While tryhing to unbox a bunch of stuff from my move, I came across bunches of old Model Railroaders (dating back to the early 60s). Of course reading them was much more fun than moving them so I sat for awhile - ok a long loong while. I thn thought it might be fun to get ya'll's opinion on MRR guys past and present. (Remember when Andy S. was the "new guy"? lol)
In my opinion my favorites had to be Art Curren and Gordon Odegard. I always would look forward to construction articles by these guys. I learned much from each and every one. Art always had a way to take a couple of plain jane seen on every layout buiildings and make something fantastic out of them - and wrote the article in such as way that I got all fired up to do this "kitbashing thing." Gordy? I just considered him "old reliable." Every article a pleasure to read - even if the topic had no appeal to me at all.
Would be interested to see what others have to say.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Not a staff member, but a prolific writer--E.L. Moore.
Staffer...maybe Linn Wescott.
I dunno, I liked em all. I say Andy was my favorite. A recent article about steam locomotive accessories is like sitting down to a meal with meat, taters and gravy. Thanks ANDY!
It seems to me that everyone is a valued part of MRR. Even more so today.
Does the winner get a raise?
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
Art Curren, by far.
CNJ831
My vote is for Andy Sperandeo. (sp?) His writing demonstrates great knowledge, a sense of humor, and an over all appreciation of all aspects of the hobby.
I have almost three decades of MR magazines. My favorites are from the time period when he was leading the magazine's production. He had the right mix of firmness, leadership, and variety to turn out some excellent reading material.
Yep, Andy gets the prize!
The Cedar Branch & Western--The Hillbilly Line!
Way back when, Linn Wescott.
Now it's a toss-up David Popp and Jim Hediger.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
The late Linn Wescott and Tony Koester.
Joe
My favorite was Gordon Odegard: He was the resident 'craftsman' in the office. I met him several times and conversationswith him were always interesting. His 'sidekick' in the 50's was Paul Larson - Someone I never met, but I admire his work as well.
The current favorite is either Andy Sperandeo or Cody Grivno - Both are 'real' modelers!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Brought up the box. Now I'm not sure what to put in it!
Arranged on shelves above my desk and computer are close to 60 years' worth of Model Railroader magazines, all produced by editors and staffers who were enthusiastic experts on the cutting edge of the hobby. Trying to pick one who made the biggest impression...
Paul Larson was an editor who also built, and wrote about, fascinating shortline structures.
Linn Westcott was an editor, the pioneer of L-girder construction and hardshell scenery, and an electronic innovator.
Gordon Odegard could explain the construction of unusual models in a way that would leave a smile on the reader's face.
Art Schmidt could photograph anything and make it look good.
And that's only the ancient era. Today's stars are just as bright!
Just my , Feel free to disagree.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - on steel L girder benchwork)
Andy Sperandeo and Tony Koester
Not staffers but important contributors: Keith Gutierrez and Dr. Richard Kamm with their important contributions to command control & realistic onboard sound for small scales.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Linn Wescott, I always enjoyed his editorials. He was the editor when I started reading MR so I am prejudiced, but I thought that MR was best under his leadership. But I have liked the work of others mentioned above and still think that MR is the best magazine going.
Enjoy
Paul
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Here is a name many of you may not be familiar with but Don Reschenberg had lots of good construction articles back in the late 1950s. He was a very talented modeler but seemed to disappear from the hobby once he left the MR staff.
Another name that probably NONE of us really knows is Bill Wight. He was on the staff before I was born. During the 1950 NMRA convention in Milwaukee, there was a tragic collision of fantrip interurban cars. Some famous model railroaders were killed or injured and Bill Wight was one of those killed, leaving a wife and little kids behind. We'll never know what his contributions to the hobby might have been but he did work on one of their soft cover books as an introduction to the hobby that stayed in print for many years.
When I was a young modeler I would write to Model Railroader asking for help and back in those days I would actually get either my own letter with written comments on it or post cards back from MR within a week with my questions answered -- often by Linn Westcott himself or Bill Rau, sometimes in their own names or writing as "Ray L. Rhodes." So I have a sentimental fondness for both men for helping out a kid. I would certainly second the support for the late Art Curren and Gordon Odegaard. Really skilled guys. If you never saw the N scale Clinchfield Railroad that Gordon O built you missed seeing one of the most spectacular portable layouts of all time.
George Drury was and is also a very good modeler and quite informed about prototype trains as well -- and not just European trains either. George has an amazing memory too -- he can rattle off the title author and publisher of all sorts of obscure railroad books (he was the Kalmbach librarian for years).
Although we see them at Trainfest I do not know too many of the current staff but Jim Hediger is a really nice guy and hugely knowledgable about prototype and model trains. I had the chance to visit his Ohio Southern on an NMRA layout tour. It is smaller than you'd think from the articles but runs extremely well and is filled with interesting aspects.
So clearing away the smog of my rambling my vote is for Jim Hediger on the current staff.
Dave Nelson
GORDON ODEGUARD Some people's personality seems to come thru thier writting,& he was one. He would probably stop & help me change a flat tire.
http://mprailway.blogspot.com
"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
One of the most impressive articles I have ever read in MR was one by Gordon. He scratch built an Amtrak Material Handling Car. This was before one was released by Con-Cor. The undercarriage detail was unbelievable. He even had the HV cabling under there. Andy and Jim have also done excellent work.
Sorry, I'm not a MRR groupie.
Okay, seriously folks, I guess I would have to throw my hat in with the Gordon Odegard and Art Curren folks.
Perhaps this shouldn't be limited to staffers at MR but should include MR authors as well.
Linn Westcott was a favorite. I liked the way Linn would kick around ideas he was having on how to innovate a certain aspect of the hobby. Even if he hadn't tried his ideas, he would suggest them, and even include diagrams in his editorials.
Then a few years later, an article would appear in MR where someone had taken Linn's hypothetical theorizing on what ought to be possible and they had done it.
I miss that sort of innovative speculation, and I think Linn being willing to share what could have been seen by some as half-baked ideas was wonderful and I applaud his willingness to possibly appear to be a dreamer and not down-to-earth. Linn being willing to go out on a limb like that actually helped keep MR in the forefront as a pioneering influence in the hobby.
Somehow the current magazine feels more corporate, preferring to stick with the tried-and-true, and has less of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Linn Westcott era. I miss that the most, even though visually the production values of the current magazine are better than in Linn's day.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
My favorite by far is JDH, Jim Dandy Hediger!!!!!
Andy would be next on the list.
cf-7
I enjoyed Linn Westcott. I built his "HO Railroad That Grows" many years ago. I liked his approach to layout building in that you build a little bit at a time - enough to get the trains running - and then gradually added to and improved your layout at your leisure. He was a good writer in that he wrote with both the beginner and seasoned model railroader in mind. I also liked the articles by Jack Work and Malcolm Furlow and the column "Looking back with John Page." These people and others had a positive influence on me in my approach to the hobby. Their ideas and construction articles are still valid today and can easily be adapted to using modern materials and methods.
I believe MR magazine was at its best when Linn Westcott was the editor in that he was willing to try new methods and was inclusive of the beginner and advanced modeler. Although everything changes with time, I think the magazine was less commercialized back then and more geared toward the modeler and exploring new ideas.