Sad news -- Jim Hediger of Model Railroader's staff 7/28/1942 to 2/9/2024

[dknelson]

Jim was a fine writer, excellent modeler, and expert railfan and photographer with actual railroad employment in his background.  His occupation as an industrial arts teacher gave him expert knowledge about and respect for tools and how to use them correctly and he was a stickler for that in his articles.  I knew him slightly because he was a regular at two op session groups I was part of, as well as visiting with him at local NMRA divisional meets, and he was active in Milwaukee's TrainFest as was I.  He was very aproachable.  If you were facing a modeling challenge and needed advice it was pretty hard to stump Jim!  

He was on the Model Railroader staff for 43 years and was among the first to build a double deck layout at the urging of then MR editor Linn Westcott, following a visit with John Armstrong who was pushing the idea of a double deck layout but had himself never worked out the practicalities of it.  Jim got a brainstorm for how to do it when he was putting away picnic tables for the winter.

In some ways Jim was a last link with the true pioneer days of the hobby.  

Dave Nelson

 

 

[Water Level Route]

Sad news indeed.  Jim's was one of the first names I learned when I became involved in the hobby at a ripe young age.  

[AntonioFP45]

My condolences to Jim's family and his colleagues. Jim's contributions made a very positive impact on our hobby and many modelers.

[chatanuga]

Jim and his Ohio Southern have been one of several big influences on my modeling philosophies.  While I never got to meet him or see the Ohio Southern in person, I'll always be thankful for all that he's shared with the rest of us over the years.

Kevin

[Mark B]

I had the pleasure of meeting Jim for the first time at the Milwaukee NMRA convention long ago. Later our layout tour included his layout. He patiently explained his cantilevered picnic table structure to us. His layout was great and so was he. 

Condolences to all of his family and friends.

Mark B.

[HO-Velo]

Upon entering the hobby in the early 80s and reading MRR mag I always found Mr. Hediger's work to be interesting, instructional and inspiring.  His Paint Shop column stoked my desire to learn airbrushing.  RIP Jim Hediger   

Peter   

[Steven Otte]

MR's tribute to Jim Hediger is here.

[dti406]

I first met Jim while attending the 1977 NMRA Convention in Denver, we sat together on the bus trip to the Department of Transportation Rail Research and Devopment facility and the Flying W Ranch and had a good time talking about paint shop and other modeling ideas.

I got to know him better during the many DT&I Modelers Meets and the great stories and insights about the DT&I, our last time was at the Meet in Ironton pre pandemic.

Rick Jesionowski

[kbaker329]

I grew up in the '80's reading Jim Hediger, Andy Sperandeo, Gordon Odegard and many others.  I only had the chance to meet Jim one time and it was dumb-luck at Hiawatha Hobbies in Pewaukee.  I introduced my self and we chatted for a little bit but I tried to not be a pain!  Fast forward 10 minutes later while browsing the selection and I look down an aisle to see Jim holding a car in each hand.  He looks at me, the cars, then back at me and says "Too damn many choices!".  I found it interesting that a guy who saw most of what the hobby had to offer faced the same dilemmas that I and most others face.  Rest in peace.

[Tin Can II]

Steve:

Thanks for posting the link to Kalmbach's tribute.  I never had the pleasure of meeting Jim, but I enjoyed his work, especially "Paint Shop."

Condolences to his families, at home and at Kalmbach.

[mobilman44]

I'm very sorry to hear of Mr. Hediger's passing.  I had a few occasions to write him over the years, and he enthusiastically responded to each of my querys.  He was definitely a major force in this magazine, and he will be missed.

My condolences to his family, and the staff of MR magazine.