Received the September MR a couple of days ago and must say that I have really enjoyed Jim Hediger’s article on his Ohio Southern. To me, it was like all of the good articles that MR used to run only with better drawings.
It had good photos, well done descriptions and the drawings were outstanding.
Kudos to MR. It brought back the old days. [:)]
Jim’s layout was indeed a ground breaking design. I remember way back when reading about it and I’m glad to see it back in print. What caught my eye the most was the philosophy that Jim developed after being frustrated on the slow progress on the layout. He says “this wasn’t a race. I’m still making progress toward finishing the OS someday, but in the meantime, I’m heading for the basement to have some fun switching cars and running trains.” Better words would be hard to find.
Great article on Ohio Southern. I had a chance to see the railroad way back in 1985 at the NMRA national convention Jim hosted the high wheeler tour for folks in wheel chairs He is a true gentleman and a fine modeler. Cox 47
I agree, great layout. But, in looking at the track plan of the lower deck, in the area of Greenfield Mine, the loads in/empties out tracks appear to have a 6% down grade between the mine and the point the mainline crosses over them. I would think these tracks should be level. Maybe the mine should be on the other side of the main so the main won’t have to cross over the loads in/out tracks?
Bob Hayes
I have always admired the Ohio Southern. I was kind of getting worried. We used to hear about it quite frequently until it just stopped being a thing to talk about I guess. The last I heard about it was when Jim Built a Steel Mill for his layout.
Something I find interesting is the lack of response to this topic. I guess it means that most of the modelers using this forum are not familiar with the Ohio Southern.
Makes me feel old.
Come to think of it, I am old…
‘[:(]’
I agree, I really liked the article much. I’ve often thought that a doublt deck layout would be nice down the road, but I had never given any though to how to support it. Now I understand what’s involved, thanks to this article! Good work Jim!
Noah
I’m quite familiar with the OS. I was happy to see an updated look at this railroad, since it’s been quite a while since we’ve seen anything (I think the last thing I remember was an article on the closed-circuit TV camaeras used for the staging and helix).
I’m still trying to reconcile the size of the plan per the drawing with the photos. Based on the track plan, I have the exact same width in my space as shown for the lower right part of the plan - where the turnback curve is. But in my own planning I can never seem to squeeze a 30" radius curve PLUS the small section against the one wall, and have enough aisle space. It appears the aisles at thse pinch points are 2’ or so - yet in the photographs it looks MUCH more wide open than that. Same with train lengths - looking at the plan then looking at a photo of the same spot, it seems there are a lot more cars than ‘should’ fit in the given space - or are exceptionally long trains loaded on the layout for photo purpose and actual operations run with shorter trains?
–Randy
For those of you who have not read the Sept. RMC, let me extend my condolences to Jim on the loss of his wife.
Bob Hayes
Yes, I read that too and share in sending my thoughts to Jim and his family.
It is telling that RMC published that. It’s a fantastic hobby we are in made up of top notch people who even though are in competing entities, still express the brotherhood of the hobby.
Once again MR blew it![:(!][:(!] MR would rather save space for more advertisements instead of more pictures of a great layout…So,no kudos from me.
Uh brakes, the OS had more layout photos then any other layout published reccently.
[#ditto]
but the OS is a big layout i didn’t really get a feel for the whole thing because there weren’t enough photos to do it justice.
Well one of these days as I get caught up with my reading I’ll be sure to read it! I think I’m currently on the July or August MR.
I met Jim for the first time last year at our NMRA, Illinois Valley Division 40th anniversary meet down the road in Spring Valley, IL. He came down from the Milwaukee area with a few of the boys. He was a likable, real gentleman and just one of the guys, in my opinion. I had heard a rumor(?) not too long ago that he would be retiring in the near future. “Good”, I thought, "now he’ll have more time to work/play on the OS after a long career of promoting the hobby at MR and various functions. Thanks, Jim.
But I was then deeply saddened to learn of his wife’s recent passing. So sorry this happened to him and at this time. So my deepest, most sincere condolences to Mr. H. and his family, for sure.