Who Was/Is Your Favorite MRR Staffer?

[reklein]

I'm an unabashed MRR groupy. I have been since 1958. MRR is the best how to magazine anywhere as far as I'm concerned it sets the standard for all the hobby mags. Including the woodworking and woodcarving mags I've collected over the years. Not to mention the R/C airplane mags. The editorship of MRR has been an outstanding dynasty over the years. I've never met any of those guys, but I feel a certain familiarity with them. Anyway enough gushing.

[maandg]

Wow, this is a tough one....kind of like naming your favorite dessert!

For me, the staffer who has increased my personal enjoyment of the hobby above all others would have to be Allen Keller. He came on board with the magazine in the early 80s to produce and manage the Kalmbach Video arm of the magazine. I still have all of the original how-to and layout tour videos he produced, my favorites being "Building Realistic Scenery" and "Weathering with Malcolm Furlow".  I watched Layout Video Tour #1 again over the Christmas holidays for the ump-teenth time. The segments still look fresh after all these years.

Once he began his Great Model Railroads series under Allen Keller Productions, the quality and scope of the tapes really took off. I own all 55 volumes in his series and have learned so much from watching them countless times. I would have to say that Allen's contributions have increased my enjoyment of the hobby above anyone else - MR staffer or not. Without him, I would not have had the chance to learn, up close and personal, from such pioneers as David Barrow, Chuck Hitchcock, Howard Zane, Dick Elwell, Rick Rideout, George Sellios, Allen McClelland, Tony Koester, John Armstrong, Gary Hoover, the Reid Brothers and Gil Freitag. 

It is very humbling for me to know that I will join that fraternity this May when my MA&G becomes Volume 56.  As Wayne and Garth so eloquently put it, "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!!"

In closing, I would say that everyone who has had a hand in producing my most cherished of all periodicals, Model Railroader, over the past 40 years deserves my heart-felt thanks.  As with Allen's videos, the hobby would be stuck in a vacuum for me without MR. 

Thanks to all of those, past and present, who continue to carry the torch!

 

[PASMITH]

Being old has it's advantages. The collective memories of a thread like this is quite enjoyable for me to folllow. ( Even if that makes me a groupy)

Peter Smith' Memphis

[jeffshultz]

Hmmmm. I'm going to go a bit counter-culture here.

Layout Design - Cyril Durrenburger - I still dream of having a railroad as clean as the Galveston Warves design he did in '82.

How-To - John Olsen  - The Jerome & Southwestern was the first "Railroad you can build" series I encountered.

Imagination - Malcolm Furlow - Some may disagree with how he does things, but I don't think anyone can disagree with the fact he makes it all look incredibly good. 

 

 

[7j43k]

For me, Paul Larson's name stands out.  It was during his tenure as editor that MR was at its classiest and (to me) most inspirational.  It was neat to see stuff way over my head--it gave me something to strive for.  I especially liked the monthly double-page Trackside Photo.

 

Ed

[Anonymous]

Jim Hediger, with Andy Sperandeo being a very close second.

[ClinchValleySD40]

 

JDH

[DavidH]

I also got into the hobby when Linn was the editor and would echo the many comments about his ability to drive innovation.  Gordie, Bill Rau, Art Schmidt, Art Curren, Andy, Jim and many others have also inspired.  Paul Larson predates my first time reading, but I have many issues from his stewardship, and I think he was another great one . . .

 

David

[Anonymous]

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.

There was one article in particular which I think I still have somewhere in my modest pile. In this article he foresees a future where radio would ride on a locomotive and respond to the operator carrying his own radio. I recall laughing hysterically at some of the Buck Rogers stuff when I first read it but today, oh boy has things changes! To me that was a little peek into the future.

I think MR is not so straight-jacketed to the Corperate March in lokstep just yet, there is a good amount of individuality. If one was to go by the reviews however, cannot help but notice the VERY careful wording and thought that goes into reviewing a... less than ideal engine perhaps?

I believe that MRR lives and dies by the very products it talks about if one was to examine the amount of content placed there for us to follow up on should we want a custom bench work, helix or some other product.

I worry that the magazine itself might pass into history, there is a constant arrival of new product information on the Internet now. Some months I pick up a new issue and half of the content is already known about especially when one examines the "Product News" for the month.

There is a certain amount of .. shall we say.. class? in the articles. To read an article that is published is to read something that is rather neutral, non-confrontational or otherwise sanitized so that us old folks dont reach for the Nitro Pill Bottle. Maybe it's me who hunts for a little action but sometimes I feel too peaceful reading an MRR at times...*Snores....

[CSX_road_slug]

I'm casting my vote for Jim Hediger, for the simple reason he's the only MR editor who remembers my name whenever our paths cross.  I first met him at a RRISIG annual convention in 1998, and found him very pleasant and approachable.  (And he actually answers my emails!)

I'll mourn the day he retires from Kalmbach...

[n2mopac]

I've only read MR for about 10 years, but in that time I have truly enjoyed Tony Koester's column and articles, as well as several of his books. I also enjoyed the writing and work of Jeff Wilson and Marty McGuirk.

Ron

[on30francisco]

 dknelson wrote:

"We'll never know what his [Bill Wright] 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."

I still have a copy of that Kalmbach soft cover book "The Practical Guide To Model Railroading."

That was one of the first books I read on the subject of model railroading when I was a kid. 

[on30francisco]

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. 

[Anonymous]

My favorite by far is JDH,  Jim Dandy Hediger!!!!!

Andy would be next on the list.

cf-7

[jfugate]

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.

[PA&ERR]

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.

-George

[MAbruce]

Sorry, I'm not a MRR groupie. 

[Soo Line fan]

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.

 

Jim

[MidlandPacific]

I've never found another magazine where the managing editor personally answers the mail, so I would have to say that I'm pretty fond of the whole crew.  But I think I have learned more from Linn Westcott's articles than anyone else's - he had real ingenuity, and his explanations were always clear and useful.  I wired my layout with his "HO Primer" open in front of me; when I was done, I threw the first two switches and it worked perfectly.  THAT's expository talent.

[jerryl]

  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.

[Cox 47]

For me it would have to be Jim Hediger..I met Jim at the 1985 natioal NMRA convention He conducted a "high wheeler" tour..He is a true Gentlman and one heck of a good modeler..Cox 47

[fifedog]

GORDON ODEGARD.  He really had a kind, grandfatherly like presence about him.  He also nurtured in N-scale right at the time I was getting interested in the hobby.

[dknelson]

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

 

[PASMITH]

Lynn Wescott.


Peter Smith, Memphis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Lynn Wescott

[IRONROOSTER]

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 

[AntonioFP45]

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. 

[tomikawaTT]

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)

[Curmudgeon]

Bill Rau....."Ray L. Rhodes"