All Hail Tony Koester!

[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]

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.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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

[GAPPLEG]

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

[davekelly]

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

[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]

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]

"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

[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.

[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]

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.

[selector]

The Mouse that roared.

[:D]

[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.

[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

[waltersrails]

ditto on that

[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 :)

[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]

[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

[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.

[SpaceMouse]

What?[:-^]

[NevinW]

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

[jjbmish]

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

John

[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. )