The Modern Who's Who of Model Railroading

[PASMITH]

Bob Brown. ( SL&NGG)

Herb Chaudier  (Farther of Sound Systems)

Peter Smith Memphis

[AntonioFP45]

Hello CValentine,

So cool to be able to communicate with someone else who's a fan of the New Haven.  I no longer have Rick's email address due to cleaning out my Hotmail box a few years ago and forgetting that his emails were part of the batch I cleaned out!  Dunce cap moment!

Paul Cutler (Paul3) knows Rick and, if I'm not mistaken, is able to contact him.  I'm certain Paul will see this post sooner or later and chime in.  If he doesn't, just search for any of his posts, click on his name and you'll be able to send him a "PM" (private message).  Additonally, Paul is a knowledgeable NH modeler as well and I'm certain you'll enjoy exchanging info and ideas.

NY-NH-H-RR lives on

Hello,

I read and kept the MRR issue that covered Ricks NYNHH RR layout. I too grew up along that rail line and hoped for 47 years that I would build an HO layout in it's image. Alas, Rick Abramson beat me to it. However, I am now making plans anew to make my dream a reality. Is there any way of getting Mr. Abramson's e-mail address to compare notes as to how to tackle this project beyond the scope of his 2004 article. I too have built an anchor bridge that I would like to show him for his feed back. We share a contemporary, Don S, of Model Memories. Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks.

CValentine

[csxns]

Rastafarr

="NP2626

Have not seen him lately.

[Rastafarr]

NP2626

Yet, it is likely all I 'll be recognized for here on this forum, is being thought of as a curmudgeon.   

Since when is that a bad thing? NP, most of your threads have me reading excitedly with a bowl of popcorn in my lap. Keep curmudgeoning, sir! At least one of us finds it jolly well good reading!

Stu

[NY-NH-H-RR lives on]

Hello,

I read and kept the MRR issue that covered Ricks NYNHH RR layout. I too grew up along that rail line and hoped for 47 years that I would build an HO layout in it's image. Alas, Rick Abramson beat me to it. However, I am now making plans anew to make my dream a reality. Is there any way of getting Mr. Abramson's e-mail address to compare notes as to how to tackle this project beyond the scope of his 2004 article. I too have built an anchor bridge that I would like to show him for his feed back. We share a contemporary, Don S, of Model Memories. Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks.

CValentine

[Rick Mugele]

So, right next to the subject editorial is the masthead with "Contributing Editors" Tony Koester and Andy Sperandeo.  Can't editor Neil Besougloff see such innovators in his own flock?

[doctorwayne]

AntonioFP45

............On another note, just because you speak your mind and at times have disagreements with fellow forum members doesn't make you a curmudgeon.  You often share very good info.  In looking at your posts, you still don't come anywhere close!......

I agree;  dissenting viewpoints and alternative opinions encourage discussion, and as long as it remains civil, I think that's a positive contribution.

Wayne

[AntonioFP45]

NP,

You brought up a good and sobering thought.  

I had a friend years back who was a "hard charged" HO western rail modeler for nearly 2 decades.  He even helped get a club started.  So imagine my shocked reaction when another friend told me that he sold off all of his equipment, including his brass units, and left the hobby!  I could not, then, understand what caused him to seemingly lose total interest. I wonder now if, perhaps, his divorce was a primary factor.

I'm almost 50 and have been a train fan since the age of 3 (when I used to stare out of my parents bedroom window watching the New Haven).  My friend Carl introduced me to the "model railroad" hobby and got me away from the "toy train" phase when I was 14 or 15.  Throughout adulthood  I experienced periods of inactivity due to getting married, working 2 jobs, having a kid, school, job stress, family stresses, etc..........but I just can't imagine losing interest and getting out of this.  I do hope to remain an active modeler until I croak, LOL, but I do understand that we all go through changes. I have other hobbies, but rail is my primary.

On another note, just because you speak your mind and at times have disagreements with fellow forum members doesn't make you a curmudgeon.  You often share very good info.  In looking at your posts, you still don't come anywhere close!   We've had a few members that, I think, qualified as party-pooping curmudgeons and of course they were "coaxed" (kicked off) the forum quite a while back.

NP2626

It could be that they lost interest in this hobby and moved on to a new one.  Life is about keeping the interest high and looking forward to getting up in the morning and attempting to enjoy yourself. 

I guess I don't see hobbies as something getting high recognition for, as impetus for being involved!  I have switched back and forth between a couple of hobbies over my lifetime as my interest in them waxes and wanes.  Yet, it is likely all I 'll be recognized for here on this forum, is being thought of as a curmudgeon.   

[AntonioFP45]

Doc,

Rick's layout is HO scale.  I can't remember which issue of MRR it appeared in (and I think I have it buried in my collection of magazines) but I think it was sometime in 2008. A few years back I emailed Rick, asked him a few questions about his layout told him of my admiration for it since it so much reminded me of the scenes I saw during my childhood before moving to Florida. Rick shot a video of his layout with trains running and emailed me a DVD!  I think forum member "Paul3" Cutler knows him personally.

doctorwayne

AntonioFP45

I understand Brakie......but Rick isn't exactly "small potatoes" in the eastern and northeastern model railroad circles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyOwwba52mw

That is very impressive, Antonio - I didn't notice any mention of it, but is his layout O scale?

Wayne

[IRONROOSTER]

Rick Mugele

When discussing who's who and the NMRA, Whit Towers should be at the top of the list.  As an officer of the NMRA, and Editor of the NMRA BULLETIN, Whit saw the NMRA grow to over 28,000 members in 1978.  In September of 1969, Whit stepped down as NMRA president and sat down in the editors chair of the NMRA BULLETIN.  Membership was reported at 15,815 as of Sept.30, 1969 and had grown from 14,971 as of Sept. 30, 1968; NMRA dues were $5.00 per year and the BULLETIN ran about 32 pages.  Membership was reported at 27,992 as of Sept. 30, 1978; NMRA dues were $10.00 per year and the BULLETIN ran about 80 pages... with NO advertising!  It was also announced in Sept. 1978, that there would be a new editor of the NMRA BULLETIN in 1979.

Whit Towers also wrote many articles for Model Railroader, and his Alturas & Lone Pine was a landmark HO layout.

I agree.  I still think the years when Whit Towers was editor of the Bulletin were the best.

Enjoy

Paul

[Rick Mugele]

When discussing who's who and the NMRA, Whit Towers should be at the top of the list.  As an officer of the NMRA, and Editor of the NMRA BULLETIN, Whit saw the NMRA grow to over 28,000 members in 1978.  In September of 1969, Whit stepped down as NMRA president and sat down in the editors chair of the NMRA BULLETIN.  Membership was reported at 15,815 as of Sept.30, 1969 and had grown from 14,971 as of Sept. 30, 1968; NMRA dues were $5.00 per year and the BULLETIN ran about 32 pages.  Membership was reported at 27,992 as of Sept. 30, 1978; NMRA dues were $10.00 per year and the BULLETIN ran about 80 pages... with NO advertising!  It was also announced in Sept. 1978, that there would be a new editor of the NMRA BULLETIN in 1979.

Whit Towers also wrote many articles for Model Railroader, and his Alturas & Lone Pine was a landmark HO layout.

[jacon12]

David, I'm late to this, but.... I just have to add a voice for Pelle Soberg.  I look at his modeling and think I should just go out and take an axe to mine.  

But, there are so many great ones all over the world... wow.

Jarrell

 

 

 

[IRONROOSTER]

I have been a member of the NMRA since 1972. 

I feel that the standards and rp's are the most important thing they do.  Frankly, if it weren't for their DCC standards, I doubt that that many people would be using DCC.  They certainly weren't during all the years with just proprietary systems.  And look at the mess with TMCC/Legacy and DCS in O gauge.  With DCC standards at least you know your decoder from A will work with the command station from B.  It was an important requirement for me.

They have several other programs/activities - some of which I have enjoyed and others I have ignored. Personally, I have enjoyed attending some of the division meetings over the years, the National Train Show when it's close, the Heritage Car program (sadly discontinued), and some of the books they have produced.  There are other programs like the Master Model Railroader program which has evolved out of winning contests and is great for those who are into recognition programs; and contests for those into competitive model building. 

It's a little pricey, but they only have 14-15,000 dues paying members.  Perhaps if more people joined they would be less.

Enjoy

Paul

[NP2626]

BRAKIE

doctorwayne

Of course, some of my time is spent here and on another site, but I count it as time well-spent, as it allows me opportunities to both share what I've learned over the years and learn new stuff from others, too.  

Wayne

Wayne,I suspect many may have moved on to other interest,retired from the hobby due to health or family health problems or may still be active but,staying out of the limelight.

At any rate I often wonder what became of those guys.

It could be that they lost interest in this hobby and moved on to a new one.  Life is about keeping the interest high and looking forward to getting up in the morning and attempting to enjoy yourself. 

I guess I don't see hobbies as something getting high recognition for, as impetus for being involved!  I have switched back and forth between a couple of hobbies over my lifetime as my interest in them waxes and wanes.  Yet, it is likely all I 'll be recognized for here on this forum, is being thought of as a curmudgeon.   

[kbkchooch]

Let me start off with Wow. This thread is all over the place! A modern who's who?

Well to me, modern leaves out the John Allen/Linn Wescott types sadly. Out of current modelers there is a whole plethora of folks to choose from. Personally one that comes to my mind 1st is Howard Zane. Not just for the videos or the multiple MR articles about his layout, but because he invited  me into his layout. I learned a ton from him and as his layout grew, he even named a point on the pike after me. (as is Howard's custom for friends who help build the layout) 

But as it was mentioned before, will the list be the same 5 years from now? Who's gonna be the next "big thing". All we can do is sit back and watch.   It could be a complete unknown, could be one of us.

Burlington Northern #24

rdgk1se3019

Here is a question that I`ll toss out here..........

What exactly makes a "Master Model Railroader"?

Is it just because the NMRA says you are?

Or is it really a matter of what you make of the hobby on your own?

what is the purpose of the NMRA other than having a set standard for the US modelled scales?

Its not just having a set of standard. It is also keeping those standards safe. The NMRA has been active in 3rd party patent challenges on DCC standards. Remember when UP (and others followed) was going to charge a "licensing fee"  that would have added to the cost of a UP decorated engine? They took an active role in that too. 

Then there are the educational programs, preservation efforts, conventions, etc. They are a bunch of busy folks! 

I've earned 1 of the AP certificates toward my MMR. It wasn't easy, but I did learn a lot. About the hobby, and myself. Hopefully another may happen this year, but it might not either, No matter, either way, I'm learning things I may never have thought of without it. That's the point of it.  

[BRAKIE]

doctorwayne

Of course, some of my time is spent here and on another site, but I count it as time well-spent, as it allows me opportunities to both share what I've learned over the years and learn new stuff from others, too.  

Wayne

Wayne,I suspect many may have moved on to other interest,retired from the hobby due to health or family health problems or may still be active but,staying out of the limelight.

At any rate I often wonder what became of those guys.

 

[doctorwayne]

AntonioFP45

I understand Brakie......but Rick isn't exactly "small potatoes" in the eastern and northeastern model railroad circles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyOwwba52mw

That is very impressive, Antonio - I didn't notice any mention of it, but is his layout O scale?

BRAKIE

AntonioFP45,I  was referring to the big names that graced the pages of MR over the years and showed us a better way to do things from layout design to operation.

Seems most ran hot 2-3 years with several articles and maybe a book or a Keller video and faded from the scene..

I guess I'm just curious what became of them.

 

My guess is that the effort to document your progress, whether building a structure or a piece of rolling stock, is too onerous a task to keep performing month after month.  Designing, then building and finishing a layout for a magazine article, and photographing and writing-up the story has to be even worse. 

I know that if I, for instance, re-detail a piece of rolling stock, describing the process on-line with words and pictures, the process takes more than twice as long as it would have if I just did the work for my own benefit.  That's for something done on-line, where if you missed something or something isn't clear to viewers, you have an almost instant opportunity to explain it.  Digital cameras make the process easier than it used to be with film, as in those days, you had to wait to see if you had useable pictures or needed to re-shoot them.
 

The other aspect is the act of making a job of your hobby.  When I started in model railroading as a kid, my "jobs" didn't much interfere with my modelling.  When I grew up (sorta)   I had to work, but my hobby was always an escape from that reality. 

When I had some success painting my own trains, my LHS asked me if I wanted to paint for them and I thought that it seemed like a good opportunity to make some money to support my train habit.  The fact that it involved trains and painting seemed to make it an ideal situation.  However, it didn't take long for the fun to be drained out of it for me, and the money which I was making was no substitute for the enjoyment I used to get from the hobby.  It was just another job, with no time left to escape to my trains.  I packed it in after only a couple of years, limiting my painting and modelling to my own stuff and that of a few close friends.  I thought that I might get back into it when I retired, but I seem to have even less time now.    

Of course, some of my time is spent here and on another site, but I count it as time well-spent, as it allows me opportunities to both share what I've learned over the years and learn new stuff from others, too.  

Wayne

[AntonioFP45]

I understand Brakie......but Rick isn't exactly "small potatoes" in the eastern and northeastern model railroad circles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyOwwba52mw

BRAKIE

AntonioFP45,I  was referring to the big names that graced the pages of MR over the years and showed us a better way to do things from layout design to operation.

Seems most ran hot 2-3 years with several articles and maybe a book or a Keller video and faded from the scene..

I guess I'm just curious what became of them.

 

[BRAKIE]

AntonioFP45,I  was referring to the big names that graced the pages of MR over the years and showed us a better way to do things from layout design to operation.

Seems most ran hot 2-3 years with several articles and maybe a book or a Keller video and faded from the scene..

I guess I'm just curious what became of them.

 

[AntonioFP45]

One forum member that has gone but is still an active modeler is Rick Abramson.  This humble gentleman had the nicest representation of the New Haven RR in the corridor I've ever seen.  His beautifully detailed layout (which appeared in MRR) brought back to me memories of huge, brown rusting catenary towers over a 4 track line that I could see from my parents apartment window in the late 60s.

I'm glad that he's still active with the New Haven Historical and Technical Association. 

BRAKIE

fkrall

Killed by a jealous brakeman?

Rick Krall

 

Naw,more then likely just faded away like the ones before them..

I lost count of the "experts" ..............

I seen a lot of hot shot forum members come and go since 2001..

[Rick Mugele]

Linn Westcott finished his carrer with a book about John Allen.  After all the work that Linn had done to define, develop, and promote model railroading, he decided that John Allen's work best represented what model railroading was all about.  Looking forward:

Bill Darnaby has recognized the value of realistic train operation from lessons learned with the Midwest model railroaders, and is developing the Maumee Route.  This is a model of a railroad designed and built to support realistic operation.

Tony Koester has junked his landmark AM layout and is following Darnaby's lead in developing a layout to support realistic TT&TO operation.  Tony has also presented books to illustrate the art and science of railroading and applications to model railroading, and promotes innovative layout design with Model Railroad Planning.

Now the curse upon journalists is that they report the news, not make it.  And unsung heros go unsung.  But, there will be the occasional model railroader/journalist that wags the dog. 

[BRAKIE]

fkrall

Killed by a jealous brakeman?

Rick Krall

 

Naw,more then likely just faded away like the ones before them..

I lost count of the "experts" and "golden boys"  that has come and gone over the last 55 years.

I seen a lot of hot shot forum members come and go since 2001..

Nothing to be jealous about unless one likes to emulate their disappearing act.

[fkrall]

BRAKIE

riogrande5761

While I think we can really admire some people's work, what turns me off is the "worship" aspect that often happens when they gain "celebrity" status. 

I've often wonder what became of some of the famous modelers that once grace the pages of MR.They ran hot for 4-5 years and then disappeared from the scene.

Killed by a jealous brakeman?

Rick Krall

[AntonioFP45]

Doc Wayne,

sorry to embarrass you but your work, information, and willingness to help your fellow modelers is stellar!

HO ModernModeler,

Wow, thank you kindly for mentioning me.  For me, passenger rail modeling is enjoyable and am glad to share info of my experiments in realistic metalizing.  I often feel like an oddball since discussions on most model railroad forums are overwhelmingly freight oriented, so it's always a pleasure for me whenever passenger rail related topics come up.

     

[GP-9_Man11786]

One name I'm surprised I haven't seen is Mark Peterson, aka Spookshow. His blogs have given me a lot of great ideas and his N Scale locomotive encyclopedia has been very handy.

[cedarwoodron]

I considered joining the NMRA years ago, but- without the ability to participate meaningfully, beyond sending in dues and reading their publications- felt that just being able to post a membership certificate on the wall was merely self-serving. I have read a number of their articles online, religiously follow their car weighting guidelines and respect their MM program, but I feel that everyone has their own priorities. That being said, I am also aware of their internal issues, but that is not endemic to them- any group of any sort has the same thing going on. In our hobby, it would also perhaps be nice to have some generic performance level criteria that all of us could use to compare our personal modeling efforts against, such as what is a beginner, a dabbler, a journeyman, an accomplished modeler, etc. Not for purposes of self-edification, but to enable us to gauge our development of our talents. The reason some are considered "Who's Who"-ers is that they are published or otherwise known to many others. Given the hobby is dated from the start of the 20 th century, I would lump all well-known model railroad personalities into one single list. The rest of us can choose to stand in or to the side of any spotlight. One other thought- when you go thru that next flea market or swap meet, think of those unsung who have passed- it may be their life's handiwork as hobbyists that you see displayed for sale, perhaps lovingly sold to a vendor by a widow or children of, or perhaps callously tossed out as "junk" by the same. How their layout looked we will never know, but we do know that they enjoyed this wonderful hobby while they lived. Maybe we all evolve into masters as time goes by- I know that I am but a middling journeyman, with much to learn, thankfully from so many others who share their accomplishments. Cedarwoodron

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

Regarding the NMRA:

I don't go to conventions or meetings. I can't justify that cost and my personal situation has never allowed the time or the travel.

I  don't get involved in the Achievement Program, partly because I don't have time for contests and meetings.

I do know a few Master Model Railroaders, one in our local group.

I have done a little work to help the NMRA in their efforts to set standards and offer info for modelers.

I have been a member of the NMRA since 1969.

Think what you will, but the NMRA is why your HO trains of all brands run on the same track, and work together as well as they do.

I'm not a big "joiner", but I support the NMRA with the few dollars membership costs.

Others are welcome to feel differently, my view is steadfast.

Sheldon

[richhotrain]

NP2626

You can join the NMRA for a 6 month trial period for $9.95. 

Although I recently joined at this introductory program level, I chose to not continue as a member. 

Interesting.

I recall a thread from last March in which several members were encouraging others to join, at least on an introductory level.

What made you decide not to to extend membership beyond the 6 month trial period?

Rich

[NP2626]

You can join the NMRA for a 6 month trial period for $9.95.  This gives you all regular benefits: attending meetings etc., the NMRA Magazine , everything, excepting the ability to vote.  Visit their website at: www.nmra.com

You can visit the NMRA's website (as a non-member) and find a description of the Achievement Program there. 

Although I recently joined at this introductory program level, I chose to not continue as a member.  I did read over the Achievement Program description and feel there is reason to respect it.