BackTrack (magazine)
Encyclopedia
BackTrack is a monthly magazine, published by Pendragon Publishing, concentrating on researched articles and photographic features about British and Irish railway history. It is available through newsagents in the UK and by subscription from the publisher, but doesn't rely on advertising income and therefore doesn't publish an ABC
circulation figure.
, Cornwall), for the purpose of "recording Britain's railway history" (strapline
until mid-1993). The editorial in the 'introductory issue' promised that each issue would contain "at least one article on each or the 'Big Four
' companies ... (or their respective BR
region)", would have "a branch line
article in every issue" and would ignore current developments and the preservation scene
.
The magazine generally adheres to these principles even today, and it claims to be the leading (general purpose) railway historical magazine in Britain (current strapline).
Trevena was forced to retire from active participation in 1989 for health reasons
and handed the editorship to David Jenkinson
, who had then recently retired from his job at the National Railway Museum
to concentrate on writing. In turn, Jenkinson's health lead him, at the end of 1994, to hand on the post of editor to Michael Blakemore, the present incumbent.
David Jenkinson and Michael Blakemore's company Pendragon Publishing (office located in Easingwold
, N. Yorks
) bought the rights to the magazine from Atlantic in 2003.
illustrations and maps or diagrams as appropriate. A small section at the back contains "Reader's forum" (letters) and book reviews. Advertising is kept to a minimum (usually inside-front-cover and inside-back-cover only). No subjects more recent than ten years before publication are entertained, although contemporary developments affecting historic subjects are mentioned when necessary and current approaches to railway history are occasionally analyzed.
In particular, the magazine hosts a long-running series of pieces by Michael Rutherford, which started in Vol. 9, no. 1 under the title 'Provocations' and became 'Railway reflections' from vol. 11, no. 1 onwards, appearing monthly but with occasional gaps, in which he looks at "old themes from new perspectives, bring(s) apparently disparate themes together or put(s) some specialized railway subject in a more general historical context".
Often he considers aspects of 'received' railway history and tries to examine new aspects of them or to dispel common myths.
, then by him with Barry C. Lane and latterly by Lane alone, it aimed to provide prototype information relative to railway modellers, including scale drawings, and features on high-quality models and layouts. After vol.4, no.6 it was subsumed into the main title, which went monthly at that point.
ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations UK)
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, ABC has two roles:* To manage and uphold standards which reflect media industry needs...
circulation figure.
History
The magazine was founded in 1986 by Nigel Trevena, of Atlantic Transport Publishers (based in TruroTruro
Truro is a city and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The city is the centre for administration, leisure and retail in Cornwall, with a population recorded in the 2001 census of 17,431. Truro urban statistical area, which includes parts of surrounding parishes, has a 2001 census...
, Cornwall), for the purpose of "recording Britain's railway history" (strapline
Advertising slogan
Advertising slogans are short, often memorable phrases used in advertising campaigns. They are claimed to be the most effective means of drawing attention to one or more aspects of a product. A strapline is a British term used as a secondary sentence attached to a brand name...
until mid-1993). The editorial in the 'introductory issue' promised that each issue would contain "at least one article on each or the 'Big Four
Big Four British railway companies
The Big Four was a name used to describe the four largest railway companies in the United Kingdom in the period 1923-1947. The name was coined by the Railway Magazine in its issue of February 1923: "The Big Four of the New Railway Era".The Big Four were:...
' companies ... (or their respective BR
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
region)", would have "a branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
article in every issue" and would ignore current developments and the preservation scene
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
.
The magazine generally adheres to these principles even today, and it claims to be the leading (general purpose) railway historical magazine in Britain (current strapline).
Trevena was forced to retire from active participation in 1989 for health reasons
and handed the editorship to David Jenkinson
David Jenkinson
David Jenkinson was a railway modeller and historian, who had a particular interest in the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and was president of the LMS Society.- Biography :...
, who had then recently retired from his job at the National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is a museum in York forming part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry and telling the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It has won many awards, including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001...
to concentrate on writing. In turn, Jenkinson's health lead him, at the end of 1994, to hand on the post of editor to Michael Blakemore, the present incumbent.
David Jenkinson and Michael Blakemore's company Pendragon Publishing (office located in Easingwold
Easingwold
Easingwold is a small market town and a civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 4,233.It is located north of York, at the foot of the Howardian Hills....
, N. Yorks
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
) bought the rights to the magazine from Atlantic in 2003.
Content
The contents include picture features of two to five, usually in colour, and articles which may be described as amateur-scholarly, with sources footnoted, accompanied by colour or black-and-whiteBlack-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
illustrations and maps or diagrams as appropriate. A small section at the back contains "Reader's forum" (letters) and book reviews. Advertising is kept to a minimum (usually inside-front-cover and inside-back-cover only). No subjects more recent than ten years before publication are entertained, although contemporary developments affecting historic subjects are mentioned when necessary and current approaches to railway history are occasionally analyzed.
In particular, the magazine hosts a long-running series of pieces by Michael Rutherford, which started in Vol. 9, no. 1 under the title 'Provocations' and became 'Railway reflections' from vol. 11, no. 1 onwards, appearing monthly but with occasional gaps, in which he looks at "old themes from new perspectives, bring(s) apparently disparate themes together or put(s) some specialized railway subject in a more general historical context".
Often he considers aspects of 'received' railway history and tries to examine new aspects of them or to dispel common myths.
Publishing
| publisher | issues | frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Transport Publishers, Truro, (later Penryn), Cornwall | Introductory, 1986; vol.1, 1987 – vol.17, 2003 |
v.1-3: 4/year; v.4-8: 6/year; v.9-17 monthly |
| Pendragon Publishing, Easingwold, York | vol. 18, 2004 onwards to date (as at August 2009) |
monthly |
Editors
| editor | issues | dates |
|---|---|---|
| Nigel Trevena | "0", 1.1–3.1 | 1986–1989 |
| David Jenkinson David Jenkinson David Jenkinson was a railway modeller and historian, who had a particular interest in the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and was president of the LMS Society.- Biography :... |
3.2–8.6 | 1989–1994 |
| Michael Blakemore | 9.1–23.8 and continuing | 1995— |
Modellers' Backtrack
A companion magazine from the same publisher (Atlantic), Modellers' BackTrack ran from April/May 1991 to February/March 1995, alternating months with the, then bi-monthly, main title. Initially edited by David JenkinsonDavid Jenkinson
David Jenkinson was a railway modeller and historian, who had a particular interest in the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and was president of the LMS Society.- Biography :...
, then by him with Barry C. Lane and latterly by Lane alone, it aimed to provide prototype information relative to railway modellers, including scale drawings, and features on high-quality models and layouts. After vol.4, no.6 it was subsumed into the main title, which went monthly at that point.