f-unitjwhitten f-unit My layout was on the cover of July 1999 and the layout story in that issue. The Soo Line Bayport Division ??? That's your layout ?? Wow! Very nice. I've read through that article a lot of times. In fact, that whole issue is chock full of good stuff for that matter. The cover shot is especially nice! Good work! John P.S. Have you changed anything since then? If so, what? John. How close have you looked at the cab of the F unit on the cover? Also has most, of those who where in MR, mind also lives only in that issue. Dave.
jwhitten f-unit My layout was on the cover of July 1999 and the layout story in that issue. The Soo Line Bayport Division ??? That's your layout ?? Wow! Very nice. I've read through that article a lot of times. In fact, that whole issue is chock full of good stuff for that matter. The cover shot is especially nice! Good work! John P.S. Have you changed anything since then? If so, what?
f-unit My layout was on the cover of July 1999 and the layout story in that issue.
My layout was on the cover of July 1999 and the layout story in that issue.
The Soo Line Bayport Division ??? That's your layout ?? Wow! Very nice.
I've read through that article a lot of times. In fact, that whole issue is chock full of good stuff for that matter.
The cover shot is especially nice!
Good work!
John
P.S. Have you changed anything since then? If so, what?
Also has most, of those who where in MR, mind also lives only in that issue.
Dave.
So were you just being funny or perhaps making a little political statement about the governor of the state next door ???
f-unitMy layout was on the cover of July 1999 and the layout story in that issue.
AikidomasterThat would be a dream come true. I might have something ready in 5 years. But, if you are going to dream, why not have Allen Keller make a DVD in Great Model Railroads?
Indeed, why not shoot for induction into the "Model Railroader's Hall of Fame" !!!
Craig North Carolina
Almost forgot... our hosts included one of my shots in Trackside Photos last fall... I think it was this one, or something close to it...
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
jwhittenPackers#1 I've used some pictures of my dioramas and work-in-progress layout in my columns for Model Railroad News, but otherwise nope. As mentioned earlier though, someday hopefully (we can all dream can't we?) I think that counts. You're in.... not even touching the rim! I like that magazine btw, I pick it up regularly. Its got a lot of interesting and useful info it. John
Packers#1 I've used some pictures of my dioramas and work-in-progress layout in my columns for Model Railroad News, but otherwise nope. As mentioned earlier though, someday hopefully (we can all dream can't we?)
I've used some pictures of my dioramas and work-in-progress layout in my columns for Model Railroad News, but otherwise nope. As mentioned earlier though, someday hopefully (we can all dream can't we?)
I think that counts. You're in.... not even touching the rim!
I like that magazine btw, I pick it up regularly. Its got a lot of interesting and useful info it.
sweet. yeah, MRN is pretty dang good. I love writing for it, and then it'll look good on a college application as well "been a columnist in a magazine since 8th grade"
Dale, I really enjoyed the GMR 2009 article on your Piedmont Southern. you've done a good job on both the scenery and locomotives.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
yes yes yes yes yes//////...thank you, Whitten.........I'm happy somebody understands!!!
I'm gonna print out that song!!!!
jwhittenSt Francis Consolidated RR someday someday someday I hope....I feel like the singer who said he'd rather be on the cover of Model Railroad Magazine than the Rolling Stone Magazine. A guy I know at our local hobby shop actually heard him say this so I know it's true. For me, you can keep the art magazines, I wanna be on Model Railroader. maybe in a couple of years. "Well we're big rock singers We got golden fingers And we're loved everywhere we go (that sounds like us) We sing about beauty And we sing about truth At ten million dollars a show (yeah, right!) We take all kinda spills That give us all kinda thrills But the thrill we've never known Is the thrill that it gets ya When you get your picture On the cover of the Model Railroader (Chorus)Model RailroaderI'm gonna see my picture on the cover RailroaderGonna buy five copies for my mother RailroaderGonna see my smiling face On the cover of the Model Railroader" Hmmmm.... you may just have something there...
St Francis Consolidated RR someday someday someday I hope....I feel like the singer who said he'd rather be on the cover of Model Railroad Magazine than the Rolling Stone Magazine. A guy I know at our local hobby shop actually heard him say this so I know it's true. For me, you can keep the art magazines, I wanna be on Model Railroader. maybe in a couple of years.
someday someday someday I hope....I feel like the singer who said he'd rather be on the cover of Model Railroad Magazine than the Rolling Stone Magazine. A guy I know at our local hobby shop actually heard him say this so I know it's true. For me, you can keep the art magazines, I wanna be on Model Railroader. maybe in a couple of years.
"Well we're big rock singers We got golden fingers And we're loved everywhere we go (that sounds like us) We sing about beauty And we sing about truth At ten million dollars a show (yeah, right!) We take all kinda spills That give us all kinda thrills But the thrill we've never known Is the thrill that it gets ya When you get your picture On the cover of the Model Railroader (Chorus)Model RailroaderI'm gonna see my picture on the cover RailroaderGonna buy five copies for my mother RailroaderGonna see my smiling face On the cover of the Model Railroader"
"Well we're big rock singers We got golden fingers And we're loved everywhere we go (that sounds like us) We sing about beauty And we sing about truth At ten million dollars a show (yeah, right!) We take all kinda spills That give us all kinda thrills But the thrill we've never known Is the thrill that it gets ya When you get your picture On the cover of the Model Railroader
(Chorus)
Model RailroaderI'm gonna see my picture on the cover RailroaderGonna buy five copies for my mother RailroaderGonna see my smiling face On the cover of the Model Railroader"
Hmmmm.... you may just have something there...
The St. Francis Consolidated Railroad of the Colorado Rockies
Denver, Colorado
chatanugajwhitten I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I think its time to move on... I checked out your web site-- do you have a layout or planning one? John Only reason I mentioned not getting the photo back was because the photo was taken by a friend of mine, and it was my only print of the photo. Oh well. The new layout is well under way. Go to http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html, and check out the links in the new layout section. Kevin
jwhitten I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I think its time to move on... I checked out your web site-- do you have a layout or planning one? John
I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I think its time to move on...
I checked out your web site-- do you have a layout or planning one?
Only reason I mentioned not getting the photo back was because the photo was taken by a friend of mine, and it was my only print of the photo. Oh well.
The new layout is well under way. Go to http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html, and check out the links in the new layout section.
Kevin
I understand, and I was only having fun with ya!
I checked out your layout pics-- very cool-- actually I've run across them and studied them before-- just didn't know they were yours. I like the way you did your benchwork.
pastorbob I am an ordained pastor, hold my degrees in theology but also ended up in the beginnings of the computer revolution working for Santa Fe in Topeka in the 60's. So I spent 38 years working with mainframe/micro computers for Santa Fe and then Federal Reserve while pastoring smaller churches.
The Fed is understandable of course, but frankly I never realized the Santa Fe was in such shape to require the services of an ordained minister-- who knew? Apparently they were able to cover it over pretty well, at least long enough for them to finalize their merger-- but you know, that's pretty common too you know-- people meet, have drinks, go out and the next thing you know one thing leads to another and they're walking down the aisle-- after that it anything goes-- they let it all out-- the beer gut, the unpredictable mood swings... the Pastor in the back programming their routes into the computer-- you just never know any more. (shaking head) On the other hand, maybe the big guy's a fan of the Super Chief... stranger things have happened.
pastorbobThe railroad (and my wife & family) are my recreational breaks.
Yes, me too. And not in any particular order. As long as I am able to keep my job and my health-- I have pretty much everything in life that I could really want. Not that there isn't probably *something* else I could use-- more track maybe-- but generally speaking, I'm pretty happy. And I hope it stays that way.
pastorbobMy wife Joyce is 7 years younger than me and pretty darn spry also, and she does a lot of the scenery work.
My wife does not like or appreciate my trains-- although she did make the remark not to long ago that she's no longer as against them as she used to be since my oldest son (he's 2yo, almost 3) is always begging to go downstairs with daddy and "work on the layout". He really likes running the trains-- and he's good at it too. We have a NCE ProCab and I just hand it over to him and let him go. Last night my wife came down and I handed her the (secondary) radio throttle and went upstairs to fix supper-- so she and my son ran the layout together. It was her *very first time* at the throttle. I doubt she was impressed though-- but she didn't run away either. She played with our son running trains for nearly an hour. Then she came upstairs-- left him there running the trains-- I had to *strongly* resist the urge to rush downstairs-- but I did and he did fine. I inspected everything later and there were no upsets and no accidents. And he loved it! (He always does). My youngest is 11mos, almost 1yo. I'm hoping he'll grow up to love trains too. Maybe my wife will even come around in the end-- I hope she will. Its a fun hobby and there's lots of stuff to get interested in. It doesn't have to be "just trains".
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
jwhitten pastorbobMaybe before I go to the nursing home or die I will get a trackplan. You mean when they stick you out to Pastor... (Ducking! ) John
pastorbobMaybe before I go to the nursing home or die I will get a trackplan.
You mean when they stick you out to Pastor...
(Ducking! )
EEEEEEEWWWWWW!
Actually I am partly out to pasture now. Have been dual career all my working life. I am an ordained pastor, hold my degrees in theology but also ended up in the beginnings of the computer revolution working for Santa Fe in Topeka in the 60's. So I spent 38 years working with mainframe/micro computers for Santa Fe and then Federal Reserve while pastoring smaller churches. Retired at age 60 from computers and continue to do pastoral supply in various churches in Kansas City. However, I find at age 73 I do much better keeping busy. The railroad (and my wife & family) are my recreational breaks. I might add that when we moved into our current home in 1979 we had 3 teenagers, each used to their own space, but we had only three bedrooms. So the basement was finished with a bedroom, bathroom and shower and the rest was railroad. Kevin moved out two years later, and the bedroom became part of the railroad but I did not remove the walls. Just cut through them at certain spots. Hated to do it, would have preferred the whole basement, but wiser heads (my wife) prevailed and though I had the basement I had extra walls. That is why the layout is configured as it is. My wife Joyce is 7 years younger than me and pretty darn spry also, and she does a lot of the scenery work.
Bob
PiedsouMy Piedmont Southern Railroad was in the 2009 Great Model Railroads issue. Photos have also appeared in the Dec. 2001, October 2008, and Model Railroad Planning 2009 to help illustrate other people's articles (Paul Dolkus and Roark Shallow). I took the photos for Roark's article on the Polar Bear restaurant chain and Paul took all of the photos for the other articles. The layout is also featured for the month of June in MR's "The Art of Model Railroading 2010" calendar. All a dream come true since I first saw an MR issue in the 1950's. Dale Latham, Piedmont Southern Railroad
My Piedmont Southern Railroad was in the 2009 Great Model Railroads issue.
Photos have also appeared in the Dec. 2001, October 2008, and Model Railroad Planning 2009 to help illustrate other people's articles (Paul Dolkus and Roark Shallow). I took the photos for Roark's article on the Polar Bear restaurant chain and Paul took all of the photos for the other articles.
The layout is also featured for the month of June in MR's "The Art of Model Railroading 2010" calendar.
All a dream come true since I first saw an MR issue in the 1950's.
Dale Latham, Piedmont Southern Railroad
Ah yes... the Piedmont Southern... I have drooled over the pictures of your layout for quite some time. I especially like the scenes you have of the abandoned spur. That is excellent craftsmanship! Well done.
Back in 2006 my layout was in Great Model Railroads (Los Angeles & San Fernando Valley RR), and have done a few articles in MRR. I enjoy sharing the modeling methods I use from my past 40 years in the hobby.
ollevon My New England & North Coast RR is scheduled for a full photo shoot for MRR this may.I don't know when it will ever get int the mag.but at any rate I am pretty sighted about it.Sorry I am not able to send any pics, at this time, but you can see one of my photos in the 2009 Walthers HO reference book page 623 Sam
My New England & North Coast RR is scheduled for a full photo shoot for MRR this may.I don't know when it will ever get int the mag.but at any rate I am pretty sighted about it.Sorry I am not able to send any pics, at this time, but you can see one of my photos in the 2009 Walthers HO reference book page 623 Sam
Very Cool! I look forward to seeing it.
blownout cylinderleighant abandoned 2008 Man, is that ever reminding me of a few areas around here! It really has the desolation down pat! I wonder how many would go to this extent---- And what replaced this?
leighant abandoned 2008
Man, is that ever reminding me of a few areas around here! It really has the desolation down pat!
I wonder how many would go to this extent----
And what replaced this?
Its a model of Detroit circa 2010.
pastorbobJohn, I assume you are talking about the newer Santa Fe layout. I do not currently have a track plan, because most of it "just grew", which is contrary to standards. The photos on my website are really all the documentation I have done with it and they need to be updated this year. Basically the mainline beginning at Oklahoma City is on the top deck, Texas staging is partially hidden in the mole hole, rest of the staging is visible. Line continues around the room on top deck and arrives at Guthrie OK where the main continues through the wall to the Arkansas City staging in the mole hole, and the Enid district heads down a helix to the middle deck. On the middle deck Enid district I have modeled the towns between Guthrie and Enid which are small country towns with elevators. Enid occupies a good part of the middle deck( lots of grain elevators and the old Champlin refinery) and the main then heads downgrade to the lower deck where it continues through Chrokee OK, Kiowa KS, and then on the transcon main to Waynoka, which is visible staging. The BN Avard sub runs on the middle deck also from Tulsa staging, becomes visible at the Fairmont crossing of the ATSF and parallels into Enid. It shares track with ATSF down on the lower deck, splits away from ATSF and ends up in Avard and then Waynoka on the ATSF. Best I can describe it. Maybe before I go to the nursing home or die I will get a trackplan. Bob
John, I assume you are talking about the newer Santa Fe layout. I do not currently have a track plan, because most of it "just grew", which is contrary to standards. The photos on my website are really all the documentation I have done with it and they need to be updated this year. Basically the mainline beginning at Oklahoma City is on the top deck, Texas staging is partially hidden in the mole hole, rest of the staging is visible. Line continues around the room on top deck and arrives at Guthrie OK where the main continues through the wall to the Arkansas City staging in the mole hole, and the Enid district heads down a helix to the middle deck. On the middle deck Enid district I have modeled the towns between Guthrie and Enid which are small country towns with elevators. Enid occupies a good part of the middle deck( lots of grain elevators and the old Champlin refinery) and the main then heads downgrade to the lower deck where it continues through Chrokee OK, Kiowa KS, and then on the transcon main to Waynoka, which is visible staging. The BN Avard sub runs on the middle deck also from Tulsa staging, becomes visible at the Fairmont crossing of the ATSF and parallels into Enid. It shares track with ATSF down on the lower deck, splits away from ATSF and ends up in Avard and then Waynoka on the ATSF.
Best I can describe it. Maybe before I go to the nursing home or die I will get a trackplan.
Yes, I was looking at it this morning (and other times in the past) and seeing diverging tracks going toward and into the backdrop, and I was wondering how your staging was laid out, and how it all fits together. Thanks for the description.
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
jwhitten pastorbob My current Santa Fe has not been published, the former freelance Mojave Western was in April 1984 MR. Andy came to KC and took the photos, I wrote the text. This was done in prep for the NMRA National in KC. One month after the national and the tours, the Mojave Western died and the current Santa Fe was started. The current Santa Fe layout was in fact used to complete my requirements for the MMR award. I look at the article now and realize how far we have come in the hobby, in equipment, engines, scenery and concepts. Bob You've got a nice layout. I am curious though, do you have a track plan of it anywhere? I'd like to see how it all fits together. John
pastorbob My current Santa Fe has not been published, the former freelance Mojave Western was in April 1984 MR. Andy came to KC and took the photos, I wrote the text. This was done in prep for the NMRA National in KC. One month after the national and the tours, the Mojave Western died and the current Santa Fe was started. The current Santa Fe layout was in fact used to complete my requirements for the MMR award. I look at the article now and realize how far we have come in the hobby, in equipment, engines, scenery and concepts. Bob
My current Santa Fe has not been published, the former freelance Mojave Western was in April 1984 MR. Andy came to KC and took the photos, I wrote the text. This was done in prep for the NMRA National in KC. One month after the national and the tours, the Mojave Western died and the current Santa Fe was started. The current Santa Fe layout was in fact used to complete my requirements for the MMR award.
I look at the article now and realize how far we have come in the hobby, in equipment, engines, scenery and concepts.
You've got a nice layout. I am curious though, do you have a track plan of it anywhere? I'd like to see how it all fits together.
CNJ831jwhittenCNJ831I was invited to have my previous layout in the magazine, but declined, as I felt its appearance really wasn't fully up to my personal standards. Well, here's hoping the magazine will improve so you can get your layout published... You of course know that as soon as you do get it published, everybody else is just gonna toss in the towel and go home. What you do on a layout sir, well... it just ain't natural, that's all I'm saying! Pictures of your pike have been a true inspiration to me, I love looking at it! Ahhh...you (perhaps others too?) misunderstood what I posted. At the time I was approached by one of MR's editors, I felt that my then current layout (it was about ten years old at that point) didn't truly reflect my best modeling abilities by that time. As I was about to start a totally new layout, I thought it better to wait and have something really impressive, rather than just mediocre, in the press with my name on it. That was the situation. CNJ831
jwhittenCNJ831I was invited to have my previous layout in the magazine, but declined, as I felt its appearance really wasn't fully up to my personal standards. Well, here's hoping the magazine will improve so you can get your layout published... You of course know that as soon as you do get it published, everybody else is just gonna toss in the towel and go home. What you do on a layout sir, well... it just ain't natural, that's all I'm saying! Pictures of your pike have been a true inspiration to me, I love looking at it!
CNJ831I was invited to have my previous layout in the magazine, but declined, as I felt its appearance really wasn't fully up to my personal standards.
Well, here's hoping the magazine will improve so you can get your layout published...
You of course know that as soon as you do get it published, everybody else is just gonna toss in the towel and go home. What you do on a layout sir, well... it just ain't natural, that's all I'm saying! Pictures of your pike have been a true inspiration to me, I love looking at it!
Ahhh...you (perhaps others too?) misunderstood what I posted. At the time I was approached by one of MR's editors, I felt that my then current layout (it was about ten years old at that point) didn't truly reflect my best modeling abilities by that time. As I was about to start a totally new layout, I thought it better to wait and have something really impressive, rather than just mediocre, in the press with my name on it. That was the situation.
CNJ831
Oh no, I understood perfectly.
I just wasn't going to let you get away with it!
simon1966jwhittenDo you have a web site or photo album with more pictures?? For what it is worth I do have a Picture Trail site, there is a link in my signature.
jwhittenDo you have a web site or photo album with more pictures??
For what it is worth I do have a Picture Trail site, there is a link in my signature.
Wow! Very cool.
I overlooked the url when I replied previously.
You do very nice work! I'm going to bookmark your page.
BRAKIEGuys,Several years ago I decided I never want a layout publish in MR for one reason.. Seems to be a curse having a layout publish... Seems those layouts gets torn up,the modeler moves or changes the layout...
Guys,Several years ago I decided I never want a layout publish in MR for one reason..
Seems to be a curse having a layout publish...
Seems those layouts gets torn up,the modeler moves or changes the layout...
FINALLY! The voice of reason!
Its good to know we have ONE level head in the house!
richhotrainjwhitten How many folks here have had their layout featured in Model Railroader (or any other published magazine) ?? Hoping not to start anything, I'm just curious is all. John Ha ! Not unless they start a bourgeois class of layouts. I love my layout and it is good size (22' x 30'), fully landscaped, and lots of interesting features such as an engine servicing facility, freight yard, sidings, etc. But, it lacks the professionalism incorporated into the design and construction of magazine layouts. Even if they featured my layout, I would fear criticism. Couldn't handle that.
jwhitten How many folks here have had their layout featured in Model Railroader (or any other published magazine) ?? Hoping not to start anything, I'm just curious is all. John
How many folks here have had their layout featured in Model Railroader (or any other published magazine) ??
Hoping not to start anything, I'm just curious is all.
Ha !
Not unless they start a bourgeois class of layouts.
I love my layout and it is good size (22' x 30'), fully landscaped, and lots of interesting features such as an engine servicing facility, freight yard, sidings, etc.
But, it lacks the professionalism incorporated into the design and construction of magazine layouts. Even if they featured my layout, I would fear criticism. Couldn't handle that.
I understand completely. Layouts are intensely personal things. And more than that, they're a personal refuge and a place you can go to just be yourself when you want. It can be difficult to hear / deal with criticisms made about such a place. On the other hand, you might also find out about areas you could easily improve upon, or hear about new techniques or methods that you could employ that you yourself could implement that would give you (re)new(ed) satisfaction in your work and your personal space. But whether you choose to open yourself to that or not, at the end of the day its your layout and you can do it however you want. I don't know about anybody else, but I'd like to see some pictures of it if you have any... care to post some?