Duplicate reply, deleted.
Sorry
I found what you are refering to but not on the cover but on a two page spread on pg. 42-43 of that issue. I'm sure that is a nice, straight piece of basswood with grooves carefully sliced into them using a table saw. There doesn't look like there's any taper to them but I see that some of the width is stepped back toward the top of the pillars.
John Allen was a terendsetter in the hobby, to be sure!
Ed
Severian,
A lot of the late John Allen's G&D layout structures were built with everyday type materials, some were cast plaster, while other's were carved linoleum, painted and weathered. If You would like to read and look through, most everything He did, on the layout and in past articles and how it was made...there's just too much to list. Here is a link that should provide You with most all Your questions. Some You can click on and that will make them larger for You to read. Just scroll down and on the left and pick what You want to read or see. They are all clickable.
It is a large PDF file, so give it time to load and hope You have a lot of free disk space....You'll need it:
http://witt-family.com/gorre-and-daphetid/G&D_Files.htm
Take Care!
Frank
For years I've been intrigued by the unique pillars John Allen built for the Squaw Creek high bridge (MR October 1967 cover) and the similar constructions in Port and Great Divide on his Gorre and Daphetid layout. They look like fluted/grooved concrete. Can anyone tell me how he made them?