Modern Railways is a British monthly magazine covering the rail transport industry that was published by Ian Allan until March 2012 and Key Publishing since. It has been published since 1962. It has always been aimed at both railroad professionals and serious hobbyists, a goal that stems from its origins as an amalgam of enthusiastic Trains Illustrated magazine and the industrial magazine The Locomotive in the hands of its first publisher Geoffrey Freeman Allen. It is currently edited by James Abbott. Regular contributors include Roger Ford, Alan Williams and Tony Miles.
The first edition of Modern Railways was published in January 1962 as volume XV, no. 160 in a continuous sequence of Trains Illustrated. He presented a preface letter from Dr Richard Beeching, then President of the British Transport Commission, who wrote: "The thousands who read their diary every month get a great deal of pleasure and useful information about the activities of the British Railways. a common ground, since your readers are our friends and also yours, and your success helps us in maintaining and expanding your interest. In particular, we look forward to you and appreciate the kind of well-being, informed Trains Illustrated is now moving into a new era and I think it is entirely appropriate for you to choose Modern Railways as your new title.The new name for you is an anxious target for us, that we can both move towards a new and rewarding success. " An article in the issue analyzed peak traffic operations at the Reading train station in the days leading up to Christmas 1960, stating: "Reading ... does not have a desperate shortage of platforms or a paralysing design complication... ".