I was looking through the blog's stats this week. It turns out that since 1 January 2017, the #1 post is: Index to the E. L. Moore models posts. Well, all the ELM posts generally are all in the top 100 and beyond and mostly beat out everything else that's been posted here. The first non-ELM post in the popular category is the one in 21st position hits-wise: The omni-circulatory streetcar layout. I found that rather surprising. The next non-ELM post is at the 24th position hits-wise: The Anti-Pesto van is ready for action!. Ok, I'm happy about that one. What is there not to like about Wallace and Gromit. And finally, the 3rd most hit non-ELM post since New Years Day 2017, the relatively boring: A review of some Boswer, Con-Cor, and Bachmann HO-scale streetcars. What does this all mean beyond ELM's popularity? Not sure really.
Your work on ELM is the best on the Internet. May it always remain! I dunno... can you find other "outtakes" from Art Curren, Lloyd Geibner, or other unsung heros of the hobby? Or even just the Model Trains magazine? They were the "minor league" of Model Railroader, but they captured the fun and simplicity of the hobby better than much of this day.
Thanks for the kind words! I like to think of those people you mention as members of "the secret history of model railroading". A relatively unsung group who had a bigger influence than we have been lead to believe. I've been thinking about ideas for a new series and hope that later in October when I have some time I can give it a start and see if it goes anywhere.
There was a recent video on Trainmasters TV about Bob Lunde, the man behind Magnusen, some Walthers, and DPM castings. I suspect there are other members of the 'society' like Lunde still living.
As for those passed on, I'd rate Curren in that crowd, yes, but also Sam Swanson (though he may yet be alive...sorry Sam, if I thought you were dead). Thanks to Kalmbach, Curren became known as the doyen of kitbashing in the same way John Armstrong became the father of layout planning. But looking down the list below Armstrong were folks like Leonard Blumenshine - prolific planners with fine layout ideas, but always in Armstrong's shadow. That's kindof how I feel about Swanson, Al Armitage, et al in relation to Curren.
A number of those names I'm ashamed to say I don't recognize, but becoming aware of them - and others - and what they did is what I hope to accomplish with the series. A late night call from Vince riding on a distant streetcar gave me a few other names to add to the list. If anyone has any names from the seventies I should take note of, please feel free to add a comment.
Check MR August 1959, the article on the Diner on Railroad Ave by Al Armitage. There's a nice bio a few pages in with a BIG clue as to his influence on the hobby.
That's an impressive biography. Thanks for the tip. There's also a memorial posting about him in the Dec 2001 issue. I also came across his articles on getting started with styrene in the Nov & Dec '59 issues. Given the styrene kits he developed at Revell, along with his articles on building projects with styrene, it looks like he was a pioneer with that material. I wonder if he designed the Revell bakery kit? And if there is an Art Curren / Al Armitage connection?
Another name would be Irv Shultz and the fabulous TOC St. Clair Northern. The NMRA has preserved a part of the St.C.N. but there just are not enough photos of the St.C.N. as it was built and developed. Irv published many articles in MR, RMC, Narrow Gauge Gazette, Great Model Railroader and appeared in at least one Handbook of Model Railroading.
Perhaps Shultz would not hold as much mystery (that is one of the major draws to E.L.M.) but the layout was done so well that in my opinion was better than the Gore & Daphited. Worth a mention I thought...
Your work on ELM is the best on the Internet. May it always remain! I dunno... can you find other "outtakes" from Art Curren, Lloyd Geibner, or other unsung heros of the hobby? Or even just the Model Trains magazine? They were the "minor league" of Model Railroader, but they captured the fun and simplicity of the hobby better than much of this day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words! I like to think of those people you mention as members of "the secret history of model railroading". A relatively unsung group who had a bigger influence than we have been lead to believe. I've been thinking about ideas for a new series and hope that later in October when I have some time I can give it a start and see if it goes anywhere.
DeleteThere was a recent video on Trainmasters TV about Bob Lunde, the man behind Magnusen, some Walthers, and DPM castings. I suspect there are other members of the 'society' like Lunde still living.
ReplyDeleteAs for those passed on, I'd rate Curren in that crowd, yes, but also Sam Swanson (though he may yet be alive...sorry Sam, if I thought you were dead). Thanks to Kalmbach, Curren became known as the doyen of kitbashing in the same way John Armstrong became the father of layout planning. But looking down the list below Armstrong were folks like Leonard Blumenshine - prolific planners with fine layout ideas, but always in Armstrong's shadow. That's kindof how I feel about Swanson, Al Armitage, et al in relation to Curren.
A number of those names I'm ashamed to say I don't recognize, but becoming aware of them - and others - and what they did is what I hope to accomplish with the series. A late night call from Vince riding on a distant streetcar gave me a few other names to add to the list. If anyone has any names from the seventies I should take note of, please feel free to add a comment.
DeleteCheck MR August 1959, the article on the Diner on Railroad Ave by Al Armitage. There's a nice bio a few pages in with a BIG clue as to his influence on the hobby.
ReplyDeleteWill do. Thanks for the clue!
DeleteThat's an impressive biography. Thanks for the tip. There's also a memorial posting about him in the Dec 2001 issue. I also came across his articles on getting started with styrene in the Nov & Dec '59 issues. Given the styrene kits he developed at Revell, along with his articles on building projects with styrene, it looks like he was a pioneer with that material. I wonder if he designed the Revell bakery kit? And if there is an Art Curren / Al Armitage connection?
DeleteAl was a regular contributor to the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. Modeler extridinaire!! (Mater of plastic, indeed)
ReplyDeleteAnother name would be Irv Shultz and the fabulous TOC St. Clair Northern. The NMRA has preserved a part of the St.C.N. but there just are not enough photos of the St.C.N. as it was built and developed. Irv published many articles in MR, RMC, Narrow Gauge Gazette, Great Model Railroader and appeared in at least one Handbook of Model Railroading.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Shultz would not hold as much mystery (that is one of the major draws to E.L.M.) but the layout was done so well that in my opinion was better than the Gore & Daphited. Worth a mention I thought...
Thanks for the tips! Hopefully I can get things together to start the new series in early November.
Delete