when wrp acquired "railfan & railroad" magazine in 2014, it was decided to end monthly production of "railroads illustrated". future editions of "railroads illustrated" would be released on an annual special edition schedule. monthly subscribers would receive "railfan & railroad" beginning with the january 2015 issue. when white river productions acquired "railfan & railroad" magazine in september 2014, it was decided to transfer the best features of "railroads illustrated" to the new expanded monthly format including the news columns and the closing parting shot image on the final page. the new 100-page railroads illustrated annual publication focuses on creative railroad photography, featuring subjects both current and historical. all content is sourced from outside contributors who are regular readers of the publication.