Brian grew up modeling and railfanning in the greater LA area, frequenting Taylor Yard, Cajon Pass, Colton Tower, and taking longer "camping" railfanning trips around the West.
He began reading Model Railroader and RMC at age 8 in 1962 and would anxiously await each new issue. The gift of a 35mm camera in 1963 started him taking mostly Ektachrome color slides of LA area railroads in the 1960s, and several Super 8 movies.
In 1965 he joined a club called the Cajon Valley Modelers, and hand published a little newsletter called the "Mainliner" on an old mimeograph machine.
Brian has built 7 layouts so far, and was paid to help build a commercial layout as a teenager. These layouts were in HO and N scale, ranging from shelf switching railroads - one based on Linn Wescott’s "switchman’s nightmare" 1956 track plan to large empires. His current layout project is the SP’s LA Division in 1954, built in N scale with a helix on two levels.
One of his major interests he calls "layout design aesthetics" that is, creating beautiful 3D panoramic art compositions for a given track plan. Think John Allen’s canyon, etc for a "panoramic view"… It calls for an impression of depth and scope.
Brian is a lifelong fan of steam, and has supported steam restoration projects including 3751. When not enjoying the hobby he is writing books, or traveling.
You can email brian at brianw@brian-williams.com