Who is your favorite Model Railroader(s)?

[tomnoy3]

First of, my dad for getting me started in this great hobby. Although he didnt really get into the scenery, super detailing his engines, keeping his cars up to standard, etc, etc, he had it to just run around the track, and he taught me to have fun with it and not to get obsessed (although i do, i just try not to).

But as for a professional modeler, Id have to go with Pelle Soberg, I just love what he does with the UP, especially for living half way around the world from it.

-Tom

[Anonymous]

ME

[wt259]

Bill Darnaby is building the Maumee Route, his work is fantastic. The guys mentioned so far cover everyone else I was going to mention, except for Bruce Carpenter and his BNSF Chillicothe Sub.

[Anonymous]

Yep, forgot some! How about Steve Priest? See the "Kansas Santa Fe Speedway" article on the cover of MR a few issues back!

[Anonymous]

In no particular order and undoubtably leaving out several that I will think of after I send this:
Allen McClelland, Tony Koester, Chuck Hitchcock, Ted York, John Pryke, David Barrow, Larry Gibbs (unpublished as far as I know, but one of the best kit bashers and painters I know of. He owns Oregon Trail Hobbies in Gering, NE), Jeff Wilson, Doug Tagsold, Gil Freitag, Lou Sassi, Charlie Post (owns Show Me Model Railroad in Grandview, MO. You should see his N scale module on display at Train Town in Kansas City's Blue Ridge Mall!), Doug Harding, Jim Duncan, etc. etc. etc.

[slotracer]

MAybe not top favorites, but no one had these names.....

Chuck Hitchcock (ATSF layout in KC a frequent MR feature)

Jim Paine....Durham and Southern (An early "Lichen Belt" northeast appalchian coal line...how soon we forget)

Many modelers involved on the NEB&W at Rennselear Polytechnic

Jim Eudaley....Massive O gauge C&O layout in KC MO featured 4 years ago

[cwclark]

I have to go with Gil Freitag....

[jfugate]

An up and coming modeler's work whom I admire is Charlie Comstock. Charlie had an article with Don Mitchell in the most recent Model Railroad Planning. He has been a winner in the Model Railroader photo contest twice - once with grand prize, and once with an honorable mention. He's one to watch ... his Pacific Northwest scenery work is just awesome!


Charlie Comstock running trains on the HO Siskiyou Line

[Anonymous]

[:)] Ted York - His CAJON PASS layout ís great !!!

[:)] David Barlow - The Cat Mountain & Santa Fe show that a perfect modelraiload must not have extreme details!!!

[:)] Lou Sassi
[:)] Pelle Soeburg
[:)] John Allen

ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [:D]

[sparkingbolt]

As I read the above, and agree with the list of greats, I note that

Rand Hood,
Johh Pryke

have yet to be mentioned. (unless I missed 'em) I'd like to see more of their work.

And lets not forget the quiet yet profound affect of some manufacturers who were in fact modelers before they sold their ideas in the form of products that we all take for granted.

Brothers Keith & Dale...Don't even know their last name! (as in Kadee) come to mind. Was "Uncle Irv" a modeler?

Worth mentioning since without these specific individual's contributions to the hobby, I wouldn't be in it. A single Athearn GP35 kept me in the hobby in 1976. then in '77, those awesome little couplers that actually worked kept me from giving up. That would put these guys on my fave's list.

Who else fits into this aspect of the topic? Credit where due for these MODELLERS! Dan

[Anonymous]

I can't think of his name, but he is modeling the Maumee Route. He has had quite a few articles in MR and I think his layout is really going to be, or is already, fantastic! Also I have followed Jack Burgess' progress on his Yosemite Valley and am extremely impressed with it! Jack has picked a specific day in a a specific year he is modeling. He has drawn freight car plans that I have seen in RMC. I know his layout was featured in the late 80s and was also in GMR. As I go along, I can add more and more names of folks whom have really influenced me!

[Anonymous]

Allen McClellan just awsome modeler

[fec153]

I can't pick anyone favorite. They all amaze me with their talent.
Fumblefingers Phil.

[randybc2003]

This has obviously come to attention by the passing of John Armstrong. I do think it good that we pause to consider those on whose shoulders we stand.

I may be slipping but I didn't see Ben King listed, or Bruce Chub. B.C. is STILL churning out electronics stuff. Also, I rember Jim Findliy and Bill Mc-Clannihan (SP?)
I use Dave Fraray's techniques now, but BMcC laid the foundation.

I admire anyone who predates me in the hobby, (+/- 68), and anyone who follows is a "Johny - come-lately"! That doesn't mean they don't do great work and lead the way in their ideas!


I don't care WHAT is written on the side. If it's Scarlet & Silver Warbonet, it's
SANTA FE.

rbc

[Anonymous]

These are my favorites: (In no particular order)
- John Allen
- Malcolm Furlow
- George Sellios
- Lou Sassi
- The guys at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Gil Freytag
- Ken Patterson
- Mike Tylick
- Eric Brooman
- Mel D. Thornburgh
- Linn Westcott
- Howard Zane
- John Armstrong
- Dave Frary
- Bob Hayden

[michealfarley]

I don't know about my favorites, but I can tell you who has had the most influence on me, and that would be Tony Koester. His MR columns always get my gears turning, no matter what the topic. His freight car routing and layout design are the two biggest things I have learned from him. Dave Barrow also immediately comes to mind as he's never afraid to start over and over again. I have used his domino theory for years and it works so well for me.

I am also a huge fan of Jim Hediger, Allen McClelland and Eric Brooman. You have to look at a map to believe that their railroads didn't exist in real life. That takes a lot of effort and sticking to your own guidelines.

[krump]

can someone make this into a Poll? that would be interesting...
the names are all familiar and almost every modeller featured in an issue is my favourite for the month.
SPandSfan's list has most of the one's that I am familiar with... add Malcolm Furlow, I Rice (is that Iian or Lian ? sorry, but I've never been able to figure it out),
and then, the one's with the biggest influence on me are some local clubbers ... G Redman, D and J Hole, J Goldthorpe, G Hazell, B Gardner, R Fowler

[Anonymous]

As far as North American modelers are concerned:

John Allen
John Armstrong
Gordon Odegard
Jack Work
Tony Koester
Eric Brooman
David Popp
Jim Hediger
Andy Sperandeo
Allen McClelland
Joe Fugate
Dave Frary
Lou Sassi
The Reid Brothers, Pete Thomas, Walt Huston, and Jim Younkins (all expert N scalers)
Lou Ullian
Bob Brown
Ken Ehlers
Blair Kooistra
Dave Adams

. . .and I'm certain the list will grow.

[Anonymous]

Myself :) oh and some friends of mine :)

In print... I don't think I could really narrow down one favorite, or even a group of favorites.

Alvie.

[darth9x9]

Hey TEFFY,

The survey is about your favorite, not the best.......

[Anonymous]

It is tough to say who is the best. Gordon Varney gave us the 12 volt system so we could have finer control in DC. Lynn Westcott and Paul Mallery gave us a very good control systems and layouts in the 50's and 60's. John Allen did a supurb job with the crude items that were available then. I know of three modelers that are here because of Lou Sassi's books and his insparation. Malcomb Farlow has really streched the envelope.

Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY

Bob

[darth9x9]

Howard Zane has taught me a lot about building structures and building a railroad. His generosity along with his talents makes him my favorite. I am impresses also by Joe Fugate's and Rick Rideout's work. There are lots of them out there!

My club even has a few greats in the making - check us out in Great Model Railroads 2005 to hit newsstands on Nov 2, 2004.

[Anonymous]

Dave Frary is one of mine. The Elk River Line series introduced me to model RRs, narrow gauge and the hobby as almost an art form. I lived close by and got visit him a couple of times and see a few bits of the 'ol Elk River Line after it was disassembled.
Earl Smallshaw is another after his Varney Dockside piece in Feb '81 MR opened up the world of urban switching. And master kitbasher Art Curren, I'd be happy with a tiny fraction of his talent. Tough to narrow it down to a few, let alone one.

smyers

[Anonymous]

In reality, I think that George has exceeded John Allen as far as scope is concerned. He also has added some of John's type of MRR humor which I think is great!

[Anonymous]

My favorite Model Railroader is George Sellios because of this obsession with detail.

[jwmurrayjr]

Don't forget Lou Sassi! [:)]

[Anonymous]

For structure modeling, Eric Bronsky (El article in 1976, South Upton Tower in '85 RMC, and did he do the Sheridan Elms station?)

For level of detail in urban scenery, George Sellios

For overall effect, Allen McClelland

For operations and design, Tony Koester

For scratchbuilding, I'd be split between Gordon Odegard, for his '82-'83 scratchbuilt Mikado series, and Wayne Wesolowski, just for the scale and detail of some of his projects.

[MAbruce]

My number one is my 5 year old son, who always reminds me to have fun when running trains. He has a way of keeping my perspective in line when I'm starting to sweat inane details.

My second is me. [;)]

Hey, it's just a hobby.. right? [:)]

[Anonymous]

John Allen was my "guide" as I grew into model railroading, and I am still "stuck" on his origibal (small) G & D layout........ forty years later !