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History According to Hediger: The Clinchfield in N scale
Of all the features, the “history” segments are my favorite. Perhaps because Jim and I share the same first name and are contemporary. Keep up the great work in MR viseo Plus!!!
Nice video. I like these segments on the history of some of the projects or features in MR over the years.
I loved learning about the history of this amazing layout – the first project layout in MR that totally captured my interest and imagination. I was determined to build it and bought the accompanying Kalmbach book. Didn’t quite happen, but I learned lessons I’m still putting to use on my layout. Thanks Jim and David for putting this together.
Oh, how I remember the articles in MR as a kid. I went and bought the book (still have it, by the way). Great memories. So any idea where the layout is now?
This was a big step in N Scale. Although I was only 11 at the time, I followed it as my dad was in N Scale.
This was always my favorite project layout too. It was a railroad with a purpose of operation, and really far ahead of it’s time too. I don’t have those magazines from 1978 anymore, but the next time I’m at the California Rail Museum (Library) in downtown Sacramento, I’ll be reading about the Clinchfield!
Interesting look at a sectional model railroad.
That 1978 series, published when I was 14, in combination with the feature a couple of years earlier on Bob Brown’s Tuolumne Forks, “hooked” me on the hobby forever and also pushed me into N scale for about a decade. As a result, my first layout was quite similar in theme and appearance to the Clinchfield. It was a great start.
i was station in the Panama Canal Zone when this layout was introduced. I used the concepts of this pike to build my own version when I return to the states in 1979.
Boy, this brings back good memories!
Many thanks for that story about your clinchfield layout that was one of reasons for starting building model railways in the first place
Another great story from Jim Hediger. I get the feeling that back in the 70s and 80s these MR guys had a great time and a lot of fun. Glad I moved through this era with them as a model railroader. Thanks Jim!
One thing I’m wondering as well as other maybe thinking is where is it now?
Wow, I remember and love this layout! I was 12 years old when the book came out on building that railroad, and I can remember many a night falling asleep in my bed with that book in my hands, dreaming of the day I would be able to build a model railroad like that! ha ha While other kids where dreaming of Farrah Fawcett ( remember that poster? Yep, it was on my wall too! 
), I was dreaming of model railroading! ha ha Thanks Model Railroader! BTW, I still have that book. It’s old and half falling apart, but it served it’s purpose well. I still get modeling ideas to this day from that book. Yes, I still have my Farrah Fawcett poster as well. he he
Jim, I do not how I missed this video earlier, there is just so much to view on MR and MR video plus and so little time to get it all in.
I loved this story of the Clinchfield. I was 21 when this came out in the November 78 issue. Like Patrick mentioned I also still have the magazine. I also believe I entered the contest. I think it may have been a design an N scale layout contest but I am not sure if that was the one.
The story nearly made me change from HO to N scale. I had a small N scale layout (2x4) that I had built in 1975. but I had moved from home and had just gotten married. so my N and HO layouts had been dismantled and I did not get to build another layout until my wife and I bought a home in the early 80’s.
Your stories really bring back good memories.
My current layout is in HO but I have not forgotten the Clinchfield. I have been collecting some N scale items form some swap meets and I hope to start an N scale layout with my grand children.
Keep up the great story telling and I will try to catch up and keep up with viewing them.
thanks again
Steve
HI CAN HELP JIM HEDIGER.
AS LOOKING INTO BUILDING HO DCC SCALE LAYOUT ON BASIC OF LAYOUT SHOW IN 1978 .
HAVE BOOK AND MAGAZINE FROM THAT TIME.
LOOKING HOW MORE DETAIL ON CLINCHFIELD RAILROAD IN TIME TABLE AND TOWNS ON LINE SO WORK THE PLAN RIGHT WAY GIVE SAME OPERATION SHOW DID THERE .
AS LIVING IN AUSTRALIA.
FROM ROBERT