For about seven years I was the Managing Editor of SP REVIEW magazine, plus the SP editor for FLIMSIES. I would say I proofread my completed material at least twice before submitting it to the publisher, but sometimes I would find errors after it was already in print. Maybe someday I tell the story of the "angle cocks". That was my most embarrassing (and funny) flub.

But my main purpose for this message is to ask others this. Have you noticed more simple errors in spelling and/or proofreading in railfan magazines (and sometimes in books)lately? I suspect that these editors and managing editors read the finished work themselves, but I wonder if they also have others whose job is to proofread. I recall that a decade or so ago it was very rare to find such simple errors. I'm not speaking about technical errors (like calling a GP9 a U25B). There may be someone not familiar with railroad terms that does the proofreading.

Tony J.