Fields & Fenders | Issue 02
A Note from the Team at Ertel Publishing
If you’ve got a soft spot for old iron—whether it’s trucks, tractors, trains, or anything in between—you’re in the right place.
Fields & Fenders brings together the best of Ertel Publishing in one place. Each month, we’ll share a quick look at what’s new, what’s coming, and what’s worth your time—from our magazines, our authors, and our archives.
Expect previews, behind-the-scenes insights, curated book picks, and a few extras along the way. And just to be clear—our print magazines aren't going anywhere. This is simply an added way to connect with our viewers.
If you joined us with our first issue, thanks for being here early—we’re just getting started, and we’re glad you’re along for the ride.
Let’s keep the wheels turning.
— The Fields & Fenders Team
The Magazine Brief
Mark Your Calendars for the end of April!
Is it a car or a tractor? The answer is yes. Our upcoming May/June 2026 issue features the Minneapolis-Moline UDLX “Comfortractor,” a machine that defied tradition with its enclosed cab and sleek styling.
We’ll have more to share when the issue is released—stay tuned!
Is your subscription up to date? Don't miss this issue—renew today! Call the fine folks in our Circulation Department at 888-760-8108. Outside the U.S. call 937-610-0229
True Colors: A Vintage Truck Preview
If trucks are more your speed, you won’t want to miss the 1969 GMC Fenderside in the May/June 2026 issue of Vintage Truck (available now in our gift shop!). Pop quiz: Which of these photos shows the truck’s true color? No spoilers here—you’ll have to read the article to find out. Our team fine-tuned the color, but a couple of the photos went a bit rogue—see if you can spot the real one.
Think you’ve got it? See if you’re right and read the excerpt at VintageTruckMagazine.com.
In future installments of Fields & Fenders we may solicit your input on the covers and we will reveal the winning pick. Stay tuned!
The Contributor’s Corner
Burgers, Bridges, and the Blue Skies of 1956
Ertel Publishing train author, John Kelly recalls his first train trip in 1956 (age 10) on a family vacation to Chicago.
I grew up in the northern Wisconsin city of Eau Claire, and legend has it that 18th-century French explorers named the city “Clear Water” in French (eau=water claire=clear), after seeing the nearby Eau Claire River. In 1956, the city population was just 38,000, but it was a busy passenger stop on the Chicago & North Western (C&NW) Railway’s “400” between Chicago and the Twin Cities (St. Paul-Minneapolis). The train was named 400, because 400 miles was the approximate distance between Chicago and the Twin Cities.
Front cover of the menu and image of the C&NW “400” locomotive.
In July 1956, my dad purchased round trip tickets for our family of four, on the C&NW 400 passenger train from Eau Claire to Evanston, Illinois to visit family friends. Train no. 400 eastbound from the Twin Cities arrived on-time in Eau Claire at 1:55 pm. Dad had reserved 4 seats (2x2) facing each other at the of the coach. My brother Tom (2 years younger), and I had our faces pressed against the window for most of the trip, enjoying the views of Wisconsin’s beautiful farmlands as the train crossed several bridges with scenic river views. The streamlined 400 looked sharp with art-deco styling painted in the railway’s classic green and yellow scheme. Dad also reserved an early first seating in the dining car, it was burgers and fries for Tom and I, and I still have the souvenir menu from that trip. We arrived on-time in Evanston at 6:45 pm, and the train then continued to the downtown Chicago & North Western passenger station for on-time arrival at 7 pm. We did return home on the 400 several days later and it made for a great summer vacation train trip. I hope to write more memoires of the Chicago & North Western Railway, but that is another story for another day.
About the Author
John Kelly grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where his dad’s best friend—an engineer on the Chicago & North Western—gave him and his brother occasional midnight cab rides on C&NW freight trains from Altoona to Elroy, Wisconsin. Indulging his hobby of railroad history, Kelly has written articles for Trains and Vintage Rails magazines and Trains.com and has authored several books on streamlined passenger trains including The California Zephyr: An Entertaining History of America’s Most Celebrated Train Route; Great Northern Railway: Route of the Empire Builder; Chicago Postwar Passenger and Commuter Trains and Milwaukee Road Mainline: Chicago to Twin Cities. Kelly is retired from the Wisconsin Technical College System where he worked as a computer technician. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with his partner Linda Shult and blue heeler Hannah. To see more of Kelly’s work from PB&J Books and Ertel Publishing, visit ErtelGiftShop.com and do a search for John Kelly.
Inside the Archives
Tractor Spotlight
The 1944 B.F. Avery Model A isn’t just a tractor—it’s a World War II-era exercise in “make it work with what you’ve got.” No lights, no belt pulley, no fancy pedals… just a clever 4-cylinder engine, simple levers, and one surprisingly spirited operator (yes, Mrs. Rushing drove it too). From its Illinois farm beginnings to a careful modern restoration, this little machine proves elegance comes in unexpected packages.
Want the full story? Download the May/June 2010 digital issue of Antique Power and see the Avery in action.
Truck Spotlight
Bootlegger hauler. Workhorse. Forgotten relic buried in the mud. This 1923 Dodge Screenside has lived more lives than most machines ever will. After decades of hard use—and years nearly lost to time—it was rescued and rebuilt piece by piece into an award-winning showstopper.
Want the full story? Download the May/June 2005 digital issue of Vintage Truck and uncover the journey for yourself.
Over 38 years of publishing your favorite magazines, many of our most popular issues have completely sold out—until now. We are excited to reopen the archives and offer these 'lost' classics as Digital Editions (PDF).
We are adding new downloads to the shop weekly, so check back often to complete your collection. As a thank you for being a Fields & Fenders subscriber, use the links below and enter code DIGITAL1 at checkout to take $1 OFF the regular price of any digital back issue!
“Ohio George” Montgomery—Racing’s Gasser King
by Patrick Ertel
The Library | Book of the month
When the Light Turns Green …
Green light. Full throttle. 💨 “Ohio George” Montgomery blasts into drag racing history—his 1933 Willys leading the charge in the wild Gasser Wars era and redefining what race cars could be. 🏁🔥
APRIL SAVINGS: Take 15% OFF your enitre book order—not just the featured book—in our Gift Shop this month! Use Code: APRIL15 at checkout. (Offer expires 4/30/2026)
Your Voice
We were absolutely blown away by the response to last month’s survey—so much so that we actually hit our submission limit! To make sure every voice is heard, we are rerunning the poll this month to give everyone another chance to share their thoughts. Every installment of Fields & Fenders will feature a poll or survey to give us helpful feedback for future content. We are stoked you are here and look forward to seeing where this journey takes us… buckle your seatbelt, it’s time to ride!
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