Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Layout Featured in Model Railroader?

10543 views
77 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 6:26 PM

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

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.

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Colorado
  • 378 posts
Posted by St Francis Consolidated RR on Thursday, April 1, 2010 1:57 AM

     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.

The St. Francis Consolidated Railroad of the Colorado Rockies

Denver, Colorado


  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 5:29 AM

cmurray
My "Canadian National Cold River Subdivision" was featured in the Oct/Nov 2008 issue of Canadian Railway Modeller. In addition, I have had many layout photos published in the "Modellers' Photos" section of the same magazine over the past couple of years.

 

 

Colin,

I just checked out your layout on your album pages-- very nice. I especially like your backdrop, you did a terrific job with that! Even though its simple, you've captured the abstract shape and color of the space "beyond" in a very believable and "forgettable" manner (which I mean as a compliment). It doesn't pull you away from the scene but instead integrates with the scene in a way that you just accept. Well done.

I also liked the way you did your roads.

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 5:33 AM
CNJ831
I 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...

Big Smile

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!

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 5:38 AM

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

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 5:50 AM

FastTracks

 My (now tore down)  Port Kelsey Ry. was featured on the cover and an article in the Aug. 97 issue of Model Railroader as well as in the May '97 Canadian Railway Modeler.

 

 

That's very nice except for all that rotton track work.... who'dja get to do that !!?!?!?!

(Just kidding, please don't hit me! Its beautiful! Big Smile)

What you guys have done with Fast Tracks is astonishing!  I am amazed everytime I see your work, especially your Bronx Terminal project. Where on earth did you even find that place to model? Did you grow up around there?

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 5:57 AM

hminky

It is chronicled at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/

Thank you if you visit

Harold

 

 

Hey Harold!

I did visit and its very nice! I bookmarked your page for later. I want to go back and read your articles in depth. I am curious (I don't know much about On3), where do you get your mechanisms for locomotives and rolling stock-- are they all store-bought or do you roll your own or some of both? I know there are some mfgrs (Bachmann comes to mind) that put out On3 stuff but that's about the extent of my awareness of it. How long have you been modeling in On3?

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:01 AM

wm3798
I had a feature in N Scale Magazine last year (Sept/Oct 09 issue).  I have a submission pending for GMR that got a favorable first impression, but nothing nailed down yet.  I've got about 3 or 4 other articles in the pipeline for the N scale press, waiting for a borrowed camera so I can finish the photography.

 

 

Lee,

I think I'd have to fire that editor. If you sent pictures of your layout to me I'd make it a center spread! Big Smile

(Come to think of it, you *have* sent me pictures of your layout...!!!)

 

I am always amazed at what you are able to achieve in N-scale. And especially your photography work. Very nice.

 

I'm a little suspicious of that "Conrail Addict Quarterly" though... must be an industry rag...   Laugh

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:10 AM

IVRW
PA&ERR

 Someday...Smile,Wink, & Grin

I second that!

 

 

Heh, at least your layout isn't PINK! Whistling

Seriously, your layout is really nice. I especially liked your Stockton Station area. That's got some nice detail work in it. How long have you been building your layout?

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:10 AM

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.Smile,Wink, & Grin..

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:19 AM

simon1966
We are in the presence of some wonderful modellers and photographers here, as exemplified by this thread.  I love being reminded of these things to inspire and challenge.

 

 

Agreed, most assuredly!  I have been reading through the replies with great interest and have been especially enjoying the side journeys to people's various web sites and photo albums. This hobby is such a visual medium, aside from seeing a layout in person, you really need to see it in pictures or video. Written descriptions just don't do 'em justice. And I really mean *all* layouts, not just the ones published someplace. I wish more people would post their layout pictures or urls where to see them. There's lots of stuff out there to look at and be inspired by, that's for certain.

 

 

 

 

simon1966
I'm in the 2010 Model Railroad Planning edition, though it does not really count being that it is in an advert, but one of my locos is featured in the ad, as well as freight cars weathered by the boys.  The layout is the one at K-10 model trains, which we like to operate on regularly.

 

I think that counts... we'll let ya squeak past... this time!  Laugh

Do you have a web site or photo album with more pictures??

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:23 AM

ns3010

I've seen a few from the forums, but there are even more here that should but are not.

It would be nice in the future. But first, I need to build the layout...

 

 

I see... you're one of those "Donner's Pass in a snowshed during a blizzard with record snowfall in whiteout conditions" kinda guys...     (white sheet of paper)   Smile,Wink, & Grin

I'm looking forward to seeing your layout when the snow thaws! Send us some links...

 

John

 

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
  • 5,743 posts
Posted by simon1966 on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:26 AM

jwhitten
Do 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.

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:26 AM

CSX_road_slug

I had a photo of my layout on pg 54 of Bernie Kempinski's Steel Mills book, which Kalmbach released earlier this month.

I also had an article on kitbashing and painting a Sylvan Scale Models' Great Lakes ore boat in the now-defunct Model Railroading , September 2002 issue.

 

 

Oddly enough, I think I have that issue. And I also believe I remember your article. I'll have to go dig through my back issues this weekend to see if I can find it. Thanks for the pointer-- and keep up the good work!

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:35 AM

chatanuga

I wrote about my first layout in the December 2000 issue in "One Reader's Opinion".  Got a couple e-mails from people regarding not my layout but my long hair that I had at the time in the photo of myself that was included.

 

 

Heh-- don't feel bad. When I was younger I used to have long hair too-- much longer than yours in fact. Every time my granddad would see me he'd push a $5 dollar bill into my hand and say "Son, go get a haircut!" Laugh

 

chatanuga
Never did get my photo back.  Sad

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I think its time to move on...

Big Smile

 

I checked out your web site-- do you have a layout or planning one?

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:39 AM

wedudler

 If someone writes an article ....     Smile

One of my old German layouts had a 15 sites article in magazine. I have had a few publications.

Wolfgang

 

 

Article heck. Your layout doesn't need words. I have often gone to your site and looked through the pictures or had loads of fun watching one of your YouTube videos. Not to mention the zillions of useful articles you have up on your site. I think the article could just be a collection of URL's and let the reader do the rest!

Smile

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:42 AM

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 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

 

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:47 AM

TrainManTy

Once some more of my roster comes back from the paint shop I'll start photographing and writing for an article! I've already been published in Trains and two local newspapers, and I run my own online newsletter which I can't say more about here, so I've got the knowledge...just need the locos!

 

 

I really like your night shots! Especially "Night operations in West Canaan." Are the stars part of your layout or did you photoshop those in later?

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:53 AM

leighant
“Lost River District of the Santa Vaca & Santa Fe,”(Mostly trackplan, pix of early stage)Model Railroader Feb85 p.106
reprinted, Top Notch Railroad Plans
as built and operated, 1982-2007
  abandoned 2008
 

 

 

That is exquisite! Excellent work! You have a fabulous solution for a corner / end piece. It flows very well you hardly even realize you're at a corner. There's a lot of useful information to be gleaned here. Thanks! Do you have any more pictures? I'm going to have to dig out my Feb-85 issue and re-read the article. A shame its gone though. Are you working on a new one?

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2001
  • From: US
  • 3,150 posts
Posted by CNJ831 on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:55 AM

jwhitten
CNJ831
I 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...

Big Smile

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 

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 6:59 AM

richhotrain

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

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?

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 7:07 AM

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.

 

 

"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 Railroader
I'm gonna see my picture on the cover
Railroader
Gonna buy five copies for my mother
Railroader
Gonna see my smiling face
On the cover of the Model Railroader"

 

Hmmmm.... you may just have something there...

 Cool

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 7:11 AM

BRAKIE

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.Smile,Wink, & Grin..

 

 

FINALLY! The voice of reason!

Its good to know we have ONE level head in the house!

Laugh 

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 7:17 AM

simon1966

jwhitten
Do 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.

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 7:25 AM

CNJ831

jwhitten
CNJ831
I 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...

Big Smile

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!

Wink 

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • 1,511 posts
Posted by pastorbob on Thursday, April 1, 2010 7:46 AM

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

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.

Bob

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
Moderator
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: London ON
  • 10,392 posts
Posted by blownout cylinder on Thursday, April 1, 2010 7:46 AM

leighant
 abandoned 2008 

Man, is that ever reminding me of a few areas around here! It really has the desolation down pat!Shock

I wonder how many would go to this extent----

And what replaced this?

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/

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 8:31 AM

pastorbob

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.

Bob

 

 

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.

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 8:32 AM

pastorbob
Maybe before I go to the nursing home or die I will get a trackplan.

 

 

You mean when they stick you out to Pastor...

 

(Ducking!  Tongue)

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Thursday, April 1, 2010 8:34 AM

blownout cylinder

leighant
 abandoned 2008 

Man, is that ever reminding me of a few areas around here! It really has the desolation down pat!Shock

I wonder how many would go to this extent----

And what replaced this?

 

 

Its a model of Detroit circa 2010.

 

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!