Model Railroading

[michael78651]

We have alot of discussions here about trains and railroading. I was wondering who else here is also a model railroader. What scale do you model, do you have a layout, what railroad(s) do you model, is your modeling freelance or prototypical or proto-freelance? Have any pictures you would like to share with us?

[Agrajag]

Bit of a fan here. My father instilled it in me and I have a few layouts MANY years ago but then lost my way. I subscribed to Model Railroader for many years after and kept up on the tech and such. I also built several scale models for future landscapes including buildings, trees, shrubs, etc.

However, the only thing I've done of late is a somewhat recent visit to Northlandz to see Bruce Williams' well-known layout.

I actually knew Bruce in another occupational situation. He was a client of mine with his game development company and I remember his wife always complaining about the space the layouts took (before he moved it out of his house).

Interesting, though eccentric, fellow.

[bennettoons]

. . . to see Bruce Williams' well-known layout.

Is that the Bruce Williams who had a very popular radio 'talk/advice' show about 20 years ago?

Speaking of Model Railroader --- I used to do a lot of cartoon work for them in the 80s. I illustrated one of the editors' monthly columns in addition to spot illustrations.

I wish I had the time and patience to have a permanent layout. I have a Bachmann HO set that I set up and play with once every three or four years!

[michael78651]

I'll have to go through my older issues and see if I have any with your material in them.

[Agrajag]

Bruce was into a bit of everything so it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he had a radio show.

[michael78651]

The Bruce Williams of radio was not a model railroader.

The layout was created by Bruce Williams Zaccagnino.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Williams_Zaccagnino

Click on the external link, and you be able to see a video of the layout.

[Agrajag]

Just so everyone knows, Bruce almost never used his last name. I was actually confused the first time someone else used it referring to him.

[michael78651]

Dave, I found one of your drawings! I don't have very many back issues, but this one I need to keep, because of a fast clock project in it that I did, and in case something goes wrong, I need the instructions to repair it. November 1987, for the article "The Practial Joker". I presume you signed it simply "Bennett"

[bennettoons]

Well, the year is the correct period and the signature is right! I really don't remember too many specific drawings I did, but I'm glad you found one!

[michael78651]

I'll take a picture of it and post it here. If I find more, I'll put them up too.

[michael78651]

Dave, here's your artwork from the Model Railroader issue I mentioned. See, I've known you since the 1980s!:

If someone did that to my layout, they'd get the boot out the door for sure!

[bennettoons]

Sheesh -- I don't remember that at all! I couldn't even tell you what the meaning of it is.

Some drawings - from as much as 40 years ago - I can even remember what song was playing on the radio or what may have been going on around me when I was doing them.

That one -- nada.

Thanks for showing me how porous my memory is, Michael!

[Agrajag]

Sheesh -- I don't remember that at all! I couldn't even tell you what the meaning of it is.

Phew, I thought I was just that out of touch.

[klange]

I'll take a stab at it - was there a coin put on the tracks to short out the system (ha, ha, gotcha!) but instead it completely fried out the whole train set?

Hmmm..


K

[michael78651]

Yeah that's what happened in the drawing.

The article that follows is an editorial about how someone had invited a friend over to his house to show him the layout. He did all sorts of things to try to knock the trains off the track and foil the operations. I have had similar experiences, but long ago. I got wise to that type of "guest" who has watched too much Addam's Family shows. When I have an open house, I am very quick to ask an intruder to leave.