Alleghany Midland - Lessons Learned

[John]

I received my copy from Amazon this week. (disclaimer - we get a commission from Amazon sales) of Tony Koester's book. A quick skim of the 95 pages shows that it has lots of pictures, some never seen in the magazines. Tony makes some interesting statements about the compromises and the process he went through to build the layout. My take - he is human and error prone just like you and I - and not some mythical model railroad god that is to be worshiped. His strength is his ability to spin a good story, and it's reflected in this book.

The AM was an influence on me from my first 2x4' layout to the basement empire I am putting together now. While I will NEVER approach the level of modeling that Tony has achieved, I continue to try, even if I do break all the rules

[wm3798]

I've always liked Tony the K's take on things... from protolancing to operations, to layout design.  I've never understood why he draws so much ire from some segments...

Lee

[Bob Bufkin]

John

Have you seen this video of MM.  Would have liked to own the house beside the tracks with a bedroom overlooking the tracks.

http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=8818

[davefoxx]

I've always liked Tony the K's take on things... from protolancing to operations, to layout design.  I've never understood why he draws so much ire from some segments...

Lee

Me either.  I have actually corresponded directly with Tony Koester online and always found him to be respectful of others' opinions, never holier-than-thou, and really a nice guy.

DFF

[John]

John

Have you seen this video of MM.  Would have liked to own the house beside the tracks with a bedroom overlooking the tracks.

http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=8818

Did you see the C&O and CR hoppers ??

[Bob Bufkin]

John

Have you seen this video of MM.  Would have liked to own the house beside the tracks with a bedroom overlooking the tracks.

http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=8818

Did you see the C&O and CR hoppers ??

Oh yeah, I did!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Great news!

I have one of these on the way too. C'mon Amazon shipping...

[Dave V]

I've always liked Tony the K's take on things... from protolancing to operations, to layout design.  I've never understood why he draws so much ire from some segments...

Lee

It's the same reason folks like us draw fire when we depart from RW and enter the mainstream boards.  It's not to do with modeling skill; it's everything to do with philosophy.  We relate to Tony because realism and plausibility are his guiding objectives and he desires to always do better.  I think that's a pretty good match for the RW philosophy.  I find many mainstream modelers do not share those principles and react very negatively to any encouragement to consider them.  The "Rule #1" crowd is often in awe of Tony's work but despise his writings because he dares challenge them to push the boundaries of their comfort zone even just a little.

[ryourstone]

I built a copy of the AM in N scale many years ago in a 15x22 foot space. Changed locale to represent the LV between Sayre (Sunrise on the AM) and Allentown (Midland) with the Midland yard plan modified a bit to be more like the ex-CNJ yard. It actually made it as far as early scenery stage, about as far as any large layout I've ever built.

The major flaw with the plan was the sharp curve on a steep grade and inside a tunnel at the end of the center peninsula. BAD combination and limited train size to about 10-12 cars. Layout lasted maybe a year and was torn down and replaced with a copy of the Cumberland Valley, the virtually flat PRR line could handle trains over 40 cars no problem. Yep, this was an important thing to me at the time

[Bob Bufkin]

Cumberland Valley.  My old stomping grounds and it's not as flat as you might think.  Between Shippensburg and Chambersburg there is a spot they called summit.  Doesn't look that steep but required helpers on long trains.  Last I saw this was early 60's when I spotted two brand new GP30's shoving on a train.

[Philip H]

I alos think there's a bit of . . . anomosity . . . slung at TK because he was RMC for so long, and then ended up in MR.  While I suspect many  of us are equal consumers of both, I know many a reader who is loyal to only one or the other, regardless of quality or who is on the masthead.  I still think russ Larsen did a great thing getting Mr. K to write for MR in his "retirement" and I'm with you guys - his writing is good, and the book is definitely worth a read.

[wm3798]

I think one of the things that nudged his perception over the edge was the incident years ago where Railfan/Railroad was reporting on a possible resurgence of steam technology, and the cover featured the artist's rendering of a very modern looking steam locomotive, all cowled up like an FP45 or something, and it sported the red and yellow Allegheny Midland paint scheme.  A lot of people thought that was bit presumptuous, especially since RR/RF was supposed to be the Carstens Proto journal.

I believe that may have been one of the factors in his departure from Carstens as well...  Or at least so I'd heard...

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

As it should have. That red and yellow scheme was damn ugly! lol

[wm3798]

Ah yes, "au de Catbox."

[Ian MacMillan]

As it should have. That red and yellow scheme was damn ugly! lol

I actually liked it!