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 on Trains News Wire, TrainsPRO, and in the magazine’s monthly print edition, where his analytical reporting and in-depth special reports have made him one of the industry’s most trusted voices.
A Trains reader for more than 40 years, Bill says the magazine has been an important part of his life — and that he’s honored to have the opportunity to lead Trains and build on its legacy of outstanding rail journalism.
Bill, a former reporter, copy editor, and editorial writer for newspapers in New York and Massachusetts, has been writing for Trains since 1992. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in history, both from St. Bonaventure University.
Bill and his wife, Lisa, have a grown daughter and son, and reside in Westfield, Mass.
David Lassen, Senior Editor
david.lassen@firecrown.com
David has been with Trains since July 2014. In addition to his monthly responsibilities with the magazine, he oversees Trains News Wire. He served as editor on the special issue Chicago: America’s Railroad Capital and producer of its accompanying DVD, and also edited the Big Projects and Railroad Maps Vol. 2 special issues. He has written feature articles on Switzerland’s Gotthard Tunnel, a Metro-North track inspection car, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s major commuter rail projects, and Chicago’s Metra. His photography appears regularly in the magazine and on Trains.com.
A graduate of Denver University, he came to Trains after more than 30 years in sports journalism. Included in that experience is covering five Olympic Games for Scripps Howard News Service, a decade as a columnist for the Ventura County Star, and serving as a Dodgers and NBA beat writer for the Riverside Press Enterprise.
Bob Lettenberger, Associate Editor
bob.lettenberger@firecrown.com
Based on his museum background, Bob covers preservation activities for Trains. Beyond his work on the magazine, he is part of the Kalmbach Books group and is editor for the Tourist Trains Guidebook. You can also see Bob as host of the bi-weekly Trains.com video program Trains LIVE, a talk show discussing a wide range of railroad topics.
At the University of Wisconsin — Oshkosh, Bob studied both journalism and radio-TV broadcasting. When not playing with trains — full-sized or model — Bob’s other hobby is collecting beer cans. He has amassed a collection of over 25,000. Bob and his wife, Julie, live in Waukesha. It is true that Bob proposed to Julie aboard Amtrak’s Capitol Limited. You can read about it on Trains.com.
Lucas Iverson, Staff Writer
lucas.iverson@firecrown.com
Lucas Iverson joined Trains.com as a staff writer in October 2022, and has penned articles for Trains, Classic Toy Trains, and Model Railroader.
Iverson’s passion in railroading began at an early age, starting with Thomas the Tank Engine and Tracks Ahead on PBS, which continues to grow and evolve. Iverson is a Wisconsin native and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduate. His studies in Radio-TV-Film and communications paved the way for a career in TV broadcasting and now at Trains.com.
Iverson’s first career position was as a technical media operator for Lansing, Mich.’s CBS affiliate, WLNS-TV. A major highlight of his time there included directing fast-paced newscasts broadcasted throughout mid-Michigan from early mornings to late nights. Iverson regularly volunteered at the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Mich. The Institute is home to Pere Marquette No. 1225, a 2-8-4 Berkshire-type steam locomotive whose sounds and likeness were included in the 2004 animated film, The Polar Express.
While with the Institute, he oversaw the digital outreach to members, volunteers, and the public through the organization’s revamped website and expanded social media presence.
Tom Danneman, Design Director
thomas.danneman@firecrown.com
Tom joined Kalmbach in 1998, and has been Art Director for Trains since 2000. Tom has a passion for railroading that dates back to his childhood and continues today through his photography and videography.
Tom grew up in Brookfield, Wis., but his heart is in the Northwest, particularly Montana. In his free time, he enjoys photography, kayaking, fishing, camping, and well, pretty much anything outdoors.
He also is the videographer/creator of the Trains.com Video series Big Skies & Iron Rails which features a cinematic look at railroading in Big Sky Country.
Scott M. Krall, Assistant Design Director
scott.krall@firecrown.com
Scott started at Kalmbach in 2007 as a graphic designer. He has since then worked on Trains, Model Railroader, Classic Trains, Scale Auto, and FineScale Modeler magazines.
When away from his computer, Scott enjoys traveling with his family, grilling/cooking and golfing … when the temperamental Wisconsin weather allows it.
Monica Freitag, Editorial Assistant
monica.freitag@firecrown.com
