Winter 2024: Fred Frailey interview, Maine steam, rail photography star, & more

Our newest issue of Railroad Heritage magazine features news and photography of the Center’s collections, upcoming events, interviews, and more. Inside you’ll find these highlights:

  • Rick Malo’s interview with rising rail photography star Isaiah Bradford, accompanied by a beautiful selection of his images, including BNSF and NS in Illinois;
  • Justin Franz interviews Fred Frailey: the veteran railroad journalist talks about writing for David P. Morgan, covering the Class Ones, and his first novel, Seldom Willing.
  • Railroaders and the art of place: Oren B. Helbok takes us to the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum in Maine (as seen on the cover);
  • Adrienne Evans’ column “Out of the Archives”: learn about the Center’s Print Acquisition Program, including an interview with Peter Mosse, CRP&A board member and co-chair of the collections & acquisitions committee;
  • Meet the poster artist for Caltrain’s new electric trainsets.

Fall 2023: Iconic railroad portraits, Gruber gallery, San Joaquin Valley, and more

The Fall issue of Railroad Heritage, our quarterly magazine for members, is highlighted by great feature articles, news, exhibition and collection updates, and more. Our top stories include:

  • An interview with artist Santiago Michalek, who paints striking portraits of “well used” iconic locomotives;
  • Adrienne Evans’ tips and tricks for using Odyssey, our online collection archive that debuted in June;
  • A gallery of classic John Gruber photos showcases the West Rail Corridor of Madison, Wis.;
  • See the winning images of the John Gruber Creative Photography Awards (plus images liked by the judges);
  • Tom Taylor’s photographic essay covers five decades of railfanning in California’s San Joaquin Valley;
  • Betsy Fahlman’s profile of the haunting 1977 lithograph “Subway Tunnel” by August Mosca;
  • Inga Velten’s interview of Sharon Hill, retired CRP&A bookkeeper, about her ongoing support of the Center and train adventures.

Summer 2023: The railroad vanishing point, Alaska RR art, Acela life, collection news, and more

A landmark feature story on the vanishing point of railroad photography headlines the summer issue of Railroad Heritage, our quarterly magazine for Center members. Highlights include:

  • In his cover story about the foundational element of railroad imagery, Gregory P. Ames gives the “railroad vanishing point” a major spotlight with engaging and insightful research and writing.
  • Justin Franz writes about Lesley Lynch, Amtrak’s first Acela conductor, with photos by Leo King and other Acela images from our collections.
  • Our regular “Out of the Archives” column by Adrienne Evans, with collection updates and an interview with Gil Taylor, processing archivist, about the lessons we’ve learned while processing moving-image films.
  • As the Alaska Railroad celebrates its centennial year, we look back on the art print program it began in 1979, with an article by Justin Franz.
  • Coverage of the exciting announcement that Peter and Christine Mosse have pledged their world-class railroad art collection to the Center.
  • “Fellowship and Awe,” an essay about Conversations 2023 by Rick Malo with photography by Elrond Lawrence
  • The IMAX film Train Time, a new documentary about James J. Hill, and more!

If you don’t receive it already, join the Center and have four issues delivered to your mailbox each year.




Spring 2023: Ronald C. Hill, finishing paintings, stations & stamps, steam and more

A heartfelt tribute to Ronald C. Hill by Jeff Brouws headlines the spring issue of Railroad Heritage, our magazine for Center members, complete with a classic Hill cover of the Rio Grande Zephyr. Highlights include:

  • Our cover story tribute to Ronald C. Hill, who passed away in January 2023, written by Jeff Brouws and illustrated with Ron’s great photography.
  • Artist Gil Bennett’s story about his work completing Howard Fogg’s last painting and others.
  • An interview with Adrienne Evans, director of archives and collections, with updates on the processing of various collections such as Richard Steinheimer’s.
  • Exploring the development of the Post Office’s new line of railroad depot stamps, by Justin Franz.
  • “Writes of Passage,” an outstanding photo essay by photographer and writer Rick Malo.
  • The esthetics of steam locomotive design: drawings, photographs, and a 1948 term paper by Robert A. Witbeck.
  • The railroad family of Tom Hoback, 2022 donors, and more!

If you don’t receive it already, join the Center and have four issues delivered to your mailbox each year.




Railroad Heritage Winter 2023: Film’s return, Bachman, Gruber, Watts, and more

Film is making a comeback and the Winter 2023 issue of Railroad Heritage is your guide to this developing trend! Highlights include:

  • Our cover story by Justin Franz explores the resurgence of film in railroad photography, featuring great photographs and perspectives from him and ten great photographers.
  • Ben Bachman explores the urban grit of Seattle — and the BNSF, UP, and Amtrak trains that crawl through its waterfront and downtown spaces – in a spectacular “Railroads and the Art of Place” photo feature.
  • Archivist Adrienne Evans interviews newer staff member Abigail Guidry, who is blazing through the processing of our John Gruber Collection, and you’ll see some of her favorite Gruber images.
  • Artist Roger Watts treats us to an in-depth look at his work and creative process, featuring ten of his stunning graphite drawings that range from steam locomotives to subways and container yards.
  • Elrond Lawrence’s fond tribute to legendary western rail photographer Stan Kistler, who passed away in September.
  • Artist Henry Widenaar’s Last Run, Swiss railways’ winter sports advertising, news, book reviews, and more!

If you don’t receive it already, join the Center and have four issues delivered to your mailbox each year.

SOLD OUT