I know that probably this topic has been explored before here on the board, but I would like to know what the opinions are. They is some very good modeling going on in model railroad periodicals today, but some excel above the crowd. When I first started reading Model Railroading and getting into the hobby as a newbie, I was totally enthralled with John Allen’s Gorre & Dapethid. I enjoyed the full view of scenery from the bottom of the floor to the top of the layout. However not being a steam fan, I wished I could have seen that layout ran with diesel motive power. And then one day when I picked up Model Railroader, I fell in love for a second time with Rick Rideout’s L & N. I loved the pictures of the layout by MR and the wonderful detail to construction and detail by him. I hate it that I did not purchase a copy of the CD that Great Model Railroads did of Rick’s layout. I would pay big bucks for a copy of that CD today. Then a third lover came into my life when I saw the work of Pelle Soeberg. His contemporary structures and attention closely rival to me Rick Rideout’s L & N.
What are your favorite MR layouts and modelers?
Here is my order of greatness
Rick Rideout L & N
John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid
George Sellios Franklin & Manchester
Pelle Soeberg’s Modeling
Are we not truly blessed with great modelers? What are your favorities and the order thereof?
It’s really hard for me to pinpoint an exact favorite- I wouldn’t even say I’m my own favorite (since I’m too hard on myself naturally). I tend to be amazed at the depth and reality of many model railroads I see- including those in the pages of MR to ones I see in person at train shows or in homes/clubs. I think if it is convincing it is one I really enjoy. If the modeler throws in a bit of “rarity” or humor (for example- the cop’n a kiss from woodland scenics in the woods behind a tree I’ve seen done before, pretty funny).
And I’m going with Lance Mindheim’s Monon Route one–(not sure of name?)–due to his suggestive quarry scenario.
A question that could be asked would be one involving what level of modeling detail would signify a layout is actually finished—but I’m thinking of that as a seperate thread-----
This is like asking what your favorite flavor of ice cream is. There are just too many good choices. The great ones are great for different reasons. I wouldn’t want to rank them in any order. All of the above mentioned are impressive works although I must confess, I never got to see much of Tony Koesters AM railroad. I would just name a few that have had the greatest influence on me. It certainly starts with John Allen’s G&D. The awe inspiring scenery showed us there are no bounds to what we can do in model railroading. Allen McClelland’s V&O had a big influence on me because of his adherence to prototype practice and his linear design in which trains pass through a scenery once which was a break from the spaghetti bowl track plans that had been popular. George Selios did for urban modeling what John Allen did for mountain scenery. Majestic is the word that comes to mind in describing it. When I get around to building my large urban area, I hope to be able to do on a smaller scale what he has done with the F&SM.
That’s a good way of putting it; there isn’t really a “right” or “wrong” answer. Our view of what is “best” is always going to be colored at least a little bit by our own experiences, upbringing, preferences etc.
One model railroad I would like to have seen more of was called the “Whiskey River RR” built by Jim O’Roarke (sp?) and featured in the Dec 1982 MR (IIRC). I still pull it out once in a while and look at the pics.
He was a fan of John Allen’s, and when he built a new home that had a similar sized basement built a layout with a similar shape, running around three walls of the basement with a “blob” in the middle and a “blob” at each end…only his layout was based on Great Northern in the Montana Rockies. Unlike many modellers, he didn’t believe that detailed backdrops detracted from the model trains, and used photos (from travel posters mainly) of mountains as backdrops. To me the backdrops, mountain scenery, and IIRC several dozen GN brass steam engines (and a few electrics) really made it an inspiring layout.
Other than that article, I never saw much on it. AFAIK it never was videotaped at least not commercially. It would have a been a great “Great Model Railroads” video!!
Ditto on Cliff Power’s MA&G. Also, Dick Elwell’s Hoosec Valley Railroad. I have DVDs on both of these gentlemen’s layouts. They are equally impressive. [tup]
I think it’s a mistake to try and pick a favorite. Any well conceived layout is actually a window into the modeler’s mind, a chance to see the way he views his ideal world. Some folks like neatness and exactness. Others like dilapidation and decay. Still others like a balance of neatness and grime. For operations, an ideal layout should have enough possiblilites to keep the modeler and perhaps an operating crew occupied with interesting activity long after the layout is complete. Themes vary greatly, logging, shortline, heavy duty mainline. narrow gauge, prototypical and freelance. Any one could be a work of art and genius and comparisons are hard to make. Personally I love 'em all.
Best is really hard to say, but these two influenced me the most:
John Allen’s Gorre and Daphetid - it was an inspiration!
Linn Westcott’s Sunset Railway and Navigation Company - I never saw an article on this layout as a whole, but Westcott used it to demonstrate techniques in his articles. In that way I learned a lot by way of this layout.
Man, TStage and LastMountain & EasternHogger! I had not seen this layout called the Magnolia Route. I went to the web site and was just FIBERGLASSED! What a layout! The scenery and structures are absolutely incredible. If you need inspiration for modeling, GO THERE!
Thanks so much for suggesting this layout as a great one because it definitely is! MANY THANKS FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!
In particular there was Frank Ellison and before him Minton Cronkhite, but there were certainly some others whose name folks today would never recognize.