Mortons Media Group acquire The Railway Magazine from IPC Media

As part of the review of IPC Media’s niche and specialist titles, the sale of The Railway Magazine to Mortons Media Group Ltd. is announced today.

The Railway Magazine is renowned for offering a clear and trusted voice for the railway community, covering all aspects of the scene: from steam through to modern rail developments.

The deal sees Mortons acquire the brand – currently published within the IPC Inspire portfolio – with immediate effect. There will be no interruption to the publishing schedule of the title.

Part of the Mortons of Horncastle Limited group, Mortons Media Group is one of the UK’s largest independent publishers, producing a large range of magazine titles in classic and modern motorcycle sectors, scootering, heritage railways, heritage transport, lifestyle and farming.

IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams says: “With brands like Heritage Railway and Rail Express in its portfolio, Mortons provides an ideal home for The Railway Magazine. The continued commitment and focus of the magazine’s team through IPC’s strategic review is a real credit to their professionalism. I’d like to thank them personally and wish them all the very best for the future.”

Mortons managing director Brian Hill added “We are proud to welcome such a historic and authoritative title as The Railway Magazine into the Mortons family. We look forward to working with Nick Pigott and his editorial team to further develop its position as the market leading title in the railway sector”.

Staff transfer to Mortons with immediate effect.

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SteamWolf

 

So the quality of reporting of Railway Magazine is about to hit the dust then?

Regards
Chris

 

Does this eventually mean though that The Railway Magazine and Heritage Railway Magazine will in time merge into one brand?

 

Marsh & Johns.!! I can hardly wait.......

 

Rail Express are also under the Mortons banner.

 

Lets hope that they never get "Steam Railway"

CW:

 

The staff are not changing.

 

Since all the editorial staff are coming over with the publication, I'd expect the high quality of writing to remain.

Steamwolf

 

I do hope so Steamwolf, however with Mortons as the parent company, is this not a case of "he who pays the piper calls the tune"?

Best regards
Chris:

 

For a while - in this climate it would be a miracle if there were not some dovetailing of specialist interest contributors across related titles in the medium term

Transfer of staff on sale is normal practice - retention of those staff isn't

 

Old Glory is a Mortons magazine and the quality of the writing in it is pretty good. There is hope for the quality of RM. Besides I thought (or maybe hope) that the quality of a mag is more to do with who writes and edits it than who counts the pennies.

 

You think that those who count the pennies don't control those who write and edit it?

 

No but I'm saying that if Mortons keep the editorial staff at RM all should be fine. Thats a big IF mind...

 

Anyone know how this affects existing subscriptions as it doesn't say anything about this in the December issue which came today. The new website sends you back to the ipc one when you click on the renewal option.

 

Subscriptions are still being handled by IPC's system for the foreseeable time. Since they have done an excellent job so far, we decided not to change this. Mortons can now offer the ability for readers to buy the current issue post free on-line, but all subscriptions will still be handled as before.

It's interesting to see people worry over the content first when a magazine changes hands. Although money is obviously involved, magazines are purchased on the high value of their content - so it wouldn't be in Mortons' (or anyone else's) interest to endanger this by interfering with editorial.

As always, the readers be the judge - if the content degrades, people will switch. Not something any publisher wants.

SteamWolf

 

Many thanks for this info SteamWolf. I shall be renewing soon as my current subscription expires early next year.

 

Steamwolf has the subscription situation changed? I tried to renew mine on Sunday on the IPC site and it no longer allows me access to the site with my Subs account number.

 

Will Railway magazine contributors still be receive a complentry copy of the magazine containing their work or will this now be stopped as with Heritage Railway?

 

Re Railway magazine complimentary copies

Hi,

I have had stuff in the last two issues (since the Morton's takeover) and can tell you that the usual complimentary copy was not forthcoming.

Seems there has already been a change in policy.

Alan Crotty

 

On a positive note, I thought the quality of the paper and repro in this months issue was the best I can remember. I've always considered RM to be a non-photographer friendly magazine, with a good proportion of images reproduced at postage stamp size on poor quality paper. I thought this latest issue was a considerable improvement. I'll be interested to see how it develops over the coming months.