Passenger Train Journal turns 40! The current issue of PTJ marks the 40th anniversary of its initial publication. Karl Zimmermann's first story for the magazine, "Rerouting the CZ," appeared in the fall 1970 issue, and dozens of others followed. He served as contributing editor for many of the years before the magazine suspended publication in 1996. Since its resumption in 2006, he has been both contributing editor and North American Intercity Rail columnist. The anniversary issue contains his interview with Alex Kummant, Amtrak's president.

Coming this summer from Boyds Mills Press: Ocean Liners: Crossing and Cruising the Seven Seas. The fourth book in Zimmermann's transportation series for younger readers, Ocean Liners follows Steam Locomotives, All Aboard!, and Steamboats. From the publisher: "Here's the fascinating story of ocean liners—their history, development, and culture—from the first great ocean liner to today's Freedom of the Seas, which carries more than four thousand passengers."

Through the balance of 2008, Karl Zimmermann will be lecturing aboard two departures of the GrandLuxe Express. The first, from August 6 through 14, is Great Northwestern National Parks, from Jackson to Seattle, featuring Mount Rainier, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks, plus Helena and Missoula, Montana. Next, from October 29 through November 4, will be Rockies, Sierras & Napa, featuring Napa Valley wineries, Salt Lake City, Canyonland and Arches National Parks, and daylight crossings by rail of the Sierras and Rockies. On both of these trips, Zimmermann will be hosting onboard cocktail parties for members of the Society of International Railway Travelers.

It's Here! The GrandLuxe Express: Traveling in High Style was recently released by Indiana University Press. Karl Zimmermann’s latest book tells the complete story of the American Orient Express, from its beginnings as the American European Express to its present incarnation running under the auspices of GrandLuxe Rail Journeys. The book brings the reader aboard this glamorous cruise train’s exquisitely renovated cars and gives a detailed history of each. It chronicles every step of the train’s evolution—in equipment, service, itineraries, and ownership, while taking a brief look at its predecessors and competitors. Zimmermann’s account captures the excitement of traveling aboard the cars of GrandLuxe: the fine cuisine, the intriguing routes, the conviviality of the lounge cars, the ineffable and increasingly rare pleasure that can be found only when riding the rails aboard a truly first-class railway train.

Karl Zimmermann will be hosting a trip for the Society of International Railway Travelers in early 2009. He will be aboard the Sierra Madre Express (January 30 - February 6) to the spectacular Copper Canyon region of Mexico. The train features a dome diner and both open-platform and round-end observation cars. A highlight is a stay at the Posada Mirador Hotel, which clings to the edge of the canyon.