This week the back issue book club takes up another issue during the editorship of Russ Larson. The May '79 issue continues the famous Clinchfield RR project layout in N scale, a masterpiece in its time which I was privileged to see at Milwaukee’s Trainfest. This beautiful and imaginative layout really helped put N scale on the map and the scenery highlighted in this issue’s Part 5 was a big part of its visual appeal.
Also continued in this issue is Bruce Chubb’s multi-part article about his Sunset Valley, a very sophisticated layout in more ways than one.
There are some interesting construction projects and ideas including walkaround control, a turntable drive, an unusual work car from the Arcade and Attica RR, and a seemingly easy billboard project. There are three good projects in the monthly “Paint Shop” alone. Many people lament that this column was dropped from MR.
Many of the letters to the editor concern the January issue which was MR’s 45th anniversary issue - you may want to go back and read that one too.
I was most struck by a number of smaller items and ads. In the Trade Topics reviews, Walthers had issued a 50’ wood boxcar in the Silver Streak line which they had acquired and refurbished with new parts. A Silver Streak kit had pre-painted sides, and a basic box was constructed using wood floor, end blocks, and roof. By today’s standards this could be considered by some to be a craftsman kit since it called for some cutting and fitting, and precise assembly of parts, many of which also had to be painted (and the ends lettered) to match the sides. But back then MR wrote that the kit was “well suited to the beginning modeler tackling his first wood car kit … a relaxing change of pace for the more advanced builder.” I do NOT intend to re-ignite the “nobody builds anything anymore/there are no kits” threads but I did find those thoughts t
Had to notice the Troller ad on p.19… My dad and I bought the whole hype hook, line and sinker and bought one. I thought it was the bees knees, since we were upgrading from an old MRC rheostat throttle. This new fangled transistor throttle really made my Bachmann GP40 crawl. I still have it and never had any trouble with it but was introduced to its failings by a friend who bought several and they all failed. Easy fix, just the output transistor which didn’t have enough heat dissapation capacity. I guess it never failed for me because I only ever ran it on our small 4x6 layout with one locomotive.
In RPO, I found the letter from David J.Haehn of SS Ltd very interesting. A view on the industry as it was in 79, compared to now it was very different. Also interesting is the value RPO had as a forum for discussion, and rebuttal. I rarely read it these days as it all seems to be “good job” letters. I find internet forums much more useful. Having said that, even when a letter is detracting, the letter is well written and carefully worded. In these days of the internet it is too easy and quick to be rude to one another. One thing I have learned is that there is almost no one who will agree with you 100% on every issue so you have to be able to get along without being in total agreement. Something our politicians could learn.
Always wanted one of those Walthers impact test car as seen on p.33. Of course in 79 I wanted to grow up to be John Allen.
Odegard’s article on the Clinchfield is brilliant. I don’t think a current project layout would include instructions on casting your own tunnel portals. This may be inflamatory and I don’t mean it to be but we are in a buy rather than build mindset I believe. I don’t think that is good or bad in any real way, just different from how it used to be. Overall, a great series for sure that outlined some fantastic methods.
Model of the month! FANTASTIC! I remember seeing this because I have always been interested in
Pretty sure that Patty the Tool Lady later made the rounds of local train shows. Always a multiple table setup with every tool imaginable, and everyone referred to her as the Tool Lady. Adding on some 25 years to the picture in the late 70’s MR ads, pretty sure it was her. She passed away a few years back, and for one year there was a dearth of tools at the one show, until another vendor stepped in. I do have some tools I purchased from her. I don’t know if some readers complained or what, but as you move through the years, she removed her picture from the ads and just kept the “I want to be your tool lady” slogan.
As for RPO, I think the Internet has kind of replaced this, and generally keeps any disagreement from being publishable. Guess I will sound like one of those “get off my lawn” old men, but I’m willing to bet that many of the ‘con’ letters are written in Internet-style and simply aren’t suitable for publication, while people writing attaboys will tend to be calmer and write in a more natural style - today we all seem to instantly turn indignant when something isn’t to our liking, rather then criticize in a coherent and understandable fashion. That said, a few years back when Andy S was editor, I did submit a correction to an article and it was printed - though that wasn’t really a negative, just a clarification on DCC system capabilities.
Because threads on the “first page” seem to get more attention I am shamelessly bumping my own post here. I am not sure three guys a book club make so unless there is evidence of actual interest in this series (either postings or viewer “hits” both of which are way down for this week’s posting) this, or next week’s, might be it for the weekly book club of archived issues.
I dunno that digging in the Archives is any slower than the rest of the Forum right now. Spring has definitely “cut the chatter” in general. I’ve been preoccupied with finishing and defending my dissertation, which is why my participation has been spotty the last few weeks. Still have revisions, but hoping to make it every week now…
This is one of the bigger issues from an era when that was more typical, with 154 pages.
The Train Miniature of IL ad was certainly the product of a different era as TMI celebrated tobacco in all its forms. The product may still be legal (tobacco and kits honoring it), but pretty sure advertising at least tobacco is now illegal, but not sure about the kits. MR might have to turn down a similar product now?
Narrowgauge is flourishing throughout this issue, with a giant High Country Brass ad among others of note. Then there is the fabled Clear Creek Models HOn3 Red Mountain Depot, which I’ve never seen. I scratchbuilt my own when I needed it.
The ad for bronze GP-7s on page 24 promises lots of tractive effort, but who would need 500 of 'em? Only $3,950 for them all though, if you did.
The CRR was certainly one of the more complex project RRs. I must admit I really enjoyed the Utah Midland article, too, though. Hediger’s walkaround controls are an interesting look at a technological moment in time. Likewise reminding how far we’ve come is the Pro Custom Hobbies ad for crystal-controlled RR frequency scanners. The familiar frequency agile synthesized scanner was still about 5 years off on the future. &nbs
I agree with Mike, the whole forum seems to be on a go slow, I suppose Spring has sprung.
With the recent furore on the forum over advertising standards or lack thereof, it’s probably just as well there are no longer any ads from Patty, the arm waving and handwringing would be eyewatering.
I think that the “It ain’t prototype” is still a good reference for model railroaders as it gives us help in making excuses when compromise is necessary.
The Sunset Valley RR might not be one of the model railroads that spring immediately to mind when “great” model railroads are mentioned, but Bruce Chubbs articles certainly gave me pleasure, and along with the Clinchfield it’s one of the railroads I’d have loved to see in person, though come to think of it, they’re not the only ones by any long shot.
Whatever the outcome, thanks Dave for this thre
Supertrain didn’t even make a full season. I remember watching it. HORRIBLE show. Typical network “we don’t have an original throught in our heads” derivative drivel - Love Boat was pretty popular, so some genius thought up the idea of Love Boat on a train. That’s probably all you need to know.
