Andy - old layout MR staff had?

[Anonymous]

Andy,
In 1988, Jim Kelly wrote an article on how the photo backdrop was done for the old MR layout at Kalmbach. I am basing a scene on the port scene on the old layout, with the city in the background, road crossing, train station beside the water, intermodal across the water, etc.

Unfortunately the pics and layout illustration ends just at the granary. I am looking for something illustrating that whole scene, or a track plan of that area.

I seem to recall a fond farewell to the layout in one of the past issues. Do you have an idea where I can see the track plan of the old layout?

[Sperandeo]

See the December 1989 MODEL RAILROADER, page 87. That issue is out of print, but if you don't have it you can order a photocopy from [e-mail]. Tell them you want a copy of the article "Meet the MR&T," which started on page 84.

So long,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[Anonymous]

Andy-
What ever happened to former editor Linn Westclock's boy who helped MR staff build a RR several years ago? What ever happened to Malcolm Furlow? Ain't it about time for a followup on Tony 'Custers' RR out in Indiana? Greenriver

[Anonymous]

That was the late LINN H WESTCOTT, a legend in the hobby, and in the publication sector of the hobby.A name that deserves respect, and deserves spelling correctly.
Mike

[snowey]

I don't know how many people know this, but Linn Westcott was intrested in a few things, besides Model Railroading. He also liked stamp collecting, and geography, to name two (that's all I can remember now. Maybe Andy knows some more.)

For those who never heard of Linn Westcott, he was the editor of MODEL RAILROADER in the 60s, and author of a number of Kalmbach "how-to" books for Model Railroading.

I'd also like to know what ever became of John Olsen.

[Anonymous]

Linn was MR editor from 1961 to 1977. He worked for Al Kalmbach beginning in 1935 as I remember, back when wages weren't available, but room & board came in handy.
Linn served on Kalmbach Books, and Trains and Model Trains magazines also, for long periods of time. He had many, many articles in MR long before actually formally 'joining' that magazine. I've just been re-reading some of his 1949 and 1950 material.
Linn retired as MR editor in 1977, and passed away in 1980, just before completion of his book "Model Railroading with John Allen".

As far as I know, John Olson got so busy with Walt Disney (WDE)offshore projects, he had to back off the MRR articles, but remained a model railroader himself ???...anyone else know ?
Malcolm Furlow got out of model railroading and went into Southwestern Art, painting, sculpting, etc.??...anyone else know ?
regards / Mike

[Sperandeo]

"Greenriver" (whoever that is) asked about three people:

I believe Linn Westcott's son was named Paul, but I haven't heard anything about him for years and don't know if he was ever really active in the hobby on his own.

Malcolm Furlow is living in New Mexico and dividing his time between Western art (I like his painting, and enough other people do too so that I can't afford it!), ranching, and a 1/2" scale model railroad in his barn. I think we'll eventually have some photos of the latter in MR.

Tony Koester (correct spelling) has been spending his time on book writing ("Realistic Model Railroad Operation'), home renovation, and preparing the next issue of "Model Railroad Planning," but he hopes to get back to work on his NKP Second Sub layout soon.

So long,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[dknelson]

Linn Westcott also had a son named Russell who was largely responsible (together with the late Bill Rau) for building the Sierra Pintada project layout in the mid 1960s. That was a really neat point to point western themed layout well worth looking up for its extensive use of hardshell scenery and L girder construction, both invented by Linn Westcott.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Mike: No insult intended for Mr. Westcott. Just couldn't think of his name. Greenriver