Mine is John Allen. I am amazed at the things he accomplished and when he accomplished them! I also have to say John Armstrong is right up there (the hobby is going to miss him)! However, this question allows some of the current greats know how much we like what they have done. Currently, I have to say I am extreamly impressed with Malcom Furlow, Eric Brooman, Joe Fugate and Bob Bondereau (spelling).
If this subject has been done ad-nausium, sorry!
I think Howard Zane and George Selios are great for the worlds that they have created. Their structures and scenery is amazing with an artistic touch that takes their railroads a step beyond reality.
Two others that I admire for the operating railroads that they have created are Tony Koester and Harold Werthwein(spelling?). Harold may not be as well known but he is the creator of the ERIE railroad Delaware Division featured in one of the recent Great Model Railroads(2-3 years ago?), in the 60th anniversary MR and also in an Allen Keller video. These two concentrate more on the trains and the operations than on scenery and structures.
My $.02
Mark
http://webusers.warwick.net/~u1015590/
Me of course…[:0].[;)] Oh you mean the famous model rails…[:D]
Tony Koester…His style of layout designs and prototypical operations has been my style of doing things for years…I preach for years(and still do) that layouts should be design for operation…I do not use Tony’s fidelity to the prototype but,do applaud such layout designs and modeling of a given railroad or division…
Allen McClellan…Another modeler that believes that a freelance railroad can be just as real as the prototype.The difference between Allen and me is I prefer short lines.[:D]
Doug Smith…This is the modeler that introduce the car card/waybills back in the early 60s that got me started using waybills.[:D]
Frank Ellis(Ellison?)… He was the first in advanced layout designs using off “stage” ( hidden) staging…
Allen McClelland. Tony K would be second.
All of the folks you guys have mentioned certainly deserve the praise you’ve given. There are folks whom specialize ins scenery, operation, track design, etc. Some have done wonderful things with writing, such as; Ted Culotta’s ongoing article in RMC on freight cars. This is a magnificent cornucopia of information!
I have a Hall of Fame Top Ten:
#1 John Allen
#2 [ tied ] John Armstrong, Frank Ellison, E.L.Moore, Gordy Odegard, Ed Ravenscroft, Bill Schopp, Doug Smith, Linn Westcott, and Jack Work.
regards;
Mike
I like Andy Sperando, Tony Koester, Pelle Soeburg, and Erik Bergstrum.
Well,I think you’ve covered all the bases with the names,I admire all of
them,and probably have used their techinques at one time or another.
I’m not sure I have a favorite,they are all good.[:)]
For me, Allan McLelland, Joe Fugate, David Barlow, Dave Frary, John Armstrong, Jim Six.
My father, Paul Cutler, Jr., who got me into Model Railroading before I was born.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
there are so many great modelers, it’s impossible to have a favorite. All of the names mentioned above are included on the list of great modellers.
Pelle Soberg, Ken Patterson, Allen McClelland, Eric Brooman, and Gary Hoover.
Mac
I’d have to say, in no particular order:
John Armstrong - for his writings on layout design, which often include details of prototype railroading that one would not otherwise find.
John Swanson - published a number of articles in Railroad Model Craftsman on building and kitbashing steam locomotives from kits. His product reviews and articles other subjects are also very informative to the steam era modeler.
Gordon Odegard - for his vast knowledge of railroading and model building.
Tony Koester - excellent writer and editor.
I like this answer best of all, way to go Jim. I also liked Brakie’s tongue in cheek remark.
Gil Freitag, Eric Brooman, Jack Parker, Jim Diaz, Jim Sixx, George Sellios,
…and Aggro Jones. I like that guy. [:I]
Pelle Soeburg and Eric Brooman
I belive Pelle is working on a new layout - would love to see the progress.
ME of course.
Followed closely by Keith Fink and his HO Rocky Mountain Division.
John Allen was my “guide” as I grew into model railroading, and I am still “stuck” on his origibal (small) G & D layout… forty years later !
My number one is my 5 year old son, who always reminds me to have fun when running trains. He has a way of keeping my perspective in line when I’m starting to sweat inane details.
My second is me. [;)]
Hey, it’s just a hobby… right? [:)]
For structure modeling, Eric Bronsky (El article in 1976, South Upton Tower in '85 RMC, and did he do the Sheridan Elms station?)
For level of detail in urban scenery, George Sellios
For overall effect, Allen McClelland
For operations and design, Tony Koester
For scratchbuilding, I’d be split between Gordon Odegard, for his '82-'83 scratchbuilt Mikado series, and Wayne Wesolowski, just for the scale and detail of some of his projects.