Today marks the beginning of our annual Trains News Wire year in review, which includes our countdown of the Top 10 news stories of the year, as selected by a vote of staff members and other key contributors.
A total of 25 stories received at least one vote in this year’s balloting, including six that received only a single vote. The top three stories clearly separated themselves from the rest of the field, as they were the only nominees named on every ballot cast. Our No. 1 story, in fact, was just one second-place vote from being a unanimous choice. As it turned out, our Top 10 will actually cover 11 stories, since we had a 10th-place tie. No doubt you’ll disagree with some of our choices — heck, I do, too. But that’s what happens with voting by a diverse group of people; no one had all 10 stories on their ballot. (Incidentally, ballots went out Dec. 1, so events that occurred after that date were not part of the process. This is the case every year, to give everyone time to get their stories completed during the busy holiday season.)
In case you’ve forgotten, and are interested in seeing how 2022’s top stories compare to this year’s list, here are the stories from last year’s Top 10:
No. 10, alternative-power locomotives.
No. 9, Reading & Northern 4-8-4 No. 2102 returns.
No. 8, Continuing progress at East Broad Top.
No. 7, Railroading Heritage of Midwest America makes its mark in Silvis, Ill.
No. 6, the death of Trains editor of Jim Wrinn.
No. 5, the Gulf Coast passenger conflict.
No. 4, Amtrak cutbacks and service issues.
No, 3, service issues, and No. 2, crew shortages.
No. 1, Rail labor and the near strike.
Before we begin this year’s countdown — which will take a break on Christmas Day and conclude on Dec. 31 —we’ll provide some additional year-in-review coverage, with a look at top stories in preservation and transit, as well a look at some of the runners-up in this year’s voting.
We begin today with the first half of a two-part look at the top international stories of the year, courtesy of our European correspondent, Keith Fender. Part two will appear on Wednesday.
Ah yes, thank you.
A couple of these are not stories for 2023, which puzzles me. Jim Wrinn passed away in 2022. And 2102 debuted in 2022. They should have been on last year’s list.
Jason if you read the last line in the article before the list it said this a list of last years stories to compare to what is to come.