One of the best ways for railway professionals to stay informed of industry news is to subscribe to rail transportation publications. There are many publications, including magazines, books, journals and newsletters available that cover the railway industry. Unless you have the resources to subscribe and read them all, you really need to pick and choose the ones meet your needs.

Railway industry publications offer a variety of resources and there's a huge selection to choose from, but many are costly. The trick is to get the most information from the fewest resources, thus saving you money and keeping you informed so you don't have to read all day. When deciding which intermodal journals, magazines and books to choose, remember the following:

1. Some rail publications offer free trial subscriptions so you can better determine whether the publication is for you.

2. When subscribing to publications, find out what period your payment covers. Make sure you receive any back issues within the time period you are paying for. Some publications may just begin subscription with the current issue.

3. If possible, subscribe through a publication's website site, rather than a magazine subscription site. You may receive additional tools and resources with your subscription.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Subscribe to intermodal transportation magazines and receive subscription benefits

Some intermodal magazines offer additional benefits with subscriptions, such as discounted prices or a second subscription at 50 percent off. With some publications, you have the opportunity to cancel your subscription, without payment, if you are not satisfied.

I recommend: International Railway Journal sometimes offers free subscriptions, depending on capacity. It also produces online and print versions. Railway Track and Structures offers a free sample of its digital publication so you can review it before making a purchase.

Take advantage of online intermodal transportation articles, journals and magazines

E-mags and web publications have come a long way. Online publications may offer advantages that include additional newsletters, blogs and readily available back issues. Internet publications are updated regularly; and if you have any questions, many have online forums for you to access.

I recommend: Metro Magazine includes up-to-date news, blogs and a classified section as part of its online resources. Mass Transit Magazine offers an archive of back issues, forums and industry updates.

Join a club or association for free access to intermodal transportation publications

If you a business in the transportation industry, you may consider becoming a member of an association for railway professionals. As a member, you'll receive access to free publications, as well as other informational resources. If you sign up as a business, you can extend these services to your employees as well.

I recommend: The Intermodal Association of North America and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America are both associations that offer online newsletters to members. As a member, you'll also get access to additional industry tools and resources.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your local library for publications. Many offer online access to intermodal articles, journals and books you can view for free.