Hi having just got back to modelling North American HO again after some years away in Swiss N, I would like to know what ever happened to some of the people who inspired me to model the North American scene some are still around but some seem to have gone?. People like David Barrow, Malcom Furlow, Bruce Chubb & Dave Frary? To me back then these people just had to look at a pile of lumber, plaster and track and next thing you know you had a top notch layout in front of you.
Shaun
Good question. I’ve recently gotten back into the hobby after several years absence, and I’ve kind of wondered the same thing. Add John Olson to the list of great model railroaders I used to enjoy reading about in Model Railroader. Anyone able to provide an update on some of these folks?
I don’t know about Dave, but the rest are around. You see their stuff in the magazines and occassionally on this and other forums. However there was a lot of work between the pile of lumber and their layout. There are several people on this forum of equal status. Watch their stuff, it is good.
Malcom Furlow and Dave Frary are still around. They produce and sell DVD tutorial videos on scenery and other model building techniques. Their videos are listed in the Scenic Express and Micro-Mark catalogs, among others. Scenic Express at http://www.scenicexpress.com has a set of 4 videos by Dave Frary on scenery techniques. They are catalog numbers TM0105 for VHS tapes or TM0115 for DVDs. His book, entitled, “How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery” is item KB12216. Micro-Mark at http://www.micromark.com sells the identical items but with different catalog numbers. Bruce Chubb and David Barrow’s names crop up periodically in the modeling magazines. Chubb is still marketing some of his electronics products.
Malcolm Furlow:
http://www.taosdaily.com/index.php?fuseaction=home.viewarticle&article_id=741
“He went into business for himself, specializing in model railroads, ‘because basically what I saw was a bunch of old, rich guys who liked to play with trains.’”
Malcolm Furlow has been on vacation from model railroading as well . he spent most of the last 20 years or so as an artist doing western theme paintings . his most recent article in MR was in sept 2003 about his new layout .
Dave Frary’s latest article in MR was in dec. 2001 , as noted above he’s still selling (and revising) his great books and videos on scenery techniques
David Barrow’s latest MR article was in Model Railroad Planning 2005 . he usually gets an article in there or MR about once a year . his current layout is based on his domino construction technique and features minimal scenery buts lots of operation
Bruce Chubb’s new layout is featured in the feb. and mar. 2006 issues of MR and it’s a beauty , including 10 (!!!) railroads in a 55’x66’ basement . it looks like something a large club would run rather than 1 man’s layout
Last I heard, John Olson was working for Disney on the Euro Disney project a number of years ago. His Mescal Lines was very interesting.
Jim
Dave Frary is also a professional scenery builder. http://www.mrscenery.com/
Nick
Hi and thanks, the list is possibly endless but those were a few names that came to mind
Shaun
I believe Dave Frary is on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. I got a very nice rock wall mold from his web site, and that was the mailing address. Also, I believe I’ve seen his name in the photo credits in recent issues of MR.
Hi, just found Dave’s site many thanks
Shaun