Who do you think was the most innovative model railroader in the hobby’s history? I know that people like Alan McClellend and John Allen were two of the most innovative, but who do you think was the most?
As I don’t know that many from the history of the hobby I would have a hard time saying. Just judging from the literature I see lots of crossover as the pioneers from the 1930s and 1940s obviously talked to each other and shared ideas. The most useful inovation might have been whomever was the first person to use a precision coreless motor in a locomotive.
Right now, today, I would go with George Sellios! However, to be fair, I think there needs to be some time factored into the discussion as there have been many great Model Railroaders down through the years since the hobby’s inception.
It is whoever you think throughout the hobby’s history on any front. For example, for balancing scenery with operations, I think Alan McClellend has done a superb job on the Virginian and Ohio. For layout elements, John Allen obviously has done a great amount for the hobby. Staying modern on an old layout, Eric Brooman’s Utah Belt. George Selios has certainly proven that you can large amounts of detail on a layout without it looking cluttered.
A modeler I learned a lot from is Wayne Wesolowski. I have some books by him on weathering, scenery, building freight cars, making scenery, etc and at least one Kalmbach video featuring his work.
Wayne built the Lincoln funeral car . Masterpiece.
Phil
[:-^]
My IDOL is Cliff Powers. MA&G RR.
Sets the bar so high I can’t reach the first rung.
But I sure do enjoy his modeling.
Johnboy out…
Agreed. Cliff is quite good. For what it’s worth, Johnboy, I think Cliff removed the first 2 or 3 rungs of the ladder. [(-D]
Tom
Right now I’d have to say the guys at Miniatur Wunderland. The airport alone is a triumph of scale-model engineering. Say what you will of how much of it is railroading, but what they have done is unlike anything done before or since
Gidday, As I have previously posted it was an article by W. Allen McClelland on building the V&O in box of random magazines that was given me, that reignited my interest in model railroading.
As a long time “armchair” modeller with no time for modelling but with access to a reasonably comprehensive collection of MR and RMC, I would have to say this hobby has been well served over the years by a huge number of talented people who have taken the time to share their visions, projects, and ideas with the rest of us.
At the risk of coming across a “Wimp” I think that for me to mention those who immediately spring to mind would be doing a huge disservice to those I think of later.
Good topic.
Cheers, the Bear.
Hi!
I’ve been around the hobby since the mid '50s and have enjoyed the work and writings of so many terrific MRs over the years. One of my favorites is Andy Sperandeo - and I confess his love of the Santa Fe is a factor.
But “innovative” is very subjective adjective. That being said, I strongly believe that word applies to every model railroader I know.
IMHO, if you aren’t innovative and a “tinkerer”, you just won’t last in the hobby.
Nobody …
Really…No one modeler is king of the hill because there is always one better to overthrow his short lived reign as top dog.
We have some “top dog” contenders on this forum whose work may never grace the pages of MR and in that light nobody wears the undisputed “top dog” title…
Malcolm Furlow…always guaranteed to get people fired up…[:-,][swg]
Agreed, but for me Malcolm is only the most innovative for scenery technics, overall I’d still hand the grand prize to John Allen
Did not see the name of John Allen mentioned. His Gorre & Daphetid railroad set a new paradigm of scenery and rolling stock detailing. Did I mention weathering?
I would have to say Bernard Lenz. For those of us who are into DCC, where would we be without his innovations? When I was younger, I had a 4 x 6 N scale layout with DC control. They layout came out of one of those Atlas books and it only had one reversing loop on it and yet every time I went to run the trains through it I had to re-learn which toggles to throw in what order. Not any more! I have several reversing sections and my trains keep on moving, without having to flip a single toggle. Thank you Mr. Lenz.
Actually even back in the day there was those that was considered far better then John.
I can’t remember his name but,he had lots of photos of his SP locomotives in prototypical settings(usually roundhouse) published in MR.
There was several up and comers back then as well that was superior modelers…
Actually even back in the day there was those that was considered far better then John.
I can’t remember his name but,he had lots of photos of his SP locomotives in prototypical settings(usually roundhouse) published in MR.
There was several up and comers back then as well that was superior modelers…
Didn’t Andy help build the original Cat Mountain and Santa Fe? I have always enjoyed the work of David Barrow; and the Santa Fe connection certainly doesn’t hurt.
Didn’t Andy help build the original Cat Mountain and Santa Fe? I have always enjoyed the work of David Barrow; and the Santa Fe connection certainly doesn’t hurt.