Ernest H. Robl has written on many topics ranging from business and politics to sports and travel. This page contains a partial bibliography of railroad-related magazine articles (text pieces, usually accompanied by my own photos), arranged by year. This listing does not include articles in model railroad magazines focusing on modeling techniques nor items that consisted only of a photo with an extended caption, including some magazine covers, which were not accompanied, by an article.
1974
"Morning train from Da Nang: War is hell, but that didn't stop the Vietnamese from keeping the trains rolling." — Rail Classics, May, 1974, pp. 68-77.
A train trip in South Vietnam in early 1970.
1975
"Destination West Jefferson: It may look like a down-at-the-heels shortline, but the diesels carry a big NW on their sides." — Rail Classics, Nov., 1975, pp. 54-61.
The last days of Norfolk & Western's Abingdon Branch in Virginia and North Carolina.
"The Durham & Southern: It may be a shortline, but it's first class all the way." — Rail Classics, winter 1975 Diesel Extra, pp. 106-109; 130.
North Carolina shortline profile.
1977
"A subway to nowhere .. and other tales: Vienna is working hard to provide some excellent public transportation to accompany an already efficient system." — Rail Classics, Jan., 1977, pp. 62-68; 79.
Changing public transportation in a major European city.
"Our newest connection: Durham & Southern." — Family Lines [Seaboard System corporate magazine], Jan.-Feb., 1977, pp. 12-13.
Seaboard System takeover of D&S.
"CTC update: The Seaboard Coast Line's CTC through North Carolina joins the 20th century." — Rail Classics, May, 1977, pp. 22-25.
A major modernization of SCL traffic control.
"Taking the jolts out of s-l-a-c-k." — Family Lines [Seaboard System corporate magazine], Nov.-Dec., 1977, pp. 10-11.
Use of an early locomotive operations simulator by Seaboard Coast line.
1978
"Big trip for an old building." — Family Lines [Seaboard System corporate magazine], Jan.-Feb., 1978, pp. 16-17.
Relocation of the former SCL Raleigh, N.C., office building and its preservation as a state historic site.
"Distance isn't everything: The three-mile long Atlantic and Western keeps its customers happy." — Rail Classics, March, 1978, pp. 58-67.
North Carolina shortline profile.
"Rail car subs for library." — Family Lines [Seaboard System corporate magazine], May-June, 1978, p. 26.
Public library in Norlina, N.C. is in a former railcar. [The railcar is still there in 2004, but now houses historic displays.].
1979
"Fresh wheels from Hamlet." — Family Lines [Seaboard System corporate magazine], Sept.-Oct., 1979, pp. 12-13.
Operation of the SCL Hamlet, N.C., wheel shop.
1980
"The station that's a museum." — Family Lines [Seaboard System corporate magazine], Jan.-Feb., pp. 10-11.
Railroad museum in the Hamlet, N.C., station.
"Clinchfield Railroad … a man-made wonder." — Family Lines [Seaboard System corporate magazine], July-Aug., 1980, cover; pp. 16-18.
Clinchfield Railroad profile focusing on the "Loops" segment of the line.
1987
"Little Austria big on its trains--Even its tiniest." — International Railway Traveler, July-Aug., 1987, pp. 1, 14.
Introduction to rail travel in Austria..
1991
"Europe on a back-country rail." — Petersen's PhotoGraphic, Oct., 1991, pp. 36-39; 75.
Tips on photography and route selection for rail travel in Europe.
1993
"Preserving or hoarding." — Trains. Nov., 1999, p. 82.
Commentary on how many of the items collected by railfans have more long-term value in a library or historic collection.
1996
"Stampede Pass revival: The reawakening of Burlington Northern Santa Fe's Stampede Pass rail crossing." — Pacific RailNews. Oct., 1996, pp. 20-25.
Largest railroad reactivation of the second half of the 20th century.
1997
"Coal roads of the east." — RailNews. Feb., 1997, pp. 68-75.
Mainline coal action on CSX and Norfolk Southern.
1998
"Emergency response: Knowledge is power." — Railway Age.. May, 1998, pp. 59-61.
How pre-disaster contacts can help both railroads and emergency responders.
1999
"The past is too much with us." — Trains. Sept., 1999, p. 88.
Commentary on why members of the public aren't learning about modern railroading—and what can be done about it.
"Passenger trains in the Piedmont: North Carolina and Amtrak team up for innovative and expanding service." — Railfan & Railroad, Dec., 1999; pp. 40-47.
Profile of the NCDOT Rail Division.
2000
"Great Smoky Mountains Railway." — Railfan & Railroad, July, 2000; pp. 30-35.
Profile of versatile N.C. tourist railroad.
2002
"Powder River Country: It's all about coal." — Railfan & Railroad, March, 2002; cover; pp. 30-41.
Railroad operations in and around Wyoming's coal fields.
2003
"Burlington's new depot: Creative re-use of an historic structure." — Railfan & Railroad, Nov., 2003; pp. 30-31.
Former N.C. railroad shop building is transformed into a station..
2004
"Railroad fans track America's history." — The History Channel Magazine, March/April, 2004; pp. 36-41.
A look at historic American railroad sites and why fans like railroads.
"Gore Canyon: A landscape like the moon, but easier to reach, and with plenty of trains." — Railfan & Railroad, Sept., 2004; pp. 32-35.
Former N.C. railroad shop building is transformed into a station..
"Returning to the rails: Charlotte, N.C., prepares to launch commuter light-rail service—on a right-of-way still intact after 60 years." — Trains, Oct., 2004, .pp. 50-51
Historic trolley operations helps lay the groundwork for modern light rail.
2005
"The interurban: alive and well and living in Austria." — Railfan & Railroad, March, 2005; pp. 36-43.
A look at a foreign shortline that offers everything from high density transit to freight operations and historic equipment. Includes a sidebar on a winter ride on a steam loco.
"Old world rails, new world lessons: As Americans grapple with their rail system's vulnerabilities, some European solutions could help make people and commerce safer." — HSToday [Homeland Security Today], September, 2005; pp. 36-41.
A critical look at what works and doesn't work in the area of railroad and rail transit security—and how emergency responders can be better prepared for a range of incidents.
"A new lease on life: The North Carolina Railroad is recycling its classic freight stations." — Railfan & Railroad, September, 2005; pp. 36-39.
Description of how the NCRR is trying to preserve and rehabilitate its old buildings. Includes sidebar on NCRR historic exhibit in Burlington.
2006
"Railroads deliver jobs to state." — The Guide: Commercial real estate, economic development, corporate relocation (for central North Carolina), Winter 2006; pp. 16-21.
A look at the economic impact of railroads in North Carolina, particularly as it relates to the coverage area of the magazine.
"Personal vision: The photography of Ernest H. Robl." — CTC Board Railroads Illustrated, April, 2006; pp. 28-43.
A 16-page portfolio of my railroad photography.
"Germany's fastest trains: 200 mph on the InterCity Express." — Gemütlichkeit, April, 2006; pp. 7-8.
Gemütlichkeit is a travel newsletter for people interested in the German-speaking countries of Europe (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) and nearby areas. The feature looked at 15 years of German ICE high-speed trains.
"Trying to hit a moving target: Changing rules can hamper agencies' quest for federal funds." — Trains, May, 2006; pp. 28-29.
Examination of problems with rail transit financing in the U.S.
"Five great Southern train trips." — Southern Arts Journal, Spring 2006; pp. 30-35.
Well-known and lesser known routes — and some tips on train travel.
"Rail modernization: It's not your father's rail vehicle." — Mass Transit, June, 2006; pp. 30-37.
A look at changing technology incorporated into modern rail transit vehicles.
"Riding the rails: Private railcars preserve a historic era of travel and offer a new twist on luxury." — Executive Traveler, September, 2006; pp. 48-53.
A look at travel by private railcar.
"Smarter detectors, less talking." — Trains, April, 2006; pp. 20-21.
Looking at how wheel impact load detectors contribute to railroad safety.
"Austria's Christmas glow." — German Life, December 2006/January 2007; pp. 24-26.
Austria's tradition of distributing the Friedenslicht (Light of Peace), with a substantial railroad component, including how railroads contribute to the distribution and help get people to some special towns.
Note: The above list excludes a number of shorter railroad news items, some with illustrations, in various publications. Of course, I also write about many other subjects.
Also, in mid 2006, I became the railroad columnist for the magazine Monitoring Times, a publication aimed at people who listen to short-wave radio and radio scanners. The quarterly column spanning two pages usually covers several topics of current interest.
[rev. 2007/02/20]
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