All I can say is WOW!!! They showed the cover of the December issue but then showed pictures of his layout which I presume came from the article. From the few shots I saw, his work is in the same league with George Selios for awesome urban scenery. He is a true artist and makes me proud that he is one of us.
It must be nice to have gotten the December issue so early like Jimmy Kimmel did.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Medina1128 It must be nice to have gotten the December issue so early like Jimmy Kimmel did.
My thoughts exactly!
He was in the Magazine a few years ago, boy it is Great Layout! Skyscrapers 5 to 6 foot tall with thousands of HO people!
He did not build it all, had a company do most of he bench, track, and wiring for him. But, as the show talked about he does do a lot of he buildings him self on the road. If I remember it is 20 foot wide and 150 foot long. At the time about 100 foot was staging with no scenery.
I have not seen a Scale City done any better than his. As a true gritty 1920's feel to it.
My wife recoded it for me, that was nice of her.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
I thought he took the chuckles and ribbing pretty good...
I remember his saying, from another article, that he would position his table near an open window to minimize the odor from glues etc.
Jarrell
It was very nice to see a celebrity of world caliber openly and quite seriously talking about the hobby of model railroading in the media. The disappointing, if not downright disturbing, part was the audience's reaction of laughter that continued sporadically through at least half the interview. If even a famous and highly respected individual such as Rod Stewart is laughed at, I guess we can honestly see what the public's attitude these days is toward our hobby. I'm sure if he claimed to play on-line fantasy football it would have been met with loud applause. Truly sad.
CNJ831
Not sure if Rod has talked about his hobby on shows like this before, but I think he was exceptionally brave to allow it to be brought up. Chuckles and ribbing aside, Jimmy Kimmel seemed to be like a lion holding back his desire to devour his prey. The audience was clearly waiting for Rod to be served up.
Overall I thought it was a positive (if not awkward) step forward for this hobby.
Wow, what an incredible looking layout! OMG! I can't wait for the Dec. issue to see more.
Hey, it's a talk show, Jimmy always ribbs everybody he interviews. I think Rod was very serious about it though, which is exactly how we are.
Rod's a good guy, always been a fan of him since the good ole 80s.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I've got the past issue of Rod Stewart's layout pics in MRR.
It IS a fantastical layout that must require a warehouse to store in and cost a fortune...one of which I helped him make by buying his albums.
He must have spent a lot of spare time building it.
It is good to get teh hobby out there more and noticed even if by odd people like Kimmel.
Oh, to dream, perchance to build...
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
If I recall the previous article correctly, the layout is in his home in LA.
He did the scenery but had help with the wiring & track.
Gordon
Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!
K1a - all the way
I too thought he handled it very well. Of course, he doesn't have anything to be embarrassed about either. He obviously enjoys the hobby, takes it fairly serious at least, and is secure enough in his manhood and has high enough self esteem, that a ribbing or being laughed at by a few people doesn't really bother him. And why should it? His occasional comment of "what are you laughing at" is not defensive, just meerly a normal friendly reaction when a group is laughing as opposed to sitting ignoring and being accused of steaming over the laughing, or just downright getting mad. The both and especially the latter, would put him into the bruised ego group. Those who wish the hobby would be accepted so they can be completely "manly".
Myself, my hobby is Model Railroading. So that means I, play with trains, waste my time, make little models, ( can't really describe the scrunched up eyebrow with confused look thing), act like a kid, and yes, I do sometimes make little noises that correspond with what I'm doing. Not all the time, but I have caught myself from time to time. I don't care what anyone thinks, when they laugh, (which actually very rarely ever happens now that I hang around a much more mature crowd.) I just chuckle with them and say, "hey, you pretend you're on some whatever sport is being played" of course they don't pretend that, to which I respond " Same same. You like your stuff, I like mine, but I don't jump up and down yelling and forcing everyone to stare at my pastime" To which they just don't have much to say. But I don't care what they would anyway. Not gonna quit, not gonna hide it.
Many of my non modelrailroading friends, which is all of them, occasionally ask how the layout's coming along, (or as they say, "the trainset" Another something that doesn't bother me) and think it's neat looking commenting on how they wouldn't have the time, or patience, or talent (that's the one I laugh at) or the room, whatever. Basically, no one I have dealt with regularly in years has made fun of Model Railroading. If you have, well, you're hanging around some immature people, or people who have a macho complex and need to bolster it. Like many of those sitting at the bar watching the game all dressed up in their little baseball outfits, or football, or basketball, yelling at what the coaches should do. Me, I just sit wearing my cowboy hat, reading my Model Railroader because I guess I play Cowboy and Trains. Oh well, my hat comes in much handier than theirs does in the rain and the sun, and my hobby is way cooler than theirs is. So I just patronize them. YOu really can't fight a delicate ego,so why try.
Next time someone makes a comment about model railroading and you get upset, think this. "Am I really upset because I think this cool clown's attitude is destroying Model Railroading? Or is it my own little ego I feel getting bruised." Moons ago I realized it was really me I was concerned about and it hasn't bothered me since. And obviously not Mr Stewart.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Great clip.
The woman that kept laughing in the background probably has a husband that models.
I wonder how many kids and husbands (Same?) will be receiving trains for christmas after that show. . The women were laughing but I can see them thinking a couple of things.
1. If it's good enough for Rod it's good enough for the hubby
2. A hobby might just keep hubby occupied and around the house more.
Springfield PA
I think it is really neat that Rod has opened up this part of his private life to the public. His layout is byfar one of the best featuring city life, albiet NYC. He may not have bulit the foundation by himself, but the modeling is his forte. This is a guy whom would walk the city streets of Chicago after 1am, in the morning, in the winter. starring at bulidings to get ideas. He would set up shop in his hotel room, windows open, with a coat on, gluing and painting. Then get on his Gulfstream jet, fly the built stuff back to LA and put it on the layout and then fly back to Chicago and perform the next night. Sounds like a deep passion for the hobby.
Many times I thank God for whom I am. I have so many hobbies I can't find time to do them all. And a loving and encouraging wife. I have so many friends,family and co-workers that have nothing in the form of a hobby. Except for watching sports on TV. And I almost forgot the deer hunting. They don't know what they are missing.
I found out recently that my manager is big into building model aircraft. Highly detailed and show material. I would have never thought this of him. The two of us talking were like a couple of teenage modelers.
I hope we can see more of Rod's layout. Maybe Allan Keller would inquire about shooting a clip if Rod would be so kind. Any chance of this Rod? Sure would be nice to have copy of this fine layout. on DVD. And don't forget Milwaukee's Trainfest is coming up Nov 13-14. Let me know if you would like a tour guide, my wife and I would be honored.
A couple of observations about both the clip and previous comments:
First of all, Jimmy Kimmel is a talk show host, and I don't think he got the Dec issue early. I think it more likely went something like this: Rod Stewart has a new CD coming out, let's get him on the show (or even Rod's manager saying, "We've got a new CD coming out, you're going on talk shows"). At which point, Jimmy Kimmel's production staff probably figured out that Rod is in the Dec issue and contacted Kalmbach to get some copy. Alternatively, Kalmbach staff could have found out about the Jimmy Kimmel appearance and contacted the show to get some free exposure.
As far as the "actual" mag is concerned, finished cover artwork, which has been completed for at least a month now, could have been printed and bound to some other paper, another magazine, or anything of suitable thickness and strength. While it could have been an an early copy from the actual production run (they're probably about ready for mailing), movie and TV producers would be concerned with showing something that people would THINK was the magazine, not necessarily the actual mag. Happens all the time.
Being too lazy to go dig up the previous edition with Rod Stewart in it, I'll go from memory. IIRC, the layout is in a room of his LA home, and while he does operate it, the only thing he builds is the buildings and some scenery. I think friends designed and built the train part for him.
While it is statistically likely that an audience the size of Jimmy's contains at least one boor who would laugh AT Rod for "playing with trains", I agree with the previous poster who said that the repeated laughter sounded like a woman's knowing chuckle, as if a close relative or husband had a layout. Moreover, I thought the general laughter at Rod's appearance on the cover of MR was more due to it's absurdity -- most people would expect a gossip or a music publication. And it quickly subsided when they flashed up the pictures of his awesome work.
I also like the fact that he "outed" several other musicians who "play with trains". Although, since the Wikipedia article on model railroading contains a much more extensive list, it can't be a big secret.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
CNJ831 IThe disappointing, if not downright disturbing, part was the audience's reaction of laughter that continued sporadically through at least half the interview. CNJ831
IThe disappointing, if not downright disturbing, part was the audience's reaction of laughter that continued sporadically through at least half the interview.
I noticed all the laughing stopped when he had concert tickets to give out. I loved Rod's line, "We used to trash hotel rooms, now all I need is a big table.."
I get ribbed about the trains, we all do I bet, and Rod S handles it in just the right way: jokingly but he shows he really is enthusiastic about the hobby. He doesn't back off one bit or say "well yeah you're right I guess it is sort of dumb." And the results in the photos spoke for themselves even to somone who knows nothing about the time and effort and expense and all the other things we typically point out to justify that it really isn't a child's activity at all. The best response to mockery about the hobby is fantasic results.
I am sure it was well worth whatever effort and expenditure it took for Kalmbach to have the issue of MR in Rod's hands for the TV show, even if they had to create a "dummy" issue. He also dropped a couple of names of fellow rockers that I think add to the list of "celebrities who like model trains" list.
Dave Nelson
Did anybody else notice the part of the conversation where Rod mentioned the names of other rock stars who are model railroaders?
Dan
I saw the clip and later forwarded to my aunt and uncle who are huge fans of his music. They thought the same things I did that he handled himself quite well about his hobby activities. I thought Jimmy was quite impressed by the pics of his layout. I am glad Rod became a "spokesperson" sort of for the hobby.
Will
I would guess that all hobbies, as they are described here and there, are great levelers that enjoy among their hosts those who are rich, famous, and highly accomplished. I am happy to see another famous person have the limelight for a short time to express how model rails can impact a person's life.
This hobby is as much about being as it is about doing. It is very much a part about whom we choose to be.
Crandell
CNJ831 It was very nice to see a celebrity of world caliber openly and quite seriously talking about the hobby of model railroading in the media. The disappointing, if not downright disturbing, part was the audience's reaction of laughter that continued sporadically through at least half the interview. If even a famous and highly respected individual such as Rod Stewart is laughed at, I guess we can honestly see what the public's attitude these days is toward our hobby. I'm sure if he claimed to play on-line fantasy football it would have been met with loud applause. Truly sad. CNJ831
As Jimmy Kimmel mentioned, Frank Sinatra was also an avid model railroader and Sinatra was the King of Cool.
"nuff said!!!
jecorbett CNJ831: It was very nice to see a celebrity of world caliber openly and quite seriously talking about the hobby of model railroading in the media. The disappointing, if not downright disturbing, part was the audience's reaction of laughter that continued sporadically through at least half the interview. If even a famous and highly respected individual such as Rod Stewart is laughed at, I guess we can honestly see what the public's attitude these days is toward our hobby. I'm sure if he claimed to play on-line fantasy football it would have been met with loud applause. Truly sad. CNJ831 As Jimmy Kimmel mentioned, Frank Sinatra was also an avid model railroader and Sinatra was the King of Cool. "nuff said!!!
CNJ831: It was very nice to see a celebrity of world caliber openly and quite seriously talking about the hobby of model railroading in the media. The disappointing, if not downright disturbing, part was the audience's reaction of laughter that continued sporadically through at least half the interview. If even a famous and highly respected individual such as Rod Stewart is laughed at, I guess we can honestly see what the public's attitude these days is toward our hobby. I'm sure if he claimed to play on-line fantasy football it would have been met with loud applause. Truly sad. CNJ831
Well...not quite a model railroader in the true sense of the term. Frank was interested in tin-plate, or toy trains (i.e. Lionels). His layout was custom built and I never heard anything definite about him actually modeling anything on his own. He was simply a toy train layout owner. Now Brooklyn Dodger's catcher Roy Campenella was a somewhat different story. He had a Lionel layout too, but it was all built by him (although later totally refurbished by the Lionel Co. for an Edward R. Morrow TV interview). Joe DiMaggio was another really big name, widely known to be a toy train enthusiast, back in the 50's. In that era, mention of this fact was met with adult expressions of, "Oh, Wow!" not laughter. He even hosted a regular Saturday morning TV show for Lionel.
There were true scale model railroading celebrities back in the day, of course (Vaughn Monroe comes to mind), but Frank, Roy, and Jolting Joe really weren't among them.
Rod Steward layout was in MRR Dec 2007 mag. Here are some of the photos.
The layout specs. ( as of when these pics were taken-probably 2007 sometime? )
He's proud.
Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.
CNJ831 jecorbett: Well...not quite a model railroader in the true sense of the term. Frank was interested in tin-plate, or toy trains (i.e. Lionels). His layout was custom built and I never heard anything definite about him actually modeling anything on his own. He was simply a toy train layout owner. Now Brooklyn Dodger's catcher Roy Campenella was a somewhat different story. He had a Lionel layout too, but it was all built by him (although later totally refurbished by the Lionel Co. for an Edward R. Morrow TV interview). Joe DiMaggio was another really big name, widely known to be a toy train enthusiast, back in the 50's. In that era, mention of this fact was met with adult expressions of, "Oh, Wow!" not laughter. He even hosted a regular Saturday morning TV show for Lionel. There were true scale model railroading celebrities back in the day, of course (Vaughn Monroe comes to mind), but Frank, Roy, and Jolting Joe really weren't among them. CNJ831
jecorbett: Well...not quite a model railroader in the true sense of the term. Frank was interested in tin-plate, or toy trains (i.e. Lionels). His layout was custom built and I never heard anything definite about him actually modeling anything on his own. He was simply a toy train layout owner. Now Brooklyn Dodger's catcher Roy Campenella was a somewhat different story. He had a Lionel layout too, but it was all built by him (although later totally refurbished by the Lionel Co. for an Edward R. Morrow TV interview). Joe DiMaggio was another really big name, widely known to be a toy train enthusiast, back in the 50's. In that era, mention of this fact was met with adult expressions of, "Oh, Wow!" not laughter. He even hosted a regular Saturday morning TV show for Lionel.
Uh Oh
Are you saying "Ole Blue Eyes" wasn't a true model railroader?
Does that make Rod a Non Model Railroader also?
The clip was great. Rod has never been shy about talking about trains. I don't think Jimmy was making fun of him near as much as expressing his surprise. Like Rod said during the interview, "It's not very rock & roll". I think most of the audience was truly surprised that he did something like this rather than going clubbing or something else more in line with what rockers are known for.
Roger Huber
rockislandnut Rod Steward layout was in MRR Dec 2007 mag. Here are some of the photos.
Does anybody have the track plan? (I can't find that issue anywhere !?!)
John
Hamltnblue CNJ831: jecorbett: Well...not quite a model railroader in the true sense of the term. Frank was interested in tin-plate, or toy trains (i.e. Lionels). His layout was custom built and I never heard anything definite about him actually modeling anything on his own. He was simply a toy train layout owner. Now Brooklyn Dodger's catcher Roy Campenella was a somewhat different story. He had a Lionel layout too, but it was all built by him (although later totally refurbished by the Lionel Co. for an Edward R. Morrow TV interview). Joe DiMaggio was another really big name, widely known to be a toy train enthusiast, back in the 50's. In that era, mention of this fact was met with adult expressions of, "Oh, Wow!" not laughter. He even hosted a regular Saturday morning TV show for Lionel. There were true scale model railroading celebrities back in the day, of course (Vaughn Monroe comes to mind), but Frank, Roy, and Jolting Joe really weren't among them. CNJ831 Uh Oh Are you saying "Ole Blue Eyes" wasn't a true model railroader? Does that make Rod a Non Model Railroader also?
CNJ831: jecorbett: Well...not quite a model railroader in the true sense of the term. Frank was interested in tin-plate, or toy trains (i.e. Lionels). His layout was custom built and I never heard anything definite about him actually modeling anything on his own. He was simply a toy train layout owner. Now Brooklyn Dodger's catcher Roy Campenella was a somewhat different story. He had a Lionel layout too, but it was all built by him (although later totally refurbished by the Lionel Co. for an Edward R. Morrow TV interview). Joe DiMaggio was another really big name, widely known to be a toy train enthusiast, back in the 50's. In that era, mention of this fact was met with adult expressions of, "Oh, Wow!" not laughter. He even hosted a regular Saturday morning TV show for Lionel. There were true scale model railroading celebrities back in the day, of course (Vaughn Monroe comes to mind), but Frank, Roy, and Jolting Joe really weren't among them. CNJ831
That's right; Ole Blue Eyes was simply a wealthy Lionel layout owner/operator, not a legitimate model railroader, even by the standards of the time.
Rod, on the other hand, is a bona fide member of our clan. Not only does his layout faithfully replicate a slice of reality in scale, but he also does virtually all the modeling work himself. That's light-years away from someone who is simply a Lionel toy train layout owner, like Frank was.
There are model railroaders and then there are toy train operators. Nothing wrong with being counted among the latter, but it has always been (well, at least since the early-mid 1950's) regarded as a totally separate and distinct hobby with completely different goals from those of scale model railroaders.
There are degrees of wonderfulness of results, and there are degrees of scale fidelity and seriousness, and there are degrees of elbow grease and genuine craftsmanship and all the rest but in the bigger picture, the guy who pushes together store-bought Lionel track and runs a store-bought train on a carpeted floor is a "model railroader." Sinatra was a model railoader. So is the kid with Brio, I think we can say that some people are not scale model railroaders - but even that raises issues once you have to draw a line.
Can anyone post a link to the Rod Stewart interview and to the shots of his railroad?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
dknelson There are degrees of wonderfulness of results, and there are degrees of scale fidelity and seriousness, and there are degrees of elbow grease and genuine craftsmanship and all the rest but in the bigger picture, the guy who pushes together store-bought Lionel track and runs a store-bought train on a carpeted floor is a "model railroader." Sinatra was a model railoader. So is the kid with Brio, I think we can say that some people are not scale model railroaders - but even that raises issues once you have to draw a line. Dave Nelson
That, Dave, is strictly your singular opinion of the situation and definitely not the same one held by either 99% of skilled model railroaders, nor in fact by our host, or any other serious model railroading magazine. The magazines collectively and in print ostracized the toy train people (Lionel, Flyer, Marx and your Brio kids, if you will) from being any part of the hobby more that 50 years ago.
I certainly hope that our host does indeed issue a full set of DVDs of Model Railroader, if for nothing else than to inform folks of the hobby's history and just what it's all about. Simply playing with miniature and toy trains is a far cry from making one an actual model railroader.
MAbruce Not sure if Rod has talked about his hobby on shows like this before, but I think he was exceptionally brave to allow it to be brought up. Chuckles and ribbing aside, Jimmy Kimmel seemed to be like a lion holding back his desire to devour his prey. The audience was clearly waiting for Rod to be served up. Overall I thought it was a positive (if not awkward) step forward for this hobby.
Tou're right. The public doesn't view model railroading as serious hobby. To most it is just a bunch of overgrown boys playing with trains. And it will be that way until people realize that there is nothing wrong with it and that it is more than just a bunch of overgrown boys playing with trains. Folks like Rod Stewart can help change the perception too. I just don't think Jimmy Kimmel was the proper place to bring it up as he was looking to make fun of Rod Stewart.
However, I think many would be surprised exactly how many well known people model railroad. It isn't just sons and their fathers playing together as depicted in teh old Lionel catalogues any more.
There is also the fact that many today don't see how much the US economy depends on trains because most people think of trains as being an antiquated mode of transportstion even though many do use trains to get to and from work.
Irv