On June 4, Karl Zimmermann ’61 was honored as a distinguished alumnus in an induction ceremony at Dwight-Englewood School. After being introduced by Steve Abrams ’70, his former student and an earlier recipient of the award, Zimmermann was presented with a plaque describing his accomplishments as a student at the Englewood School for Boys and, subsequently, as a writer and educator. The plaque will hang in the school’s main lobby, joining those of other distinguished alumni.

On April 15 through 17, the Center for Railroad Photography and Art held its annual conference at Lake Forest College in Illinois. Called “Conversations About Photography,” it included presentations by a number of noted railroad photographers. As part of the program, Karl Zimmermann offered “Railway Traveler: f 8 and Be There,” in which he discussed how his interest in and pursuit of railroad photography has evolved over the decades.

Travel section trifecta. Published January 23, the annual cruise issue of the Los Angeles Times Travel Section featured three stories by Karl Zimmermann: "Cunard's old-school travel continues traditions on Queen Elizabeth," reflections on Cunard Line's uniqueness, reported from on board the ship as it crossed the North Atlantic to begin its first world cruise; "Cruising Asia's modern miracles and ancient wonders aboard the Ocean Princess"; and "New York's Erie Canal by boat," which recounts a leisurely July trek across the western end of the canal, a week of locks, bucolic scenery, and small-town America. These stories are available at LATimes.com/travel and will remain in the on-line archives.

For thirty years Karl Zimmermann has been crossing to Martha's Vineyard on the ferries of the Steamship Authority. In "Final Chapter: The Islander and Other Bygone Ferries," in the August issue of Martha's Vineyard magazine, he recalls those he's known in service -- the Islander, the Naushon, the Uncatena, the Martha's Vineyard -- and others, like the Nobska, that he wishes he had. The story is part history, part appreciation, and part lament for our sad history of failing to save priceless maritime icons.

Now available from Indiana University Press: Little Trains to Faraway Places: Adventures on the World's Narrow-Gauge Railways. From the publisher: "Narrow-gauge railroading conjures images of marginal track, wooden coaches, and antique steam locomotives. Yet consider the extraordinarily glamorous and comfortable South African Blue Train and Australia's Queenslander as well as the electrified network of meter-gauge mountain railways in Switzerland that run with a precision similar to that of the country's famed timepieces. Often used to penetrate the most challenging and breathtaking terrain that larger trains are unable to reach, narrow-gauge railways offer even the most seasoned of travelers an experience to remember. Karl Zimmermann, railroad author and accomplished photographer, chronicles his journeys aboard these rarest of trains. Individual chapters weave history and travelogue, complemented by more than 100 color illustrations. The result is a spirited tribute to the world's most charismatic railways."

"Karl Zimmermann's observations will surely bring back memories to many readers, and his richly developed commentary on cultural and historical details will provide an exciting introduction for those who have never traveled to some of the faraway places described." —Parker Lamb, author of Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive

A few years ago Karl Zimmermann "went to extremes" in Great Britain, traveling by train to the most distant four compass points on the island accessible by rail, and his chronicle of that journey appears as the "Web exclusive" story attached to the May issue of Trains magazine. Read the article here.

In December of 1957, when Karl Zimmermann was 14, he traveled by Pullman from New York City to Roanoke, Va., to photograph America's last great steam railroad, the Norfolk & Western. With him was Roger Cook, his friend and neighbor. Still close friends more than fifty years later and once again neighbors, Cook and Zimmermann recount that once-in-lifetime experience in the spring issue of Classic Trains.