Should we all be so lucky to have something we do today be debated in 30-40-50 years.
8500HPGASTURBINE I think there is way to many other modlers who model as good as him. Now I do admit that he paved the way to great MRR building. Can you imagine what he could have done if he was around NOW. With the advancement in painting, modeling, building, and 1000's of tools and misc stuff that were either not around in his time or was crude by todays standards. Mike
I think there is way to many other modlers who model as good as him. Now I do admit that he paved the way to great MRR building. Can you imagine what he could have done if he was around NOW. With the advancement in painting, modeling, building, and 1000's of tools and misc stuff that were either not around in his time or was crude by todays standards.
Mike
It's hard to judge him compared to today, since so much has changed. He did (contrary to popular belief) use some plastic kits for cars and buildings but the majority of everything on his layout (including the people) he made by hand. It's like comparing Walt Disney's crew's hand-drawn and colored cartoons to today's computer animation...or speculating how many homeruns Babe Ruth could have hit if he could have taken steroids.
In some ways John Allen was a 'perfect storm' of things coming together...a guy who was comfortable with his own company, a craftsman with artistic talent (having studied art in college) and the ability to relate what he did to others via printed word, lectures, and of course photos (as a professional photographer) who from a fairly early age had sufficient money in the bank to spend as much time as he cared to on modelling.
Agreed, John Allen likely had more influence over a mass reading audience than any other model railroader to date, its too easy in hindsight to belly-ache about whether or not the lines name was kitchy or poo pooing his whimsical side like engine #13, a stegosaurus with #13 painted on her side. the simple fact is that his series of articles and terrific photos he himself took most of, connected with readers and had a tremendous effect opening the eyes of neophite and experienced modelers that there layouts didnt need to be static sterile environments and that they too could enliven them with imaginative & creative life-like scenes, being based on reality or fantasy being left to the modelers whim.
So hats off to Mr Allen and his imagination and energy, he paved the way for a whole group of modelers I admire like Malcomn Furlow, George Selios and alot of others.
Have fun with your trains
I just picked up a bunch of old NMRA bulletins, some with pictures by John Allen, and an article or two.
I also have the January 1973 copy with his last article, the next month has a large obituary for him, and the following month has the news of the fire that destroyed most of the layout.
He did some amazing things in his time. Just looking at the front cover you knew what you were looking at. The spectacular scenery just scream "John Allen".
The Book is an excellent introduction to his work. But his layout was not that big. He did a lot in a small space.
John Allen Rules liked his layout also.
Russell
Say what you will about the man and how he didn't do it as well as [fill in the blank], he has probably had more influence on me than any other modeler. Okay, I guess you figured I got my MR today.
I came across Wescott's book about a month after I got interested in modeling. What he taught me was to think big. I don't mean the size of the layout, but rather how you present what you have. Allen constantly thought about making a large impression. And dare I say it....It was art. No not Art's layout although Art does a good job of it.
And he taught me to control the way the layout is viewed. You can add a lot of "size" and the feeling of distance by controlling what people can see. If you can isolate a town, a person can work the town without feeling like the caboose is in the next scene--even if it is.
So say you bah humbugs if you will, I say God bless Mr. Allen. God bless us every one.
(play nice)
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.