Contributor Guidelines

The cover for Train Magazine's Railroad Technology special issue which features large text which reads Railroad Technology and a yellow and gray locomotive

Trains Magazine Contributor Guidelines (for print) Trains Magazine depends on its contributors for the majority of photos and words we publish. A typical issue of Trains contains 80-100 photos and 27,000 words. When sending material, please address it directly to the proper department (for example: “Railroad News”), and provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope of suitable […]

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Check out our Special Issues

LOC2020PrelimW800

Locomotive 2020 Locomotive is back with the latest trends, statistics, and inside stories from the exciting world of locomotives for 2020. As part of this issue’s 20/20 theme, Locomotive 2020 examines the changes throughout the past two decades. The Motive Power Review covers all the latest developments and major rebuilds during 2019. Order your copy […]

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Meet the Staff

Trains

Trains Magazine Staff Bill Stephens, Editor bill.stephens@firecrown.com Veteran railroad journalist Bill Stephens was named editor of Trains in November 2025. A longtime Trains contributor and a columnist since 2020, Bill brings more than three decades of experience covering North American freight and passenger railroads, industry trends, and regulatory developments. His byline has been a fixture […]

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June 2013

Trains magazine covers the broad spectrum of railroading with authoritative content, dazzling photography, and a mix of content designed to appeal to everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seasoned professional railroader. Trains offers something for everyone who has a spark for railroading: Railroad news, insight, and commentary on today’s freight railroads, passenger service, transit, […]

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December 2013

Trains magazine covers the broad spectrum of railroading with authoritative content, dazzling photography, and a mix of content designed to appeal to everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seasoned professional railroader. Trains offers something for everyone who has a spark for railroading: Railroad news, insight, and commentary on today’s freight railroads, passenger service, transit, […]

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February 2013

Trains magazine covers the broad spectrum of railroading with authoritative content, dazzling photography, and a mix of content designed to appeal to everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seasoned professional railroader. Trains offers something for everyone who has a spark for railroading: Railroad news, insight, and commentary on today’s freight railroads, passenger service, transit, […]

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January 2013

Trains magazine covers the broad spectrum of railroading with authoritative content, dazzling photography, and a mix of content designed to appeal to everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seasoned professional railroader. Trains offers something for everyone who has a spark for railroading: Railroad news, insight, and commentary on today’s freight railroads, passenger service, transit, […]

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April 2013

Trains magazine covers the broad spectrum of railroading with authoritative content, dazzling photography, and a mix of content designed to appeal to everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seasoned professional railroader. Trains offers something for everyone who has a spark for railroading: Railroad news, insight, and commentary on today’s freight railroads, passenger service, transit, […]

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August 2013

Trains magazine covers the broad spectrum of railroading with authoritative content, dazzling photography, and a mix of content designed to appeal to everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seasoned professional railroader. Trains offers something for everyone who has a spark for railroading: Railroad news, insight, and commentary on today’s freight railroads, passenger service, transit, […]

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May 2012

Trains magazine covers the broad spectrum of railroading with authoritative content, dazzling photography, and a mix of content designed to appeal to everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seasoned professional railroader. Trains offers something for everyone who has a spark for railroading: Railroad news, insight, and commentary on today’s freight railroads, passenger service, transit, […]

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November 2012

Trains magazine covers the broad spectrum of railroading with authoritative content, dazzling photography, and a mix of content designed to appeal to everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seasoned professional railroader. Trains offers something for everyone who has a spark for railroading: Railroad news, insight, and commentary on today’s freight railroads, passenger service, transit, […]

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