Have you noticed the big name modelers don't post?

[AggroJones]

Brrrrrrrrrr....

Who is considered a big name can vary by who you ask.

[Marty Cozad]

This is a good topic, I've learned simple answers from some of the newest modelers.

We tend to over think many things the longer we are in the hobby.

 

Plus some folks are not thought of as "the big names" if they are in other scale.

A "big name" usually means they spend more time and money building and sharing the hobby.

 

The bigger the RR the more time it takes and less time for forums.

 

In summer I spend less time on sites.

During winter if we are not running the rotary ,I'm scratchbuilding new models that probably won't hit the market any time soon.

 

A true "big name" is someone who has a big heart for the hobby.  

[maandg]

Oops - Hit post before I was finished.  See correction below.

[vsmith]

What, pray tell, is a 'big name modeler?'

I judge "big names" not by the proliferation of their material but the influence and impact of thier material.  Certain modelers have shared ideas that have literally shaped and molded our hobby.  Many of these things we take for granted without giving credit or thought to the originator.  For example, I consider the following people to have had a tremendous influence fro the following reasons....

Allen McClelland -     Layout beyond the basement

                            Miniature Transportation System

                             "Good Enough" Philosophy

David Barrow            Linear layout design

                             Domino construction

Linn Westcott           L Girder benchwork

Tony Koester            Prototype Freelancing

                              Stub Ended Staging

Chuck Hitchcock        Passenger Train Operation

George Sellios            Detailed Craftsmanship

Dave Frary                Water Soluble Scenery

John Armstrong          Dean of Track Planning

The Reid Brothers       Revolutionized N Scale         

Malcolm Furlow          Narrow Gauge impressionism

Bruce Chubb              Operations and Electronics Guru

Jack Burgess              Duplicating the prototype

Paul Dolkos                Visual tricks with track design

Lorell Joiner                Milestones in O Scale

John Pryke                 Urban Modeling

Lou Sassi                   Ground Goop, Trees

Dean Freytag              Steel Mill Modeling

Jim Hediger                 Double Deck Construction

Rand Hood                  Recreating Winter Scenes

Pelle Soeborg               Scenic Detailing

                                 Desert Scenery

Eric Brooman                Contemporary Modeling

Frank Ellsion

I can't imagine that any model railroader could look at this list and not find at least ONE person who has influenced their thinking or at least provided some inspiration to them.  Sure, several of these notables may have simply popularized pre-existing concepts, but even so, I consider that feat worthy of being called a "big name".  Every one of these icons has shared his thoughts, ideas and work through articles in the hobby press.  If they were simply writing to a dead planet in a vacuum, I would more easily dismiss thier efforts.  But in each case, they have managed to touch, educate and inspire members of thier audience - - not ALL of their audience to be sure, but a vast majority in some aspect.  This is why some of us will see a name on this list and think, "I never cared for thier stuff".  And that's fine.  I have no personal interest in steel mills, O scale, modern diesels, narrow gauge or winter scenes.  But that doesn't minimize my appreciation of someone's work or contributions to the hobby.

I guess I would define a "big name" as someone who has not only contributed to a certain forum or group, but the hobby as a whole - like them or not.  Each of these innovators could have just as easily kept their ideas hidden

OK How the heck did John Allen not make this list???????????

Not a big enough name I guess

[maandg]

What, pray tell, is a 'big name modeler?'

I judge "big names" not by the proliferation of their material but the influence and impact of the material.  Certain modelers have shared ideas that have literally shaped and molded our hobby.  Many of these things we take for granted without giving credit or thought to the originator.  For example, I consider the following people to have had a tremendous influence for the following reasons....

Allen McClelland:  Layout Beyond the Basement, Miniature Transportation System

David Barrow:  Linear Layout Design, Domino Construction

Linn Westcott:  L Girder Benchwork

Tony Koester:  Prototype Freelancing, Stub-ended Staging

Chuck Hitchcock:  Passenger Train Operation

George Sellios:  Detail Craftsmanship

Dave Frary:  Water Soluble Scenery

John Armstrong:  Track Design

The Reid Brothers: Revolutionized N Scale

Malcolm Furlow:  Narrow Gauge Impressionism

Bruce Chubb:  Operations and Electronics

Jack Burgess:  Duplicating the Prototype

Paul Dolkos:  Visual tricks with Track Design

Joe Fugate:  Mushroom Design

John Allen:  Artistry through Craftsmanship

Lorell Joiner:  Milestones in O Scale

John Pryke:  Urban Modeling

Frank Ellison:  Operations

Lou Sassi:  Ground Goop and trees

Dean Freytag:  Steel Mill Modeling

Jim Hediger:  Double Deck Construction

Rand Hood:  Creating Winter Scenes

Pelle Soeborg: Desert Scenery and Scenic Detailing

Eric Brooman:  Contemporary Modeling 

I can't imagine that any model railroader could look at this list and not find at least ONE person who has influenced their thinking or at least provided some inspiration to them.  Sure, several of these notables may have simply popularized pre-existing concepts, but even so, I consider that feat worthy of being called a "big name".  Every one of these icons has shared his thoughts, ideas and work through articles in the hobby press.  If they were simply writing to a dead planet in a vacuum, I would more easily dismiss their efforts.  But in each case, they have managed to touch, educate and inspire members of their audience - - not ALL of their audience to be sure, but a vast majority in some aspect.  This is why some of us will see a name on this list and think, "I never cared for his stuff".  And that's fine.  I have no personal interest in steel mills, O scale, modern diesels, narrow gauge or winter scenes.  But that doesn't minimize my appreciation of someone's work or contributions to the hobby.  Or recognizing them as a "big name".

I guess I would define a "big name" as someone who has impacted the hobby.

Not a certain forum or group alone, but the hobby as a whole - like them or not.  Each of these innovators could have just as easily kept their ideas hidden and to themselves.  Instead, they chose to step out and share them with others.  Any notoriety or adulation that resulted from that is well deserved and worthy of respect in my opinion.

I shudder to think what the state of the art of our hobby would be today without these pioneers. 

Just my

[maandg]

 

OK How the heck did John Allen not make this list???????????

Not a big enough name I guess

You are absolutely correct, vsmith.  As I edited above, I inadvertently hit "post" while still working on my text.  Even George Sellios has always stated that John Allen is his idol and had indelible influence on his modeling. Ditto for Malcolm Furlow.

For me personally, John Allen was before my time.  My first issue of Model Railroader was the September 1978 issue - well after his death.  However, I am very familiar with his work and recognize him as one of the "Hall of Fame" names in the hobby.  It is amazing how the ripple effects of his contributions continue to be felt.

He is the text book definition of a "big name".  And deservedly so!

 

 

[selector]

This is a good topic...

 

...A true "big name" is someone who has a big heart for the hobby.  

I couldn't agree more.  Well said, Marty.  Well said.

-Crandell

[SteamFreak]

Yeah, I'm actually Rod Stewart under a different name. I suppose it's time I revealed myself to you.

Nothing surprises me since one forum regular turned out to be John Ratzenberger. 

Hey, I loved that "Made In America" series

I didn't know he was a MRR'er

Sorry about that. I was making a joke about Mr. Vollmer's avatar.