I yak with Mark a lot on the Atlas forum, as I quickly became a fan years ago when reading his encyclopedia, which is the AUTHORITY on just about every product made in N scale. My opinion. What an ambitious undertaking. Just read his reviews on every locomotive and they are completely without bias or agenda, just straight forward history and evaluation of the product on a first hand basis.
What I surmise about him is that he is an incredibly ambitious guy, just look at his website. He gets more done in a month than I could dream about in a year. To me the encyclopedia is a lifetime project, but he's built several layouts, and engages in other activities that lead you to wonder if he ever sleeps.
Plus he has amazing followup. I have been given the privilege to give him some of my locos for historical evaluation and he returned them quickly, or if he trades with others, the transaction is done quickly and cleanly.
I consider him a valuable part of N scale, as his encyclopedia if read that way gives the history of our tremendous scale.
Hats off to Mark, I hope he expands his horizons to forums to this and other forums as he is a mover in this hobby. If I could afford his layout, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
