RT&S December 2022 Editor’s Notebook
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Join David C. Lester for the December 2022 Editor's Notebook.
It’s very humbling to take the reins of a publication that’s been around since 1905. After over three years as Managing Editor of RT&S, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve this venerable magazine as Editor-in-Chief. I am standing on the shoulders of thousands of people, including editors, writers, railroaders, MOW equipment vendors, consulting engineers, engineering professors, and many more. And, of course, today’s “magazine” is much more than that. RT&S Media also includes important digital content, newsletters, conferences, webinars, and an active presence on social media. All our work seeks to inform, enlighten, and support the Rail Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way sectors.
The longevity of RT&S is evident not only in digital and paper copies but in conversations with railroaders of various ages. I’ve had railroaders tell me they first learned about RT&S because one of their parents or grandparents was a railroader and regular reader. The magazine began as Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way and eventually changed to Railway Track & Structures.
Perusing the December 1905 edition, one finds articles such as “Evolution of the T-Rail,” “Track Elevation Through Cities,” “The New Pennsylvania Passenger Station at Wilmington,” “Tie Preservation of the A.T. & S. F. Railway” and many others. Interestingly, many of the infrastructure issues at the beginning of the 20th century are still with us today, despite the explosion of technology the industry has seen over the past 100+ years.
Our mission at RT&S has always been and will continue to be, focused on our readers and clients. We aim to produce print and digital content that will be useful to practicing railway civil and other engineers, professors, and students in university engineering programs. Our content is useful for railroad executives and association leaders as it provides a forum for discussing and evaluating existing and emerging technologies.
In 2023, more content will focus on railway structures, such as passenger stations and freight terminals. And wayside communications and signaling systems, including positive train control. Our ball game is infrastructure, which covers a wide berth, and is critical to the success of the railroad industry.
I also want to shout out to my colleagues at Simmons-Boardman Publishing, publisher of RT&S, and our sister magazines, Railway Age and International Railway Journal.
I have never worked with a more collaborative and supportive group of professionals during my stint as managing editor and my transition to editor-in-chief. Several appear on our masthead, and some do not, but each has a vital role in preparing our print and digital content each month. Our work is undoubtedly a team effort.
