THE MAGAZINE OF RAILROADING. Years ago, that's how Trains described itself. The Chicago Tribune's recent list of 50 best magazines credits Trains with "Part geek bible, part passionate advocate for better passenger service and part dreamy evocator of rail's golden years, Trains is ideal reading for those sitting on Amtrak, waiting for the train to actually start moving again." Something tells me that the extensive coverage of Chicago in the most recent issue influenced the panel. Some rail enthusiasts have characterized Trains as channeling Railway Age more recently.

Betsy's Page, who recommended the article (scroll to the 13 June posts, time to do some engineering work on your archives, ma'am), complained that "the Chicago Tribune doesn't enjoy the more conservative offerings" she reads. Perhaps not, although a listing of magazines that includes Martha Stewart Living (prettying up those jail cells?) and Toy Fare (used Stadium Checkers, anyone??) might not be driven entirely by politics. One aesthetic quibble: Reason rated a compliment because its "redesign actually made it better." Perhaps to the judges. The practice of continuing articles from page to page, one column at a time, alongside a two-column article or collection of quotes, distracts.