All Hail Tony Koester!

[SpaceMouse]

You know there's a lot of Tony Koester fans out there so I'm wondering if any has a tribute to Tony Koester on his layout. And since Tony is pro-prototype such a tribute would be nothing that wouldn't be found on the proto-type. So what don't you have on your layout as a tribute to Tony Koester.

(My dear sweet daddy once said that iffn ya get throwed from a horse ya gots ta git rat back on'im. )

[jjbmish]

I really enjoy Tony's Layout, but did you have to start this again?

John

[NevinW]

LOL!! I predict 26 pages of heated disagreement!! - Nevin

[SpaceMouse]

What?[:-^]

[Anonymous]

Tony is a gifted writer and an outstanding layout builder. He is quite opinionated, which is his right. However, those opinions sometimes generate some heated discussions. He is an outstanding modeler, however, by anybody's standards.

[CNJ831]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NevinW

LOL!! I predict 26 pages of heated disagreement!! - Nevin

Heated disagreement....or just another 26 pages of pointless drivel?[;)]

CNJ831

[jjbmish]

My guess is that this will eventually become a philosophic discussion on the meanings of different songs. And if they were written while in a drug stupper. LOL[(-D][(-D][(-D]

[emdgp92]

It's too bad Tony's old layout had to come down. The AM had quite a few ideas for me...especially since I'm not that far from that area, and Pennsylvania has similar geography. With that said, a borrowed AM Alco would look right at home near my engine facility :)

[waltersrails]

ditto on that

[Anonymous]

So when you title these posts in this way, you do understand there will be people who disagree mightily, right? So apparently the point just to generate an argument? I hope most of us will ignore the bait, whether we feel positive or negative about the person in question.

<sigh> but I know that won't be the case

[DigitalGriffin]

Personally I like Ian's Rices clever use of space and unique flowing layouts in MRR "Small, Smart, & Practical Track Plans" It's good variety and cleverly laid out without being over cluttered.

[selector]

The Mouse that roared.

[:D]

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alco_fan

So when you title these posts in this way, you do understand there will be people who disagree mightily, right? So apparently the point just to generate an argument? I hope most of us will ignore the bait, whether we feel positive or negative about the person in question.

<sigh> but I know that won't be the case

Out of curiosity, what is the harm in a deep discussion about a model railroading perspective.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DigitalGriffin

Personally I like Ian's Rices clever use of space and unique flowing layouts in MRR "Small, Smart, & Practical Track Plans" It's good variety and cleverly laid out without being over cluttered.

I too like Rice's style, but I have not read that book. Perhaps I should. I've only read Mid-sized and Manageble Track Plans, and some of those are semi-cluttered.

[SpaceMouse]

I was just thinking--it's really wierd. Not only wierd that I was thinking but although my tendencies are toward a humorous John Allen type layout, the layout I'm designing that will be my "empire" is as close to the prototype as I can get including the roster as it was at the time, engine types and road numbers etc. And it means that all my engines are pretty much going to be bashed.

Wierd.

[palallin]

"Regardless of your personal interests in railroading, I'll wager that you sense that there's an element of art in what we do as hobbyists. Whether you consider the Gorre and Daphetid as a remarkable, pioneering model railroad or a fanciful production that had too many bridges strung up the side of a canyon--I've heard both opinions--I'm sure you firmly grasp the obvious fact that John Allen was an artist. Anyone who witnessed such a railroad would have to acknowledge the skill and talent of its creator.

"We'e not all artists of John's caliber. Fortunately, we don't need to be to create model railroads that are not only worthy hobby endeavors but clear indications of the way we've chosen to spend a significant portion of our leisure time."

Tony Koester
"Trains of Thought"
Model Railroader
September 1990
Page 109

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ebriley

Tony is a gifted writer and an outstanding layout builder. He is quite opinionated, which is his right. However, those opinions sometimes generate some heated discussions. He is an outstanding modeler, however, by anybody's standards.

Very well said. Like with John Allen, Tony's style is not quite my own. I don't think I would enjoy the hobby as much as I do if I were to construct/operate my layout the way he does. However, he is a very accomplished modeler taking certain aspects of this hobby to new heights. He also is very willing to share his knowledge, experience and talents with others. That makes him one of the greats in my book. As to being a successful model railroader - Tony really seems to be having a ball with the hobby and that's all that matters when it comes down to it.

[palallin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alco_fan

So when you title these posts in this way, you do understand there will be people who disagree mightily, right? So apparently the point just to generate an argument? I hope most of us will ignore the bait, whether we feel positive or negative about the person in question.

<sigh> but I know that won't be the case

Rene' Descarte walked into a bar after a hard day at work, sat down, and ordered a double Scotch. When the bartender brought the drink, Descarte belted it down.

The bartender asked, "Would you like another?"

Descarte replied: "I think not."

And disappeared.

[davekelly]

BTW: What decoders have people used successfully on the Stewart RS-3?

[GAPPLEG]

Me thinks Spacemouse is the devil[}:)] disguised as a cowboy[C):-)]

[KenMattern]

Chip,

You're a brave man!

To keep on topic, I have been reading some of Tony's colums from the late 80s and find them very interesting, just as he has always been. I seem to recall he used a caboose as a small station on the AM once. I did the same on the M&V in his honor.

KJ

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GAPPLEG

Me thinks Spacemouse is the devil[}:)] disguised as a cowboy[C):-)]

[davekelly]

To honor folks such as John Allen, Tony Koester et al, I've dedicated myself to having loads of fun in this hobby and helping others as much as I can.

[selector]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

To honor folks such as John Allen, Tony Koester et al, I've dedicated myself to having loads of fun in this hobby and helping others as much as I can.

[#ditto] I try to be helpful, but also interested in what others say and do...I can't possibly be right all the time....can I?

FWIW coming from a newcomer, it seems to me that Armstrong was more technical in his approach and in his appreciation of the hobby. He wanted to model railroadS..in general. To be honest, I have not seen his handiwork, you know, the a**istic (can't use the A-word anymore) side of his numerous layouts. Although, he must have been good. I should look around to find some details of the constructions of Koester, Allen, et al.

I need to learn more.....AGAIN!!

[davekelly]

While Armstrong was indeed a very technical person - he did know how to be a jokester. Ever check out the names of the towns used in his various plans?

[vsmith]

Tony who[?]


Is he the one with the dinosaur ? [;)]

[ARTHILL]

Heck, I gotta go to Arizona and miss all this.

[dknelson]

John Armstrong had a great line in one of his earlier articles. I paraphrase but his point was that when you go to an operating session at someone else's layout and the explanation of how to run it takes too long, you get the same sinking feeling you get when someone spends 10 minutes setting up so they can show you "just a few" home movies.
By the way, Model Railroad Craftsman was a very interesting magazine back when Tony Koester was editor. They really started to investigate why a given layout was interesting to operate and not just pretty pictures.
That was back when Model Railroader would have a layout article with photos but no key to where the camera was that took the picture, like they do now.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Interesting that Tony Koester is now percieved as a Prototypical modeller - considering for years and years he was a Freelance guy.

[ereimer]

for years i've read 'trains of thought' first when i get a new MR home . but i'm getting tired of hearing the 'prototype is best' theme over and over , maybe it's time to find a new subject , or maybe hand that space over to someone else