''Rail'' is a British
magazine
A magazine is a periodical literature, periodical publication, print or digital, produced on a regular schedule, that contains any of a variety of subject-oriented textual and visual content (media), content forms. Magazines are generally fin ...
on the subject of current
rail transport in Great Britain. It is published every two weeks by
Bauer Consumer Media and can be bought from the
travel
Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical Location (geography), locations. Travel can be done by Pedestrian, foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without Baggage, luggage, a ...
sections of UK newsstands. It is targeted primarily at the enthusiast market, but also covers issues relating to rail transport.
''Rail'' is more than four decades old, and was called ''Rail Enthusiast'' from its launch in 1981 until 1988. It is one of only two railway magazines that increased its circulation. It has roughly the same cover design for several years, with a capitalised italic red ''RAIL'' along the top of the front cover.
Editorial policy
''Rail'' is customarily critical of railway institutions, including the Rail Delivery Group, the
Office of Rail and Road, as well as, since it assumed greater railway powers, the
Department for Transport. ''Rail's'' continuing campaigns include one against advertising and media images showing celebrities and others walking between the rails (an unsafe practice), with another against weeds on railway lines.
The market for rail magazines has remained static but bounced back since then. To meet the change in the market, the magazine has repositioned itself from being purely enthusiast-based to being more business-oriented. This has met with some success.
''Rail'' also organises conferences, including the annual National Rail Conference, the National Rail Awards and the ''Rail'' 100 Breakfast Club.
Regular features and contributors
''Rail'' publishes a mix of news, analysis and features written by its own editorial staff and freelance contributors.
The magazine takes a broadly supportive stance on
High Speed 2
High Speed 2 (HS2) is a high-speed railway which has been under construction in England since 2019. The line's planned route is between Handsacre – in southern Staffordshire – and London, with a Spur line, branch to Birmingham. HS2 is to ...
and began running a regular column dedicated to it in 2013.
The magazine's managing editor was
Nigel Harris, who was editor for 28 years between 1995 and September 2023. Dickon Ross took over as editor in 2024. Other staff include Industry Editor Richard Wilcock and News Editor Dave Stubbings.
Other regular contributors include transport commentator
Christian Wolmar, one of the most vociferous critics of the privatisation of railways in Britain; fares and ticketing expert Barry Doe (''The Fare Dealer''); an anonymous railway employee, the ''Industry Insider'', as well as Steve Broadbent, Andy Coward and Chris Leigh.
Many of ''Rail's'' editorial staff frequently appear on television and radio when a rail expert is needed to comment on a story.
See also
*
List of rail transport-related periodicals:
** ''
Modern Railways''
** ''
Railways Illustrated''
** ''
The Railway Magazine
''The Railway Magazine'' is a monthly United Kingdom, British railway magazine, aimed at the Railfan, railway enthusiast market, that has been published in London since July 1897. it was, for three years running, the railway magazine with the ...
''
** ''
Today's Railways UK''
References
External links
*
{{Bauer Verlagsgruppe
1981 establishments in England
Bauer Group (UK)
Biweekly magazines published in the United Kingdom
Magazines established in 1981
Mass media in Peterborough
Rail transport magazines published in the United Kingdom