There are a lot of great modellers around, but some people in Europe take it a step higher–people like Josefl Brandl in Germany, Stefan Foerg in Switzerland, Phlippe Coquet in France and now Sebastien Georges in Belgium.
I came across Georges work recently and posted a few photos of his models (of a U.S. shortline) on my blog: http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.com/2018/11/more-great-modelling-from-europe.html
There are quite a few top-notch model railroaders in Europe, some of them known to this parish.
Remember Jon Grant and his “Sweet Home, Chicago” and Sweet Home, Alabama" layouts?
Not to forget the late Wolfgang Dudler´s “Westport Terminal RR” layout!
It has been my experiance that much of the best modeling I have seen in my 61 year life time, has been done by modelers who made little or no effort to have photos of their work published.
This is not to take anything away from anyone, in Europe, or the US, or anywhere else, who’s work is featured on the web, or in hobby publications.
But not everyone wishes to draw such attention to their work, even if it is exceptional.
Agreed, the photos presented above represent excellent work in our hobby. The basements of this region of the US are full of similar work - I have seen it, on layouts large and small…
Sheldon
I’ve always enjoyed seeing photos of Jon Grant’s layouts, Ulrich. Beautiful depictions of a city setting and not all unrealistically run-down and delapitated…
Tom
But loaded with the right atmosphere!
Sheldon - model railroaders in Great Britain quite often build layouts for the purpose of being presented at train shows, of which there are many during the “Winter” season, beginning at the end of September all the way to April/May. There is a nationwide database for show layouts, from which the organizers of shows can recruit the layouts they´d like to display.
Sweet Home Chicago and Sweet Home Alabama by Jon Grant were such show layouts. I doubt that either one ever has found a permanent place in his home.
Ulrich,
I have seen Jon Grant’s work, it is of the highest quality, similar to the work done by Logan Holtgrewe on the Severna Park Model Railroad Club, some 40 years ago.
If you have access to the MR archive, look the club up, they were on the cover multiple times.
I had the priviledge of working with Logan on that layout in the 1970’s and early 80’s.
Even today, and surely years ago, modelers in the US who are interested in modular layouts, or transporting layouts for display are the minority. Maybe a bigger group today, but still a minority.
But more importantly, it has been my experiance that a great many modelers in the US are lone wolves, at least to the extent that they avoid or minimize their interaction with people/modelers that they don’t know. Many are cautious about who they invite to their homes to see their layouts, and are slow to ad “new to them” fellow modelers into their modeling social circle.
Not everyone is in this ho
My wife and I visited Jon Grant last time we were over the pond. He lives not to far from where my wife is from. Jon has girlfriend last couple years who has been distracting him from his trains I believe.
Indeed, there’s no forgetting Wolfgang Dudler’s superb modeling and construction, nor the generous sharing of his work, info. and tutorials via his website. His delightful Westport Terminal street running video was not only inspiring, but also helped seal my decision to go DCC.
Thanks and regards, Peter
Yes, there is lots of great modeling in Europe! If you like the glimpse of Sebastien Georges’ LVN layout above, get the next issue of Model Railroad Planning. The 2019 edition will be out soon and includes a feature on Sebastien’s layout. Eric
From Belgium … in N scale
