Just read the February 2020 Model Railroader. Howard's creation is fantastic!
Kudos!
Mr. Zane is a forum member in here. He is really quite excellent at presenting his model railroad. It is amazing.
.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Not sure if he still does this but he used to open house during his timonium train shows. Really nice guy and loves to share how he does his modeling
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
I think Howard does still receive guests if you contact him privately for an appointment. I saw him recently at the all brass train show held in Lancaster, PA.
He may be temporarily out of service, either currently or very soon, with a knee procedure.
I have been priviledged to visit, see the layout, and horse trade brass on many occasions. He is a great host!
Those truly desiring to get a hold of him can find contact info on his website [business website removed by moderator] or Piermont Division.
Though my layout is nothing like his, I have grown to understand and share his love for HO brass, and my New Years' train resolution is to stop fooling around with most plastic motive power (which for me has often been disappointing) and just run brass. I am having some diesels painted currently...and the plastic is on the block. My only real challenge is finding some of the engines I want, but I will have enough to do it...inspired by Howard.
I appreciate the brass for the craftsmanship in each model. Each is its own little work of art by itself, and I am getting some rare paint jobs done on models that were never done in plastic, and likely won't be due to lack of pre-orders for some. This way I will have something truly unique. (Think Mexican and Canadian roads - some of the decals are readily available).
It is fun researching some of the Mexican railroads and assembling photos for the painter. Thanks Howard.
John
P.S. Two different plastic manufacturers have honestly told me that certain engines they already make are just never going to get done in some roadnames. The demand just isn't there, short of finding 50 people who would NEED three units of each for themselves...
I've been lucky enough to see Howard's layout. It is magnificent. He does not do open houses. There are commercial as well as youtube videos of his layout.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hey fellows and gals.....sure come over and we can play with the electric trains and have some really terrible coffee. I did cancel open houses as they got out of hand plus a few thefts....I want to know who is coming and best to call first. Currently I'm recovering from Knee replacement surgery, so it'll be a few weeks until I can get into basement. Art has virtually no meaning unless it is shared. Recent visits posted on line were conducted by folks who know the layout.
Congratulations Howard.
I admire your modeling. Wishing you a speedy recovery with your knee.
TF
Howard--
Very glad to hear you are on the other side of that procedure and presumably rehabbing well! My father, who was not controlling his diabetes well, as a direct result of that, got multiple infections after knee surgery during 2018, and ultimately passed away. Best wishes for a great recovery!
Several of us were at Timonium today, and we certainly missed your table and the brass and the structures. It was just not the same without you there. Plus today I had money to horse trade with you but ultimately got a BLI UP Challenger for my son instead...
(Show seemed pretty good, good crowds, and people were buying).
Hoping to visit again soon.
Howard Zane Hey fellows and gals.....sure come over and we can play with the electric trains and have some really terrible coffee. I did cancel open houses as they got out of hand plus a few thefts....I want to know who is coming and best to call first. Currently I'm recovering from Knee replacement surgery, so it'll be a few weeks until I can get into basement. Art has virtually no meaning unless it is shared. Recent visits posted on line were conducted by folks who know the layout.
Hello Howard,
Hope your recovry go fast and good.
I follow you since a very long time and can only say your book has become one of my bible of inspiration even if I model in N scale and even if we never meet I like your point of view on the hobby....and other things.
Hope you can go rapidly in the "basement" I'm sure is missing you.
Marc
I was really surprized to see Howard and his wonderful layout being featured in a German news portal a short while ago. Howard is a model railroader enjoying international recognition - and that´s great!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Speedy recovery Howard.
Joe Staten Island West
Howard Zane Art has virtually no meaning unless it is shared.
Art has virtually no meaning unless it is shared.
Amen!
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
What sound system are you using in those steam engines? Or speaker modification. Deepest steam sound I have heard in HO.
I finally read the article in Model Railroader... Wow!
Howard's layout really is amazing. Hopefully someday I will be able to see it in person.
SeeYou190 I finally read the article in Model Railroader... Wow! Howard's layout really is amazing. Hopefully someday I will be able to see it in person. -Kevin
None of the photos or videos even begin to do it justice, scenicly it is easily one of the best layouts I have every seen.
Sheldon
There is a "wizard" that does the dcc, lights, and sound installations for Howard. I think some even have the red glow in the firebox, too. Hopefully, Howard will see this and respond in more detail.
I had asked about paying to have one of the brass models in his inventory done up for me like the ones on the layout are, and he basically said it was an expensive package to do it all.
I have my own guy to do similar work, but he's $50 an hour and lives in Bozeman, Montana ...
The weathering is often done by Howard himself using powdered graphite. I've tried it on engines but have not gotten the same results as Howard does. I likely need more practice. He uses soft (I think horsehair) paint brushes and really rubs the graphite in. The graphite does not get gloppy like some of the weathering chalks do, and so seems to be ideal for use on brass models where you don't want to lose the fine details. Plus, if one really doesn't like it, I have actually been able to remove just about all of it from a model with a little soap and water on cotton swabs. If you've invested cash or time in doing a pro level paint job, the last thing you would want to do is hog it up with a whole bunch of powder, or even sometimes too much painted-on weathering. For real world layout conditions under the typical basement lighting, Howard says the graphite is an easy method for steam weathering, and it works well enough (at least for his artist's eye). He also told me it's so simple you can't screw it up!
He was there and actually saw and road on every day working steam, and can remember, I'll have to trust his eyes, lol.