Looking for info: Bob Hegge's "Crooked Mountain Lines" ???

[vsmith]

Sherman, set the "Way Back" machine for the 1970's......Yes, Mr Peabody.

I am looking for any information avalable (online/other) on Bob Hegge's "Crooked Mountain Lines". It was/is a highly detailed O scale traction line that was very influential on my early model railroading braincells. I only have one source, an old book and am looking for more information and pictures outside of this one book source. I know it was a regular in the magazines back in the day and the NMRA even has a roadname Heritage car for sale, yet I can't seem to find anything on it outside of my book.

Thanks in advance for any information

[WN5L]

If memory serves me correct, there was an outstanding article on building a box cab electric in the September or October 1979 Model Railroader. I just don't remember which one. It was very influential to me. Even though I model the 1960's Frisco in HO, I've thought about building it for fun.

[ndbprr]

Several articles appeared in MR.  It was a minimalist layout with an island terminal and a once around the walls of a small basement.  The whole thing was only about 10' x 12' in O gauge.  He had several covers and pictures in the late 70's and early 80's.  I can remember one article of nothing but close up pictures, one on making pantographs, one on coverting to third rail and back to catenary for certain.

[IRONROOSTER]

Search on  "HEGGE, BOB" in the magazine index, you'll get a lot of hits.  Many are other layouts, but there are quite a few on his. RMC October 1977 has a trackplan.  As I recall the layout was in a 10x22 foot room and wrapped three sides with a small island/penisula in the middle.  The layout appears to have been patterned on the 1x16 ft (HO size) switching layout in "101 Trackplans".

It is one of my favorite model railroads - and also almost influenced me to do likewise.  I am glad that the NMRA Heritage car program included it before they dropped the S scale cars.

Enjoy

Paul 

 

[MidlandPacific]

Railroad Model Craftsman did a full length article on the CML, and there's a model railroading handbook out there from the mid-1970s that included a full length article.  We had a brief discussion about it on this forum a year or so ago - I have both the article and the book, but neither with me; if you're interested, I would search for the discussion in the files - it should have titles and publication info for both.

[JimRCGMO]

A quick search of the MR site's magzine index turns up two for "Crooked Mountain Lines" in MR magazine issues:

1 through 2 of 2 entries matching search criteria:

Closeup: The Crooked Mountain Lines Model Railroader, December 1976 page 94 ( "HEGGE, BOB", INTERURBAN, LAYOUT, PROTO:48, TRACTION, MR )

Along the Line looks back: Crooked Mountain Lines Model Railroader, June 1999 page 150 ( "HEGGE, BOB", LAYOUT, TRACTION, MR )

 

I have the 1976 MR issue, and it mainly has a few (9) color photos of mostly details on the layout (no plan, and no broader pics of the layout further away than showing two trolleys). Maybe the June 1999 MR issue shows more of the layout design...

Hope that helps,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[rrebell]

A few years back some of his stuff was available on ebay so I think the layout is long gone.

[Anonymous]

Sherman, you're going to have to set the wayback further wayback than the seventies.  MR has been running Crooked Mountain coverage since the late '50's, with an occasional cover shot, photo spread or article all thru the 60's.  So try an index search that takes you back at least that far.  If you like the railroad, you'll really enjoy the pictures and articles.

Ditto on those who commented on what a fine railroad this was.  IMHO this layout really got something right.  It may not have been the most detailed or had the best scenary ever, but it had that "something" that made it enjoyable and believable.

Sadly I believe it's creator is no longer among us, and the layout itself dismantled.  (Hope someone proves me wrong on that tho)

JBB

[R. T. POTEET]

Perhaps you are wondering why I have called you together at this time!

As long as we are on the subject of Bob Hegge and his Crooked Mountain Lines if anyone has a copy of the November, 1957 Model Railroader which they would be willing to part with or would be willing to copy and mail to me Bob Hegge's article from that issue on modeling Heavy Electric Locomotives from Plastic Diesel Bodies please send me a PM. I will promise reasonable reimbersement and compensation for your troubles.

[AltonFan]

Bob Hegge passed away in the early 1980s.  (IIRC, he died around the time that MR was celebrating its 50th anniversary.)

I remember a few articles in Railroad Model Craftsman during the 1970s, including a report on a new Amtrak train, and at least two articles on constructing electric locomotives.  I also seem to remember an article showing a layout plan, but don't remember when or where.

[vsmith]

Thanks guys, I was hoping for something online like the John Allen G&D fansite, I have a book on model RRing with plans, and some great pictures, but no mags, can be a real PITA to track down old issues. I'll check for that "looking back" issue of MR.

[marknewton]

I have the October 1977 RMC. I can scan the trackplan and send it to you, if ya like!

Bob Hegge was a modeller who did greatly influence me. He was one of the few traction/electric railway modellers to get regular exposure in mainstream publications. I can well remember how fascinated I was by his photos of the big wooden interurbans at the station at Gina. Seeing his work in MR and RMC lead me to consider traction modelling seriously - it took a while but I eventually went electric, and never looked back.

Over the years he had a number of useful articles published, in both mags. October 72 RMC has an article about building CML No.5, a beautiful Brill combine based on an Oregon prototype.

In a later issue of MR he had an article about building a substation based on an IT prototype. Like the RMC Brill article, it was an informative and entertaining read.

I'm very pleased to see that there are other forum members who regard Bob Hegge as I do.

All the best,

Mark.

[davekelly]

Although Bob Hegge didn't model the stuff I do, I always was fascinated by his work.  It is even more impressive when one realizes what was "state of the art" back then.  Although he was not one of the "big names" in the hobby - I think his modeling ability ranked him right up there at the top in my mind.

[steemtrayn]

Perhaps you are wondering why I have called you together at this time!

As long as we are on the subject of Bob Hegge and his Crooked Mountain Lines if anyone has a copy of the November, 1957 Model Railroader which they would be willing to part with or would be willing to copy and mail to me Bob Hegge's article from that issue on modeling Heavy Electric Locomotives from Plastic Diesel Bodies please send me a PM. I will promise reasonable reimbersement and compensation for your troubles.

If you send me a large enough self-addressed stamped envelope, I'll mail it to you. Just send it back after you copy the article. PM me if still interested.

[szucker45]

Hi - BH was a St. Louis resident who originally modeled the Crooked Mountain Lines (CML) in HOscale as depicted in several 1950s Model Railroader articles.  He created his own CML decals and was an avid fan of traction & imagineering modeling - some even in card stock, can you believe ???  -  way before that phrase came into the vocabulary.  One of his MR articles was a project on converting an Athearn F7B unit into a box cab electric - quite unusual.   About fifteen years ago I purchased a very large collection from another HOscaler in St. Louis ( where I live ) which included several large parts/junk/stuff boxes - a collection that had been 40+ years in the making.  To my great surprise and amazement I uncovered parts and pieces that reassembled into several unpowered CML electrics: the above mentioned conversion; an F7A unit w/ pantograph and a 4-truck heavy electric that were decorated & decaled in the CML green/black ( re: BN-style ) scheme.  I have no other conclusion to come to other than these were original BH creations.  No one to my knowledge ( or other local model rails who I asked who did know him personally ) could account for the presence of the CML decals -- ONLY HE HAD THEM !!  

[rrinker]

 Pretty sure I have that 50's issue. I'm looking to get rid of my paper issues now that I have the DVD set. I sort of remember another article on someone tearing down a layout for a move, I don't remember if that was Hegge or another famous model railroader, but it was someone 'important' not just Joe Schmoe tearing out his layout. I have that issue too.

                            --Randy

 

[james1960]

MidlandPacific

Railroad Model Craftsman did a full length article on the CML, and there's a model railroading handbook out there from the mid-1970s that included a full length article.  We had a brief discussion about it on this forum a year or so ago - I have both the article and the book, but neither with me; if you're interested, I would search for the discussion in the files - it should have titles and publication info for both.

 

Can anyone send a scan of the layout plan?  I have been trying to buy the RMC October 77 back issue but no luck. 

[BigDaddy]

The above links to MR no longer work.  It's an old thread, but a reasonable place to ask the question.  Maybe a subscriber to the archives can help you out.

[MidlandPacific]

james1960

 

MidlandPacific

Railroad Model Craftsman did a full length article on the CML, and there's a model railroading handbook out there from the mid-1970s that included a full length article.  We had a brief discussion about it on this forum a year or so ago - I have both the article and the book, but neither with me; if you're interested, I would search for the discussion in the files - it should have titles and publication info for both.

 

 

 

 

Can anyone send a scan of the layout plan?  I have been trying to buy the RMC October 77 back issue but no luck. 

 

 

Sorry - I would if I could, but in the process of moving, and all of those books and bound volumes are packed up and in storage.

 

[mbinsewi]

As stated before, the Dec. 1976 issue shows detail photos of the electrical work, but no track plan.

The JUNE 1999 issue is a one page Looking Back article, with one picture, no track plan.

RMC has digital editions back to Dec, 2011.  You should try to get a hold of White River Publications, and see if the isse you seek is availiable.

If not, I guess you'll have to dig around at shows and swap meets that have such vendors.

A Google search turned up some info, and a couple of track plans, not sure if they are the original CML.

Good luck!, or develop your own plan.

Mike.

[vsmith]

Oh my, this is a blast from the past. I have that book that has a fairly extensive write up and a basic plan. I'll try to find the book title. My ability to log in is iffy from day to day, I'm lucky I was able to reply to this.

[vsmith]

"The encyclopedia of model railroads" by Terry Allen

[SeeYou190]

Traction And Models, June 1970 is available on eBay right now.

It has an article on the CROOKED MOUNTAIN LINES.

The CML boxcar in the NMRA Heritage Collection is one of the best looking freight cars in that series.

-Kevin

[trwroute]

I would live to see the F7B!  Anyone have a picture?

[oldline1]

szucker45

Hi - BH was a St. Louis resident who originally modeled the Crooked Mountain Lines (CML) in HOscale as depicted in several 1950s Model Railroader articles.

I always thought the CML was an O scale masterpiece?

What a shame it was gone before Keller did his great layout video series.

oldline1

 

[doctorwayne]

james1960

Can anyone send a scan of the layout plan? I have been trying to buy the RMC October 77 back issue but no luck.

If you'll send me a PM with your e-mail address, I can send you a scan of that layout plan. 

EDIT:  The scan has been done, and is ready to send.

Wayne

[rrinker]

oldline1

 

 

szucker45

Hi - BH was a St. Louis resident who originally modeled the Crooked Mountain Lines (CML) in HOscale as depicted in several 1950s Model Railroader articles.

 

 

I always thought the CML was an O scale masterpiece?

What a shame it was gone before Keller did his great layout video series.

oldline1

 

 

 He built it at least twice, once was O, the other HO. 

                          --Randy

[doctorwayne]

doctorwayne

james1960

Can anyone send a scan of the layout plan? I have been trying to buy the RMC October 77 back issue but no luck.

 

If you'll send me a PM with your e-mail address, I can send you a scan of that layout plan. 

EDIT:  The scan has been done, and is ready to send.

Wayne

 

I'm uncertain if james 1960 is still in Moderation, or maybe gone on holiday, but the scan is available - to send someone a PM (Private Message), simply click on their user name, in the left margin.  A screen will appear, with a notation "Start a conversation" near the upper right...simply click on it, and a composition window will appear, where you can compose a message.

Simply type your message, including a working e-mail address, then click on "Start a conversation" at the bottom of the screen, which will send the message to me.
I'll reply in-turn, and include the scan.  You may or may not get notification of the message...it's been rather iffy lately, so I'll make a post in this thread to notify you when the scan has been sent.

 

Wayne

[oldline1]

[quote user="rrinker"] He built it at least twice, once was O, the other HO.                            --Randy[/quote

Wow! I never knew he did it in HO too. I always anxiously looked for photos of his O scsle layout in every issue. His CML reminded me of an electrified version of the G&D with those towering mountains and bridges. A superb craftsman!

oldline1

[MalletDecauville]

After several versions of the Crooked Mountain Lines the last one was build in 1/4” (1:48) scale using fine-scale wheels and code 100 rail. And this was the trackplan.