Frank Ellison and the Delta Lines

[Anonymous]

I'm searching for any and all information about this legendary modeller and his equally stunning railroad.
Mr. Ellison was a model railroading pioneer from the 30's through the 50's, paving the way for the likes of John Allen, Malcolm Furlow and Frank Sellios.
Unlike John Allen, who had a book written about his famous GD line, there has been no definitive work about Mr. Ellison, and I believe we are nearing a time when first hand information will be lost to the ages.
A synopsis: Mr. Ellison was the child of a theatrical family, and used that knowledge and artistic talent to create scale structures and stunning backgrounds for his layout. He converted his 3-rail 'O' gauge layout to an outside-third-rail SCALE layout. He was one of the first to advocate true operation, including a 'card order' systems and a 'scale clock' ~ complete with 'smileposts'!
Mr. Ellison's basic philosophy was that the trains are the 'actors' on a 'stage ' (the layout), and that structures and scenery were merely 'the set' for The Show. The actual 'plot' of the story was the operation, complete with its own twists and turns (scheduling, meets, way freights, etc.).
Ellison's Delta Lines ceased operations as he grew older, and his 12 to 15 man operating crew disbanded. In the early 60's, the layout was dismantled and sold to a modeller in Boston, who had dreams of rebuilding the original. Sadly, on its trip from its original home in Louisiana, the moving van hit an overpass in the rain. The layout, and most of the structures and equipment, were destroyed.
Ellison's legacy lives on, however, since he was a prolific author. Old issues of "Model Builder" magazine, as well as "Model Railroader" clearly show how he designed and built structures. His concept of model railroading was brought to light in the book, "Frank Ellison on Model Railroading", published in the 50's. In Kalmbach's new book about the 'Model Builder' magazines, Ellison articles are highlighted.
It is known that some of the remaining structures and equipment are in the hands of collectors; I can't help but wonder if there aren't more out there.
Mr. Paul McClune was a teen operator of the 50' x 53' Delta Lines in the 50's; does anyone know of his whereabouts? Is it possible that someone knows of his daughter and son? Does anyone know the whereabouts of surviving operators/structures/equipment?
I seek factual or anecdotal stories, published or unpublished photos, leads, clues... ANYthing that might help us compile a thorough and concise 'final chapter' to this 'Granddaddy' of model railroading.

[Anonymous]

In 2002 I attended the Tracks in the Sand 2002 NMRA convention in Ft. Lauderdale. The layout tour that I went on visited an O-scale layout that displayed a large station. The layout's owner told us that this station was built by Frank Ellison and was on his Delta Lines. I'm afraid I don't know who the layout owner is, but I'm sure if you contact someone on the 2002 NMRA convention committee through the NMRA, you might be able to track it down.

I place Frank Ellison and his Delta Lines in the Model Railroader's Hall of Fame along side John Allen and the Gorre & Daphetid. Frank, I believe, started the concept of operating trains in a realistic fashion to serve industries like a real railroad. This was back in the 1940s according to the articles in Model Builder -- long before John Allen's time.

Dale B.

[ndbprr]

The layout itself was in an article in MR in the late 40's or early 50's. I dumped all my back issues or I could tell you which one. I also read somewhere that the crack passenger train was pulled by a pacific on which he had removed the lead and trailing truck as they derailed too frequently. The train was operated for a long time (over a year) before anyone even noticed they were gone. I have found the same thing. I use drawbars between engines and passenger cars and nobody has ever noticed. A lot of what we are paying for today is only noticeable in high depth of field photography and I think we could swing back the other way a little and nobody would be able to know the difference when the trains are running.

[Anonymous]

Hi there. Was the book you mention an Arco Books book? I have one of their books on MR'g, from the fifties, which uses Frank's layout in describing realistic/prototypical MR operations. I am at work so I can't access the book at the moment. If we are not talking about the same book, then this one would be yet an additional resource. I suspect it might be a different book because I think the book I have is written by John Armstrong, but I could be wrong. I'll check tonight when I get home and get back to you in this post. Take care.

Greg

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

The layout itself was in an article in MR in the late 40's or early 50's. I dumped all my back issues or I could tell you which one. I also read somewhere that the crack passenger train was pulled by a pacific on which he had removed the lead and trailing truck as they derailed too frequently. The train was operated for a long time (over a year) before anyone even noticed they were gone. I have found the same thing. I use drawbars between engines and passenger cars and nobody has ever noticed. A lot of what we are paying for today is only noticeable in high depth of field photography and I think we could swing back the other way a little and nobody would be able to know the difference when the trains are running.

That's a great story; thanks! I like it!
I agree that what you're doing is probably carried on in the hobby more than we know. Heck, when I have a problem with my newer Lionel couplers, I use a black 'twist tie' to lock the pin in place until I can make repairs, often months later!
I think you've brought up a valid point ~ Ellison's idea that the buildings be 'background' plays to the hand of the operator, and not the photographer. Detail in the building was less important than delivering the car to the plant, although the building had to have some sort of realism to make the whole scene look believeable.
If you ever get a chance, see what he did with just 3 inches of space between a wall and the track... he painted a whole city, complete with skyscrapers!

[Sperandeo]

The most detailed Delta Lines track plan was published with the article "Frank Ellison's Delta Lines," in the November 1955 Model Railroader, page 26.

Happy New Year,

Andy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SWchief-2

Hi there. Was the book you mention an Arco Books book? I have one of their books on MR'g, from the fifties, which uses Frank's layout in describing realistic/prototypical MR operations. I am at work so I can't access the book at the moment. If we are not talking about the same book, then this one would be yet an additional resource. I suspect it might be a different book because I think the book I have is written by John Armstrong, but I could be wrong. I'll check tonight when I get home and get back to you in this post. Take care.

Greg

Thanks, Greg;
Sounds like you have something different than what I have.The book I have is a Fawcett publication, #242, in which editor Milton Salamon notes, "The material in this book has been printed with changes and additions from Model Railroader magazine, published by A.C. Kalmbach.... copyright 1949, 1950, 1951".
Sure would like to learn more about the book you have, Greg. Please contact me via email.
Thanks,
Scot

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dabitsch

In 2002 I attended the Tracks in the Sand 2002 NMRA convention in Ft. Lauderdale. The layout tour that I went on visited an O-scale layout that displayed a large station. The layout's owner told us that this station was built by Frank Ellison and was on his Delta Lines. I'm afraid I don't know who the layout owner is, but I'm sure if you contact someone on the 2002 NMRA convention committee through the NMRA, you might be able to track it down.

I place Frank Ellison and his Delta Lines in the Model Railroader's Hall of Fame along side John Allen and the Gorre & Daphetid. Frank, I believe, started the concept of operating trains in a realistic fashion to serve industries like a real railroad. This was back in the 1940s according to the articles in Model Builder -- long before John Allen's time.

Dale B.

Thanks for this lead, Dale! I'm hoping someone can contact John Armstrong, a longtime friend of Ellison's, at the 2004 convention!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sperandeo

The most detailed Delta Lines track plan was published with the article "Frank Ellison's Delta Lines," in the November 1955 Model Railroader, page 26.

Happy New Year,

Andy

GREAT! Thanks, Andy!
Boy, would I like to see an article detailing your first-hand stories with Linn Westcott when you got started, Andy!

Can anybody get a copy of this article to me? I have MR's dating from the immediate postwar to 1949 (bound), and then in the 60's and 70's, but not much from the 50's. HELP! ;-)

[Anonymous]

I too am interested in the early instigaters of the hobby and would love to see more on Frank Ellison's Delta Lines. I have always thought MR should re-run some of the classic articles on these famous model railroaders!

[Anonymous]

James Peterson, proprietor of Discount Model Trains in Dallas area told me his father know Ellison well. It might be worth calling him at the shop to see if he knows anything that may be useful. Better yet, stop in! Its a great LHS.

[dknelson]

Ellison's multi-part Art of Model Railroading was reprinted in I think various issues of 1965 MR. It has numerous photos of the layout. From time to time letters to MR would mention that the layout had been preserved, but stored, then damaged, then sold ... then silence. Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dknelson

Ellison's multi-part Art of Model Railroading was reprinted in I think various issues of 1965 MR. It has numerous photos of the layout. From time to time letters to MR would mention that the layout had been preserved, but stored, then damaged, then sold ... then silence. Dave Nelson

Thanks for the info, Dave;
"Art of Model Railroading" ran from August '64 to January '65 in 6 installments. I still have to get those. In researching his articles, I found it interesting that he 'went over' to RMC in '52 and '53, and didn't return to MR until '55.
You're right about they layout. Apparently, Frank (in poor health) moved in with his daughter. The layout was dismantled by the operating group, and ostensibly stored in a shed until its sale, and ultimately, its demise.
Don't you agree that it's time to 'rattle the underbrush' to see what we can find out about all this?

[dknelson]

My bad, trainbud -- I checked my mags and was going to correct myself about when the "Art" series was reprinted.
Dave Nelson