photos of tourist railroads and excursion trains, late fallen flag paint schemes that are still roaming around the country, plenty of “classic” images of railroading (i.e., 1970s and before), and lots of shortlines at work (this kind of layout is quite different from say, Trains Magazine, which covers the rail industry in general and has a more “business-like” feel to its stories with far fewer photos of fallen flags, shortlines, and tourist railroads in a typical edition). All in all, if you enjoy railroading in the Northeast and a more “down home” periodical covering the industry you shouldn’t be disappointed with Railpace Magazine.

Here is an exert from Trolley Talk’s website about the magazine:

Trolley Talk Magazine is the only periodical for trolley fans and trolley modelers that has lasted faithfully and meaningfully through the years -- since September 1954. History and prototype data have been used to help model builders. Modelers share techniques, and prototype information is presented along with many pictures and plans.

Herb Pence's "Keeping Current" column outlines present-day traction activities.

The "Team Track" column allows modelers and fans to buy, sell, and trade models and memorabilia. Announcements of trolley-related get-togethers are made in the Trolley Stops section. And, the best suppliers to the trolley hobby regularly advertise their offerings.

The magazine was founded by Birdella and Rich Wagner of Wagner Car Company fame; we still have a few readers who started with the first issue. Over the years, Trolley Talk has evolved into a bi-monthly publication (with, unfortunately, some occasional delays). After Birdella Wagner's retirement, the magazine was published by Drew Sack of Louisville for some years. In 2005, Rev. Sack's illness caused the publication to return to the Cincinnati area, where many of its long-time contributors continue the tradition.

Trolley Talk Magazine remains the only magazine targeted at helping the trolley modeler and trolley fan to derive greater enjoyment from his or her traction interest.

All in all, if you have any interest in trolley and interurban operations, from modeling to the real thing, Trolley Talk Magazine truly is the only magazine out there that deals specifically with this unique aspect of railroading. If you are interested in purchasing a subscription to the magazine please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store". This will take you to ordering information (through Amazon.com) where you can also learn more about the magazine (as always, if you need any help or have any questions about the ordering process please feel free to get in touch at any time).